Blair and Cam are two ordinary teenagers who find themselves looking back on the legendary cold case in their town. A local girl disappeared many years ago without a trace, sparking nationwide attention and many theories to her whereabouts as her body was never found. Is she even dead or alive?

There are a number of things I really enjoyed about this book, and oddly enough, the mystery itself isn’t the chief reason. Firstly, I really enjoyed both Blair and Cam as our protagonists. Blair was the one who gave into other people’s desires, whether it was Cam’s more exuberant personality or her boyfriend’s domineering attitude. Cam, in contrast, knew who she was and didn’t care what others thought. What was more enjoyable was their interaction with one another. On paper, they don’t look like they could be best friends, and yet, their opposing natures balanced one another and forced the other to see from a different perspective.

I also really liked how they came across as real teenagers. They made mistakes, super dumb ones. And the whole reason they started this thing into Clarissa? For a school assignment. With the slight narcissistic thought that they’d be able to crack what others couldn’t over the years. I mean, what college would say no to you if you solved a cold case with this level of media scrutiny?

In the vein of recent mystery favourites featuring podcasts like Sadie and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, each chapter was divvied up by the subject matter they were interviewing with regards to the case. I’m not sure what it is about mysteries with podcasts formats, but there’s something about it that keeps us on our toes as we watch, like a podcast audience, what would happen next. I did like this format in this novel, but it did feel more of a plot device than something integral to the storytelling.

And lastly, there is the commentary between the girls and their journalism class. Clarissa, as a beautiful white girl, gets all this media attention for being missing, yet thousands of other girls disappear all the time, namely from Indigenous backgrounds. I appreciated this running thought here because it is something to be mindful of in our own society. It’s not heavily discussed, but its presence here is a question. Would Clarissa have gotten such fervor from her community and around the country if she wasn’t a white, blond girl?

Now, I’ve written a number of things that aren’t the mystery, but I’ve yet to comment on how I felt about it. I love mysteries, and I’ve read my fair share. While this novel isn’t something that will shake your core with its ending, I will say I didn’t guess everything immediately. It may not be earth shattering in its plot twists but I don’t think the purpose of this mystery is simply just a whodunnit. Missing Clarissa brings more to the table, and for that I’m quite pleased with how everything turned out.

Overall Recommendation:

Missing Clarissa combines a few elements that make this story compelling: intriguing protagonists, a commentary on missing white girls, and a podcast style of storytelling. While I’m always down for a good mystery, the best things about this book isn’t really the whodunnit. Whether it was predictable or not earth shattering enough, this book gives on social commentary as well as a realistic growth arc for the two protagonists. I came in looking for a simple mystery but got a lot more out of it.

3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-Arc. This was such a easy read considering that it is a YA thriller. This had total AGGGTM vibes but so much lighter. I love the team that Cam and Blair make I love how their friendship works I can totally see my younger self as both of them.

Who loves books featuring true crime podcasts?

This YA thriller was one of the better ones I’ve read. It was fun, easy to read and entertaining at time but it wasn’t enough for me.

Two high school students start a true crime podcast for their journalism class featuring Clarissa. Clarissa was a popular cheerleader who went missing in 1999. The duo believes that they will be able to figure out what happened to her. As they progress in their investigation their podcast blows up and creates a ripple effect.

Missing Clarissa is available March 7, 2023

Thank you netgalley and wednesdaybooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Missing Clarissa is a YA crime thriller from Ripley Jones.

"Best friends, Blair and Cameron, decide to do a true crime podcast about an unsolved case that happened in their town. A popular girl disappeared after a party twenty years ago. There were several suspects but never a conviction. And Cameron thinks they can solve it. As they talk to people, many signs point to a charismatic teacher. But is the real killer still lurking?"

Initially the character of Cameron was awfully annoying. She's impetuous and immature and manipulative. Blair is a little easier to take but she also lacks confidence in most things. The two girls make a good, complimentary team in talking to the different parties about the crime. Ripley thows in a few surprises and red herrings to keep you guessing. You might figure out the killer but probably not.

This revolves around a podcast which seems to be a new trope, especially in YA. I'm glad to see more crime fiction in YA.

There is a Brad character. He's the charismatic captain of the football team but then he becomes a murder suspect and it's all downhill from there.

This book is geared towards a YA audience and would probably be best enjoyed by fans of YA.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Missing Clarissa caught my attention due to the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder comp, and while it didn’t fully deliver, it’s cool enough as a YA thriller. Plot-wise, it’s intriguing, with a lot of twists and turns, and a lot of suspense.I also like that the story at least tried to address the issue with the true-crime industry and the emphasis on attractive white girls, demonstrating some self-awareness in that regard.
Cam and Blair as the co-leads of the book were a weak link for me. Blair was somewhat fine, even if her insecurities were emphasized a bit too much. But Cam’s impulsivity, while somewhat relatable for teens, got rather grating. And the narrative choice to present their POVs, darting between them interchangeably without much finesse, made it hard for me to truly feel connected to them.
This book has a lot of potential, and I am open to seeing how Ripley Jones’ style develops. In spite of its shortcomings I’d still recommend giving it a chance if you enjoy YA thrillers.

