Children are vanishing within Dentons Forest, disappearing in pairs, and only one among them emerges alive. The legend of “The Woodsman” has manifested into a truly terrifying reality.
The search for missing teenager Kayleigh and her younger sister is action packed from the beginning and despite seemingly obvious suspects, more teenagers are going missing. This was a great read with plenty of new developments. Things are not as they seem and I didn’t see the ending coming, but it was a great twist at the end.
Josie's team remains profoundly affected by the events of the previous book. I admired the skillful handling of their emotional aftermath and their subsequent growth throughout this installment. Noah once again proves to be a great support for Josie, while the entire team also worked really hard to solve this case.
I can’t wait to spend time with Josie again and I’m very curious what the future holds for her and Noah.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Lisa Regan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Book #18 in the Josie Quinn Series.

I can’t believe I’ve read 18 Josie Quinn books! I’m definitely a huge fan of the series, however, I’m sad to say this one wasn’t my favourite.

Don’t get me wrong, this series continues to be interesting and enjoyable, I might just be getting tired of the police procedural genre as it took me a while to read this book while I usually devour these books in a couple of days.

In this one, Josie is still struggling with her past and demons, but she never lets it go in the way of the investigation. I thought for sure this story was going to be predictable (maybe that’s why I had a hard time getting into it) but I was 1000% wrong! This was a twisty, unpredictable read.

You can read these books as standalone, but I always recommend starting at the beginning, you’ll definitely fall in love with the characters! I'm eager to read more from Josie and the group in the future!

I wasn't sure what the temps of the water would be after #17, but was happy to find them still pleasant to swim in.

Another solid entry for Josie & the crew. Can't wait for the next!

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This is book 18 in the series and all I can say is WOW! WOW! WOW! I never ever saw that coming...
This is such an entertaining, on the edge of your seat and quickly going to the next page to find out what will happen next. In this, we dealing with the lore of The Woodsman. Two go into the woods, only one comes out alive. This is a must read! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and Lisa Regan. I can't wait for Book #19.

Lisa Regan knocks it out of the park once more with another Josie Quinn story. Josie has been struggling since the latest book, where she lost a close friend and colleague.
When kids are disappearing in the woods, and only 1 is found back alive, she is up to a formidable opponent! But nothing is what it seems with this case.

Absolutely recommend!

My Child is Missing is another winner in the Josie Quinn series!!!
Each book manages to not only give a twisty-turny thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat but also make each character come so alive that I feel like if I were to visit the small town of Denton I would see these characters walking the streets solving crimes.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster! We are still dealing with the fallout from the death of one of our favorite detectives from the last book, and now two girls have gone missing in the woods behind their home. One is found pretty quickly, but there is little to no evidence about what happened to the other. Everyone thinks it has to be the Woodsman, a local urban legend who is said to steal children. While Josie and the other Detectives are looking for the missing girl, other teenagers are courting danger trying to prove they are brave enough to face the Woodman in his territory and come out alive. Making the investigation even more difficult, and things are bound to go wrong.

This is another amazing installment in this series, fast-paced, emotional, twists and turns in all the right places to keep us on the edge of our seats waiting to see how they are going to catch this killer and who it will end up being. I read this in one sitting. I can't wait to get a physical copy of this to add to my Josie Quinn collection and to see what horrible crime my favorite detectives will be solving next!!!!

I have really been enjoying this series with Josie Quinn at the helm and this book was no different.

Josie and her partner, in life and work, Noah, are called on to solve the mystery of missing sisters, Kayleigh and Savannah. Kayleigh, a sullen teenager, and her cute little sister went into the woods and only Savannah came out. Then the legend of the Woodsman made an appearance and as these things do, scared all the children in the area. However, it also prompted the teens to dare each other to enter the woods anyway.

Poor Josie and her team are still trying to get over the death of Mettner, and Josie is struggling with flashbacks, sleeplessness and survivors guilt.

A very interesting, twisty story with an ending I didn't see coming. I liked that Luke and Blue made an appearance in this book - what's not to love about a smart dog!

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Was happy to note in the acknowledgements that there are at least a few more coming our way!

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

My Child is Missing, Detective Josie Quinn Book 18, by Lisa Regan.

