What I adore and love about Kerry’s books is the fact she throws so many characters at you, each with their own chapter and weaves a plot that you just couldn’t guess! So many red herrings, so many moments questioning what is in front of you and most importantly a bloody page-turner that is relentless. By introducing this small pool of characters each with their own chapter and subchapter just encourages you to keep flicking the pages, because just as something happens the point of view changes, making you eager to find out what is going but by no means breaking the flow of the story.

Her Missing Child is absolutely heartbreaking and I am glad that the main drive of this story is the characters. Like her previous book Heartlands, the characters drive and push this story to where it needs to go. We are led by them, each one prominent when they need to and fade in the background too only to appear when they need to.

I do love this series with Jessie Blake, I love her partnership with Dylan, and I feel we are slowly beginning to see more of her past and I have a feeling this will play a huge part in future books. It was a welcome addition to include Isla Wilde to the team of two, she was refreshing and she took everything in her stead, even though she was completely nervous about it. I hope she does move over to CID!!!

In Her Missing Child, ALL the characters are flawed and reckless, we unpick each of their lives, the pain, heartbreaks and anger resonate off the pages. So many mistakes have been made and it just takes that one tragedy to set off the Butterfly effect…I am pretty sure I said this last time with Heartlands. I think it’s safe to say that Watts has a formula that works fantastic for her, and I love it as a reader. I love the introduction to a pool of characters, I love that they have their own voice and their own story and we get to see and hear that although sometimes we just scratch the surface. This style of writing excites me and makes me want to find all the excuses in the world to not have to socialise and just sit and read all day! Although mini-me doesn’t make that easy!

With an ominous ending and no resolutions on some of the threads in this tightly woven plot, I have a feeling we may see more of some mysterious and not so mysterious characters in a future storyline…well, I hope so! I really can’t wait to see what the future holds for Jessie Blake, please just let there be some sunshine for her!!!

On a cold winter day, Claire Lucas is woken by her frantic husband asking where their baby son is. When she follows him into the baby's room, they find his cot empty. Their son is nowhere to be found. Detective Jessie Blake and her team are called in to investigate the disappearance of a six-month-old baby boy. When she gets there, she can't shake the feeling that something is seriously off with the family. As she dives deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a web of dark secrets. This is a complex, fast-paced thriller centered on a terrible family tragedy. It's an emotional story that deals with some very heavy topics. The writing style flows smoothly and the characters were well developed and felt realistic. Detective Jessie Blake and PC Isla Wilde were my favourite characters, they were both strong, intelligent women, and I rooted for them throughout the entire book. The mystery kept me in suspense, and there were some really great twists along the way. The conclusion was satisfying but slightly predictable. The chapters are very short, making this a quick, easy read. I am looking forward to the third book and can't wait to see what the author has in store for Detective Blake and her team. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book to feature Detective Jessie Blake, but I found it easy to read as a stand-alone.

Baby Finlay has disappeared. Who could have taken him ?

Jessie and her partner Dylan are tasked with leading the investigation, in what could be a heartbreaking case.

With many characters, this has an intensity that fits with the fraught plot. It covers the many emotions of those affected by a missing child and mental health issues in such a compassionate way too.

While spending all her time on this case, Jessie is also having to deal with an abusive ex, adding to the tension.

A clever plot, full of emotions and tension, in a solid police procedural. A thoughtful and gripping read.

Thank you to Bookouture p, the author and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.

Her Missing Child by Kerry Watts is a fast paced thriller. It's my first read by Ms. Watts, and I was not left disappointed! I'm definitely adding her on my authors to follow list, and I need to go back and read the first DI Blake book, Heartlands. Even though this is book 2, I had no issues with picking up this one without the history needed for many series.

Claire is a new mother, suffering from postpartum depression. Luckily for her she has her new neighbors, Dianne and Colin, who help her through the day, while her husband, Darren is at work. Dianne's help with baby Finlay has been a godsend to her own recovery over the death of her daughter, Stacey, just a year prior from cot-death (SIDS).

