Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell

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🕵️‍♀️ Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell — Full Review + Spoilers

“Everyone’s a suspect. Everyone’s got secrets. And no one sees the girl right under their noses.”

⚠️ Trigger Warnings

This book dives into some dark territory. Expect:

  • Sexual assault / past child abuse

  • Domestic violence (slapping scene)

  • Infidelity and marital breakdown

  • Self‑harm (cutting)

  • Predatory behavior / grooming

  • Gaslighting and manipulation

📚 Quick Facts

  • Title: Invisible Girl

  • Author: Lisa Jewell

  • Genre: Psychological Thriller / Domestic Suspense

  • Published: 2020

  • Vibe: Multi‑POV secrets + red herrings + twisty neighborhood drama

  • My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

🚨 Spoiler Warning

This review spills all the twists, including who’s guilty and who’s a red herring (spoiler: it’s not who you think).

🧩 Plot Summary (FULL SPOILERS)

“Valentine’s Day: everything falls apart”

Seventeen‑year‑old Saffyre Maddox disappears on Valentine’s Day. She’s a troubled teen with a history of self‑harm and years of therapy with psychiatrist Dr. Roan Fours. Roan recently ended their sessions, declaring her “better” — but Saffyre doesn’t feel healed. She’s been secretly following him, convinced he’s hiding something.

“Meet the neighborhood suspects”

  • Roan Fours — seemingly perfect psychiatrist, secretly cheating husband, and definitely hiding something.

  • Cate Fours — Roan’s suspicious wife, frustrated and anxious about his affairs.

  • Josh Fours — their teenage son, awkward but quietly protective of Saffyre.

  • Owen Pick — socially isolated neighbor accused of sexual misconduct at work; spends too much time on incel forums (aka: walking red flag… but is he really?).

“The blood, the window, the arrest”

When Saffyre vanishes, police find her blood outside Owen’s window. Given his creepy reputation, he’s instantly arrested. But Owen insists he’s innocent — and as the story unfolds, it’s clear he’s a classic red herring.

“Flashbacks: the ugly truth about Roan”

We learn:

  • Saffyre stalked Roan after therapy ended and discovered he’s had multiple affairs — including with another psychiatrist, Alicia.

  • Saffyre befriended Josh and confided in him about being sexually assaulted at 10 by a boy named Harrison.

  • Harrison is the real perpetrator behind several recent sexual attacks in the area.

“Valentine’s night chaos”

  • Saffyre hides near the Fours’ house, spying on Roan and Alicia’s argument.

  • She sees Roan slap Alicia — not great for a guy sworn to “do no harm.”

  • Saffyre attacks Harrison later that night, breaking his fingers (yes, queen).

  • Alicia takes Saffyre in to hide her from Harrison until the police arrest him.

“Who’s guilty?”

  • Harrison = guilty of the assaults.

  • Roan = morally repulsive (cheating, abusive, creepy), but not guilty of the assaults.

  • Owen = wrongly accused (society’s favorite scapegoat).

  • Josh = possible secret wearer of Roan’s balaclava? 👀 (Lisa Jewell leaves us deliciously unsettled).

“Aftermath”

  • Harrison is arrested; multiple survivors come forward.

  • Owen is cleared and reinstated at work.

  • Cate finally leaves Roan (good for her).

  • Saffyre begins healing, but she remains wary: predators often hide in plain sight.

🎯 My Review

The Good

  • Page‑turning suspense. Could not put it down — every POV added tension.

  • Complex characters. Even the “good guys” are messy; even the “bad guys” get sympathy (Owen, my dude).

  • Red herrings done right. I knew Owen wasn’t guilty, but I still doubted myself constantly.

The Frustrating (but in a good way)

  • Roan. Just… Roan. (Glad Cate left him, good riddance).

  • The ending’s ambiguity — love it or hate it, it sticks with you.

Overall

5/5 stars. A twisty, propulsive thriller about hidden monsters and misplaced blame. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell’s signature “domestic secrets” vibe.

🌟 If You Liked This, Try…

  • Watching You by Lisa Jewell (suburban secrets + voyeurism)

  • Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell (missing girl + gut‑punch twists)

  • The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell (dark family dynamics)

🛒 Where to Buy

Grab Invisible Girl on Amazon here (affiliate link)

Final Thoughts

Invisible Girl is everything I love in a Lisa Jewell novel: layered characters, neighborhood drama, and twists that keep you second‑guessing until the last page. It’s unsettling, addictive, and lingers long after you close the book.

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