Apologies in advance, this is going to be a long one. And if you'd like to skip over my personal commentary on assistance and funding for homelessness and Affordable Housing, please skip down to Off My Soapbox.

And thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for a copy of the book. Commentary and review are all my own opinion.

My Soapbox
Funding for the homeless and Affordable Housing are a central part of this story. I worry that someone reading this book might leave it thinking the whole thing is a big ol' scam. That isn't the case. The discussion, especially regarding actual housing, leaves out major issues that aren't fraud, graft, or theft. Time and additional regulatory hurdles, the cobbling together of multiple financing sources (each with their own set of attorneys and required hurdle/conditions), prevailing wage and the fact that the developer also has to pay someone to monitor for the prevailing wage, etc, etc, etc. These are all issues that market rate developments don't have and increase the costs associated with providing Affordable Housing.

An article: https:/www.sacbee.com/news/local/homeless/article278499379.html

Honest advocates for the unhoused and anyone paying a bit of attention would disagree with a statement made in the book regarding the situation. There is no "entire business that will end when we solve the homeless crisis." Los Angeles County alone saw a 9% increase in homelessness between 2022 and 2023. (10% for the City).

An article: https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=927-lahsa-releases-results-of-2023-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count

No one is excited about an increase in unhoused people and thinking about how good this is for their business. People aren't involved in Affordable Housing or helping the homeless for personal financial gain. And I really hope that readers don't come away from this book with a negative view of those who are trying to help. There are enough hurdles thrown up by regulations, NIMBYism, increased costs, etc. They don't need more obstacles.

Off My Soapbox.
Despite my bristling at how providing assistance for the homeless and building Affordable Housing was portrayed in this book, I did really like the continuing saga of Kara Quinn and her coming home to close out the case that started it all. There were some great twists along the way and I enjoyed the very detailed plot. Though, at some points I felt like there were too many moving parts and characters to keep up with. It was hard to know whether someone/something was important or just filler. I finally felt that Kara had some solid personal growth in this book and was glad with how this installment in the series ended and look forward to the next book.

This is my first read in the Quinn-Costa series by Allison Brennan. It was a fast paced, multi-layered story involving graft, corruption and murder. I enjoyed reading it, with one caveat: sometimes the author referred to a character by his/her last name and at other times, by first names. With so many characters to keep track of, this caused confusion for me. I look forward to reading the next book by this author. The research involved is noteworthy. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Information leaked, probably from the LA FBI office. Files wiped from the city’s databases and millions in grant monies spent for homeless housing with nothing to show for it. The head of a trafficking and sweatshop operation killed. The DDA quietly investigating corruption in allotting housing grants murdered. His whistleblower on the run. When Quinn returns from working at the FBI mobile unit, she senses something is off at the LAPD. Can Quinn and Costa work through the liars, traitors and corrupt to find the truth before more die?

Brennan uses a nonlinear timeline to reveal pieces of information to the readers, unleashing surprises and twists I didn’t see coming. Even though the tension was high through out and the puzzle satisfyingly intricate, it’s the portrayal of the homeless issue that is the standout element for me. The relationship between Violet and her homeless mom put a memorable face and feelings on the problem and Brennan included eye-opening details of issues facing those who work with the homeless. Though this is the fifth Quinn and Costa thriller it can easily stand alone, and in my opinion is the best yet. Highly Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first Kara Quinn novel that I have read and not knowing the characters' backgrounds, I found it a bit confusing. So many different agencies are introduced each with their own hierarchy that it was hard to follow who was the "bad cops" and who were the good cops." The plot is interesting as it deals with government corruption in the processing of grants to house homeless people. The missing witness works not only at city hall in an IT position but also as a volunteer with a homeless volunteer group. That is when she is pointed in the direction of where to look for missing files and money thus becoming a target for an assassin who is hired to keep the status quo of grant funds and money laundering alive.
An interesting love triangle is in play, but not having read the previous titles in the series, I had a hard time buying into it.
Overall, I'd recommend for fans of the series, but not as a stand alone novel.

Brennan is great at mysterious thrillers and crime books. The Missing Witness was a quick story for me. I don't think it was too different from other books in this genre, but I still enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The plight of the homeless and a gigantic Los Angeles city hall fraud combine to create a suspenseful and tense novel. There are multiple agencies involved in uncovering the extent of the fraud, all vying for total control. Within departments are bad cops and FBI agents and it is a matrix of connections that confounds everyone. A definite thriller!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So complex and layered but getting through the web is worth it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brennan developed this plot fresh from the California headlines in this much anticipated new release.

