Where the Missing Go was a solid domestic suspense novel, if a tick predictable, as well as a bit slow in the first half. But, once the first twist hit at about the 55% mark, I found the book difficult to put down, and I breezed through to the end.

Before that, however, I wasn't entirely certain what the book was. Based on the blurb, I expected a suspense thriller about a desperate mother searching for her missing daughter. Yes, that is technically what happens here, but it's with a very slowwwwww build up, where we as the reader sit and wallow in the mother's grief for over half the book. Perhaps it is on me to have expected the mother to be more active, less passive, at first (she certainly stops being to passive eventually), but it meant I was very slow to get into it. I read the first 55% in starts and stops over a leisurely week period. I wasn't overly compelled to return to the book, but nor was I inclined to DNF (rare for me, anyway--once I start, I almost always finish a book). I'm glad I stuck with it, as ultimately the book spun a fun, suspenseful tale, and once the actual mystery/suspense part really kicked off and it became everyone vs. Kate (the mom), I was emotionally invested and tense at every turn.

But given all this, I do see some less patient readers tapping out on the book because they aren't expecting a 100+ pages of a mother slowly unraveling with basically no mystery/investigation at all. I wish the book had dropped in the first twist and narration device a lot sooner--closer to the break into two, ie: at about 30%.

From there, the read was compelling, though because I pieced together clues wayyyyyy before Kate did (like 100 pages before?), I was far ahead of her/spotted a lot of tropes and guessed all the rest of the twists. Was still fun to read through to confirm, but in that sense, the book was a little bit on the predictable side. Didn't lessen my enjoyment of reading the latter half, and it's the 2nd half of the book that earns a very solid 4 stars.

A Compelling and Racy psychological thriller!

"​The night is mild, but the girl shivers. The few cars passing by her look so cozy somehow, their drivers ensconced in their own little worlds, hurrying home to shut out everything.
If any one of them turned their head to look at the slight figure on the pavement, then maybe they would notice that the girl looks a little nervous. Apprehensive, even.
But none of them do notice her, walking just outside of the yellow cones of light from the streetlamps, her long hair hiding her face.
It seemed like such a good idea, at the time. The best idea, in fact.
Now? Now, she’s not so sure.
The girl pushes down her unease. Oh well. Too late now to go back.
He’ll be waiting."

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Where the Missing Go by Emma Rowley is a compelling, psychological thriller that I read in one sitting!
There are many books about missing children out there but this is a fresh take on a missing teenager, 16 year old Sophie, who left a note on her pillow stating her clear intention that she is running away.
What sets this credible story apart from other similar themes is this:
Sophie's mum, Kate, volunteers at a charity help line called Message in a Bottle where anyone who has left people behind can call in anonymously and leave a message for thier loved ones which then get passed to the requested party by the charity volunteers. 
What a cool name and fresh idea!
One night, while manning the phones, a call comes in. Kate recognizes the voice. She's certain it's her daughter, Sophie. But the reception is crackling with static and the call goes dead almost immediately.
That's all I'm going to reveal.
I loved this book and I highly recommend it  for anyone who likes compelling mysteries and psychological thrillers!
This is my first novel by Emma Rowley and I will definitely read more of her books.

With much thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corporation, and Emma Rowley, for giving me this advanced digital copy for me to read and review.

I absolutely enjoyed this one from beginning to end. The prologue gives us a very suspenseful look into what happened two years ago upon Sophie’s disappearance with a newspaper clipping then bringing us to the current time. I would say Part 1 of the book was the slowest for me but necessary to give a little bit of the backstory to lead up to the bigger moments. I wouldn’t say it’s too much of a slow burn at all just the right amount but only in the beginning. It was a very good page turner with shorter chapters to keep me engaged and offers quite a few twists to keep you entertained. Just when I thought I knew... I didn’t. It is nothing what it appears and as we are given more insight as the story involves it becomes a dark, twisty, disturbing and well constructed psychological thriller. Although there are quite a few books out there involving missing children and almost all turning out the same, this one delivers a different view and a breath of fresh air. This is an excellent debut novel by Emma Rowley and I think it will make for an outstanding summer read!

Definitely an enjoyable and thrilling read but I struggled to keep interest in the first part. Part 2 and 3 were more suspenseful and cohesive. I kind of predicted the ending, but I still enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.

#bookreview time! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars for Where the Missing Go by @emmarowleyauthor
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Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for approving me t read this. This review is based on my own thoughts about this book.
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Kate trudges off to her volunteer job at the Message in a Bottle Helpline. A helpline for runaways who want to get messages to loved ones. On that Saturday night, Kate picks up the phone. What she hears startles her. She hears her daughter, Sophie, who has been missing for 2 years. “Tell my parents Mark and Kate Harlow not to worry about me anymore...”. Now Kate is frantic and takes things into her own hands.
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This book did not go how I thought. The “runaway” was too neat. Throughout the book you learn more clues and you really feel for Kate. No one believes her the whole time. I also did NOT see it coming. Which was a plus. Pub date is 4/30/19. You definitely do not want to miss this one!

