Book: Local Gone Missing
Author: Fiona Barton
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Pub Date: June 14, 2022

Fiona Barton is one of my favorite authors….but I find her stories so hard to follow! I love the plot but I have such a hard time keeping up. I guess it’s just the writing style. I was lost several times but I have to say I still enjoyed the book. It has a really good story and I loved how she connected every one in the end. It’s a really good read….I just had to read really slow.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is June 14, 2022.

Call me crazy, but I'm sniffing the start of a new series "starring" detective Elise King. If I'm right, I'm certainly interested in reading the next one - even though this one is a bit too close to a cozy mystery to suit me (more on that later).

Set in the small by-the-sea town of Ebbing, England, Elise lives is on medical leave from the police Major Crime Team following cancer surgery, but she stays in touch with her capable partner, Caro Brennan. One evening, in the middle of a town festival that a town bigwig forced on the locals against their will, two teenagers overdose on drugs and a local man - Charlie Perry - goes missing. Elise isn't supposed to be on the job, but she gets roped in by way of friends (in particular, her neighbor Ronnie). She soon learns that although Charlie is quite popular in the community and has an almost middle-aged daughter, Birdie, in a full-time care facility, he has more than a few secrets that he's trying hard for years to hide.

Readers meet other characters along the way, including community house cleaner Dee Eastwood, who because of her work is privy to all kinds of secrets (and, not surprisingly, has a few of her own). Chapters move from the present to the past and back again - constantly - a technique of which I'm not fond but which the author does very well in this instance (well, I'm not any fonder of it than I used to be, but in this case it was far less confusing than it too-often is).

For her part, Elise tries hard to investigate and avoid ruffling feathers of those who insist she shouldn't be back on the job - most of the time successfully. Near the end, she feels well enough to convince her supervisor that she can handle a return, by which time she and Ronnie have a pretty good handle on what's really going on - and the ending brings a bit of a surprise as well as "outs" a bunch of secrets and wraps things up nicely.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it, but I must say it tromps on the edges between being a police procedural and a cozy. Mostly, that's because Elise's neighbor Ronnie is obnoxious, pushy and won't take no for an answer (nor can Elise bring herself to utter that word to her friend) - a hallmark of just about every cozy I've ever read. I can't, for instance, imagine any professional police officer, even one off duty, allowing a civilian to be so fully involved in a department investigation except in a cozy. On the other hand, I will give the author kudos for her handling of the cancer issue; readers and the story's characters certainly feel empathy toward Elise and what she's going through, but at no time is she treated like a victim (nor does she behave like one except for the occasional - and totally understandable - lapse into a temporary blue funk). Bottom line? An entertaining read - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton is a story set in a small town and filled with layer after layer both in cast of characters and events that transpire over 20 years. The locals in the small town of Ebbing like their small town feel and abhor weekenders/visitors. Ebbing is a place where you think you know everything about everyone, only to discover you dont really know your neighbors.

When a local decides to host a music festival, not everyone in town is supportive. This is when we are introduced to 2 seemingly unrelated events - a local man gone missing and 2 kids overdosing at the music festival. Set in "now" and "before" sections, the reader slowly unravels what happened and who done it.

Detective, Elise King, just off medical leave sets out to uncover the truth. Her investigation of the music festival leads to layers of deceit, fraud and murder. Elise is a strong female lead and likeable character who has good instincts. I could see future books as she investigates crime.

Overall, Bartons book is complicated, but it resolves itself fully in the end. I do enjoy a multi-layered plot. Local Gone Missing is puzzle after puzzle and the opportunity to put your detective hat on to decipher the crimes and why's.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Fiona Barton and Berkeley Publishing Group. I am ashamed to admit this is my first Barton read. Hopefully she continues to write more with Elise King as I would love to continue investigations in Ebbing.

DNF at 32%. This was a highly anticipated novel for me as I loved her Kate Waters series. Unfortunately, this was a complete miss for me. I had zero connection to the characters or storyline. The characters were all unlikeable and I found myself confused between them and the different timelines. The story lacked flow and didn’t hold my interest.

I loved the small town vibe of this police procedural. I loved the characters of the cop and her partner, the fact that she wasn't on the job, and had to use her colorful neighbor to help. I pretty much loved everything about this one! Again, with the past coming up to solve a crime, with the troubled detective with her own problems. This one was very well done.

I received a digital advance copy of Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton via NetGalley. Local Gone Missing is scheduled for release on June 14, 2022.

