From the offset there is a real sense of urgency to this story. The abductor is so ruthless, he is cold-blooded enough to shoot and kill anyone who gets in his way. The cops who are first on the scene are shocked by the carnage and when Amanda and Trent view the cctv footage they immediately recognise the victim as a former colleague. The author really conveys their shock when they discover this and realise that there is a good chance that the reason for the abduction lies in a past case. Their sorrow at having to notify the parents of the murdered cashier also comes across really well. The story positively gallops along conveying the race against time that the cops face if they are to rescue their fellow officer. As always the team of detectives are shown as almost one entity so well do they work together. I look forward with bated breath for the next book in this great series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Deep in my bones, I feel like this is such a pivotal book for Detective Amanda Steele! I have enjoyed seeing Amanda’s transition from when we first met her as a heartbroken, trailing down the wrong path kind of woman. This book really pulls at the heartstrings, too! We get to see classic Amanda, making some poor choices while trying to regain some sense of control of a ‘normal’ life.

The initial scene of the young girl working at the convenience store had me choking up for what she had to endure and then for what her parents would go through. Then learning that Katherine Graves was taken, I was anxious to see what lengths would be taken to bring her back safely. There was a lot from her past that we didn’t get to explore while she was on the force, but this book brings a lot to light and answers so many questions about her!

While Amanda and Trent are on edge looking for Katherine and attempting to uncover why the young girl had to be murdered, we see a shift in their personal relationship. They’ve kissed, but both have been trying to ignore the pull toward each other. It’s understandable with how much time they spend together and although that’s what they try to attribute the feelings to, there is a lot more simmering under the surface. I enjoy the side story of their relationship developments as it adds a lot of emotional involvement to the story at hand.

Reading in the POV of Katherine and the culprit gives you an inside look to the crime and I hope to see even more of it. It adds a unique aspect that pulls you into the disturbed mind of why the person is committing such horrendous crimes. I can’t wait to see where all of the new developments and choices of the characters take us in the next book!

Another entertaining and engaging police procedural in this series. Fast paced and twisty, it kept me reading and guessing turning pages very fast.
Highly entertaining and recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Reading Between the Wines book review #32/130 for 2024:
Rating: 4 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: Missing Before Daylight
Author: Carolyn Arnold
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: This is Book 10 in the Amanda Steele series. I am enjoying the journey Detective Steele is on and I loved her dilemma in this one. I hope the so-called resolution in this one is not the final say in this specific storyline. The gas station killing in this book uncovered so many things and I enjoyed following the story.

Cheers and thank you to @Bookouture and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @MissingBeforeDaylight.

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It started with a smile….

Leah adjusted her reindeer antlers in the domed mirror that was nestled in the far corner of the store.

Her day ended in bloodshed and the race is on to find her killer. It is very sad that she was murdered, and it wiped the smile off my face. It’s one of those things, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

5:15 AM and Amanda is running out the door. Her and her partner, Trent, are on the case.

Amanda has an adopted daughter, Zoe, who is the sweetest thing, older than her years. She has a lover, Logan. Their relationship has advanced to the moving in together phase, but he is not a member of law enforcement and I foresee huge problems on the horizon. After all, it is not a 9 to 5 job. It would make more sense, to me, that her and Trent hook up. I think they are a match made in heaven. Will they? Are you just teasing me, Carolyn?

They discover that Katherine Graves, an ex police officer, was in the store and had been kidnapped. She has many enemies and it will be their job to figure out who has taken her.

Amanda yanked Lowell’s hair back, and pressed the nose of her gun to his skull, “I said, hands up!”

That is why I love Amanda Steele. She is fierce.

As the story unfolds, the past comes back to haunt Katherine, the pace picks up, the danger rises, and I am rapidly flipping pages. Carolyn Arnold does not make it easy to figure things out, leading me here and leading me there, at times fearing for Amanda’s life. Of course, I worry for the other characters, but, you know…she’s my favorite. She does give me a satisfying ending and I always look forward to the next story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

I am loving this series of books, it gets better with every new book. I really enjoy this fast paced story it had me gripped from the start. I look forward to reading more about Amanda Steele

Amanda and Trent attend the scene of a murder where a teen girl has lost her life, all is not as it seems when they realize a friend and fellow officer is missing from the same scene. How do the events tie together and can they find their friend before she is killed too.