I feel like this may be a bigger hit for someone who has not accidentally over saturated themselves in true crime podcasts in the past.

This book was a good read. Best friends and teenagers Blair and Cam are very likeable and relatable. They choose to do a true crime podcast for a class project regarding the disappearance of a young girl years previous. There will be many potential suspects along the way. Can you figure it out? The book also touches on many other things such as racism, LGBTQ, and self esteem. I look forward to more by this author.

August of 1999

Clarissa Campbell a pretty and popular cheerleader left a party and was never seen again. There have been theories and there have been suspicions but her disappearance has remained a mystery and the case went cold.

Twenty years later

Blair and Cameron are high school juniors and best friends. They start a true crime podcast and are focused on learning what happened to Clarissa Campbell. They interview those who were in Clarissa's life and in the process, uncover some secrets. They look at her relationship with her boyfriend and her art teacher....

I found this to be a fast read and enjoyed how Cam and Blair worked on their podcase while also looking inward at themselves and who they were. The mystery of what happened to Clarissa is at the forefront.

I couldn't help but shake my head a few times at the actions that are taken in this book. Does no one care about consequences or think before acting???? Impulse issues overload!

This was a solid YA mystery/thriller which kept my attention.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Clarissa Campbell was Oreville's gold girl, cheerleader, dating the town football star, and an aspiring artist. When she disappears soon after graduation in 1999, the town is stunned, banding together to find the missing girl. But she is never found, and soon passes into town lore, becoming almost a joke by the time Blair and Cameron decide to make her the subject of their podcast, for their journalism class project. Clarissa was never found, and the case is cold and dormant when the girls begin to dig, starting with Clarissa's parents and friends. The deeper they dig, the more they found, the more dangerous the project begins. Will Cam and Blair find out who took Clarrissa, or will that person find them, instead, making them the next victims?

This was a debut book, and it really felt like it. It was really good, but parts of the book just felt...clunky and clumsy. Well written, but the main characters make some really interesting choices, considering the tools and information at their disposal. Definitely worth the read, but sometimes you can see behind the curtain, can almost feel the wheels turning in the author's head as they grapple with the threads put in place, to make sure everything fits together in the end. Which it does, but not easily.

This is definitley an author I will keep an eye on, because you can tell that they're very talented, they just might need some time to work out the kinks. It's a decent debut, for sure. Honestly, this book did suffer a bit from the fact that the one I read right before this one was basically the same premise (high school students doing a podcast digging into the history of their small towns and stirring up trouble), but done by a seasoned author.

I binge listened to Missing Clarissa today and was glad I did!

Clarissa has been missing for over twenty years. Her parents don't believe she's gone, and others in her life have moved on. Yet when Cam decides to create a podcast as her high school journalism project with her friend, Blair, everything unravels. What happened to Clarissa all those years back in the woods? Cam is desperate to find out.

I enjoyed listening to debut novel, Missing Clarissa. Narrated by a cast of characters, I would recommend listening to this novel over reading it. This book features podcast clips throughout and a faster speed alloes it to all come together. While most of the book is told through Cam's point of view, I enjoyed the other side characters and when Blair was included more.

Thank you MacMillian audio and Wednesday Books for my earc and alc copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read a good amount of mysteries and thrillers - but not usually young adult mystery/thriller novels so this was a fun change. Cam and Blair make a great team and play off of each other's strengths as they tiptoe into the world of podcasting and trying to solve a decades-old disappearance of a young woman in their hometown. The main characters make some very foolish decisions at times and you kind of want to scream at them - but overall Missing Clarissa was a very entertaining read. Would definitely be great for anyone who is a fan of true crime podcasts. Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

When Cam and Blair find out they need to do a high school journalism project, they choose to do a true crime podcast. What could be more fascinating in the small town of Oreville than the disappearance of Clarissa Campbell? Did someone kill Clarissa Campbell 20 years ago or did she walk away from her life? Can and Blair are certain someone killed her, but who? They question everyone they can think of, including Clarissa’s friends and old suspects. Will they solve the case once and for all?

Ripley Jones’s writing of Blair and Cameron is stellar. They are relatable and feel like people you could know in real life. The plot was suspenseful and kept me reading more to find out what happened to Clarissa. I never saw the ending coming and never would have guessed the motive of the suspect. I read a lot of thrillers so this is rare for me. Jones provides outstanding LGBTQ+ representation, which I absolutely love and unfortunately is rare in suspense novels. I highly recommend this twist-filled book! I give it 4/5 stars.

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 Blair and Cameron couldn't be more opposite, but their friendship has lasted since the day they met in elementary school. They decide to enroll in a journalism class for their junior year, and take on a HUGE project. 20 years ago, a beautiful cheerleader went missing in their small town. No one knows what happened to her, and her body was never found. So, Blair and Cameron hope to be the ones to learn something new by creating the podcast, "Missing Clarissa." What begins as an innocent project turns into a dangerous game of whodunit.

