Carolyn Arnold delivers another gripping read with Missing Before Daylight, the newest installment in her Detective Amanda Steele series. This book is filled with action, suspense, and intense moments scattered throughout the story.

Missing Before Daylight focuses on the search for Katherine Graves. Katherine filled in as Amanda and Trent's boss, when their sergeant Malone took a leave of absence due to illness.  Amanda and her butted heads, but after several cases, their respect for each other grew.  After Malone's return, Katherine retired and proceeded to build a relationship with her estranged aunt. In the week before Christmas, while on her way to her aunt's café, someone kidnapped Katherine from a gas station. During the kidnapping exercise, the eighteen-year-old attendant became a casualty.

Trent and Amanda arrived on the scene of what they believed to be a robbery gone wrong, but then they discovered nothing was taken. Examining the security footage reveals not just murder, but also kidnapping. Now, Trent and Amanda find themselves in a race against time to locate their former sergeant before it's too late.

As a former detective in New York City, Katherine had quite a list of people whom she arrested who may have a strong desire for revenge.  This revelation made Trent and Amanda's work harder as they attempted to track down the person behind the kidnapping and murder.  There was no time for extended breaks, as this case was a matter of life and death.

With each instalment, Arnold gives readers a view into the characters' personal lives. In Missing Before Daylight, she revisits the sexual tension between Amanda and Trent. She also explores the impact an impulsive action on Amanda's part had on her current relationship. Amanda seems content with her current relationship, but her feelings for her partner have the potential to derail everything. Honestly, I am team Trent and I believe they would be good together.

The dynamic between Trent and Amanda also helped to make this a compelling read. Missing Before Daylight is a thrilling and suspenseful tale, with a complex case that will keep readers glued to the pages from start to finish.

Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold.
She wakes surrounded by an inky black darkness and can barely breathe. A sack is covering her head, and her hands are tied behind her back. She desperately tries to struggle free as she hears footsteps walking toward her. She silently starts to cry as a chilling voice whispers “It’s time to pay for what you did…”
When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the murder scene of a young gas station clerk just before dawn, she assumes it must be a robbery gone tragically wrong. But when she discovers nothing has been stolen, she knows the motive must be far more personal. Watching the security footage, Amanda is shocked to witness the cold-blooded killer not only shoot the clerk dead but abduct a customer. And her heart stops when she recognizes the customer as her former colleague, Katherine Graves. As Amanda breaks the news to Katherine’s heartbroken Aunt May, she vows to do whatever it takes to bring her niece home alive.
I did enjoy this book. I did like Amanda and Trent. They were a great team. Twisty and gripping. I was sure I knew who it was but I was so wrong. I was gripped from page one and read in 2 sitting. I wasn't sure about Katherine. I was sure she was dodgy. It definitely made me think. A lot of red herrings. I am certainly looking forward to this author next book. 4*.

Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold is an extremely emotional book, both for the protagonist and for the reader. Detective Amanda Steele has been on the edge for years, ever since the car accident had taken her husband, her daughter, and her unborn child from her. Lately things have been better, between her adopted daughter, Zoe, and her live-in boyfriend, Logan, whom she loved. Then she got the call: an eighteen year old girl had been shot in a convenience store. As if that wasn’t bad enough, when they looked at the security footage they saw she was collateral damage. The real target was Amanda’s ex-sergeant and friend, Katherine Graves, who had been abducted. They knew they didn’t have much time. Who took her? And why? They went to visit Katherine’s aunt, a woman Amanda had known all of her life. Telling her was difficult. They left an officer in case there was a ransom demand. They scoured the security tapes for clues and followed up on every one they found.

This was a very tense book, in several ways, and Arnold did it well. They scoured all her old cases, both there and in New York. They spoke several times with her best friend in New York, who did her best to help. Things were tense and tension tends to play out in odd ways, as it did in this situation, threatening to blow up not only this case, but Amanda’s life. She is a terrific character who has lived through much and come out the other end. Her relationship with Katherine was fairly new, but with her aunt, lifelong. Balancing all the balls was proving to be challenging. One of the perps looked to be leaving them clues. It might have been a woman. She might have been participating under coercion. Then the found her body and knew for sure. The clock was ticking. The kidnapper was getting restless. Could they find Katherine in time? Could she save her home life? It was all a jumble as they careened toward the conclusion of a finely crafted, police procedural. Thanks, Carolyn Arnold!

I was invited to read Missing before Daylight by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #CarolynArnold #MissingBeforeDaylight

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.