A solid mystery and quick read. Another great addition to this series! Can’t wait to see what happens next… in both Amanda’s career and her love life! Team Trent 😃

The 10th book of the Detective Amanda Steele series is here and I can't believe I have already read four books in this series. As my regular readers will know, Carolyn Arnold is one of my top favorites and it's a no-brainer if I want to read any book of her's.

Last we had seen Amanda, she had been well on her way to begin to live, feel and love again. She had bonded well with Zoe and with Logan moving in to her house, she had started to think of the possibility of a future for the three of them. However, things were still heated up between her and her partner Trent and in "Missing Before Daylight", things come to a head between them when Amanda acts on the attraction she feels for Trent. This however, happens as a result of a new case that involves the murder of a gas station cashier and the abduction of Steele's former interim Sergeant Katherine Graves.

As Amanda and her team race against time to find Katherine before it gets too late for her, Amanda struggles between her feelings for Logan and Trent. Her one small inappropriate act becomes the source of tension and rift between them and Amanda has to do her best to rectify her mistake, all the while being the source of hope for Katherine's aunt May with whom she shares a close friendship.

Who kidnapped Katherine? What is their actual motive? Who amongst the many enemies, Katherine had garnered over her contentious career, is the one responsible? What is the thing which has had Katherine acting secretive and shady? Read the book to know more.

Carolyn has, as always, created a convoluted web of intrigue and secrets to conjure an interesting tale of unexpected evil. I loved the journey Amanda's character has gone through till now; the message of resilience and hope in the face of grief conveyed through her character touched my heart as always. I also liked the race- against- time aspect of storytelling in this book; it has added an extra element of urgency to the already taut narrative, which in turn enhanced the whole reading experience. The identity of the perpetrator was totally unexpected and that is a great point in the positive column for this book. The cliffhanger at which the book ends is a great hook and will keep everyone who has read this book completely tethered.

The police-procedural aspect of the story telling is on point as always. However, I did feel the way the police went about the Investigation in unnecessary tangents at times and I can't say that I cared for it. But seeing that this is how real-life Investigation works, the writing gets major points for authenticity.

Overall, this is a good book which contains all the positive aspects of Carolyn's previous books along with a few new ones and I can't wait to read the next one.

Book ten in the Detective Amanda Steele series, I have been following this series since book three and this is another fab edition to this engaging police procedural drama.

Its a race against time for Amanda and Trent to locate their hostage ex-police detective Katherine and to prevent any more heartless killings by the kidnapper., what are his motives? is the closed Katherine's passed to blame? it's one dead end after another leading to a highly frustration investigator.

An intense, compelling action packed read.

PS: Team Trent for me!

I absolutely adore this series and this book is just wow! This is a wonderful book - clear time when you read it for I promise you won't be able to put it down. Fast paced and wonderfully twisty. A masterpiece.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold.
This is the tenth book in the Detective Amanda Steele series.
When a young clerk is killed working the late shift in a gas station, robbery is the first thing that springs to Amanda’s mind, but nothing has been stolen. Once the surveillance tapes have been viewed it’s clear that the clerk was not the only person there that night. The other woman has been abducted, the race is on for Amanda and her team to find her.

This is my first time reading this author and I'm thrilled to find that I have so many more to add to my tbr pile.
The story starts with a senseless killing then kidnapping of another woman. Detective Amanda and her partner Trent find out that the person missing is someone they know. I really enjoyed their search and connection of the clues. How on earth does a cop have time for their family, much respect for their search for justice.
Police procedures played a part but never boring.
I was hooked from the beginning of this book and could not put it down.

Wow!!! Absolutely unputdownable. From start to finish I was hooked… twists and turns I did not see coming… brilliant and suspenseful. A must read.
Amazing characters and a jaw dropping terrifying plot
Merge to create in helluva read. Heart pounding from start to finish. Horrifying!