In the latest case of Quinn and Costa, we become embroiled with the corrupt city politics and the fight to bring those responsible for heinous crimes to justice.

This story becomes an addictive read with the complex layers and depth of the plot. The main characters fear trusting anyone with their complex case due to the deception and corruption, even within their departments.

Knowing who to trust in the tangled web becomes harder and harder with each turn of the page. But getting through and starting to see some clarity makes it all worth it in the end.

This book is not only a detailed suspense and thriller but it also is somewhat of a whistleblower case with the California homelessness issues open for the world to see. A shocking and saddening truth bomb that needs to be brought to light.

The Missing Witness is an amazing addition to the series. Quinn and Costa are two strong characters that I thoroughly enjoy reading and following. Brennan shows her fantastic writing skills with the intricate plot, complex characters, and highly detailed corruption that sounds more true than fiction.

Intense in spots with an ending that is everything we have been waiting for! I wanted to cheer!

I want more from this awesome team of characters!

The Missing Witness, book 5, in the Quinn & Costa series by Allison Brennan has to be my favorite so far! Wraps up the loose ends in LA and gives more details into why Quinn came to work with the Mobile Response Team. Looking forward to more in the series!

The Missing Witness is a face paced, multi layered read that is full of lies, corruption and so many secrets.

The book keeps you guessing as to who was involved with the corruption.

Detective Kara Quinn has returned to LA to testify against David Chen the notorious human trafficker.

Chen is shot down in cold blood and the only witness is missing.

Quinn and Costa are racing against the clock and the tension mounts with every page.

Red herrings and twist and turns kept the lights on as I devoured every page.

Clear your schedule and settle in for a nail biting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harelquin Trade Publishing , MIRA for an outstanding read.

Police Procedural Mystery following a LAPD detective, a FBI agent and her allies race to find a missing witness and uncover deadly secrets connected to a corruption case.

4/5 stars: This is the fifth entry in Brennan's Quinn & Costa series featuring a LAPD detective who's been working with a FBI task force returns home to testify against the notorious human trafficker who's case upended her life and career. But things aren't what they seem; the accused is murdered, a witness and whistle-blower goes missing and soon it becomes clear that corruption is running rampant and she trusts only her FBI special agent lover and boss and a handful of allies to help her. Brennan has a way of not only writing a fast-faced police procedural but still crafting a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings in such a way that you'll be left pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, Brennan's character work is excellent; Kara's an incredibly complex character and it's great to see how she's grown. This is a coming full circle for Kara, she's facing her past and having to make decisions about her future. I'm excited to see what comes next. I also like seeing how realistically her and Matt's relationship is portrayed. This book tackles some very tough topics, so take care and check CWs. I would not suggest reading this as a a stand-alone, you'll miss important plot points about the backstory of this story if you haven't at minimum read book one, The Third to Die, as this directly relates to events from that novel.

I received this eARC thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I liked Tell No Lies but this sequel is very disappointing. The complex web of characters got annoying quickly. The plot has so many twists and turns that my head started spinning, and the ending doesn't really add much value to the entire experience. If you want me part of the blog tour I will say this and more.
Normally, I like sequels. But as I was watching the latest "Bosch:Legacy" series, I kept wondering why her characters and situations weren't half as interesting as those other fictional LA law folks.

The Missing Witness
by Alllison Brennan
Pub Date: January 23, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Detective Kara Quinn is back in Los Angeles to testify against a notorious human trafficker, finally moving past the case that upended her life. But when the accused is shot in broad daylight, the chaotic scene of the crime turns up few reliable bystanders. And one witness—a whistleblower who might be the key to everything—has disappeared.
This is a dense a fullly reserached book that requires your most attention in the first 30 percent of the book so you can understand it.
I have read all of Brennan's books and I will recommend this one as well.
Not for the faint hearted but a great read in the series.
4 stars

