The Missing Treasures of Amy Ashton

CW: Flashback chapter describes main character having a miscarriage3.25 stars. Had an [b:Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine 31434883 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Gail Honeyman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493724347l/31434883.SY75.jpg 47327681] vibe, as a reclusive woman gradually starts connecting with people. In addition to being anti-social, Amy is also a hoarder, unable to stop buying (or “rescuing”) things. The arrival of new neighbors, including a 9 year old boy who is oblivious to Amy's efforts to avoid interactions, are the catalyst for change. Alternating chapters portray the events that led to Amy's drastic deterioration, and her current efforts to solve the lingering mystery about the devastating losses of more than a decade before. If the author had left the story at that level I think the book would have been stronger, but instead she adds a suspense thread with a predictable bad guy that threatens to overshadow Amy's personal growth and the tentative relationships with her neighbors and coworkers. There wasn't anything wrong with the writing style, but it didn't quite elevate itself enough to be memorable. Plus I found the straightforward rationale for Amy's hoarding (things can't hurt her but people can) to be rather simplistic. The book reads quickly, and I was happy to see Amy in a much better place at the end. Not bad at all for a debut novel, and I would definitely follow the author to see what other stories she has to tell.