Member Reviews
Another Great Read in the Detective Gina Harte Series 🤓
Told from various peoples perspective, One Girl Missing follows Gina Hartes latest case of a missing person, with many possible suspects. This book will have you gripped from beginning to end. Whilst part of a series, it could easily be read as a standalone book, but definitely worth reading others in the series as this authors books don't disappoint.
This is book 11 of the series and even though I had not read any of the previous titles, I had no trouble with the story so it’s fair to say that it can be read as a stand-alone. I think you would get more of the backstory of the main characters in reading the others, and I plan to do that in the future as I did enjoy this.
A hit and run on a girls night out leaves Jennifer on life support and her best friend missing. It’s a race against the cloak to figure out why one of them was taken and not both and in looking into the case, DI Gina Harte is that there was more than one person with a reason to want Annabelle. Can DI Harte figure out who was behind the crash in time to find her while she’s still alive?
This was a well crafted story. Was it predictable at times? Yes. But I still found myself engaged and wanting to read more. If you like fast paced, you’ll like this one.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.
While I have not read all of the Gina Harte series, I have read most (but three) and this installment reminds me why I love this series so much. It is engaging, addictive and fast paced throughout making it is good solid crime thriller for fans to sink their teeth into. Needless to say, I eagerly await each installment of this series to see what Gina is faced with next. This time round was a real pickler of a case...but it was intriguing and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to see if I had worked out the culprit. Carla hoodwinked me last time round but not this time.
Teacher at local school Cleevesford High, Annabel Braddock, is enjoying drinks with her best friend Jennifer at the Angel Arms. But tonight is tinged with marital discord as Annabel has discovered her husband Grant has been having it away with their babysitter and when she confronted him he became aggressive and violent. She confides in Jennifer that she knows her marriage is over but she must stay for Cally, their five year old daughter. Then tragedy strikes on their walk home along the lane leaving one of them critically injured and no sign of her friend.
DI Gina Harte is just readying herself to go home when she is alerted to the fact that one of their CSIs, Jennifer Bailey who is also living with DS Jacob Driscoll, has been the victim of a hit and run. Confirming that Jennifer had been out with her best friend Annabel, he then rushes to the hospital to be with her while Gina races to the scene. But clues are few and far between as the team fight to get to the bottom of this nasty incident which is looking less like an accident.
Annabel is a mother. So where is her daughter? When Gina and her team knock on her door she discovers worried neighbour Evan who had been babysitting Cally but knew Annabel should have been home long ago. Queries about the whereabouts of her husband are vague - something about him sleeping with the childminder and the couple on the brink of separation - but no clues as to his whereabouts. A sleepy-eyed Cally wakes with stories of a ghost in their backyard which Evan puts down to them watching Casper reruns before bed.
Further enquiries lead Gina to the school at which Annabel teaches which thus uncovers several more leads to follow up on - a creepy teacher (a real piece of work, he is) who works with Annabel and has already had a complaint lodged against him and a love-lorn teenage boy. Added to this, when the team finally track down Taylor, the young woman Grant had been an affair with, she throws her two cents worth in informing them that Grant had promised he would leave Annabel and marry her...but it appears he was dragging his heels. It seems their suspect pool is growing.
But the question remains...who ran down Jennifer and abducted Annabel. And why? Can Gina and her team get justice for Jennifer and her friend?
This series just grows from strength to strength as Gina seems to have finally moved on from her past (which is rehashed in several books) and at last has found some stability and peace with her life. But just when all seemed to be settling down with Briggs last time round, now it appears he has moved on leaving Gina wondering where they really stand with each other. That turn of events kind of shocked me, particularly where they were in the last book.
The eleventh book in this brilliant series, ONE GIRL MISSING is multi-layered and fast paced throughout and has no trouble keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. It is addictive and, while I correctly guessed the culprit, many will not as there truly is a pool of suspects to choose from.
I have to say ONE GIRL MISSING is probably my favourite in the series so far. I know I said that about the last one...but this one was just so good. It was completely solid and unputdownable despite the complex storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it! My only complaint is the on/off relationship with her superior. Either go for it or get over it. Because I'm over rehashing it.
I can't wait to see what's in store next for Gina. I definitely recommend this book in conjunction with the previous nine books first and it is perfect for fans for good solid crime thrillers.
I would like to thank #CarlaKovach, #Netgalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #OneGirlMissing in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
This was an engaging story, especially at the beginning. Well narrated and interesting plot. A few surprises contributed to the overall interesting story. .
Enjoyed yet another installment to the series. It keeps the same standard and works well. There are always different strands to the story but also developing on previous relationships. I would read the other books in the series first.