The Detective Josie Quinn series is phenomenal.
Is there an amazing standalone crime to solve in this book? Yes.
Is there also some satisfying, complex character development? Yes again.
Does the setting take place in a place that feels so real that you could look out of your window and expect to see it? Also yes.
Lisa Regan does an incredible job bringing this book and this entire series to life. This book takes place following a lot of heartache in book 17. Lisa Regan gave those emotions we are all feeling the attention they deserved in such a way that it melded perfectly with the storyline.
This one will keep you on your toes and flipping through the pages. It also may bring some childhood fears back to life... Five stars.

#bookreview #2023 #crimethriller #josiequinn #fivestars #woodsman #missingchild #kidnapping #netgalley

My Child is Missing
Lisa Regan
September 08, 2023


We are taken back to the times in our lives when we are gathered round a campfire or snuggled in our bags at a slumber party. One person starts the tale in a whisper, then continues when all there, begins to listen. In Regan’s tale this story begins with chatter among the students at lunch or on the playground. Someone begins the question, “Have you heard about the Woodsman?” They tell of the legend that someone is hiding in the woods of Denton, Pennsylvania. When two teens head into the timber for a hike one is killed, the other is terrified and hides to not be a victim of the same fate.
My Child is Missing will be published by bookouture on September 08, 2023. I was selected to read the ARC by NetGalley. Lisa Regan’s latest Detective Josie Quinn is #18 in the series. Each has been impressive but this latest novel is eerie and hair-raising. Her suspense never ceases to amaze me. Fans will find this latest Josie Quinn sequence an unstoppable read. The ending will stun you. Enjoy!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of My Child Is Missing by Lisa Regan. I have read all books in the Detective Josie Quinn series and as usual Lisa Regan exceeds all expectations with book number 18.
Two kids go into the woods. Only one comes out alive. Is the Woodsman real or just a legend? Detective Josie Quinn and her team race to solve this mystery with plenty of suspense and twists to keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat.
Another 5 star book for Lisa Regan. I can't wait for number 19!

Wow this book made my heart race…another triumph from Lisa Regan! The ending had a twist that literally put me on the edge of my seat, The usual cast of characters are back and I love them all, Lisa has given them all distinct personalities and they feel like people you have known for years. Readers who have read the rest of the series or new readers will love this book! 10 out of 10 stars!!!

I love Josie Quinn, and I love this series! Lisa Regan does a great job of catching us up to speed quickly so you can enjoy these out of order without being too confused, and without having to sit through too much rehashing as well. I love how Josie and the entire detective team work together, and how they are all really human characters. They're always bouncing ideas off of each other and aren't afraid to speak their minds. I like seeing the characters thought process together with everyone involved, instead of one primary character figuring it out themselves. I thought the sensational "scary story" added an interesting element throughout as well. Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review!

As usual, Lisa Regan produced a winner. Love Josie Quinn and all of the stories. This book is an edge-of-your-seat story where Josie is called to find two sisters who have disappeared in the woods. The wild legend of “The Woodsman” is running rampant around the areas where if two go into the woods only one returns the other is sound dead. It scares the small children into sleepless nights and the teens are challenged to try and get in and out alive. Josie doesn't believe in The Woodsman but so far it's happened to other teens in neighboring counties. She knows someone bad is out there but not the feared legend. Josie gets search teams out as soon as possible and finds the younger but not the older sister just some blood. When two other terns try the challenge it results in more than could handle. Now Josie has more to deal with. Time is running out how many more teens will go missing? The end will surprise you and make you reflect. Thank you NetGalley and Publishers Bookouture for this ARC. I highly recommend this fast-paced, holds your interest, and excellent read!

Lisa Regan's books consistently garner high praise, with reviewers often exclaiming that she continues to impress and craft captivating page-turners. The strength of the series is evident from comments like "she knocks it out of the park again," "the Series is still going strong," and "Lisa Regan never fails to deliver." That's just from my Traveling Friends, who I always read a new edition to the series. We eagerly devour each of her books, and the consensus is clear: Lisa Regan's creation of the character Josie Quinn stands out, and our shared reading experiences are always thrilling.