Tenth book in the Detective Amanda Steele series
When one of Amanda’s former colleagues is kidnapped she pulls out all the stops to find her alive
Plenty of twists and turns
Thanks NetGalley

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author through NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I have read all of the books in the Amanda Steele series. If you decide to read this series, don’t judge it based on the first book, The Little Grave. After I read it, I wasn’t too sure how I’d like the series because that first book was more about Amanda’s grief than the mystery she was working on. Since then, she is dealing with her grief and has been able to move on, and she has become one of my favorite Carolyn Arnold characters.

All of the Amanda Steele books are procedural, and Missing Before Daylight didn’t disappoint. Amanda and Trent have to do a lot of investigating to find Katherine, who was kidnapped from a convenience store. Finding her will also solve the murder of the clerk at that store. As always, Amanda and Trent follow the clues as they come. They look at several different possible suspects before they figure out where Katherine is. But will they be too late?

Because of the importance of finding Katherine, Amanda works a lot of hours, and she knows she’s putting a strain on her relationship at home. And then there’s Trent…

If you like police procedurals and a touch of drama, this is a good book to pick up.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Missing Before Daylight' by Carolyn Arnold.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Carolyn Arnold, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 22nd February 2024.

This is the eighth book I have read by this author. It is also the tenth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Stolen Daughters' which I also highly recommend and is the second book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series 'The Silent Witness' which is the third book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Black Orchid Girls' which is the fourth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Her Frozen Cry' which is the fifth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Last Seen Alive' by which is the sixth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Her Final Breath' which is the seventh book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Taken Girls ' which is the eighth book in this series and 'Her Last Words' which is the ninth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series. Each book can be read as a standalone and I would recommend them all.

This novel consists of a prologue, 70 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

Yet again another epic read from the very talented Carolyn Arnold!!! Absolutely rammed full of twists and turns!! Congratulations Carolyn on yet another page turner!!

This is an extremely well written book with vivid descriptions that will suck you straight into the storyline and captivated from beginning to end. The synopsis and cover worked perfectly with the storyline.

Every time I see a Carolyn Arnold book I just know I have to read it and that it will be amazing and that's without me even bothering to read the synopsis and this one was exactly the same!!! The storyline means that there is no problem with this being read as a standalone. I was absolutely hooked throughout, a true page turner from beginning to end. Carolyn is one of those amazing authors who writes these epic books that when you are reading them you promise yourself one more chapter and then you'll go to sleep but each time she ends her chapters in a way that has you hooked so you have to read just one more, but then another and before you know it you have walked around all day with the book glued to your hands and have devoured it in one sitting!!! The storyline was in depth and packed with suspense, books, murder, twists, family, tension, hate, stress, intensity, shocks and was an edge of your seat, nail biting and heart racing psychological thriller. In this fantastic addition to the series we see Amanda being called to the murder of a gas station clerk which she assumes to be a robbery gone wrong. However, when she discovers that nothing was stolen she realises this case is alot deeper than she first thought. After watching the CCTV footage Amanda discovers that this is not just a murder but also an abduction after seeing a customer being abducted by the killer. It goes from bad to worse when she recognises the customer as a former colleague Katherine Graves. Amanda is determined to get Katherine back to her Aunt May alive and well but when Amanda and Trent discover how many enemies Katherine has and the revenge letters Katherine was sent will they find Katherine before it is too late? Will Amanda and Trent's relationship survive the tension of this case? You will have to grab your copy of this epic page turner to find out yourself!! As always with this fantastic addition to this series!! I was absolutely hooked. I read this book in less than 24 hours and I'm looking forward to reading the previous books in this series that I have yet to get around to read as well as more to come. This series is extremely addictive and I cannot wait to see what the next "episode" brings!! This book is an absolute rollercoaster ride filled with twists, action, murder, heartbreak, suffering, suspense and everything you could ask for in an absolutely thrilling page turner. As always with Carolyn's book I was mind blown when the killer was revealed so a huge congratulations Carolyn!! After reading hundreds of crimes and thrillers it's getting harder and harder to shock me but at no point did I even consider them!!! If you want to know more about this absolutely epic page turner which you will have to grab your copy today to get them!!! It is one of the best books I have read this year and I really enjoyed and loved the ending!!! It is filled with suspense, tension, mystery, shocks, love, friendship, sadness, crime and everything you could ever want in a crime novel. As always Carolyn ensures there were no loose ends at the book and that everything was explained and tied up. It is one of my pet hates having loose ends at the end of a book so well done Carolyn!! I won't say more as not to spoil it for future readers. It is a true page turner that will leave you biting your nails on the edge of your seat with your heart racing. I cannot wait to see what Amanda and Trent are going to do now!!!! Hope your busy typing the next one up Carolyn as I cannot wait!!!