Local Gone Missing focuses on Detective Elise King, an experienced detective in small town Ebbing, who has been sidelined by medical issues. She is now recovering, and almost ready to return to work. A newcomer to town puts on a music festival, which brings in strangers (and drugs), resulting in two teens overdosing and an older man disappearing. Elise finds herself pulled into the cases, first unofficially, then officially when her medical leave is cut short.

In addition to her medical issues, Elise is carrying the baggage of a broken relationship, the pressure to have children, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Around her is a cast of characters, most of whom having secrets they would do almost anything to keep hidden. As we learn more about the Elise and the people around her, we find their stories are interconnected in ways none of the characters is aware of.

The plot of the story itself hinges on two simultaneous mysteries— the two overdosed teens, and the missing man. Barton manages to continuously reveal information and clues regarding these mysteries while at the same time adding new layers with each reveal. As a reader, I was able to figure things out at the same time as Elise, and ask questions right along with her.

While I found the characters and plot to be very well written and well developed, the setting did give me a bit of trouble. The events take place in a small town, often centered around one large house and the surrounding land. I sometimes found it difficult to follow the layout of the house and the characters as they moved through it. Fortunately, the characters and plot were strong enough to pull me through those difficulties and enjoy the ride of the story.

Overall, Local Gone Missing is a layered, tightly woven, mystery/suspense that explores the connections between a complicated cast of characters. This novel is complete on its own, but I would welcome more stories following Elise as she investigates crimes.

Elise King is a murder detective on medical leave when brought back on the job to solve a mystery. Local man Charlie Perry has gone missing during a festival in their little town that the locals never wanted. While searching for who supplied drugs at the festival, locating the missing Charlie, and uncovering even more scandals that go deep….Elise is working one case that morphs into multiple cases. This sleepy little vacation town is full of deceit, fraud, murder, drugs, and more.

At first this book was confusing to keep track of with all of the character POVs. Eventually I was able to keep it straight and get lost in the story. I was NOT expecting the surprise at the end. Some parts were very predictable and others a complete mystery surprise.

TW: cancer, drug abuse, alcoholism, foster care, child neglect

This one started out on the slower side, and left me confused as to where it was headed, but about halfway, I was pretty invested in this small town investigation crime thriller.

Elise King, a detective in the small seaside town of Ebbing, is out on medical leave and not sure if and when she'll return to work. There is tension between the local residents and the new coming residents when these newcomers decide to throw a music festival. During the festival, two teens overdose, and a man goes missing. Elise is back on the job to try and find out if these 2 incidents are connected, and looking for answers.

The story is told at different points in time and multiple pov. I feel like that might've not worked best for this book. There are alot of characters, and alot going on. I did like the ending, but some things could've been tied up a bit better. I'd still check out other books by this author.


Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Fiona Barton brings readers a detective mystery in her novel Local Gone Missing. It’s set in the fictional seaside town of Ebbing, England and features Detective Inspector Elise King. Elise is recovering from surgery and chemotherapy when a local man, Charlie Perry, goes missing after the first night of a controversial music festival. Additionally, two local teenagers overdose on drugs during the festival. While Elise isn’t on the case, she and her neighbor Ronnie do some sleuthing. About halfway through the novel, it switches to a police procedural.

Elise is very relatable. She is strong, ambitious, determined, and intelligent, but is still feeling the effects of the chemotherapy treatments and wonders if she will be up to going back to work. There is a wide range of other characters’ viewpoints readers get to see. From the missing man, Charlie Perry, to the house cleaner Dee Eastwood who sees and hears more than her employers could ever guess to a variety of others. Using character point of views is effective because readers get to see how each character connects to and understands or misunderstands the others. This adds complexity and depth to the characters.

The author weaves a tale involving locals and weekenders as well as visitors with lots of secrets and hidden connections. Lies and misdirection are the rule, not the exception. While the story moves from person to person and back and forth in time, it worked reasonably well for me. With red herrings, twists, and turns, the story builds momentum until it culminates in an astonishing conclusion. This is a book about family, community, anger, change, lies, and most of all, relationships.

Overall, this was a fascinating read with a stunning and deeply involved plot. Will it become a series? If you enjoy mysteries, then I recommend that you check out this one.

Berkley Publishing Group and Fiona Barton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 14, 2022.

I enjoy Fiona Barton stories and this was no exception, as it layered in all of my favorite things in a suspense mystery story successfully - a small town where everyone knows everyone and anyone can and is be a suspect. Told in alternating voices made it more fun and challenging to figure out the whodunit, with a satisfying ending that I did not see coming.