Then one day, Darren comes home from work to find Claire asleep, and baby Finlay missing. Enter Detective Jessica Blake and Constable Dylan Logan, who must look into each suspect, their actions and pasts in order to figure out what happened to Finlay.

This book is great for anyone who enjoys police detectives, family drama, and suspense.

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book and for letting me take part in this blog tour. I enjoyed the first book in this series, Heartlands so I was looking forward to catching up with Detective Jessie Blake. If you haven't read the first book you can still read this as a standalone.

After baby Finlay goes missing there are suspects galore. Every time I thought I had it all worked out, there would be a new spanner in the works that threw me. There were many twists and turns in this book and you will be constantly surprised.

This book is so much more than just a police procedural. We also explore post-natal depression, bipolar and other mental illnesses.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the background on Detective Blake. Her past was hinted at in the first book but we learnt a lot more in this book and I feel we are building up to a lot more in the next book

Terrific suspense! Loved it!😍 Jessie Blake, please Carry On!
👍👍Fast-paced and fascinating as it draws a dozen or so characters into the investigation of a missing infant, I really loved the writing style and the plot.

At first I was afraid that, with the introduction of a new set of characters every chapter, I was not going to be able to keep track of them all. But, happily, I had no trouble following each of their distinct yet interwoven stories. So many red herrings and twists, including the complications surrounding motive and method, not only in little Finlay's tragic case, but also in the introduction of a second, more grisly crime later in the book. And heroine DI Jessie Blake with her history of a violent marriage and lost child, displays her sympathetic, human side even while dealing with some pretty nasty, violent and disturbed suspects. So many secrets and cover-up.to expose, all while dealing with her ex who won't move on and the grief over her son's passing that the case exacerbates.

This was the first work by Kerry Watts that I've read but I look forward to seeing more in this series. Definitely recommended.

Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

The book is described as "Unputdownable" and naturally that peaked my interest especially in a crime fiction novel. I breezed through this in 2 days!

Thank you to #netgalley and #bookouture for the advanced e-copy of this novel for my honest review.

Tiny Synopsis: Claire and her husband, Darren, are faced with a parent's worst nightmare: their 6-month old baby is missing. He was just in his crib and next - gone without a trace. Detective Jessie Blake is on the case investigating the peculiar circumstances of the case and the many possible suspects: Claire's overly doting neighbors, the parents, the best friend, and other former family grudges/enemies.

My Review: 3 / 5 stars

The novel is suspenseful and you are kept on the edge of your seat wondering who the killer or kidnapper is. I never read the first novel, but you don't need to in order to catch up with the series. I felt the many different suspects made it very interesting, but it seems like a story I've read many times. The ending was predictable and I was actually hoping for another twist.... It was an entertaining fast read, but I did not LOVE it.

When six month old baby boy Finlay disappeared from his cot nobody wants to find him alive and well more than DI Jessie Blake.The first suspects are always the parents and when it comes to light, that Finlay’s mom Claire suffers from post natal depression, it’s not a big jump to assume the worst. But instead for clearing the case, it becomes more and more difficult to finding out what really happened with Finlay and there are so many potential suspects. To make it even more complicated, Jessie’s past is getting to her in ways she wouldn’t have thought possible.
I liked this new book more than the first about Jessie Blake. She seems human in her daily life and her struggle with the past. And I especially liked the new PC Isla Wilde. Hopefully she will be joining the team and make it complete.

Wow! I legitimately feel like I have had the stuffing knocked out of me as this book really packs a punch, and Ms Watts takes you on a windy, twisty journey through secrets and lies, deception and deceit to uncover the devastating truth. This is the second book in the Detective Jessie Blake series but there's no need to have read the previous novel to enjoy this one. I have read each of the author's books and I would say that this is her best so far and an ideal introduction for those new to her work as well as those who already love her well-planned and emotional stories. I found myself actually imagining the story was real and it was my baby who had been cruelly taken; Watts knows exactly how to tug on your heartstrings. I simply couldn't tear myself away and read it in a single afternoon. I was completely engrossed.

