I received an e-ARC version of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

In “Missing Daughter” by Kiersten Modglin, we follow (mainly) two characters - Ginny and Cameron, who are the parents of Skylar. While the story begins with Skylar missing, a good chunk of this book delves into the background history of Ginny and Cameron. Ginny had a very rough pregnancy and severe postpartum (becoming postpartum depression), resulting in her not feeling attached to Skylar. Cameron, on the other hand, felt he had to do it all - be the bread winner, parent Skylar, and take care of Ginny. One day, on what Ginny refers to as a “good day,” she takes Skylar to a local park and meets a woman, Alex. Alex is friendly, a good listener, and eventually a friendship develops between the two women. It also turns out that Alex is a therapist and she and Ginny develop a working relationship. The story returns to the disappearance of Skylar, where some of the hinted at background history is explored - along with some twists and turns.

Let me be honest - I discovered Ms. Modglin’s books during lockdown and have read a number of them - so I was very pleased to not only see that she had a new book coming out - but that I was approved to read it early. Ms. Modglin always takes a pretty interesting story, adds a bit of a mystery or thriller aspect, and adds in some interesting twists (sometimes the reader sees them coming … sometimes not). This book has a number of unreliable characters - unreliable in the fact that you know something’s being hidden by each of them. How reliable a narrator is Ginny? How much is Cameron hiding from Ginny? Is Cameron’s family suspects of Skylar’s disappearance? Is Alex really Ginny’s friend? Ah, I enjoyed the tangled web (and eventual untangling) that Ms. Modglin wove - and look forward to her next book(s).

Another plus for me is that Ms. Modglin’s books are quick reads and she always has an Author’s note explaining how she got the idea for her story. I thought she portrayed postpartum depression (or my experience with it) pretty accurately, including how the meds can make you numb and foggy.

I heart palpitating story with relatable characters and an excellent settling. I absolutely love the stroller and couldn’t wait to find out what happened.

A very different and in parts chilling read. Ginny since having Skylar has been feeling low and tired. Cameron, her husband, although supportive, feels he is doing everything- working, looking after both of them and the house as well. However he also appears to have his own agenda- something we only get glimpses of now and again. Although ostensibly about a missing child, a good half of this is about the background with the parents leading up to that point. Ginny starts seeing Alex who starts out as a friend at the park and then her therapist in a bid to help her through this. Eventually things improve. Skylar has a third birthday party and her grandparents put her to bed just before they leave. Later Ginny finds her bed and the house empty- Skylar is missing.
I enjoyed this but did see where it was likely to go. It’s a well thought out premise and I liked Ginny. As for Alex… I’ll leave you to make your own opinion- to me the sign of skillful writing that a character comes across so well to either be liked by the reader or not as the case maybe.A story of a troubled soul or two and how that can go very different ways. A crafted tale with a chill.