After a romantic breakup and while on leave recovering from treatment for breast cancer, Detective Elise King moves to Ebbing for the soothing properties of sea air. She becomes caught up in the case of a missing local person and, after investigating as private individual, returns to service as head of the query.

Told in alternating timelines, now and before, Barton accurately portrays the claustrophobic, gossipy feel of life in a small village as well as the resentment felt when it is regularly invaded by weekenders. There are many secrets in Ebbing; this case unravels some of them.

This is a solid police procedural. Yes, there are quite a few characters introduced, and sometimes I had to pause for a second to think about and remember who each one was. The plot is a bit intricate, but moves along at a good pace.

I enjoy strong female characters and despite the remaining after effects of her cancer treatment, Elise is a likable, capable detective. I also like the teamwork and caring evident between her and another female teammate, DS Caro Brennan. I look forward to what I hope will be more books in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the DRC

Hold on TIght for this Satisfying Investigation Thriller

SUMMARY
Detective Elise King is currently on medical leave and must sit and watch the tension in the town escalate from her front window. She can’t wait to get back to work in the seaside village of Ebbing.

Tensions come to a head when village newcomers get approval to host a large outdoor music festival. The locals fear the concert will bring drugs and a dangerous element to their quiet village. On the first night of the concert, two teenagers overdose on drugs and are rushed to the local hospital in critical condition. Later that evening, an older local resident also disappears. King is called back to work to take charge of the investigation and determine who is responsible for the drugs and the disappearance, and determine if the events are related.

REVIEW
LOCAL GONE MISSING requires your full attention to keep up with the people and the happenings in Ebbing. This dark story goes back and forth in time and is told from multiple points of view. There are many diverse and interesting characters, several of which become suspects in Detective Elise King’s police investigation of the missing man.

Detective King and her next-door neighbor Ronnie’s characters bring light to the story. You will want to hold on tight while they creatively get the ball rolling on the investigation. King is a strong, smart, and take-charge character who thankfully brings the multi-plot story in for a nice landing.

Author Fiona Barton’s pacing starts frustratingly slow and jerky but picks up at the story's halfway point. The ending was a nice surprise. The story leaves you satisfied and yet wanting more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Books for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Berkley Books
Published June 14, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

"Local Gone Missing" was the perfect combination of a cozy mystery and a thriller in one. The little seaside town sounded like a dream, until the story took a turn for the worst and two teenagers end up dead. I loved the idea of a housekeeper who knows the towns secrets and putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

Detective Elise King is on medical leave from the force, recovering from breast cancer treatment. When a member of the community, Charlie Perry, goes missing, Elise, with the help of her neighbor, starts an investigation. Last known sighting of Charlie was at a local music festival where two teenagers collapsed after ingesting drugs. Does Charlie's disappearance have anything to do with what happened? His interactions with other community members add to the suspect list and his past reveals even more. Elise realizes that Charlie was not the friendly charming neighbor he pretended to be.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton is a highly recommended procedural/mystery.

Housecleaner Dee Eastwood shows up to clean the caravan where Pauline and Charlie Perry are living while purportedly restoring the crumbling estate Tall Trees when it is discovered Charlie (73 years-old) has disappeared. Seventeen days earlier Charlie had visited his daughter Birdie in the residential care facility where she lives due to brain damage caused during a burglary twenty years earlier. Charlie is six months behind in paying for Birdie's care, but Pauline objects to spending money on her care. Charlie's disappearance occurs on the first night that a large musical festival is being held in Ebbing where two teens overdose on drugs.

Elise King is a detective who is on medical leave who observes all the rising tensions in her community. She also employees Dee, who sees and knows many secrets, but keeps he mouth closed. When a man disappears and the teens overdose on the first night of the festival, Elise starts her own investigation with assistance from her friend Ronnie. Due to what she has already discovered, her DCI then asks her to come back to work on the case in the Major Crimes team. Elise uncovers a whole lot of information and secrets swirling through Ebbing.

The complicated plot switches back and forth between characters and alternates between the present and days in the past leading up to the present day. At first the quick pace may be a bit of an information and character overload as a plethora of facts and names are quickly introduced into the plot, but stick with it and soon information, secrets, and people will start to sort themselves out and form a larger picture.