What I 🤍:
🧠 Cameron's Neurodivergent Brain
🌲 Small Town, Washington Setting
🔎 Cold Case Disappearance
✌️ Duel Perspective
🏔️ Plot Driven, Fast Paced Book

I read this book in pretty much one sitting! It was that addicting, and the pace moved quickly. By far, my favorite part of this book was how it talked about injustice within missing person cases. Historically, if a person is white and beautiful, media tends to nationalize the cases, as compared to those who go missing that are of color. I think the girls learned a lot about this while investigating their case.

Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Scare Factor: 😱 (I read when home alone at night! 😉)
Read if ➡️: You love podcasts about missing persons cases.
Read 📅: Anytime!
CW ⚠️: Rape, Grooming, Murder

I really enjoyed this book, and it's perfect for anyone getting into the thriller/mystery genre. I craved to know more about these girls after the case, and I do wonder if this will become a series.

Thank you Wednesday Books, Netgalley and Ripley Jones for an ARC copy of this book. Missing Clarissa comes out Tuesday, March 8!

🌟 My Review will be posted soon to my Instagram @lifewithprinceman account. 🌟

What a complete roller coaster of a ride I had reading Missing Clarissa. I went through so many emotions throughout the story.
The story is about best friends making a podcast about a 20 year old cold unsolved murder that happened in their town.
Definitely recommended reading for fans of YA Thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Clarissa Campbell vanished without a trace from a party twenty four years ago. She was never found, and if anyone knew what happened to her, they weren’t talking.

In the present, best friends Blair and Cameron decide to tackle this mystery as their junior year journalism project. They start a podcast about Clarissa, and attempt to discover the truth about what really happened to her.

I love books that incorporate true crime podcasts, so I was automatically into this book. There are a lot of twists and turns, and the characters of Blair, Cameron, and Clarissa are compelling. I did not see the ending coming, which is always exciting for me with a mystery book.

This is a quick, gripping read that I would recommend.

In 1999, Clarissa went to a high school party in the woods and was never seen again. The story was all over the news for a while but as time passed and nothing was solved, it stopped being reported on.

Twenty years later, Cam and Blair decide to do a podcast about the case for their journalism class and call it Missing Clarissa. This basic plot is one I get drawn into every time.

This was a quick and compelling read - I was definitely interested to keep flipping pages and see how it would all end. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy.

A solid young adult thriller. Perfect for those true crime podcast loving fans. What I enjoyed most about the book is the characterization. Best friends Cam and Blair join together for a school project, in an attempt to break a cold case of the disappearance of Clarissa Campbell. Ripley Jones does a great job at bringing to life the two main characters. Cam is such a spicy character, she is awkward and sassy if not a bit impulsive, which drove me nuts if I am honest. But she made her way into my heart, and I am endeared to her. While there wasn't much uniqueness to the plot, a missing girl, handful of suspects, two amateur detectives uncovering the clues to solve the mystery. Jones did piece together a compelling story and was able to intertwine a perspective of race, privilege and the me too movement.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and honestly review an advanced digital copy.

Missing Clarissa is a fun YA thriller/missing person with a podcast read!

Podcasts are one of my favorite tropes for thrillers so I was excited to read this one.

This IS obviously YA and read as such. It’s a fast read and although it was fun it didn’t have too much substance for me. I’m still glad I read it and would def read this author again.

Suspend belief here for sure!
3.5 stars here!

In the vein of The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Two Can Keep A Secret, Missing Clarissa is a YA thriller that’s fast paced with a neat, easy ending.

Blair and Cameron are high school juniors and best friends, partnered up on a journalism class project. They’re looking into a twenty-year old cold case of seventeen year old Clarissa Campbell, who went missing the summer after graduation and hasn’t been heard from since. They share their research and theories on a podcast, and instead of no one listening to it, it begins to snowball. As they interview Clarissa’s friends and family, they realize that digging up the past may be putting themselves in danger if you believe that someone got away with murder twenty years ago and would like to the keep the past in the past.

While not as nuanced and thrilling as AGGGTM, Missing Clarissa is still an exciting YA thriller because “almost everybody loves a pretty dead white girl” and reading two young, naive yet enterprising girls tease the truth from fact to solve a crime that no one else ever did will never cease to get old.

"Maybe none of us see what anybody else looks like, even the people we love. All we can know is how they look to us."

This was a YA mystery. All the elements were there alright. But they didn't do anything different. Everything that happens in this story is what you would expect—might be good for a first-time reader in the genre—so it never wowed me like its comp title A Good Girl's Guide to Murder did. This also definitely reads on the younger side of YA, which is completely fine, but that comparison to AGGTM really threw me because that series is WAY more dark and mature.

I don't really have all that much to say about this because I already know it will be so forgettable, but it was a relatively easy read once I got into it and kept me interested despite being so basic.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who has read their fair share of mystery, but maybe to a younger kid interested in the genre.