Although this is the tenth book in the series you will have absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

I loved meeting all the characters again who were all strong, well defined and unique. I have become completely invested in Amanda, Trent and Zoe along with all of the other amazing characters through reading these books and they now feel like family that I miss when I come to the end of one book but am excited to see again at the beginning of the next!! Amanda is absolutely whoop a## and I love seeing strong female leads in books. She has a background but will not let it pull her down and she is definitely someone I would love to have on my side. It has been so bitter sweet watching her bond with Zoe even more and watching their relationship develop and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I've also enjoyed seeing Zoe's confidence growing book by book after everything she went through. They have become like a family to me along with Trent and Malone. Trent is another fantastic team member and they work perfectly well together. I love Rideout's (medical examiner) character and personality with his morgue humour and I also like Malone and see him as a sort of fatherly figure to Amanda. It was intriguing to see the interactions between Amanda and Trent after what happened in previous books and I'm glad to see that it hasn't affected their partnership and that they still make the most amazing team out there!! These characters are all truly unforgettable and have become like friends that I love meeting again and am sad when it comes to the end and I have to say goodbye to them. Alongside the main characters Carolyn always creates interesting and realistic characters for each crime and in this book we revisit the sister of a character who was murdered in a previous case so it's interesting to get to revisit some characters and their backgrounds. A fantastic group of intriguing, realistic and solid characters all brought to life by Carolyn's fantastic evocative writing skills!! I am definitely looking forward to meeting them all (well almost all) again!!!

This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors Carolyn!!! Here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!

I could not praise this book enough and highly recommend. Carolyn I cannot wait to read more of your very successful work!!! I would also love to see this book turned into a movie. Another absolutely addictive, compelling and gripping true page turner!!! If you have not read any books by this epic author then you are seriously missing out!!!

Overall another absolutely captivating, engrossing page turner that is compelling and addictive by an extremely talented author!!!

371 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review, which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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The latest installment in the Detective Amanda Steele series is fast paced and captivating. Amanda and her partner Trent are looking for a kidnapped woman they know from the local diner. They fear the longer she is missing, the more likely the situation won’t end well.

One of the things I like about this series is that even though Amanda is a true workaholic, there is some personal life still thrown in there with her love life and daughter. While I don’t need a romance in my police procedural, it breaks up the intensity of the chase to catch the bad guys.

There are two POVs, Amanda, which is most of the chapters, and Katherine the missing woman. So the reader has a little insight into what the situation is over the cops. I love that Amanda is a strong, spunky woman. But she also shows she’s infallible in this installment. That makes me relate to her even more.

I was gripped from the start and fell for a few of the red herrings. I can’t wait to see what happens with Amanda next.

Detective Amanda Steel and her partner Trent wake to the early morning murder at a gas station. It’s just before Christmas and not a time they want to give a death report to a family and on top of that a former colleague has be taken, after a ransom demand Amanda knows time is short to save her former colleague but there could be dozens of possible suspects. Carolyn Arnold knows how to write a story that keeps you reading and interested. Not only are the characters well developed, you really can like and relate to them. I do recommend this book for a great mystery. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this eARC

Early morning call for Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Detective Trent Stenson – they are called to gas station shooting, the 18-year-old gas station attendant was shot. But when they arrive there seems to have no trace of robbery, first reaction was to figure out what the young girl was into, but once they take a look at surveillance video it tells another story. The video shows the abduction of Katharine Graves, their former intern Sergeant, this starts a massive search into Kat’s life, who would want to take her?

Book 10 and still going strong!

I have read quite a few in this series now and each ones is just as good. I have a few authors that I actively seek out and this is one of them. Detective Amanda Steele and her work partner Trent are soon immersed in finding another killer. This is a bit more personnel to Amanda as some who she knows and is close to someone she really cares has been taken and time is running out fast.
Can they find out who is responsible with so many possible leads and people to track down.
Yet another great detective story that you won't be able to put down.