Welcome to the latest installment of Addiction Fiction in The Sober Curator Library! This time, we’re diving into a thriller so twisty, it might just give your brain whiplash. Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner is a high-stakes page-turner that kept me up way past my bedtime for three nights straight—and trust me, I don’t give up sleep lightly.
The Premise: Buckle Up
Missing persons expert and recovering alcoholic Frankie Elkin is back, this time chasing down a lead on a long-lost girl while navigating a remote Hawaiian island full of a questionable billionaire and deadly secrets. Oh, and let’s not forget the serial killer on death row who may hold the key to everything.
If that sounds intense, that’s because it is. Think Agatha Christie meets Dateline, but with way better scenery.
Why It Works
Frankie Elkin is the kind of protagonist I can’t get enough of—a recovering alcoholic whose sobriety isn’t the central plot point but is subtly woven into her decision-making, resilience, and daily grind. No big rock-bottom flashbacks or heavy-handed redemption arcs, just a woman putting in the work one day at a time while, you know, trying to survive a high-stakes investigation.
Plus, the setting? Chef’s kiss. A remote, privately owned island in Hawaii? BEACH PLEASE. Someone get the location scout on the phone because if this turns into a movie, I am so watching it.
What’s Not So Believable (But Who Cares?)
Look, this is a thriller, not a documentary. Some plot twists require a bit of suspension of disbelief, but does that make it any less enjoyable? Absolutely not. Sometimes, you need a gripping story with high drama, a body count, and enough tension to make your Fitbit think you’re doing cardio.
Who Should Read This?
If you love:
- Thrillers that keep you guessing
- Books with strong, complex female leads
- Stories that include addiction and recovery without making it the story
- Rich people behaving badly
…then go ahead and add this to your TBR pile.
Final Takeaway
This book is a wild ride, and it leaves you with a couple of truths:
- People with billions of dollars? Unhinged.
- Real happiness is found in deep human connections—whether in a recovery meeting, a murder investigation, or, apparently, a secluded luxury island filled with sketchy strangers.
Verdict: Add It to Your Stack
I grabbed this book at an airport bookstore with the intention of reading it on my trip…which didn’t happen. But when I finally cracked it open a month later, I couldn’t put it down. It’s definitely one to keep in your rotation for when you’re craving an edge-of-your-seat mystery with a lead character you’ll want to root for.
So, Lisa Gardner, if you’re reading this—let’s get a Still See You Everywhere movie adaptation rolling. And maybe throw in a free trip to Hawaii for all of us while you’re at it?
Addiction Fiction Sobees Score: 4 out of 5
TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We don’t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into four genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and NA Recipe Books.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
