Summer, Sydney, 1978. Jane is in awe of her older cousin: Angie’s only fourteen, but she’s already making waves in their tight beachside community with the promise of who she’s about to be.

But Angie is murdered, devastating Jane and shattering her family. They retreat into a broken silence, unable to come to terms with the horror of a life cut so short.

Thirty years later, Jane has a family of her own—but she still feels the pull of that old tragedy. When a reporter with an agenda turns up asking questions, Jane can finally give voice to her emotions—but the picture that emerges is even darker and more troubling than she had recognised.

As the truth comes into terrible focus, Jane is forced to question everything she once believed—and fight to hold onto whatever is left. ‘The Lost Girls grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go—the sort of book you find yourself still reading long after you intended to put it down.

’ —Diane Stubbings, The Australian‘James has a wonderful gift for entering into a time and place and showing how this crime shapes lives. ’ —Manly Daily‘A penetrating picture of our life and times … a knockout.

’ — Sara Dowse, Canberra Times‘With The Lost Girls, Wendy James has produced a cleverly plotted, eloquently written page-turner that shores up her status as Australia’s queen of the domestic thriller. ’ —Angela Savage, Goodreads‘The Lost Girls is polished and absorbing.

Wendy James has again demonstrated her flair for suspenseful diversion, buttressed by her not inconsiderable literary talent. ’ —Australian Book Review.