I was given an advance copy by the publisher and netgalley but the review is entirely my own
This is the first in this series that I have read and I have no idea why it has taken me this long to find such a great set of characters and an excellent plot. I very much look forward to reading previous books in the series and learning more about the back stories of the featured characters. The book happily stands alone though as a good detective novel.
DI Gina Harte is a great character and I enjoyed the way she and her team worked. The writing was really atmospheric and the story pacy and full of description and action.
When two friends on a night out are involved in a hit and run it is the start of a series of events that leads to murder, obsession and the uncovering of past crimes.
Looking forward to reading more from this series and would thoroughly recommend this book. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Another gripping read in this great Gina Harte series, fantastic story telling and an exciting plot which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout with well described characters.
I can definitely recommend this book and all the previous books in this series and thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this brilliant book.
Thanks to Carla and NetGalley for allowing me to read One Girl Missing before the publication date.
This is the first book in this series which I have read.
Annabel and her long term friend Jen have arranged to go to the Angel Arms for a night out.
Annabel and Grant’s marriage has broken down, mainly because of his repeated affairs.
The last time they spoke, Grant had told Annabel that he was keeping the house and their 5 year old daughter, Cally.
By the end of the night, Annabel is very drunk and Jen helps her to walk the short distance home.
Jen is run over by a car, leaving her injured and bleeding on the road. Annabel is nowhere to be seen but her handbag is lying nearby.
DI Gina Harte and her team investigate what has happened to Annabel, whilst Jen lies in a coma.
Which of the women was the target?
The story involves several interwoven strands. There are suspects and red herrings aplenty.
Whilst managing her own demons, can Gina get to the truth and save Annabel?
I found the language was stilted and the story stretched credibility.
Another unputdownable book from Carla Kovach.
The book starts with two friends out for a drink and they have been discussing the marriage problems of one of them. Whilst walking back from the pub, a car knocks one of them over and abducts the other one.
Gina and her team are called in and realise that the woman who has been knocked over and left for dead is Jenny, one of their forensic people and more importantly, Jacob's other half.
As the team search for Annabel, Jenny lies in hospital hovering between life and death.
One suspect becomes two, then three and the web of lies each of them has woven about themselves is incredible.
I have to admit, the eventual culprit did cross my mind about halfway through but I enjoyed the process of elimination.
The advantage of a sleepless night with COVID was that I read this straight through!
Two friends go out for a nightcap. One gets severely injured and the other disappears. Gina and her team have to get to the bottom of this crime so a little girl can have her mommy home again. But what kind of home was she living in. I slid into this fast paced crime thriller easily. I loved piecing together the clues and figuring out where and how each piece fit.
There’s a major change for Gina in the story, which left me bereft.
I can’t wait for the next installment.
I love, love, love this DI Gina Harte series! Jennifer Bailey who works CSI and her best friend Annabel Braddock are out partying when they call it a night and start walking back to Annabel's house. On the way, a speeding car hits them and Annabel finds herself being thrown into the trunk of a car. Jennifer is the girlfriend of DS Jacob Driscoll and she is taken to the hospital in critical condition and placed on a ventilator. When Annabel comes to, she finds herself in some sort of a box bound and gagged. All Annabel can think of is her young daughter, Cally. Annabel's husband, Grant has been having an affair with the Cally's babysitter, so she wonders if he is behind this.
This book grabbed me from the very first page and held me hostage until the very end with lots of unexpected surprises. Even though it is book 11, it works well as a standalone. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this fantastic page-turner. I cannot wait until the next book comes out.
Another great book by Carla Kovach and a well-deserved 5 stars. The series just keeps getting better with Gina and her team investing a hit and run accident combined with an abduction. The twists and turns as the investigation escalates highlight the brilliant writing of this gripping thriller.
I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘One Girl Missing’, book 11 in the Detectives Gina Harte series written by Carla Kovach, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Annabelle Braddock is out at the local pub with her friend Jennifer when a car drives into them as they’re walking home. Jennifer is badly injured and left lying in the road but Annabelle has disappeared. She’d never leave her young daughter Callie alone so she’s either wandered off somewhere in a daze or been taken away by the driver. DI Gina Harte and her team are called out to investigate and are shocked to discover that Jennifer is one of their own, a Crime Scene Assistant, and the girlfriend of DS Jacob Driscoll who’s distraught. It’s imperative that they quickly find Annabelle and whoever is responsible for Jennifer’s injuries.
‘One Girl Missing’ is the amazing and completely spell-binding thriller of an unexplained hit-and-run and the desire by Gina Harte and her team to see justice done. It’s one of their most complicated cases especially as there are a number of suspects who are difficult to tie into the various threads running through the story, such as one of Annabelle’s pupils who cares for her and a colleague who has a poor reputation with the female staff. The drama, suspense, twists and turns, and a few red herrings to confuse, make this an exciting and very gripping thriller that’s had me hooked from page one. As the identity of the perpetrator is finally revealed, Gina’s close friendship with DCI Chris Briggs comes under scrutiny and I’m doubtful if we’ll ever find out what happens between them unless there’s another book in the series - I do hope there is!