I have read all the books in this series and enjoyed them thoroughly so I was excited to read this. It did not disappoint and had the intriguing mystery and great characters that i have enjoyed in the previous books. Looking forward to reading more.

Another captivating installment of Detective Amanda Steele. This case feels personal, and we get a lot of Amanda and Trent working through their personal issues while also simultaneously doing a tremendous amount of police work. I enjoyed the pacing, the dead ends in their investigation, and the action. I am still left apprehensive of what will become of Amanda’s personal life, but I’ll enjoy continuing the series to see where it goes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Tensions are high in Steele and Stenson’s most personal case to date

Katherine Graves is missing. Abducted from a gas station in the wee hours of a December morning the only leads Detectives Steele and Stenson have are a cigarette butt and some grainy surveillance video. With the only witness to the abduction in the morgue the duo sets out to determine why the previous chief of the PWCPD has been targeted. While no longer in law enforcement, the detectives cannot rule out a vengeful prior arrestee or a case that she was unwilling to let go, especially after searching her home another other areas for possible clues. When a ransom note comes in to her Aunt May a new element presents itself – could this just be an opportunistic event to capitalize on the recent success of Hannah’s diner? Steele and Stenson work tirelessly, racing the clock to locate Katherine before her time runs out. But with tensions increasing both between Amanda and Trent and Amanda and Logan, the personal nature of this case may end up taking more than one collateral victim.

Missing Before Daylight is the tenth in the Detective Amanda Steele series of books by author Carolyn Arnold. While most Detective Steele’s cases have been centered around perpetrators and victims that were relatively unknown, this case hits too close to home for the detectives. With the abducted being the one-time chief of the Prince William County Police Department it feels as if this is personal. Graves’ entrance to the PWCPD was shrouded by an abrupt exodus from a much larger department in New York. Could it be that whatever she appeared to be running from had caught up to her? The pair must exhaust all roads, from interviewing incarcerated gang members, to recently released felons, and even speaking with her closest friend and prior colleagues. The longer they delay locating and rescuing Katherine, the slimmer their chances become of finding her alive.

With Missing Before Daylight, the tensions between Steele and Stenson come to a boiling point when a rash decision threatens to not only jeopardize Amanda’s professional partnership with Trent but also her budding family life with Logan and Zoe. I have been waiting for Arnold to explore this potential angle for a few books now and am curious to see how all parties involved navigate the aftermath and the potential awkward situations that are bound to happen in the future. Also, in choosing a Christmas time setting Arnold takes a series of events that are already tense and ratchets up the urgency. The unspoken notion of many that the bad guys take the holidays off is completely shattered, as the duo must notify a family that their daughter is not coming home. This notification no doubt weighs heavily on Amanda’s mind during her attempts to locate and rescue Katherine as she does not want to deliver a similar message to her longtime friend May.
From the beginning, Missing Before Daylight is a gripping page turner. Having followed this series from its inception I feel this was probably for me the most intense installment in the series yet. Being familiar with all parties involved, I was invested in a way that I have not been in previous books. If this is your first experience with this cast of characters, however, do not be dissuades as Arnold structures many of her series novels so that you can read them in pretty much any order and not feel as if you are missing out on major plot points or backstory elements.

If you are looking for a twisting police procedural with a human element and not just one, but several strong female characters Missing Before Daylight would be a great start.

Full disclosure - I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the author or their representative but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.

The prologue starts the timer on the rescue of a retired police officer. The kidnapper has already killed one witness. With few clues, the team will start the investigation at the victim's home. What they find sets the investigation on a new course. As the clock ticks the tension and pace pick up and readers feel the victim's panic and she knows her death is close.

Book #10 in this awesome series. Each can be read as a stand alone but you'd miss the character development that has made the series a reader's favorite.

Disclosure. This is a review of an ebook I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.

This is the tenth title in the Detective Amanda Steele series.

I was pulled into this story immediately in the prologue, when a young girl, Leah working the night shift at the petrol station is shot dead. But it isn’t until Detective Amanda Steele watches the security video footage, that she realises what else we discovered in the prologue. That there was another customer there at the time, who the killer has abducted. And not just any customer, but Amanda’s former superior officer, Katherine Graves, now retired from the force. This makes it very personal to Amanda. How will she break the news to Katherine’s aunt May, whom she knows well?

Too late for Leah, but can Amanda and partner Trent locate Katherine in time to rescue her before the killer acts again? Where are they both? What motivated the killer’s crimes? How have both the killer’s van and Katherine’s car vanished from the petrol station? Is there an accomplice? Can they track either Katherine’s car or phone?

