Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult follows teenager Jenna Metcalf’s search for her missing mother, Alice, an elephant researcher. The story weaves grief, motherhood, and memory with fascinating insights into elephant behavior. While the premise is intriguing and the emotional twist near the end is impactful, the execution falls short.

Drawn-out dialogue slows the pace, making the journey feel tedious at times. The focus on elephant research, though interesting, becomes excessive as the book progresses, overshadowing the main narrative. This imbalance, along with the slower pacing, made this my least favorite Picoult book so far.

Despite its shortcomings, the story still offers emotional depth and might appeal to fans of layered mysteries. However, it didn’t hold my attention or leave the lasting impression I’ve come to expect from her work. It’s worth a read, but not her strongest. I look forward to my next Jodi Picoult novel as she is one of my favorite authors.