Elise is an appealing character and it is compelling when she starts looking into what is going on in Ebbing. The novel was more appealing once it takes a clear direction toward being a procedural. It presents us with a satisfying investigation as more evidence is uncovered and pieces of the puzzle are put together. There are many characters who have some relationship or information about Charlie and others. This results in plenty of clues and suspects provided along the way and numerous subplots that sometimes left me struggling to keep interested in the overall story. 3.5 rounded up.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the Penguin Publishing Group
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Edelweiss, Google Books, and Amazon.

Elise Knight is a detective taking a break for medical reasons. She is in a small town that has seasonal visitors and year round residents.
The seasonal/weekend visitors begin building grand homes that shatter the flavor and workings of this town.
One millionaire decides to have a music festival. A man disappears the first night. Two teens overdose. It is up to Elise to solve the crime.

We see the story more from the point of view of the year round residents than the weekenders but it is still a compelling read.

Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

Elise King had been a successful detective until she discovered her breast cancer. Now she's a detective on extended leave, recovering from surgery and dealing with the aftereffects of her cancer treatments, some still ongoing. She desperately wants to go back to work but at the same time she's scared to go back to work. She's struggling with fogginess and problems with her memory, thanks to her treatments. But she so misses her job, which she loved.

Ronnie, her next door neighbor, would love to be her partner in solving crime, even if they do it on the sly, just a bit of nosing around, you see. Ronnie is in her 60s and her elusive, to us, husband has his own interests and hobbies and Ronnie has actually become a friend that Elise didn't know she wanted or needed. Not to mention Ronnie is doing such a good job of stirring Elise's detective skills. My favorite parts of the story are when Ronnie is in the picture. She is not some tottering old lady but instead a smart, creative, older woman who can get things done.

There is also Dee, a housecleaner with an out of work plumber husband with a former drug problem. They have a young son, Cal, and if Dee and her husband are good at anything, it seems to be as parents to Cal. Even though Dee was once a neighbor to the people of Ebbing, things have become awkward, now that she cleans their houses in order to make ends meet, with her husband out of work. Dee has become invisible in many ways, as she cleans houses she is ignored, she's given keys, people talk around her as if she isn't there, She knows so much and people don't even realize it.

The story works best when we are with Elise. She may be suffering from her cancer recovery and treatments but she is in her element when she is working a crime and getting to do so may be how she gets her life back. When a man goes missing and the town's festering problems boil over, Elise can't help getting into the fray with her detecting skills and she really shines once her old boss needs her back at work. I hope we get to see Elise (and Ronnie) in another story because I've become very fond of both women.

I do think the story has a big problem though and it took me half the book to just accept it. So many people are introduced into the story and it seems they all have some kind of connection with everything going on. It's like this small, small world, crowded with too much to follow. Ronnie has a white board in her kitchen, with stick pens and string going from one person and event to the other. I tried to have a mental white board and it became one huge jumbled mess because there is too much and too many people to unravel. I had to accept that there was no way I could ever have a chance of figuring out who did what in this story. Still, I enjoyed Elise, Ronnie, and Elise's partner Caro and, fingers crossed, I'll get to see them again in the future.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

About four years ago, I read and reviewed Fiona Barton’s The Child (four stars). I enjoyed it, so I was pleased to receive a copy of Local Gone Missing from Berkley Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. This one features detective Elise King, who had to take a medical leave. Now, unsure if she will be returning to work, she keeps busy in her small seaside town of Ebbing which is filled with weekenders who are renovating old bungalows into McMansions, while the locals decry all the changes. Living as I do in a small beach town where it is rare for any house to sell for less than $1,000,000, it rang true to me (being, as I am, a local who decries all the changes!)

Elise has a house cleaner named Dee Eastwood, who knows. What’s going on – it seems to Elise she sees and hears everything. When one of the newcomers wants to put on a weekend music festival, and when a man disappears the first night of the festival, and two teenagers overdose on drugs, Elise starts digging for answers. Lots of twisty plotting, and just a fun read. Four stars.

A slow burn, this tantalizing mystery is set in the seaside town of Ebbing. Detective Elise King is on medical leave and she spends her days watching the coming and goings of the town. When a local man goes missing, she can’t help but try to solve the mystery with the help of her neighbor. As the plot thickens, many twists and turns and hidden agendas come to light. The quaint seaside town is clearly full of secrets and Elise is keen to unearth them all.

Barton has deftly created a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat for the second half of the book. And, despite priding myself on seeing plot twists coming from a mile away, I was humbled by the fact I didn’t catch them early on here!

Another female detective story - set in a small seaside village - two teenager overdose - a book that holds and turns secrets keeping the reader guessing