Thank you to both Kensington and Netgalley for the e-ARC of this title which releases April 30th. Get out your credit card because I think you’ll really like this thriller.

The story opens with Kate talking about her daughter, Sophie, who has been missing for more than two years. Sophie did leave a note saying she was running away. So most of the relatives, including her dad, Mark, had decided they’d probably never see Sophie again and got on with their lives. Except for her mother. Kate and Sophie had a very strong bond and when Kate received a call at the charity helpline where she volunteered, she was sure the call was from Sophie. But she wasn’t on the line long enough to ascertain where she was or if she was in trouble. Yet, this was the lifeline Kate needed to dig deeper into her missing daughter’s actions. Mothers never give up on their children.

Although the missing teen focus has been overused in books recently, the difference with this one is the author’s treatment of the story. She manages to hold a taut line that engages the reader until Part 2, when a new person’s viewpoint comes to light.

For a debut novel, this is a damn good book. Rowley writes well, gives her characters logical motives and did a fine job of concealing who done it until the end.

4 Intense Stars!!

Missing child, mother’s instinct, unconditional love, and rebellious teenager’s life choices: perfect mix for an intense psychological thriller. Emma Rowley’s debut novel is a captivating, fast-read full of unexpected twist and turns.

When a teenage girl feels misunderstood by her own mother and decides to put her trust in someone else, the consequences can be dire, especially if that person is a predator. Sophie is only 16-years-old but she already knows what she wants: she is in love and nothing else matter. She decides to leave her family and build a new one with her new love. Unfortunately, things turn out to be much more complicated and Sophie quickly realizes that her decision put her in a very dangerous situation.

Kate cannot accept the fact that her daughter is a runaway. Her maternal instincts will not let her rest and she goes against everyone else, to get to the bottom of what really happened to her daughter. And she is right to do so, as there is no stronger force than mother’s love for her child. By listening to her heart she is able to get closer to her missing child, and to finding out what really happened to Sophie.

This was a compulsive read for me. I was fast reading through parts of this book, just to find out what happens next. The first part of the book was a little slow burn, but I think it was necessary as the author set up the stage for everything else that came in the second part of the story. Emma Rowley did an excellent job in pulling me into the story and in keeping my attention. This was definitely a successful debut novel, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Books, and the author, Emma Rowley, for giving me an opportunity to read this intense book in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars for this heart-pounding, suspense-laden thriller!

Is it true what they say about a mother's instinct? Kate Harlow is absolutely convinced her daughter Sophie didn't just run away with a brief note and no further contact, however, the rest of the world thinks Kate should move on. When Kate receives a choppy phone call on the runaway hotline where she volunteers and believes it to be Sophie, she is more determined than ever to find Sophie.

With masterful pacing, we follow Kate on her desperate attempt to convince, well anyone really, to help find Sophie - but is she on to something, or is this a mother who just can't let go? Throwing in a disoriented neighbor with memories of the past, an estranged relationship with her ex husband and family in doubt, is there anyone who just might trust Kate and help?

If this was just Rowley's debut, I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you to Kensington for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Kate's 16 year old daughter Sophie is missing. It's been two years since she left, leaving her parents a note asking them not to worry and that she just needed time. Aside from a few postcards sent home to let them know she was ok, no one has seen or heard from Sophie. Kate is stuck - becoming immobilized from her daughters disappearance. Her marriage has ended in divorce and she doesn't socialize with anyone except the elderly neighbor she looks in on from time to time. While it seems everyone has moved on, accepting that Sophie was a runaway, Kate can not come to terms with the loss of her daughter. Why did she leave so suddenly? Why won't she come home?

Working as a volunteer for a runaway hotline, Kate gets the call she has been waiting two years for. Sophie calls in to say she is alright and despite a poor, static filled connection Kate knows it's her. She is talking barely above a whisper and she sounds scared. Kate's determination to find Sophie becomes frenzied, yet no one else believes it was her. Despite the lack of support, Kate is determined to take matters into her hands and find out what really happened to Sophie.

This book was a bit hit and miss with me. Part 1 seemed to drag on endlessly and I had to make an effort to stay with it. While I definitely felt for Kate's plight as a mom - the first 40% of the book was just too slow and dare I say, a bit boring. I figured out what happened very early on (and proved to be correct). Despite some plausible red herrings Rowley tried to throw in, there were simply no surprises here for me as a reader.

Parts 2 and 3 definitely picked up the pace with the introduction of Sophie's point of view alongside Kate's. I tore through the remainder of the book in a few hours, appreciating the last 2/3 of the book much more than the first part. Overall, it was an interesting story, there just wasn't anything spectacular that made this mystery/thriller stand out amongst the many out there.

I typically avoid books where bad things happen to kids. My role as a mom and teacher means that I spend my every waking moment trying to protect the children in my care. Where The Missing Go sent shivers up my spine from beginning to end!

The whole whirlwind starts right from the opening pages. Main character Kate’s energy is almost tangible as she receives a call at the hotline where she volunteers. As she desperately tries to get help from local law enforcement and other avenues, she’s turned away from the support she needs. Even her own family abandons her.

