Whoa. I’m declaring “Holmes is Missing” the best book of 2025 before the year even begins. Can I do that? Nope, don’t care.

Holmes, Marple, and Poe all possess unique skills that they definetly need against their adversaries. The unique mysteries seemed like puzzle pieces. The twists were plentiful, exceeding any other thriller, and the impact was even stronger, particularly with the missing babies and third graders. James Patterson and Brian Sitts masterfully brought together the diverse elements of this thriller, creating a shocking ending. I’m ready for the next in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

Thank you so much to #netgalley for this #arc
I enjoyed the first book with this trio and was glad to see that the series is continuing.
Holmes had some issues in the first book that may have contributed to some of his eccentric ways. Their private detective agency is just getting off the ground and now they run into one of their most difficult cases.

We see the team rally around him in this book to help him in his time of need. He doesn't want to be involved in the business anymore and no one can figure out where he has disappeared to.

I enjoyed this one as much as the first one, and I think that you will too!

When I picked up this book and saw it featured the three most infamous detectives in literature, I knew it had big shoes to fill—and it delivered! I absolutely adore the classic investigative style these characters bring to life. Their clever methods and interactions make them so enjoyable and easy to root for.

The cases were intriguing, and I especially loved the fresh twist on the Moriarty-inspired character. It’s such an exciting angle that left me wanting more. Honestly, this *needs* to be a series. There’s so much more to explore with these detectives, and I’d love to see where the next cases take them.

That said, I was a bit surprised by the relationship revealed at the end. It didn’t feel like there was enough development leading up to it, so it came off a bit odd to me. Still, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book and can’t wait to see what’s next for these characters!

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"In Holmes is Missing, PI Brendan Holmes has committed the perfect crime - he's made himself disappear.

Success has come quickly to Holmes, Marple and Poe Investigations. The New York City agency led by three detectives - Brendan Holmes, "the brain," Margaret Marple, "the eyes," and Auguste Poe, the "muscle" - with famous names and mysterious pasts is one major case away from cementing its professional reputation.

But as a series of child abductions tests the PIs' legendary skills, the cerebral Holmes's absence leaves a gaping hole in the agency roster.

Only by closing ranks and solving the mystery within can they recover all that's been lost."

Speaking of another author that releases books at a breakneck pace...

A great addition to this series. I think readers would love these characters, flaws and all. I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Thanks to the publisher for this copy for read and review.

The second book in this new series was just a little darker than the first one. Holmes is not doing well and his partners are at loose ends without him. When he finally agrees to help them on a case of kidnapped babies, his heart definitely is not in it. But, he joins them and through a series of twists and turns, the case is resolved. I think that I enjoyed the first book just a bit more, but with that said, this one is enjoyable.

I love the books that James Patterson writes. There is never a dull moment in them. I loved this one. It had so much going on at once which makes is really good. The ending was different than what I thought it would be. I hope there will be more books in the series. I have to read the first book in the series. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting mysteries intertwined. The action moved between states and across the ocean. Character development moved everyone to new spaces. Fast and easy read that won’t let you down.

I was so excited when I received the “you are approved” NetGalley email for the second book, Holmes is Missing, in the Holmes, Marple and Poe series by James Patterson/Brian Sitts. Book 2 did not disappoint and gave a glimpse into the personal lives of this trio of PIs while they balance two cases and Holmes contemplates his future with the Agency. With the true explosive ending, I am eagerly awaiting book 3 in this series! Highly recommend this as a start of 2025 read since this releases January 6, 2025! Rating: 5 stars Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my favorite new series by James Patterson. Brendan Holmes is in an inhouse rehab facility, Leaving Auguste Poe and Margaret Marple to tend the shop. When a huge case presents itself, Marple and Poe retrieve Holmes and begin the investigation. Brendan also picks up a side case of his own.  Fast cars and incredible wits prevail in this page turner. Working to outwit the criminals, no clue, significant or not, is left unturned. 

4.5 stars

Holmes is Missing, by James Patterson and Brian Sitts, is the second book in the Holmes, Margaret & Poe series. It continues to be an entertaining series with interesting characters and great crime solving. It is a fast, satisfying read. I enjoyed the further development of the main characters, and look forward to the next book.

Holmes Is Missing is the second installment in James Patterson’s new private detective series, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. The book picks up with the trio of detectives—Holmes, Poe, and Margaret—facing personal and professional challenges while tackling a new case. Holmes is working to stay clean after months in rehab, Poe is dealing with life-changing events, and Margaret is doing her best to keep everything together. Their dynamic is compelling, with each character bringing something unique to the team.

In this gripping sequel, the trio investigates a disturbing case involving the abduction of babies from a secure hospital. The case is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on edge from start to finish. The writing is sharp and engaging, and the characters’ detective skills shine through in every scene. The chemistry between the detectives is fantastic, with their contrasting personalities complementing each other perfectly.

What makes Holmes Is Missing such a page-turner is not only the intriguing case but the emotional depth that each character brings to the story. There are moments of humor, suspense, and anxiety, all woven seamlessly into the plot. Patterson and Sitts have created a series that’s both entertaining and thrilling, and this book has left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. Highly recommended for fans of mystery and character-driven thrillers!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is a book about a detective agency in New York City. Holmes and his two friends Margaret and Poe get called in to try and solve this crime. Holmes is in and out of this book as he is attempting to solve his own mystery. One of them goes to London and this somehow becomes part of their current case. You need to read this book to discover how it all comes together.