The fact that there are a plethora of suspects and people with dark secrets to hide meant I couldn't guess exactly who was involved so my interest never waned and I kept turning the pages more rapidly to get to the truth of the matter. I also loved the setting of the Scottish Highlands, a place very much close to my heart, and the scenery was described beautifully. Stark but stunning; isolated but vast. It's quite a sad read and explores the complications women can get after giving birth/post-natally. Protagonist Jessie is a competent, intrepid investigator but of course, she has the stereotypical issues a lot of investigators have. The conclusion is a satisfying one, and I look forward to the next instalment. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

Great storyline, was gripped from the first page. Kept me guessing from the beginning, with lots of twists and turns to keep me intrigued to the end. Will look forward to more from this author.

This is a heart wrenching crime thriller.
It centres around a six month old baby who has been taken from his cot.
Jessie and the team are keen to find out what’s happened to him and soon realise that not everyone is being truthful with them.
Baby Finlay’s parents are devastated and it really pulled on my heartstrings.
There’s quite a lot of characters under suspicion and I liked the way the story unfolded, revealing more and more about their lives.
This is a gripping read that ends on a cliffhanger, so I can’t wait for the next book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of Her Missing Child.

This is the second book in the DI Jessie Blake series but you don't need to read the first book to follow along.

When Jessie Blake is called to investigate the disappearance of a newborn boy, she encounters many suspects and plenty of subterfuge.

At the same time, she is grappling with her own personal loss and dealing with the reappearance of her abusive ex.

This is a straight forward formulaic police procedural, which I enjoy, and I'm always looking for a series which features a female protagonist.

Jessie is a competent detective, relatable with flaws and personal issues.

The plot is nothing new; a missing baby, a troubled marriage and a mother suffering from postpartum depression.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and nearly each of them has some tragic backstory or secret they're hiding.

I found the repetitive nature of names most distracting; Dianne, Darren, Dylan, Dan, David.

The identity of the villain is no surprise, but the readers could have used more info, some hint as to what this person had done earlier.

I enjoy mysteries because I want to solve it alongside the hero or heroine but the author purposely leaves out little details or clues though its not hard to figure out the perpetrator when you've eliminated certain suspects.

I did like the addition of a second murder that ties into the disappearance of the baby.

I liked the ending and I would read the next book in the series.

Detective Jessie Blake is back with Dylan her Dc, called to the case of a missing baby. Finlay’s mum is suffering from PND, his daddy is having an affair and they are just crumbling. Enter a close extended family Who are silent and protecting someone.

Eek this was so engrossing. I devoured it over a day. The backstory with Jessie is so intriguing. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

DI Jessica Blake and her colleague, DC Dylan Logan, investigate the case of a missing 6-month-old baby boy, Finlay Lucas. The detectives of Police Scotland are stymied by a mother who suffers from post-natal depression and can't remember anything and her husband, the baby's father, who has some secrets which make answering questions a tad bit difficult. Who took the baby from his cot and where is he? NO SPOILERS.

This wasn't the typical police procedural involving a kidnapped child. There are a lot of different characters and, at first, they are hard to keep track of as they are introduced into the narrative. Along with the usual police activities, there is an incredible amount of domestic drama between the spouses, relatives, friends and neighbors. Blake and Logan are assisted by PC Isla Wilde, who initially was acting as the family liaison officer to Darren and Claire Lucas, but who wants to be a detective and acquits herself well. The story is propelled by quite a bit of action as everyone seems to be a possible suspect. I admit to being a bit surprised by who did what to whom as the red herrings were appropriately misleading. I enjoyed this second in the series more than the first and especially liked learning more about the personal history of Jessica Blake and definitely am intrigued to see what happens for her next. The case is eventually brought to a satisfying conclusion and I'll be looking for the third installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the second book in the DI Jessie Blake series and I feel we are getting to know more about Jessie, she has a lot on her plate, what with her ex-husband stalking her and also heading the investigation into the disappearance/kidnapping of a 6 month old baby who was literally snatched from under his mother’s nose…. this case brought about memories of a personal tragedy for Jessie but can she put her personal feelings aside and move on with the task in hand?

