After I'm Gone

After I'm Gone is a crime novel written by American author Laura Lippman,^[1][2] first published by William Morrow Publishers (an imprint of HarperCollins^[3]) on February 11, 2014; The novel won the Anthony Award for Best Novel in 2015.^[4]

After I'm Gone

Author	Laura Lippman
Genre	Mystery fiction, Thriller, Crime
Published	2014
Publisher	William Morrow Publishers
Publication date	2014-02-11
Pages	334
Award	Anthony Award for Best Novel (2015)
ISBN	978-0-062-08339-5
Website	After I'm Gone

Plot

The story of After I'm Gone centers on the mysterious disappearance of Felix Brewer and its long-term effects on the lives of the women connected to him. In 1959, Felix, a charismatic man involved in lucrative, though not entirely legal, businesses, charms nineteen-year-old Bernadette "Bambi" Gottschalk. They marry, and he provides a luxurious life for her and their three daughters. However, on July 4, 1976, Felix, facing imminent prison time, vanishes without a trace. Bambi is left without her husband or his money, but she suspects that Felix's devoted young mistress, Julie, knows his whereabouts. Ten years to the day after Felix's disappearance, Julie also vanishes. Initially, it is assumed she has left to reunite with Felix, but her remains are later discovered in a secluded park. Twenty-six years after Julie's disappearance, retired Baltimore detective Roberto "Sandy" Sanchez, now working cold cases, begins investigating her murder. His investigation uncovers a complex web of bitterness, jealousy, resentment, greed, and longing that spans more than five decades. At the heart of this mystery is Felix Brewer, a man who, despite being long gone, continues to influence the five women who loved him - his wife, his three daughters, and his mistress. Sandy's search aims to uncover the truth hidden within the secrets and lies connecting past and present events, a revelation that will irrevocably change everyone involved.^[5][6]

Characters

• Felix Brewer: A charismatic man whose disappearance on July 4, 1976, drives the central mystery.
• Bernadette "Bambi" Gottschalk Brewer: Felix's wife, who is left to grapple with his vanishing act.
• Julie: Felix's young mistress, who disappears ten years after Felix and is later found murdered.
• Roberto "Sandy" Sanchez: A retired Baltimore detective who takes on Julie's cold case.
• Felix's three daughters: Key figures whose lives are shaped by their father's absence.^[6][5]

Reception

After I'm Gone received critical acclaim, solidifying Laura Lippman's reputation as a The New York Times bestselling author. It was recognized as an "Editors' pick" for "Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense" on Amazon. The novel also garnered a 3.61 out of 5 stars rating from over 17,000 ratings on Goodreads, with nearly 2,000 reviews.^[6][5]