When Mimi Went Missing - by Suja Sukumar

About the Book

After seeking retaliation against her cousin Mimi and vindictive foe Beth for relentless bullying, East Indian American Tanvi awakens as the prime suspect in Mimi's disappearance with no memory of the previous night.

Book Synopsis

The splintered relationship between two Indian American cousins is at the center of this dark, twisty YA mystery--perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Karen McManus, and Angeline Boulley.

Shy, nerdy Tanvi has always thought of her perfect cousin Mimi as her sister. Not only did Mimi's family raise Tanvi after the tragic death of her parents, fierce Mimi has always protected Tanvi at school. At least until Mimi fell under the spell of their flawless, rich classmate, Beth . . . Tanvi's biggest bully. Fearing another terrible year, Tanvi decides to take a desperate, preemptive strike--and captures an incriminating photo of Mimi and Beth at a party. When Tanvi wakes up the next day with a bump on her head, scratches on her leg, and no memory of what caused her injuries, Mimi is gone.

Tanvi begins to fill the gaps in her memory and question Mimi's friends and enemies, hoping to bring her cousin home. But when new evidence comes to light, the search for Mimi takes a dark turn as the cops announce that they are now hunting a murderer. Could Tanvi be the killer?

To save her family, Tanvi must revisit the worst night of her life and the darkest parts of her past to discover if she's capable of murder--and the truth of what happened to Mimi.

Review Quotes

Praise for When Mimi Went Missing

She Reads Most Anticipated YA Thrillers of Fall

"[A] heartstopping debut."
--Teen Vogue

"A Pretty Little Liars-sized itch can be scratched for readers . . . [in this] heartbreaking missing person mystery."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"When Mimi Went Missing is a chilling psychological thriller that delves deep into the bonds of sisterhood, grief, trauma, and loss. Suja Sukumar displays a real gift at portraying the complex dynamics between teen girls. A promising debut!"
--Tanaz Bhathena, award-winning author of A Girl Like That

"When Mimi Went Missing had me up all night missing sleep, but I had to find out what happened to Tanvi and her cousin. It's a fast-paced, heart pounding, character driven story that's perfect for thriller lovers. It's hard to believe this is Suja Sukumar's debut novel. A much needed addition to the YA crime fiction genre, she's already been added to my must-read author list!"
--Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman

"Full of unpredictable twists and turns, When Mimi Went Missing gripped me from start to finish with nail-biting tight pacing and unreliable narration. Readers won't be able to put it down!"
--Katie Zhao, author of How We Fall Apart

"This book had me guessing to the very (shocking) end. I was hooked. Readers who appreciate stories with twisty narratives, mental health struggles, and immigrant family dynamics will definitely want to check this out."
--Francesca Padilla, author of What's Coming to Me

"When Mimi Went Missing is a sharp, twisty psychological thriller that delicately explores themes of grief and loss. Suja Sukumar has written an affecting debut that will stay with you long after reading. A gritty, heartrending story with an unpredictable ending!"
--Dana Mele, author of Summer's Edge

"A heart-pounding debut that will have you frantically turning pages until the very end as it keeps you guessing about what really happened that night."
--Kelly deVos, author of Go Hunt Me

"Sukumar's debut gives readers a glimpse into the harrowing world of social ostracism and the manipulation teenage girls often contend with. While it is a well-executed thriller, the book's power is in the deep character exploration of Tanvi as a young woman finding her inner strength. Readers will be inspired by this story of resilience in the face of multiple traumas."
--Booklist

"A perilous, unpredictable adventure that glues the reader to the pages . . . YA fiction but adult readers will find this dramatic character-driven psychological thriller equally fascinating."
--BookTrib

"This gripping psychological thriller will have readers suspecting everyone until the very last chapter . . . A quick and riveting mystery with fantastic representation."
--Library Journal

"Gripping."
--Foreword Reviews

About the Author

Suja Sukumar loves hanging out in coffee shops and Indian restaurants, drawing inspiration from naan and malai kofta, masala chai and lassi. She is a senior staff physician at a health system in suburban Detroit, where she lives with her husband; two wonderful, beautiful kids; and an elderly cat. She is also a member of SCBWI, ITW, Crime Writers of Color, and SINC and an alum of Author Mentor Match. When Mimi Went Missing is her debut novel.