Another good book in this series and I can see with more books, it is just going to go from strength to strength. This book looks at a lot of issues such postpartum depression, bi-polar, domestic abuse, tragedy….. a harrowing read at times, however, well written and plenty of twists and suspects…..Look forward to many more to come.

Wow! The action in this book just did not stop!
There are a few characters in this book, but they all play a pivotal role with a few red herrings in there too!
I just didn't want to finish it as it was so good and so well played out.
I can see this as crime drama mini series, especially with the glorious snowy setting of Scotland, which Kerry describes so well.
I was rooting for Jessie all the way through, you can't help but like her, Isla and Dylan,

So looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to NetGalley, Kerry Watts and Bookouture for such a good old down to earth crime drama. Brilliant!!!!!!

This is a kind of story where you could easily have pulled the sofa I was sitting in from under me and I would not have noticed in the slighest. 

I am often engrossed in a book, but when it's about a child, it touches me in a different way. I suppose it's because I am a mum too and you can better relate to the feelings of the parents? I see the the teddy bear on the cover and already my heart starts to break.

Not only does DI Blake have to uncover a murderer but she also has her own problems she has to battle against. 

She has a whole basket filled with suspects to choose from, but who is the right one? One moment the clues point her in one direction, the next in a different one. 

The police seems at a loss, but then there is the breakthrough ... Can relationships be mended again or is there no way back?

A great story that made your head spin and bottom glued to your chair. 4 stars.

Thank you, Kerry Watts and Bookouture (via Netgalley)

This is book #2 in the Detective Inspector Jessie Blake series. It can be read as a standalone book however. This book follows the story of missing 6 month old Finlay Lucas. Taken from his cot whilst his mother Claire sleeps downstairs, DI Jessie Blake is given the task of investigating his disappearance. This proves difficult for Jessie and her team, as everybody connected to the case seems to be under suspicion.

I enjoyed this book and remembered Jessie Blake’s character well, having read the first book in the series, Heartlands. The story began straight into the action when Darren Lucas, Finlay’s dad returns home after a few hours with his mistress and finds his son missing. Immediately, I was dragged into the mystery of what had happened to little Finlay and began to make a mental list of who could possibly be involved! As it was, I needed a bigger imaginary notepad as it seemed that almost everyone in the book could possibly have had something to do with Finlay’s disappearance. There were a lot of characters, but it didn’t get overly complicated as to who was who and what their connection was.

The storyline does deal with some upsetting themes such as mental health issues, domestic violence and grief, as well as the usual murders and police procedures that books of this genre usually have! The story flowed well and kept up the pace throughout the book. The “crime” parts of the storyline were well played out and certainly kept me thinking! I did however really enjoy getting to know more about Detective Inspector Jessie Blake than we did in the first book. Whilst she still is the gritty and tenacious detective that she was in Heartlands, we get to see more of her personal side and little bits of her past are drip fed to the readers as the storyline progresses. Jessie has obviously had a difficult past, and now that her abusive and controlling husband is back on the scene I’m hoping we get more of this storyline in the next instalment!

This second book continues to pack a punch in what is looking to be a great series of police procedural/crimes books. It took me on a rollercoaster of suspense and tension which I didn’t want to get off until I’d reached the very end. Filled with twists and turns all the way through, this was an exciting and thrilling read. I shall look forward to the next book in the series!! Highly recommended!

This was a pretty good book. I have not read one that took place in Scotland before this so I enjoyed that aspect. I just thought the actual story was kind of like been there read that. I still enjoyed reading it though. Thanks NetGalley.

I've read so many of these types of books so going into this one I wasn't expecting anything. I was wrong. I really liked this one. The writing was great and kept me at the edge of my seat. I now have to go back and read the first one in this series.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.