I took a long time choosing when to read this book, This is the last book in the series and I didn't want the series to end. This book was so amazing.! I loved the storyline and it showed Sarah's skills perfectly and made Sarah and all her friends shine. I don't want to give to much away, so all I will say is this is a must read book but you have to go back and startt with book one.

This is the 9th book in the series, and it can be read as a standalone. This is quite the cat and mouse cozy. It feels a little darker but it's definitely still in the cozy genre. I particularly enjoyed the twists and turns and as always, the storyline is top notch. Along with a strong cast of characters this is quite the enjoyable read.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This is book nine in this series. I recommend reading the first book in this series. Although this is brilliantly written. This is a great book, with enjoyable characters. This book is in stores for $9.99 (USD). This was a great cosy mystery series. You will never guess who done it.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. If you like a good mystery you will love this book, can't wait for more.

Sarah Winston is an ex-Air Force wife whom, after her divorce, decided to stay in Ellington, Massachusetts and run a garage sale business for others, which she's very good at. But after a successful sale for Alice Krandle, a cantankerous elderly woman who's happy with Sarah's results, she receives a phone call from someone who tells her that he's kidnapped her landlady Stella, and she won't be returned unless Sarah does exactly what he says. Part of that is to not contact the police nor her boyfriend Seth, who is the DA, so she's stuck in a precarious situation.

When she learns that Seth was almost abducted the same day, she's running scared, but willing to do whatever it takes to get Stella back alive. She has Stella's phone, which the kidnapper is watching every text she sends, and he is following Sarah's every move. She's given herself a time limit, and then whatever happens, she's going to the police. But she has help in her assistant Harriet, who's an ex-FBI hostage negotiator, and the two are working together.

When Sarah finds the body of a woman dressed like Alice in Wonderland, she's horrified. But when state police are called in, she's finding her adrenaline heightened and her sense of fear intensified. But the kidnapper doesn't know Sarah, or what she's capable of when someone she loves is in danger. It's Sarah's intrepid instincts that puts her ahead of the kidnapper's little game...

This is the ninth book in the series and I have read all of them. I loved the plot line in this one. It pretty much put Sarah on her own against someone with a sick mind who though they could use her as a pawn to get to someone else. It shows Sarah's true strength, and the lengths she will go to to protect those she loves, even putting her own reputation on the line.

I have to say that it bothered me, though, how Pellner and Awesome reacted to her. Would they not have done the same thing in the same situation? Would Pellner have put his wife's life on the line? I don't think so. Cut her some slack, guys. I did love the fact that it showed how loyal Sarah's friends are, and how loyal she is to them. It warmed my heart.

When Sarah starts 'the game' as it were, she's worried and scared, but once she has help unknown to the kidnapper, things start to become more interesting, and that's when the book pulls you in. I really couldn't put this one down and read it all in one sitting.

In the end it was definitely a twisted situation as well as a rather sad one, but there are other things that make it all worth the while. I did enjoy this book immensely and look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

Sarah's good friend, Stella, has been kidnapped. When the kidnapper contacts Sarah, he challenges her to find Stella before it's too late. But there are rules: no contacting the police, no contacting Mike, no contacting Seth. Can Sarah get Stella back before it's too late while also going about her normal routine so as to not raise suspicions?

I was so worried throughout this entire book! I kept yelling at Sarah that she needed to tell people and she needed help. I did appreciate that Sarah was smart about what she was doing. I was so nervous for her and Stella the whole time. Each time Sarah thought of a different subject, I was all for that person being the kidnapper. This one kept me guessing the whole time! I loved it! There's gonna be more to this series right?

It's always great fun to be back in Ellington, MA with Sarah, Seth, Stella and the others we've grown to love in the Garage Sale Mysteries. Having read all the books in the series to date, of which there are 9, Absence of Alice demonstrates why this series rises above so many others and keeps readers wanting more! This book was engaging from page one and I must admit I read it in one setting.

The book opens with Sarah completing the final steps for her latest client, Alice Krandle, who hovers so close you can smell the spearmint gum! Unfortunately, as Sarah is wrapping things up, she receives a phone call that her landlady and friend Stella has been kidnapped and Sarah must find her. If she wants to see Stella alive again, she cannot tell Seth, her DA boyfriend, the police, or her sometimes neighbor Mike. Sarah must follow the instructions of the kidnapper, which involves some very strange tasks, one of which leads her to a murder. Using her creativity and problem-solving skills, Sarah and her ex-FBI profiler friend Harriet, are able to locate Stella safe-and-sound....but this does not end the story of the kidnapper or his/her apparent vendetta against Sarah.

