There’s something inherently captivating about family secrets. They simmer beneath the surface of seemingly normal lives, threatening to boil over at any moment and scald everyone in their path. Laura Dave’s latest novel, “The Night We Lost Him,” masterfully explores this terrain, weaving together mystery, romance, and family drama into a tapestry as complex and beautiful as the California coastline where much of the story unfolds.
A Father’s Fall, A Daughter’s Rise
At the heart of the novel is Nora Noone, an architect specializing in neuroarchitecture – designing spaces to promote wellbeing. When her father Liam, a self-made hotel magnate, falls to his death from the cliffs of his beloved coastal cottage Windbreak, Nora finds herself adrift. The police rule it an accident, but nagging doubts plague her. As she reluctantly teams up with her estranged brother Sam to investigate, Nora discovers that the father she thought she knew was far more enigmatic than she ever realized.
Dave’s prose shines as she peels back the layers of Liam’s life, revealing a man torn between duty and desire, ambition and love. Through alternating timelines spanning five decades, we witness Liam’s journey from a working-class Brooklyn kid to a titan of the hospitality industry. But it’s the secret at the core of his being – his lifelong love for a woman named Grace – that forms the novel’s emotional anchor.
Love, Loyalty, and the Lies We Tell Ourselves
As Nora and Sam dig deeper into their father’s past, they uncover a web of relationships and decisions that challenge everything they thought they knew about family. Dave explores themes of loyalty with nuance and empathy.
Is true loyalty sticking by someone’s side no matter what, or is it being honest enough to call them out on their mistakes?
Can you be loyal to multiple people when their needs conflict?
These are questions Nora grapples with not only in regards to her father, but in her own life as well.
The author deftly handles multiple timelines and perspectives, allowing us to see how choices made decades ago ripple forward to impact the present. Particularly poignant are the flashbacks to Liam and Grace’s early relationship. Their chemistry leaps off the page, making the bittersweet reality of their separation all the more heartrending.
Architecture as Metaphor
Dave’s choice to make Nora an architect specializing in neuroarchitecture is a stroke of brilliance. It provides a unique lens through which to view the story’s events. Just as Nora designs spaces to promote healing and wellbeing, she must reconstruct the edifice of her family history, examining the load-bearing walls of truth and the decorative facades of deception.
The descriptions of various architectural projects and principles add depth to the narrative without ever feeling like info-dumps. Instead, they serve as apt metaphors for the characters’ emotional journeys.
This insight into Nora’s psyche not only illuminates her character but resonates on a universal level. Haven’t we all, at some point, tried to find that delicate balance between vulnerability and self-protection?
A Coast-to-Coast Mystery
While much of the emotional core of “The Night We Lost Him” is rooted in the past, the present-day mystery propels the plot forward at a steady clip. Dave takes us from Brooklyn brownstones to California cliffs, each location vividly rendered. The author has a knack for using setting to reflect mood, whether it’s the fog-shrouded beaches of Carpinteria mirroring Nora’s confusion or the bustling streets of New York echoing her growing determination.
The investigation itself unfolds organically, with clues and revelations doled out at just the right pace to keep readers engaged without feeling overwhelmed. Red herrings are expertly deployed, and even seasoned mystery fans may find themselves surprised by some of the twists.
The Bonds of Siblinghood
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the evolving relationship between Nora and Sam. Initially distant and distrustful, they slowly learn to rely on each other as they navigate the murky waters of their father’s past. Their banter provides welcome moments of levity amidst the heavier emotional beats.
It’s in these small moments that Dave’s talent for crafting authentic dialogue shines. The siblings’ journey from estrangement to tentative alliance feels earned and adds another layer of emotional resonance to the story.
A Feast for the Senses
Food plays a surprisingly significant role in the novel, serving as both comfort and connection. From Liam’s beloved lettuce and tomato sandwiches to the innovative strawberry pizza at Nora’s fiancé Jack’s restaurant, culinary details add texture and flavor to the narrative. These sensory touchstones ground the story in a tangible reality, making the characters’ world feel lived-in and relatable.
Echoes of Previous Works
Fans of Dave’s previous novels, particularly her bestseller “The Last Thing He Told Me,” will find familiar themes explored here: the secrets that bind families together (and tear them apart), the strength found in unexpected alliances, and the power of love to transcend time and circumstance. However, “The Night We Lost Him” feels like a more mature work, tackling complex emotional terrain with greater nuance and depth.
A Minor Quibble
If there’s one critique to be made, it’s that some of the secondary characters, particularly Liam’s ex-wives, feel slightly underdeveloped. Given the novel’s already substantial length, it’s understandable that not every character can receive equal attention. However, a bit more insight into these women’s perspectives might have added additional layers to our understanding of Liam and the choices he made.
The Verdict
“The Night We Lost Him” is a triumph of storytelling, blending mystery, romance, and family drama into a cohesive and emotionally satisfying whole. Dave’s prose is evocative without being purple, and her pacing keeps the pages turning even as she delves into weighty themes.
Nora’s journey of self-discovery parallels her investigation into her father’s past, resulting in a narrative that is both externally and internally compelling. By the novel’s end, readers will likely find themselves reflecting on their own family histories, the secrets we keep, and the power of truth to both hurt and heal.
For Fans Of…
Readers who enjoyed Celeste Ng’s “Little Fires Everywhere” or Delia Owens’ “Where the Crawdads Sing” will find much to appreciate here. Dave shares those authors’ talent for creating richly drawn characters and exploring the complexities of family dynamics against vivid backdrops.
Final Thoughts
“The Night We Lost Him” cements Laura Dave’s place as a master of the domestic thriller. It’s a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned, inviting reflection on the nature of love, loyalty, and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives.
It’s a sentiment that encapsulates the heart of this beautiful, bittersweet novel. Highly recommended for book clubs, beach reads, or anyone looking for a story that will make them think, feel, and perhaps see their own family in a new light.