Member Reviews

The Missing Witness is the fifth book in the Quinn & Costa murder mystery, police procedural series with some cross-over from the previous book. I was able to easily read it as a stand-alone but fair warning, if you plan to go back and read the previous books in the series this one contains spoilers.

This story touches on homelessness, addiction, non-profit organizations, human trafficking, and slave labor intertwined with corrupt law enforcement and government agencies.

I love the dynamic between Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa, the protagonist duo. This was fast-paced and kept me engaged from start to finish with plenty of suspense and twists I did not see coming.

If you enjoy police procedurals, I highly recommend this series!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in return for my voluntary and honest review.

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I love this series and have read them all . The plot is always fast paced and engaging,beautiful setting and a flawed but loveable main character. Excellent series and book
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

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This is the next installment of the Costa and Quinn series. Finally the loose ends of Kara Quinn's LA investigation came to a close. The reader was always guessing because of the layers of interactions and intrigues in the case and the depths of the conspiracies. I hope the series continues with more Costa and Quinn investigations. This series is a keeper.

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Thanks @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for read number 137 of 2023. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really struggled with this book. It was very action-packed and had an interesting plot, but there were so many characters and I found it difficult to keep track of everything. Maybe I don’t know the characters and back story enough. I read some of the other books in this series, but not all of them. I wonder if I needed to read all of those books first. So this was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me, but I think would be higher for others. Check this book out when it’s released in January 2024.

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The Quinn and Costa series continues. This book in the series ties up and answers a lot of the plot that has been building the entire series. This book is full of the on the edge of your seat drama that we have grown to expect from Allison Brennan. The WTF and HOLY MOLY moments in this book are everything I needed. There are also a couple of secondary characters that we get a little more back story on, which was done so seamlessly. This is now my new favorite book in the series. To the new to the series readers. This can be read as a stand alone, however I would not recommend it. The first few books go so much more in depth and the growth you see in Quinn is great. Especially in this book.

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First, I am a fan of the Quinn & Costa series and Allison Brennan in general. Her novels never fail to draw me in! So I was thrilled to be approved for an advanced copy of The Missing Witness, which is the latest in the Quinn & Costa series. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Allison Brennan, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is the book that Quinn & Costa fans have been waiting for since the very first book in the series! This one wraps up several "loose ends/mysteries" that have hung out there since book one and sets the series up to continue forward - which I cannot wait for! I don't give out many 5-star reviews, so I don't take this lightly (no one is perfect, right?) - but this one definitely deserves five stars in my book. I don't want to risk giving away any spoilers at all, so I will leave this a bit brief. I do recommend starting with book one in the series. Although you would be "okay" to jump into this book without reading the earlier books in the series, you really won't appreciate all of the brilliant twists and turns without the full background. Believe me, all of the books in the series are really good page-turners, so it won't take you long to catch up! This is the series that got me back into reading on a regular basis, and it is well worth it if you love a good page-turner. It is the book version of "Criminal Minds." Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how Ms. Brennan brings into focus the homelessness crisis in California in this novel without being "preachy." Very informative and integrated well into the story. The way she researched the issue and brought to light REAL issues with how government money is misused was eye-opening to me.

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When I say that I was excited to get an advanced reader copy of this book, that is an understatement. I started reading this series earlier this year when I received an advanced reader copy of the previous book in this series. It is now one of my favorites. Now that I have finished this book, I can honestly say that it just gets better with each new book.

This book answers all of the questions that started the series. Detective Kara Quinn helped take down a major criminal as part of the LAPD. In turn, her life was put in danger. She became a part of the FBI's new initiative, the mobile response team/unit. Kara is back in town to testify and help put the criminal she took down in jail. An event happens at the beginning of the book that turns the whole case upside down.

This book is excellent. There is a twist that I never saw coming. To be honest, this book is full of twists and turns at every corner. We get to see the Mobile Response Team, and they continue to grow and work together - so many great moments. I am not going to get into specifics about the plot - you need to go into this one blind.

My only complaint about this book is that it ended too soon - that is not a criticism. It is actually the highest compliment. I wanted more. This book could never be long enough for me! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. I highly recommend that you start at the beginning of the series. You will not be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this book - I screamed when I received it! This book releases in January of 2024, so you have plenty of time to catch up on the rest of the books in this series. If you love great thrillers, mysteries, and procedurals, I highly, and I mean highly, recommend this book!

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The latest Quinn and Costa thriller brings the team back to LA, where Kara needs to testify in the case that resulted in her exile from the LAPD. I really liked about half the book--the parts that focused on Quinn--but found the alternating first-person sections distracting. While I understand the intent of the additional perspective, I read the books because of Kara Quinn's dogged, and sometimes reckless, pursuit of justice, and admittedly skipped through many of the early chapters that didn't directly involve her. I did like learning about Kara's early career and the backstory that brought her to Costa's FBI team.

Thanks to MIRA for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

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This was a heart-pounding rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue that deserves nothing less than a five-star rating. This gripping thriller takes readers on a thrilling journey through the gritty streets of LA, where Detective Quinn and FBI special agent Costa must navigate a treacherous web of corruption, danger and betrayal.

The story kicks off with a bang as Det. Quinn returns to LA to testify against a notorious human trafficker, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. However, when chaos erupts in broad daylight, and key witnesses vanish into thin air, the narrative takes a thrilling turn. Brennan's skillful storytelling and masterful pacing keep you on the edge of your seat, with each chapter unveiling new layers of suspense and mystery.