This story takes off from the start, keeps you running throughout and guessing until a very surprise ending. Even though the book is the 9th in the series it can be read as a standalone, as the author does a great job filling in the important parts of the backstory.

I would highly recommend this book and the others in the series. If you need a series to binge read, this would be one of them! I will very much look forward to reading the nest installment in the series, of which I hope there are many!

An excellent mystery that kept me hooked till the end.
Great plot and character development, a strong and solid mystery that kept me hooked.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoy the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries and was happy to find out that Sherry Harris had written another one. Sarah continues with her Garage Sale business, but this book does not have any story on the base which has played a prominent part in the previous stories. Sarah's latest client is Alice Krandle, who is planning on making a lot of money downsizing. Sarah is a bit apprehensive with this sale, but goes ahead anyway. Meanwhile, Sarah’s landlady and friend, Stella is kidnapped. For some reason, the kidnapper has contacted Sarah and has her doing all kinds or jobs for him, solving riddles and puzzles, or he will hurt or even kill Stella. Of course she can't tell anyone, and that includes Stella's boyfriend, a local detective. Who has kidnapped Stella and why are they contacting her? Should she so as she is told, and let the police know? Is she also in danger? All this is happening as she is supposed to act normal and conduct her business.

I enjoy the characters in this series and there are always a few new ones to add to the community. This story had more suspense in it than the others, as Sarah was not solving a murder, but trying to rescue her friend. Sarah is a great characters as she is smart, able to solve puzzles and riddles, has a lot of friends, is loyal and courageous. This was a very fast paced story as she is constantly moving from activity to activity while juggling everything that is going on. I really enjoyed this mystery and did not know who the culprit was at all. I was kept guessing from the start, and the ending tied everything together nicely. The reveal was surprising, but made sense and fit the story well. Overall, I was very pleased with this story and definitely recommend it to lovers of cozy mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
Quite a lot of cozy mysteries have their lead characters doing quite similar occupations- there’s many that run a cafe, bakery or restaurant. I’ve read many where the main protagonist runs a bookshop or some sort of craft shop, and yes I’ve read quite a few where the main protagonist works or owns a farm. Let’s say there are familiar themes that repeat. However, what grabbed my attention about this book was that the main protagonist makes a living out of organising garage/yard sales. I never realised that this was even a job someone could live off, and I thought it was an original and interesting concept.
To my surprise this is actually quite a number of books into this series, but I read it fine as a stand-alone. It involves quite a number of plots running alongside each other that range from kidnap, murder and deception. I thought that this book had more psychological thriller elements in it than in most cozy mysteries as well.
There was enough in this book to make it a different and interesting story although at times I did find some things a bit over done. But I did enjoy this book and I did not guess who the killer was until the very end, which is always fun to be kept guessing. 3.5 stars.

This cozy features Sarah Winston, who runs a business organizing garage sales, and large supporting cast of people with convenient skills and connections. Someone kidnaps Sarah’s landlady and instructs Sarah not to go to the police, leaving Sarah to solve the crime on her own, while having to deceive her friends and the police. There’s plenty of danger, with escalating stakes as Sarah’s investigation progresses, and good New England atmosphere. The implausibility of all the possible motives, along with the over-the-top behavior of some of the suspects (how exactly does a cranky old guy stop people from bidding in an auction?) made the mystery and its resolution less satisfying for me. The protagonist is likable, and I imagine that I might prefer other books in the series.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital advance review copy.

This is book 9 in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series and it can be read as a stand alone. Sarah has a new competitor in town and is working hard to keep her organizing business busy. This sale has a lot of art work and her friend Sarah is helping with the preparation. Somehow, Sarah's landlady is kidnapped and it's all tied to this sale. A good cozy with lots of friends making an appearance. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There is a reason that Sherry Harris’s Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Absence of Alice, the ninth book in the series, exemplifies the tight writing, layered plotting, and intricate mystery that I have come to expect – and love.

In this installment, Sarah is preparing a garage sale for her client, Alice Krandle, when she discovers that Stella, her friend and landlady, has been kidnapped. The kidnapper gives her specific instructions to follow – including that she tell no one (including the police, her boyfriend (and DA) Seth, and her possibly mob-connected friend, Mike) – if she wants to see Stella alive again. Despite some misgivings, Sarah embarks on a secret mission of deception, racing against time – and an unknown and dangerous enemy – to save her friend.