My heart just tore into tiny pieces as page after page, this mama went through a mother’s worst nightmare. As an extra twist of the knife, author Emma Rowley allowed snippets of daughter Sophie’s perspective to intersperse in the pages. The scant peeks into the other side of the story had me frantically reading page after page. I couldn’t stop thinking about what was happening while the book sat idle. I had to read it!!

Fans of psychological thrillers will surely find themselves riveted by this story. I was chasing a different ending in my mind; the conclusion really caught me off guard!

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Loved this book!!! I had no idea who was behind everything until the very end when it was finally revealed. It was a great mystery/suspense book. There were so many twists and turns. I had a hard time putting the book down because I wanted to know what happened to Sophie. I loved Kate. She lived a mother's worst fear- having your daughter run away and simply vanishing. She simply wants to know where her daughter is and if she is OK. Kate never gave up, even when her family, ex-husband and friends wanted her to. I hated the way Kate's sister treated her. I'm not sure how they expected her to just get on with her life. The book eventually alternates between Kate and Sophie. Reading about Sophie and her decision to leave were some of the scariest parts of the book. She was a teenager- impulsive, naive and really didn't think through her plans.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved the story, writing style and characters. Looking forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sophie runs away from home. She leaves a note and follows up with postcards. However, her mother Kate can't accept that she is really gone and not coming back. Dealing with her grief, she alienates her friends and worries her family. Then one night while manning a runaway hotline, Sophie calls in. This reignites Kate's dedication to tracking down her daughter. At this point I was annoyed with Kate and the story. Sophie was an adult and it wasn't doing Kate's health (physical or mental) any good to keep pursuing Sophie. However, without this there wouldn't be a story. The character development and story writing were good, I guess I just somehow wish Ms. Rowley had found and taken a slightly different approach to getting to the main plot of the story.

Kate's life fell apart two years ago when her daughter Sophie disappeared. Sophie has sent postcards but Kate has no idea what went wrong. Her husband (boo hiss to him) left her, she's not in contact with her father and sister, and basically the only thing Kate does is volunteer at a hotline. Then, well, you've read the blurb- a call comes in from her Sophie. Will she finally learn WHY Sophie left? Will Sophie be safe? What the heck happened? It's always hard to review a thriller without spoilers and this is no exception. Focus, therefore, on the fact that these are good sympathetic characters and that Rowly has a nice way of building tension. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Perfect for travel.

Where the Missing Go by Emma Rowley tells the story of Kate, a middle age woman who works at a hotline called Message In A Bottle. She answers calls from runaways who want their families to know they are ok but do not want to be found. The calls are not recorded and are not traced Kate is passionate about this job because her teen daughter, Sophie, ran away 2 years earlier. One night Kate receives a call at the hotline and it sounds just like Sophie. The caller even says her parents are named Kate and Mark! Kate is overjoyed and calls the police. The police don't seem very interested and are not much help. Kate must go out on her own to investigate where Sophie is. Is she really a runaway or did something more sinister happen? The truth starts coming out as Kate digs deeper into the past. This was an enjoyable mystery. I will definitely read this author again.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alrighty, so the synopsis for this totally looked like my cup of tea, and I was pleased when I was granted access to it from Netgalley. When I started this book, I was quickly and easily drawn in, and that is good. The premise is interesting, and I think everyone's nightmare - for their child to go missing. That being said, you quickly realise you don't really know what's cracking, and the book slowly gives up its secrets.

I didn't love all the characters, and that is okay. I liked the story, even though I feel that sometimes the writing style and the pacing let the story down a bit. There were sections that were a little unbelievable and then there were moments where something happens that is so stupid you are just stumped. But the story still keeps you engaged, even when the story goes from "missing" to "runaway", and you start wondering how Rowley is going to keep you going.

The book is a simple, fast read, and very engaging, as I said. It probably could have been slightly shorter, but it is not so long that you lose interest, or wonder why you have spent so much time. There are some lulls, but for the most part, the story moves along. It is hectic to think about parents that have gone through/are going through something like this, it is horrible. I don't have too much to say, just that the book was well worth a read, and I enjoyed it. It was twisty at times, and while predictable in some places, it wasn't like that when it counted. Definitely worth a look see.

This was an addictive thriller with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Thank you Netgalley for the preview of Where the Missing G by Emma Rowley.
This is a missing person novel - and I have read alot of them.
There are alot of details which keeps the pace slow in the beginning, and by the end of the book, it does move quicker.
If this is they type of novel you go for - solving missing person, family drama - it's a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that this book was an original, exciting and addictive psychological thriller with a lot of twists and surprises.
I would definitely read another book by this author.

hard book for me to review, the beginning was slow and stayed slow for a long time, in one way it made sense the tediousness the waiting as would be in real life. but as a reader it was hard to keep my interest. the last part, maybe third got more interesting and i was glad to finish it. I wish there were half stars to be given since 3.5 is what i would rate it

WOW, Where the Missing Go was a emotional thriller that had me glued to my kindle. As a mother this book was a weeeeeee hard to stomach at times. But the message through out this book which is a mother will stop at nothing when it comes to her child!

I look forward to reading more from Emma Rowley!