As they search for clues in her personal and former professional live, it appears Katherine has multiple anonymous dangerous enemies? Why? What is in her past? What are the relevance of the mysterious items they find locked in Katherine’s desk at home?

And then whilst they are interviewing one suspect, May receives a ransom call!

Meanwhile Amanda is juggling her own personal life as the job takes priority right now. But the author cleverly intertwines titbits of that into the tale too.

A thrilling compelling read indeed, with plenty of unanticipated twists and turns.

Missing Before Daylight is the newest addition to the Detective Amanda Steele crime thriller/police procedural series. This story is a chase to find Katherine Graves. Katherine was Amanda's and Trent's sargaent when Malone was off due to illness. When he returned, she retired and reconciled with her Aunt May. Early in the morning, on her way to Hannah's, May's café, she is abducted from a gas station and the 18 year old attendant was killed. The whole department is mobilized to find Katherine, as she is still one of their own. Can they find her before she ends up dead?

This was a story that was a race against time. With Katherine having been a Detective in NYC, she had a long list of people who she had put away, that may have wanted to get even with her. Trying to follow them all up would be impossible, but there were a couple living locally, so that is where they started. It was a difficult case and the team was really scrambling. Each book also includes personal stories and this one brings that sexual tension between Amanda and Trent to the surface again. How it affects their lives as well as their loved ones, is another part of this book. One thing I really like is how realistic Carolyn Arnold makes her characters. My heart broke for Amanda and all she was dealing with professionally and personally in this book. There were a lot of road blocks that had me on the edge of my seat wondering if they would find Katherine before it was too late. You will have to read this book to find out. Another wonderful addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series.

Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold is the tenth book in the excellent Detective Amanda Steele series and what a roller coaster ride this was. I was hooked from the very first few pages till the very end! I have read all these books in this Detective Amanda Steele series and they have all been a 5 star read. This book was No different!

Detective Amanda Steele is called to the murder scene of a young gas station clerk just before dawn, she assumes it must be a robbery gone tragically wrong. But when she discovers nothing has been stolen, she knows the motive must be far more personal, but what?

While watching the security footage, Detective Amanda Steele is shocked to witness the cold-blooded killer not only shoot the clerk dead but abduct a customer who was in the gas station. Then, her heart stops.......when she recognises the customer as her former colleague, Katherine Graves. But, as she breaks the news to Katherine’s heartbroken Aunt May, she vows to do whatever it takes to bring her niece home alive.

The clock is ticking and Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Trent is desperate for a lead. They soon, they discover that despite no longer being with the police department, Katherine has a long list of very dangerous enemies. Enemies who have been sending her anonymous letters promising revenge.

Amanda digs into Katherine’s past, the longer her list of suspects becomes. But when May is sent a ransom demand and a picture of Katherine close to death, Amanda knows time is running out. With only hours left to find Katherine alive, Amanda is prepared to risk everything to keep her promise to May, even her own life…

This book is So good I could not put it down and I highly recommend this book and series.

Another 5 star book.

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my Arc.

Book 10 in the brilliant Detective Amanda Steele series.

I loved this book. From the first chilling chapter to the very end I was hooked. A fast paced thriller with lots of twists to keep you reading late into the night. Can't wait to read the next one

This is the tenth book in the outstanding Detective Amanda Steele series – a must read series for lovers of intense police procedurals! Amanda is a homicide detective with the Dumfries, Virginia Police Department. When she and her partner, Detective Trent Stenson, are called to the scene of a store robbery, they find the young clerk has been murdered. Checking the store video, they realize that a woman has been kidnapped, a woman they recognize as Katherine Graves, a former cop. Was she the intended victim all along or taken as a witness? If so, why didn’t the killer eliminate her as well? Is her abductor someone from Katherine’s past seeking revenge? If so, who and what for? As Amanda and Trent look through Katherine’s many previous cases, will they find her in time or has her time run out? As with all of this author’s fast paced mysteries, with continuing characters, once begun it is almost impossible not to finish the book in one sitting. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this tense thriller of a book

oh my word this one is action packed right from the beginning till the very last chapter.... and the hits just keep on coming

when detective amanda steele arrives at the gas station in the earlier hours of the morning its to news of a murder of a 18 year old girl, its a sad situation and though at first everything seems as it should be, its not long once they view the cctv film that this murder is so much more when they discover a kidnapping also occurred and its someone they know....

its a race against time.....

this book will have you on the edge of your seat so many red herrings before the perp is unmasked but will they be in time

cant wait for the next book in this brilliant series

While Detective Amanda Steele thinks she is being called into the case of the murder of a young gas station attendant, she finds much more. Devastated to soon discover that her former colleague Katherine Graves was abducted from the gas station during that murder. Amanda worries but also wonders about the motivation behind Katherine's abduction.