What makes this truly exceptional is its intricate web of conspiracies and secrets that permeate every aspect of the plot. As Quinn races against time to locate the missing witness, readers are treated to a thrilling blend of suspense and adrenaline-pumping action. The stakes are high, and the danger is palpable, making this a true page-turner that's impossible to put down.

The character development is top-notch, with Quinn and Costa at the forefront of a cast of compelling individuals. Their unwavering determination, resilience, and the complex dynamics they share add depth to the story, making them relatable and engaging protagonists.

This is definitely a must-read for fans of suspense and crime fiction. It delivers on every front -- unforgettable characters, a riveting plot, and a relentless pace that will keep you up all night. If you're looking for a thrilling ride through a world of conspiracy and danger, this book is an absolute gem. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

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Excellent addition to the Quinn and Costa series. Love the continuing character arcs. Loved everything about this book.

Thank you #netgalley and #htp #mirabooks for the eARC.

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This latest addition to the Quinn & Costa series was a twisted ride of secrets, lies, betrayal, and corruption. I read the previous book not knowing it was the fourth in a series. I loved it and was excited to return the Kara and Matt’s world.

Kara Quinn is back in LA to testify in a trial for a case that upended her life. When a key witness goes missing, a chain of events is set off that unravels everything she thought she knew.

With the fourth book, even though I hadn’t read any of the previous books I was able to read without feeling like I was missing key backstory information that I needed to understand. That was not the same for this one. I’d highly recommend reading the full series before it. I still made it through and could use enough context clues to get what I needed from it, but I know the book would’ve benefitted from me having the full lead up to the events happening in it. That said, I did still very much enjoy this one. It was a fast-paced page turner that had me working overtime to try and solve to puzzle. However, everything was so convoluted in the tangled web the players wove that it was hard to follow at times.

My favorite part of the back was Kara’s journey and growth throughout. She was facing enormous obstacles and curveballs left and right, and she showed time and time again her strength and character in how she handled each situation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I read this as a stand-alone and really enjoyed it. So much so I think I will read the rest of the series. Detective Quinn was such a great character and I felt like I was solving the case right along side her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to reach this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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This is the fifth in the Quinn and Costa series, but they can be read as a standalone. Kara and Matt’s chemistry are what makes this a great series to read. They are well-developed, believable and likable characters. The mystery itself is suspenseful and fast paced and keeps you wanting to stay on this thrill ride. Detective Kara Quinn is returning to LA to testify against Chen, the human trafficker who Kara had arrested. Some people don’t want Kara to come back to LA because of a contract to kill her but that won’t’ stop Kara from testifying against Chen. Kara’s FBI team, Matt, Mike and the rest are guarding her and making sure nothing happens to her. But things get thrown into a tailspin when Chen is assassinated, and it was done with Kara’s gun, then the Prosecuting DDA is killed while with Kara. What in the world is happening and will Kara be able to clear herself from these charges. Will Matt stand up for and how will this affect their relationship. Pick up a copy and find out what happens. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved this book and this series. I love the chemistry between Kara and Matt. This book has a lot about the homeless situation and the corruption that can occur with it. I highly recommend this to lovers of romantic suspense.

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Part of an ongoing series but peppy enough to read as a standalone, The Missing Witness continues the fast-paced, never still for a moment Kara and Matt mystery-solving sagas. Another great book from Allison Brennan!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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A fast read and a good story. Well written and a great escape for a lazy weekend curled up on the couch. Allison never disappoints

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This book roped me in from the very first few pages! It does have several point of views which can be confusing, as well as the backstory with Quinn and Costa, but once you get into the flow of it its very hard to put down! I definitely recommend reading the books in the series prior to this book as it's going to make alot more sense. You could read it as a stand alone, but you'll get more out of it if you have the full picture!

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The Missing Witness was a fast paced murder mystery/police drama that had endless twists and turns and kept you hooked from the beginning! I really enjoyed Brennan’s writing style and how she described each character, their relationships, and their overall thoughts and feelings throughout the story. This book is apart of a series, and not once did I feel lost because I haven’t read the other books!

One of my favorite parts of this novel was watching the wheels turn in Detective Quinn’s mind as she begins to solve the mystery. Throughout this story, I felt like I was in a spider web; there were quite a few names, characters, and a lot of other moving parts. At times I had to reread a few pages because there were details I might have missed! I definitely did not see the ending coming! This was a great read from Allison Brennan and I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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The Missing Witness by Allison Brennan The characters were well-rounded, likable, and believable. As their relationship progresses, Kara and Matt's chemistry is wonderful. The story is fast-paced with numerous viewpoints and many twists and turns. Reading about the homeless and how those in positions of authority handle financial resources in a fraudulent manner was disconcerting. Very good addition to the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

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The Missing Witness is the fifth book in the Quinn and Costa series, and they are all five star reads! LAPD Detective Kate Quinn is brought back to LA to testify against a corrupt businessman known for human trafficking who is then gunned down right near the courthouse. In a parallel storyline, a whistleblower helping the homeless who witnessed the shooting disappears. It is clear that corruption is rampant in the city government, with the wrong people making all the money instead of the grants going towards the homeless. In addition, someone in the police or FBI is going after Kara. Strong willed and independent, she only trusts Special Agent Matt Costa. There are a strong set of well defined characters in this fascinating book. Allison Brennan did a phenomenal job researching, explaining and detailing the homeless crisis. I highly recommend this book. With many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. My opinions are my own. @AllisonBrennan

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