The impeccable and detailed research drew me into the story and the mesmerizing plot kept me there. The action was non-stop as the MRT returns to Kara Quinn’s old stomping grounds to finally get justice for Kara. They end up with more of a problem than they bargained for, with corruption rampant in city hall, the police department and the FBI. The plight of the homeless as presented by the author was heartbreaking and when she added to their sad situation with graft and the presence of drugs, it was made very realistic and created a compelling story. Kara thinks that she will be finally free of Chen and be able to return to LAPD but what she discovers about her city disturbs her deeply. Secrets have been kept from her from people she trusted and now she just wants to find the truth. Her team is there to support her and to help ferret out the dark and twisted truth of a city that has lost its moral compass as far as the homeless are concerned. With the murder of a DA and an FBI agent, the MRT has their hands full trying to follow the clues and find out who is responsible for the city’s corruption and the murders. This was a breathtakingly complex book, introducing new and relatable characters. I really liked getting to know FBI agent Sloan as well as computer geek Violet. Both were expertly crafted to fit into the story well and to add depth to a propulsive thriller. This is an incredibly powerful story with nail-biting suspense and explosive complications as Kara is suspected of the unthinkable and has to depend on her team’s support to find the truth. With a brilliantly written plot that unravels at just the right pace and characters that are intriguingly unique and dynamic, this book is a winner for me in every aspect. It hit just the right tone, with eye-opening details and an intense need to follow the clues and get the mysteries solved before someone else dies. Part thriller, part mystery and all edgy suspense, this is a book not to be missed by fans of Allison Brennan. Although it is part of a series, it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone and I highly recommend this captivating and insightful novel.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This is a dense read but stylistically sound writing. I was hoping this would be a quick bedtime read but there is a lot of background information to set up the dense background of the characters which leads to the first 30% of the book needing full attention because it's setting up the story.

If you are looking for a in depth cop focused murder and mystery filled with corruption and trying to help the unfortunate - this one is for you.

LAPD Detective Kara Quinn is on loan to the FBI. She is a valuable witness in a human trafficking case and has been re assigned and moved for her protection. Kara has returned to LA to testify before a Judge to keep the case from being dismissed. This book highlights the homeless crisis as part of the story. There are crooked cops, possible leaks from the FBI and people showing up conveniently dead. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next shoe to drop. Action from start to finish! Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

*4.5 rounded up*
The Missing Witness is the fifth book in the Quinn and Costa series. This series is a police procedural thriller type book that follows an FBI mobile team that goes around the US to solve crimes. This specific one is about LA and FBI corruption and a case about a major crime case the Kara Quinn is involved in. There’s also a bit of romance between Quinn and Costa that is just enough to be interesting and good to read.

I really liked this book! This case had a lot of different elements and people involved. It was very intense and a nail bitter throughout the whole book. I had to keep reading to figure out what happened. I really like all of the characters and I love the relationship between Quinn and Costa. I don’t typically like romance but their romance seems very real and it’s nice to read about. There are only a few scenes throughout with their romance so I think that’s why I like it and it doesn’t take away from the crime solving.

I feel like it didn’t quite hit 5 stars for me just because it was a bit too long and I would have cut it down a bit. I still really enjoyed it though!

Thanks so much to netgalley and Harlequin for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book comes out January 23rd and I recommend!

In this latest installment of the series, Quinn and Costa reunite as they return to Los Angeles. The purpose of their visit is for Kara Quinn to provide testimony in a hearing concerning David Chen, a notorious human trafficker who had previously put a substantial bounty on her head after she dismantled his criminal operation.

The narrative takes an exhilarating and action-packed turn as Violet, a dedicated city IT employee and volunteer for the homeless community, stumbles upon a financial fraud scheme that places her in grave danger. The story unfolds with a rapid pace and doesn't shy away from moments of intense conflict and even murder.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, my only minor complaint lies in the complexity of the crime at the center of the plot. I understand that real-world criminal activities can often be convoluted and intricate, but I wished for a bit more simplicity to streamline the narrative. Nonetheless, it was eye-opening to delve into the world of unregulated grants for non-profits catering to the homeless population, and I assume this aspect is rooted in factual information, as mentioned in the author's note.

Another good book in the Kara Quinn/ Matt Costa series. The two leads play well with each other. Kara is the badass cop who does not color within the lines and Matt is the straight up FBI agent who plays by the rules. Together they make a great couple of investigators. This book delves deep into the homeless and workers being held in bondage to work in factories. I would recommend this book.

It’s another Allison Brennan hit. Once again you find it is easy to lose sleep over a Brennan novel when it is too good to put down and hit the pillow. In the latest addition of her Quinn and Costa series Kara Quinn finally has the opportunity to return to LA and testify against a human trafficker who was the original reason for her loan out by the LAPD to the FBI mobile response team. As the plot develops, the details behind what happened in the beginning fill in while keeping her relationship with Costa growing in a very positive way. Brennan’s plot has a story fighting time, murder, disappearing witnesses, homelessness, conspiracies, corruption, danger, FBI vs LAPD and surprises around quite a few corners. I really suggest anyone ready to read this book start at the beginning with the first book in the series so they are ready to dive into Missing Witness, another great entry into the Quinn and Costa series. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I think The Missing Witness could have gotten a better rating from me had I read the previous books in the series. It's not required, you can definitely read as a stand alone. But I was a little confused in the beginning and I think I missed that character building.

The writing style is easy to read. Fast-paced!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!