Meanwhile. Katherine is looking for any opportunity to escape her abductor and the story switches back and forth from Amanda and her partner Trent's investigation. While all of this is going on, Amanda finds herself torn when it comes to her personal life. Determined not allow conflicting feelings to affect her work, Amanda soldiers on.

The Detective Amanda Steele series is definitely captivating and I have read the series from the beginning. It has been really good to see the struggles that Amanda has experienced and how they have made her stronger over the years. Also, it is interesting to see Amanda navigate her personal and professional relationship with Trent while growing her relationship with her romantic partner Logan and her adopted daughter Zoe. Book 11, please head my way soon.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

As always, I loved Amanda Steele and Trent
And this book had me almost biting my nails - I'm not a nail biter, so it was pretty intense!
When a young check out girl is murdered, Amanda and Trent get called to the scene, upon reviewing the security tapes they discover it was actually a kidnapping with a fatality, and the person kidnapped is Katherine Graves! An ex colleague.

I loved the way the clues were left and discovered and finally pieced together.
And despite it being a series it can be read as a standalone but then you'd be missing out on the incredible ongoing story line and seeing how these amazing re-occurring characters develop

This book shows why this is one of the best police procedural series out there. The case grabbed my heart from the beginning. It's an emotional one. I loved learning more about Katherine as well as she's always been such an enigma. I also am invested in Amanda's personal life. Something happens that gives me hope for a future I believe most fans really want to see. Overall, Amanda and Trent keep you racing right alongside them to unwrap this mystery.

I think the Detective Amanda Steele is one of the best police procedurals. Detective Amanda Steele has plenty of issues and weaving her way through a relationship is one of them. I am not a fan of one of the issues in her relationship, probably because I just don't understand. Getting to know more about Katherine Graves is a win. The prologue was heart wrenching. Trent, Amanda's partner always lightens the mood and his his own issues. Missing Before Daylight has intrigue, mystery and keeps you turning pages. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions! #MissingBeforeDaylight #DetectiveAmandaSteele #CarolynArnold #Bookouture #NetGalley

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When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the murder scene of a young gas station clerk just before dawn, she assumes it must be a robbery gone tragically wrong. But when she discovers nothing has been stolen.
Watching the security footage, Amanda is shocked to witness the cold-blooded killer not only shoot the clerk dead but abduct a customer. And her heart stops when she recognizes the customer as her former colleague, Katherine Graves.
The tenth outing for Amanda & Trent & another well written intriguing & engrossing thriller. I loved the tension that built as Amanda discovered more & more suspects as she races to find Katherine. I was drawn in from the start & found the book hard to put down. The pace is very good & the characters have depth & are relatable. However it was the suspense that really gripped me as the case unfolded.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Missing Before Daylight is one of the best books that I've read in this series. It has action and romance, it's fast-paced, and the Police Force is mobilized to find who is responsible for kidnapping Katherine, one of their own, and the killing of a teenager who was working at the place where the kidnapping occurred. Amanda is close to Katherine and to her family and the case therefore demands much more of her than any previous one. She is also deeply divided between her feelings towards Trent and Logan and soon she'll have to make a decision. Great plot, believable characters, and is very entertaining!
I thank Ms. Arnold, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Book 10 of the Detective Amanda Steele series. It’s always good to read the previous books in a series to understand the main characters better but this is still a really good stand alone thriller. It is the week before Christmas in Woodbridge, Virginia and a shocking murder and kidnapping takes place in a gas station late in the evening. Told from the POV’s of Steele and the kidnapped woman this was a one sitting book for me.

Briefly, the person kidnapped is a former member of Steele’s police team and the whole team is immediately called into action. Steele and her partner Detective Trent Stenson are about the first on the dreadful scene but with no clues as to the who or the why behind the incident they have their work cut out. A random demand arrives eventually but the delivery of the ransom goes badly wrong with dire consequences.

This is a fast paced and exciting read and I always enjoy the foray into the main characters private lives and whilst Steele is trying to maintain her personal relationship but there is always that simmering passion between her and Trent - will they or won’t they - sorry I can’t possibly say! Another clever police procedural thriller in this excellent series and that final twist was a doozie! Great read.