Leaving Time

Alice Metcalf , a dedicated scientist studying elephant grief, disappears under puzzling circumstances, leaving behind her young daughter, Jenna , and husband. Her absence is shrouded in mystery, with hints of abandonment or something more sinister. The disappearance coincides with the death of a coworker, adding layers to the enigma. This event sets the stage for a decade-long quest for answers, as Jenna refuses to accept the notion of her mother's desertion. Thirteen-year-old Jenna , now effectively orphaned by her father's emotional absence, is resolute in her belief that her mother did not

Theme 1: Mysterious Disappearance

This thread running through Leaving Time gives the story its emotional weight. Jodi Picoult weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 2: Jenna's Determination

This thread running through Leaving Time gives the story its emotional weight. Jodi Picoult weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 3: Psychic and Detective

This thread running through Leaving Time gives the story its emotional weight. Jodi Picoult weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

What Readers Say About Leaving Time

Leaving Time has resonated with readers for its emotional honesty and vivid storytelling. Many describe finishing it in a single sitting — drawn forward by Jodi Picoult's prose and an almost desperate need to know how it ends.

A Passage Worth Sitting With

"Mysterious Disappearance" — Jodi Picoult, Leaving Time

About the Author

Jodi Picoult is the author of Leaving Time. Known for emotionally resonant storytelling, their work has found devoted readers across the globe.