What sets this series apart is Josie Quinn's compelling presence and the interconnectedness of all the characters. Lisa Regan excels at revisiting both past and present characters, forming a familial backdrop that enriches the storytelling.

Lisa Regan's masterful ability to rejuvenate that Missing girls trope with something fresh and unexpected always amazes me. In this instance, she weaves the chilling legend of the Woodsman, who takes children who go in the woods, creating the best creepy "Don't go in the woods" feeling that never fails to send shivers down my spine. Twist after unexpected twist kept our minds engaged and our expectations challenged, but this time, Regan blindsides us with an outcome none of us saw coming.

My Child is Missing (Detective Josie Quinn Book 18) by Lisa Regan
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: September 8, 2023

My Child is Missing is the 18th book in the Detective Josie Quinn series by Lisa Regan. I promise this can be read as a standalone book, so don't let the large number of books in the series scare you. I've only read a couple of books in the series and have loved each one!

I need more stars! 5 stars isn't enough to describe how good this book is! This book grabbed me on page on and refused to let go! (My poor husband kept talking to me while I was reading it and I didn't hear a word he said because I was so immersed in the pages!)

To say this book had me on the edge of my seat would be an understatement. I needed to know what was going to happen next and I was blown away at each new discovery.

I love the author's writing style. She has developed fascinating characters and I'm so glad I get to experience this world. Her mysteries are captivating!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If only I could give this series and Josie Quinn ( okay and you to Lisa) more than 5 stars.

In fact I have given all the previous 17 books in the series a well deserved 5 stars.

My Child is Missing is a page turner that will keep you gasping for breath and heaven help the person that tries to interrupt you.

Its hard to believe this is Book 18 in the series and Josie Quinn just keeps getting better and better.

The team is desperately racing against the clock (all at the same time mourning one of their own) to capture "The Woodsman".

Does he really exist.

Bodies are piling up and Kayleigh is missing.

Lisa Regan always tells a captivating, at times nerve wracking story that will have you up all night reading.

I cant wait to see what happens in the next adventure of Josie and Noah.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for yet another outstanding read in the Josie Quinn series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

This is book 18 of the detective Josie Quinn series and it is still going from strength to strength.

When sisters Kayleigh and Savannah go missing in the woods, Josie and her team are quickly called in to investigate. Rumours are spreading amongst children and teens about the woodsman. It is said, that when two youngsters go into the woods, the woodsman kills one and only one will return. When a second girl goes missing and is found dead, they have a serial killer on their hands.

This was gripping. I couldn’t put it down. I love the team dynamics and the way Josie’s thought processes are shown to the reader. In this you really felt Josie’s frustrations when all of the suspects seemed to have alibis. Also her pain in the way anything to do with ex team mate Mett was described. A great story and I can’t wait for book 19!

This is my 18th Josie Quinn book and Lisa Regan did not disappoint! Josie and team work hard to solve the kidnapping of a teenage girl that disappeared after walking in the woods with her younger sister. Per the Woodsman's Legend, two go into the woods and only one comes out. Is it actually the Woodsman? As always, Josie and crew work diligently to find the killer as the team works thru their first big case as a team of three. This book is as wonderful as I expected it to be. List Regan did not disappoint!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review this book.

Lisa Regan's My Child is Missing, the eighteenth installment in the Detective Josie Quinn series, expertly melds suspense, emotion, and legend to craft a gripping tale of fear and determination. When two sisters vanish into the woods of Denton, Pennsylvania, Detective Josie Quinn takes on the case, navigating the blurred lines between myth and reality as she unravels the legend of The Woodsman.

Regan's intricate storytelling brings to life a resolute protagonist, Josie, whose strength and vulnerability captivate readers. The narrative seamlessly balances heart-pounding mystery with deep emotional resonance, creating an immersive experience for both newcomers and devoted fans of the series. With its masterful blend of folklore, intrigue, and the human psyche, My Child is Missing reaffirms Regan's position as a skilled writer in the realm of crime fiction.

Lisa Regan does it again with another 5 star read! This book is full of twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen!
Josie and her team are quickly trying to find it who the mysterious "Woodsman" could be. They are working as fast as they can, but will they be too late to help?
Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this 5 star book in turn for leaving my honest review.