‘A stunningly assured debut that explores the ripples of a terrible family tragedy on the surviving fragile members. Beautifully written and surprisingly life-affirming.’ – Sarah Pinborough

What if the one thing that kept you together was breaking you apart?

All Linda wants to do is sleep. She won’t look at her husband. She can’t stand her daughter. And she doesn’t want to have this baby. Having this baby means moving on, and she just wants to go back to before. Before their family was torn apart, before the blame was placed.

Alienated by their own guilt and struggling to cope, the Sadler family unravels. They grow up, grow apart, never talking about their terrible secret.

That is until Linda’s daughter finds out she’s pregnant. Before she brings another Sadler into the world, Bea needs to know what happened twenty-five years ago. What did they keep from her? What happened that couldn’t be fixed?

A devastating mistake, a lifetime of consequences. How can you repair something broken if pieces are missing?

‘A convincing, patient portrait of loss – beautifully written.’ – Fiona Mitchell, author of The Maid’s Room

‘I’ve not stopped thinking about Missing Pieces… it’s such a good book. Heartbreaking and hopeful.’ – Amanda Berriman, author of Home

‘Elegant, honest and breathtakingly beautiful, Missing Pieces is an impressive and raw portrayal of how one tragedy affects an entire family.’ – Christina McDonald, author of The Night Olivia Fell

‘A gripping, devastating, heart-stealing read.’ – Tamsin Grey, author of She’s Not There

‘Missing Pieces is fabulous.’ — Jane Shemilt, author of Daughter

‘A stunning story of loss and survival. Beautifully written, heartbreaking and hopeful.’ – Francesca Jakobi, author of Bitter

Missing Pieces is Laura Pearson’s debut novel.