One Girl Missing is my first introduction to DI Gina Harte and what a cracking one it is. As this is a story full of twists that not only kept me hooked but had me guessing throughout. And with a fast-paced storyline, intriguing characters and a brilliant mix of procedure, suspense and action there was nothing not to love and I would happily recommend One Girl Missing to others. I'm now off to one click all ten of the books I've missed out on.
I love this series and this latest installment is as great as the previous books! The pacing was quite quick and I was very engrossed in the story. Lots of twists and turns and misdirections kept me guessing until the end.
I enjoyed that the story was more based on the plot than on Gina's private life this time. As usual, I love the chapters told from different points of view, Carla Kovach can really set the reader into the different characters minds.
Highly recommended! 4.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of One Girl Missing, the eleventh novel to feature DI Gina Harte, set in the fictional Midlands town of Cleevesford.
Best friends Jennifer and Annabel are walking home from a night in the pub when they are hit by a car. Jennifer is left seriously injured and Annabel has disappeared, presumed abducted. Who would want Annabel and why and why is Cally, Annabel’s five year old daughter, seeing a ghost in the garden?
I enjoyed One Girl Missing, which is a tense, urgent novel as Gina and her team frantically search for Annabel. This is the first novel where Gina’s past as an victim of domestic abuse doesn’t get a thorough airing. Hurray, as that thread was getting really stale and repetitive. I think this novel is better for it as it allows her and the author to concentrate on the investigation. There is still personal drama but of a different magnitude and not all for her.
The novel is told from several points of view, mostly Gina, but another couple of voices chip in to broaden the perspective and supply a certain amount of misdirection. Fortunately the perpetrator is not one after an opening monologue to supply motive. There are several suspects and enough clues to keep the reader guessing, so it was a surprise to me when the identity was revealed. The author did a good job of making me believe every one of the suspects was guilty at any given time. It certainly held my attention and got me involved.
Gina is a new woman without her past hanging over her. She cuts a solitary and lonely figure with no real friends and her family distant. For readers this leaves her free to concentrate on her job and she’s dedicated.
One Girl Missing is a good read that I can recommend.
Book 11 in this brilliant series. Although it can be read as a stand alone I highly recommend reading the earlier books as they're all fantastic.
This one starts with a dramatic incident and the twists don't let up til the end. I was hooked from the start and read it in two sittings.
Gina Harte is a great character and I love her relationship with her team. And don't even get me started about Briggs!
A cracking police thriller that will keep you guessing til the end. Loved it!
Well, this is the FIRST book I’ve read in the Gina Harte detective series, but I totally attest that it can be read as a stand-alone novel. After reading other reviews, I totally get why people LOVE this series so much! I can’t wait to read the rest of them. The plot of this book had me so engrossed in the story and the characters were fantastic. Especially Gina and Briggs, what great characters! I loved them so much. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture this ARC and introducing me to a fantastic series.
Loved it!! This was one of my favorites in the Gina Harte series. I love this series. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put the book down because I had to know who kidnapped Annabel and left Jen almost dead in the road. I thought I knew who was behind everything but was completely wrong. I was sure the kidnapper had to be one of two or maybe three people. One of the reasons I loved this book so much, is that it kept me guessing until the end. I was shocked when the truth was finally revealed. I would love a Mrs. O in my life. All the baked goods she makes sound delicious. The ending was sad in so many ways. I know there can't always be happy endings, but I thought Gina and her team would get there in time to save the day for everyone. Briggs must be going through a midlife crisis, how else can you explain his actions. I know he loves Gina. She definitely loves him.
Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. This was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, writing style and story. I can't wait to find out what's next for Det. Gina Harte. DCI Briggs better come to his senses. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Five-year-old Cally waits in her pretty pink bedroom for the sound of the front door opening and her mother’s sweet voice in the hall. But when the doorbell finally rings, and Cally creeps out of bed to peer through the banister, a large man in uniform is all she sees. Her mother is missing...
Another great book in the Gina Harte series, I can't believe we are up to No. 11, this is a series I really enjoy. This is another author whose characters are so great to catch up with again. My heart is breaking as it seems that Gina and Briggs relationship, of which they have kept hidden, may be in trouble, I really like these two together and feel they are meant to be, but am I right?
Lots of action and again a fast paced book that once again keeps you turning the pages at a rapid speed. I really enjoy the depth of these stories, well developed characters and plot that cover serious crimes portrayed in a very real way. I highly recommend this series and thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of the book, all opinions are my own.