this was a gripping and entertaining story about two fascinating, interconnected cases. i listened to the audiobook really quickly because i couldn't wait to find out what had happened to the children. would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys crime fiction!

Lauren Pengalley is the lead detective in the sleepy Cornish town of Penzance. When her day is turned around with the discovery of human remains, she discovers there is a new detective hired to the force, Matt Price. Although their personalities are very different, they both believe in working their hardest to bring justice when needed. So when there is a kidnapping in addition to the human remains, Detective Pengalley and Detective Price must work together to recover the missing children.

This novel was very reminiscent of an episode of Law and Order SVU (I love SVU). It had an interesting plot and story-line, and the characters were interesting with a good combination of personalities. The audiobook went quickly, and certainly kept my attention. The narrator was clear and enjoyable to listen. Overall, this was a very enjoyable mystery novel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Lauren Pengally’s leave is suddenly ends before it could begin after two bodies are found in quiet Penzance. Taking on her role of Detective Inspector, she and her team find themselves embroiled in solving a 20-year-old murder case and the sudden disappearance of three little girls from day care.

“The Lost Girls of Penzance” is a great, fast-paced, thriller that sucks you in and keeps you guessing. It’s a terrific book for fans of thriller/mysteries and especially those set in Britain.

Themes: 🕵🏻‍♀️🕵🏻‍♂️👀🔎🐾👣🇬🇧❓⁉️

My thoughts: 🤓🥸🤔😃😅😬😵‍💫👍🏻👍🏻

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Wasn't quite sure what to expect with "The Lost Girls of Penzance," but absolutely adored the audio version. Great character development from Sally Rigby, along with plenty of suspense leading up to one final twist that I never saw coming. Everything I look for in a solid thriller. Perfect October read!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of this book. WOW. This is a really great book. Matt Price joins the Penzance Police Force. His superior officer, Lauren Pengelly, is known to the other officers as the Ice Queen. Boys are riding their bikes and find a skull and some bones. As the team is working this case a girl goes missing from her day care. Soon another is missing and finally Matt’s daughter Dani is also taken. Clues lead them to finding the culprit. Character development is great. I was wonder how Matt’s wife died, we know it was a car accident, but I’d like the details. Toward the end of the book, Matt starts to see a more human side of Lauren. I’d also love to know her story. Can’t wait for the sequel. You will want to have a cup of tea and some cookies ready so that you can read this in one go.

Thanks NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the audiobook copy of this novel.

This was a decent enough mystery- the plot - young children vanishing from their nursery schools was interesting and not overdone. Adding the new sergeant’s daughter in the mix upped the pace. I liked how he was able to assist with the case even with the personal connection. While he did get emotional it only gave him more of a human quality which the characters needed.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and read in a day. I’m invested enough in the characters that I will read the next one when it comes out.

3.5

If i didn't know any better I might have thought this was a debut novel (Sally Rigby is a new author to me). I almost gave up on it but struggled on and after halfway the plot picked up and I'm glad I finished it even though I had guessed what was going on.

The reason I struggled was because the dialogue was terribly clunky. Some of the characters spouted as if they were reading from a manual eg (I'm paraphrasing so i dont spoil the plot) "Yes, boss, when I checked that address out I was surprised to find that it had lain empty for several years but then had been purchased by Mr X for a sum of X and he and his family of four moved in and they remained there for 4 years and 2 months and then ..." etc etc. I've certainly never met anyone who speaks like that.

It's a minor point but when you're listening to the audio it becomes very obvious, very quickly. I know one of the characters is referred to as a human Wikipedia but most of them spoke this way.

The good points do outweigh the bad. The plot is interesting mixing an old case with a new one. I think this is the first in what will probably be a series so the characters of the officers will have time to develop. For the moment they spend an awful lot of time misunderstanding and judging each other.

The only bit that really irritated me was at the end when the team goes out for a drink and the sergeant says he'd never drink over the limit and drive. I thought this a very poor example to set for a police officer. I'd have excised that from the book or had him take a taxi.

However, all in all a short, fast paced book with a decent plot. I'd recommend if you're already a fan of Sally Rigby's work or if, like me, you just fancy a good thriller with several twists.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the advance review copy.

I was excited to have the opportunity to review The Lost Girls of Penzance because I visited this special area of Cornwall many years ago. Rigby utilizes the backdrop of the quiet town to make the reader constantly rethink which of the locals could be involved in the crimes of murder and kidnapping. I appreciated the steady momentum of the story. I was engrossed throughout. I do wish the twists in the story were more unexpected. Overall, I liked the story and finished it quickly. Sally Rigby is an author I will be looking at for future thrillers. I hope Cornwall Murder Mystery #2 will be as good as this one was!