Absence of Alice is a fantastic thrill-ride, with so many twists and turns that it is impossible to put down. It is as much a modern thriller as a cozy mystery, and each clue builds on the next to create an intense and compelling novel. The wonderful cozy elements are also present, and visits with from minor characters such as pizzeria-owners Angelo and Rosalie DiNapoli add to the charm. And exploration of Sarah’s relationships with Stella, Seth, and Mike each add a wonderful layer of complexity.

Absence of Alice is a book – and series – not to be missed. But if you have not yet started the series, it would be best to start with the first book Tagged to Death to get the full effect. I am looking ever so forward to the next installment in this most excellent series.

Note: I received an ARC of Absence of Alice from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed each of the Sarah Winston books I have read. Her garage sale business and the plethora of interesting and colourful characters that help in both her personal and professional growth are always fascinating. This time, Sarah is flying solo and her friend’s life is on the line if she does not play according to the rules of a kidnapper. Using an Alice in Wonderland theme, this villain has proven he is willing to do anything including kill to win this game with Sarah. But who despises her enough to do something so nefarious and what is the end game. Sarah is baffled. And one of the rules is she cannot contact the people who have helped her before in her investigations.

This is a canny and ruthless bad guy. Every time Sarah thinks she has solved one clue, another challenge is around the corner. She knows she is going to pay a high price for following the dictates of the killer but to do otherwise, Stella’s life would be at risk, as well as all the people she holds the nearest and dearest. Often when a heroine goes off in a foolish manner, the reader might want to nominate her for a Darwin Award. But this time out, the reader has to be right there with Sarah as she walks the deadly tightrope..

The story is filled with lots of twists and turns, danger and thrills. It kept me guessing throughout. It is a tight, taut mystery with a rousing good finish. Five purrs and two paws up.

This was my first Sarah Winston mystery and it did not disappoint.

Sarah Winston is a garage sale organizer turned unintentional amateur sleuth. Her penchant for justice has earned her notoriety in her small town, some of it not so nice. Sarah gets a call her landlady has been kidnapped and she has to unravel the clues to keep her alive. Will she save her in time?

Sarah is quite a likeable character and a believable sleuth. For some reason her asking so many questions and poking her nose into people's business did not seem as odd to me as it has in other cozies. I really liked the character of Harriet, the former FBI negotiator turned garage sale helper. All the women in this story are pretty awesome.

I have not read any of the other books in this series but they will definitely be added to my TBR pile.

This is such a fun series, and I had a great time with this cozy mystery. I loved the plot, the twists and turns, and the characters!

This was one of my most anticipated new releases for the new year. However, you may read that many times in my reviews, as this list is quite long. Turns out, book 8 was my first read of 2020, looks like I have started a tradition.
The plot, characters, and even the crimes are so relatable. The books in this series fly by, like a visit with old friends.

In this installment, there is some really creepy things going on. This one had me torn with supporting Sarah's decisions which I understand was the point, so good job Sherry.

If you like a murderous scavenger hunt in a small town, this book is for you.

Like I said, reading the new installment is like catching up with old friends, though I have missed so regulars the past few books.

I have both the digital and audio versions of this book. Hillary Huber, who is one of my most favorite narrators, does a phenomenal job with this series. I was awarded the digital ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Now to impatiently wait for the next book..... at least I know how I will be spending the early part of 2022 lol.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of Absence of Alice in exchange for an honest opinion. This is the 9th book in the Sarah Winston Garbage Sale series.

This book starts off in a much different way that a normal cozy mystery. Sarah is on her way to organize her latest client’s garage sale, when she is contacted by a kidnapper. The kidnapper has taken Sarah’s landlady. The kidnapper has a series of demands if they are met Stella, the landlady, will be returned safe and sound.

There are references to Alice in Wonderland, a dead body-of course, interesting tidbits about garage sale finds. The quirky cast of characters that inhabit Sarah’s life is there. We get to enjoy learning more about their adventures.

In the end, I think Sherry Harris wrapped up the mystery and the motive with flair. I give this book 4 stars. I would say that I think you should have read at least a couple in this series before starting with this one.

Always, always, always enjoy these books. This was a huge twist. I don't normally enjoy books where there is a deliberate game of cat and mouse, but this was really good and finding out who was the killer was a shock. Another winner!

4.5 stars

This is the ninth book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery series by Sherry Harris.

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. When Sarah gets a mysterious message to not contact the police and follow his instructions in order to find her friend, she goes on a dizzying goose chase that is meant to alienate her from all she holds dear. I was totally hooked from word one.

Loved how the entire story played out and how the red herrings took me down so many possibilities. I was biting my nails the entire time.

Great book. Lovely series Loved so much about it. Definitely a must read series.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.