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!

Quinn and Costa are back together in this latest installment in the series. They return to LA so Kara Quinn can testify at a hearing for David Chen, the human trafficker who put a bounty on her head when she busted his operation. Violet is a city IT employee and a dedicated volunteer for the homeless community when she discovers a financial fraud that puts her in terrible danger. Fast paced and filled with action (and murder!). My only compliant is that I wish the crime was a little more straight forward. I understand in the real world this type of activity is muddled and complicated, but it'd be nice if it had been tightened up a bit for the sake of streamlining the story. It is eye opening that grants for non-profits serving the homeless are so wildly unregulated, I assume this is based in fact after reading the author's note.

I love, love, love the Kara Quinn series, and this just continues to add to it. Such a fierce character, you can't help but always cheer for her. And, a badass female lead to boot. Highly recommend this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ebook. The Missing Witness is the fifth book in the Quinn & Costa Series. A great addition to the series, but a great standalone as well. A new killer to track down. A witness to find. Government and police corruption. Non-stop action, family drama and relationship issues. It’s got it all. Enjoy!

Another fantastic read by this author. The case is complex and kept me gripped from the beginning. I loved getting so much of Kara's past. The relationship between her and Matt, both personally and professionally, shows a lot of growth. The procedural aspects were page turning. I read this one in one sitting. I am so glad this series is continuing. There were plenty of jaw dropping moments and I can't wait to see what happens next!

I do not repeat the synopsis. I love this series. Actually, I love everything written by this Author. Kara and Matt are fabulous characters and I can’t get enough of them. I do wish this Author would write just a bit faster. LOL. Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

I am reading this series all out of order (this is book 5 and I've only read book 5). but I'm not having trouble following the and it could easily be read as a stand a lone. This is a police procedural, set in Los Angeles, with both the LAPD and FBI playing key roles in investigating corruption. I love the characters, the plot is well paced, and I'm definitely going to read the first three. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA publishing for an advanced reader copy.

Homeless camps, LA, drugs, city officials and dirty officials, this novel has them all. An edge of your seat thriller that takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. Not to he missed.

I like Quinn and Costa's chemistry! This thriller is involved and intense, and I loved it! Now, I have to go back and read the ones I missed in this series.