I adored this book! It explores two members of the police force trying to solve not one, but two crimes. When a body is found from years ago, Lauren and Matt, the main characters, have to decide whether to prioritise the appearance of a body or a sudden disappearance of a child.

There are so many twists and turns in this book to provide a satisfying and unpredictable story that kept me absolutely hooked from start to finish. Lauren is hardy, stern and determined, a character that I thought I’d struggle to like at first but actually began to love her and the way her character developed.

I understand this is the first book to a series and I am thrilled we will get more of these characters.

Three word review - twisty, unpredictable, engaging.

The lost girls of Penzance follows Detective Lauren Pengelly and her newly transferred second in command Matt Price and their quest to solve a historical murder and stop a kidnapper from abducting young girls right from their daycares.
This was a decent book, yet I couldn’t help but compare the protagonists to Joy Ellis’ Fens series with Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter. Stand-off ish DI gets a younger DS (and his child) dropped on her. They’re different types of cops with different styles and although they start out having a tough time working together, they end up simpatico when the terrible crime becomes personal. I mean, it’s an interesting book with an interesting plot, but I was distracted by comparing. It is probably worth taking a look at, and maybe you’ll be able to see past the similarities.

I received a free audiobook copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This is a well-paced, solid mystery with likable characters and an interesting plot featuring old murders and child kidnappings. I will definitely read more of the series as they roll out.

The characters are all a bit at odds with one another and I'm interested to see how and if they come together. My only detraction was how similar our protagonist is to other female leads in popular British series about small-town crime investigations. I hope she breaks out and finds her own unique place among the legends who preceded her.

Absolutely thrilled to get a audiobook from Netgalley by Sally Rigby. One of my favourite authors, completely autoread for me. This new series is going to be as excellent as her others - can't wait for more of it!

Oh my, loved every word with all the disturbing descriptions and deranged manifestations conjured leading one to a sleepless night or two. Not the expected at all!

I read this in one day I couldn’t stop. I really loved the dynamic between the two main characters. I liked that the author didn’t make the female lead warm and fuzzy or even slight to any guy.

I really really hope this is a long running series.

The Lost Girls of Penzance by Sally Rigby, narrated by Clare Corbett, is a crime thriller that kept me intrigued from the start! The “who done it” mystery followed an unsolved murder case that took place 20 years ago and three cases of missing children in a town that rarely has any major crime occur. The book is told by a narrator that focuses on the perspectives of two detectives Lauren Pengelly and Matt Price. Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author Sally Rigby for the opportunity to listen to an ARC of The Lost Girls of Penzance in exchange for my honest review!

3.5⭐️
When human bones are found DI Lauren Pengelly cuts her leave short to lead the investigation. Later that day a little girl is kidnapped from her nursery. Then another little girl has been taken. And then a third. All from different nurseries. Lauren and her new partner Matt need to get to the bottom of it asap.

I thought this was a good start to a new series though I found Lauren pretty rigid and unlikable. Matt was a lot more likable though his backstory of recently losing his wife was really sad. Lauren started to show her human side towards the end and I’m sure her character will start to change through the progression of the series.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I thought the narration was great and really added to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this mystery. The first in a new detective series set in Penzance, Cornwall. Two mysteries actually going on at once and I like the detectives on the case. I was initially interested in it because I’ve stayed in Penzance,, but I thought this was a good mystery and I will definitely watch for the next one.

Detective Lauren Pengelly cuts her annual leave short as she discovers some news of remains of human bones found by children in Cornwall. Detective Matt Price comes to join Lauren's team in Cornwall, only to find news of a missing child, then another and another. Is the cold case of the missing bones linked to the young girls that are missing from the nursery's? No nonsense, Detective Pengelly and Detective Price work together and they solve the cases. Full of action, mystery and thriller. What a twisty twist at the end !

Enjoyable read for Sally Rigby fans

Thank you to Netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Storm Publishing for the review copy of this audiobook.

This one had a slow start for me, but once it reached a certain point, I couldn't quit listening. I do feel like there were some minor things that I would've changed - more twists and turns, more suspects, etc. I feel like it was all solved way too quickly. However, I will definitely be keeping up with Pengelly and Price in future books.

This was my 1st book by Sally Rigby but it is most definitely not my last! I for sure need to see where this series goes! I can't wait to see how the partnership between Pengelly & Price progresses, personally and professionally. I also appreciate that Det. Pengelly is a strong woman but can also look at herself and wonder if she is doing the best by her team and reassess things. I am now off to add all of the author's backlog of books to my TBR!

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