While I thoughtThe second installment in the Holmes, Marple & Poe series, Holmes is Missing, is a marked improvement over its predecessor, delivering a fast-paced, thrilling story that is hard to put down. Where the first book struggled to provide protagonists worth rooting for, this sequel successfully addresses that flaw, offering a deeper, more engaging look at its central characters while maintaining an action-packed plot.

The investigative team—Holmes, Marple, and Poe—is hired to solve a shocking case: the mass kidnapping of six newborns from an elite hospital. As they work against the clock, their investigation is complicated by personal struggles. Holmes battles heroin withdrawal, questioning his mental sharpness and ability to lead, while Poe faces unexpected upheaval in his personal life. The local police, predictably territorial, attempt to keep the trio away from the case, but they press on regardless, staying one step ahead at every turn.

What makes this book particularly satisfying is the evolution of its characters. Holmes' vulnerability is explored in a way that elicits genuine sympathy for the aloof detective, while the dynamic between him and Marple is given much-needed depth. These moments of character development add emotional weight, balancing the otherwise relentless pace of the narrative.

The writing is taut, the mystery is compelling, and the book’s twists make it a true page-turner. I finished it in two sittings, breaking only for sleep, and I’m now eagerly anticipating the next installment—a complete 180 from my feelings about the first book. While the series may not have started strong, Holmes is Missing makes it clear that it is worth sticking with.

Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced mysteries and compelling character-driven stories. If you’re new to the series, starting with this book might even be the better choice. Special thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Holmes, Poe and Marple set the pages on fire with their investigative prowess. Between kidnappings and murder, I was kept on the edge of my seat. With all its twists and turns, this was a page turner that I couldn't put down. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Co. for the opportunity to read this novel.

I have not read the first novel so this works as a standalone novel. Rest assured, I'll be reading the first one. I'm hooked on these modern day sleuths.

Holmes is Missing is the second installment of the Holmes, Marple and Poe saga. I loved the first book in this series and this one is just as good. If you are fans of Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, or Edgar Allan Poe then this series is for you!

This is the second book of the series and I hope to keep reading more!
I love the link of the past detectives in present day setting - with present day personality quirks. It makes for such an interesting interplay. The mystery is good but the characters are what it's all about. The way they interact and behave are so much fun and complicated it really drives the story to a new level.
It's probably best to read these books in order. And I hope that a third book is on it's way.
Well done!
Enjoy!

The three detectives, Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Augusta Poe, are back in this sequel titled HolmesI Is Missing. The story is not about Marple and Poe, his business partners, Virginia, the firm’s assistant and housekeeper, Police Capt. Graham Duff or Police Lieutenant Helene Grey looking for him. The story centers on six newborns abducted from a hospital nursery.. The point is made that only white babies with rich parents were kidnapped. Later it is found that newborns are also missing from a hospital in London. Holmes is retrieved from a rehab center to help with the case and afterwards spends much of this time disappearing and reappearing while making it clear that he is leaving the private detective agency, Holmes realizes that his powers of deduction are not what they used to be (except for his keen sense of smell) and mopes about how he has left everyone down. The plot thickens when school age children on a school bus are also abducted. A second plot involves Oliver Paul, the owner of a clock shop, a supposed fan of Holmes who meets Holmes at a crime-writers’ convention where named popular and famous real life mystery authors mercilessly taunt the three detectives as they address the audience. I actually thought the entire episode was Holmes dreaming but, as contrived as I found it to be, was really part of the fabric of the story. Paul involves Holmes in helping him to solve twenty-three murders-soon to be twenty-four, that he is writing a book about. Paul turns out to be quite the nemesis and the source of the novel’s cliffhanger.
Holmes, Marple and Poe all have personal difficulties and experience life changing events which feature prominently in the story as does Poe’s numerous muscle cars and the two story building in Brooklyn that houses all three in separate apartments with a personal library, workspace and large kitchen for all the baking that is done.
When I stream shows on TV, each episode invariably begins with a synopsis of the previous episode. When I watch subsequent seasons of a show on TV, the new season invariably begins with a synopsis of the details of the previous season. I might skip over the recap but it is fleeting and so I usually watch it through. Most book sequels that I read do the same and I find it most helpful especially since I read so many book series, Unlike TV, the books incorporate the background of the characters, the setting, and the backstory in to the storyline sparingly but enough to refresh my memory or, in the event I have not read the precursor, to enlighten me. I did not read Holmes, Marple and Poe and was provided very scarce information in Holmes Is Missing as to the origins of the characters, how they came to form an agency, etc. Helene Grey, whom I understand played a significant role in the first book, was not reintroduced. It seemed a given that I would be familiar with all and everything in the story except for the two new mysteries. That I will read the next book in the series also seems a given as this book ends with a cliffhanger and one of the mysteries open-ended.
I admit to not being an expert in this area and I could be wrong, but I personally believe that there needs to be a trigger warning for this book as the content includes what might be for some readers a sensitive or difficult event.
I would have found Holmes Is Missing more enjoyable if it didn’t read like a movie that I arrived late for and missed the beginning of and that I left before it was over.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this book.

I tried multiple times over a week to read this book, and cannot get past about 30ish pages at a time. It just did not bring me in like other Patterson books, I tried so hard to like this book, and to me, it is not great.

I am sure it has a market, that market is not me though

This is a fun series and the second book added to the development and backstories of the three protagonists and Virginia, which was enjoyable since very little has been revealed about their respective backgrounds. The reader is left guessing with several significant developments at the end of the book that will be bringing many readers back for more. There are a lot of open plot lines and I look forward to seeing where the series goes. My only complaint about the book is that it feels sort of clunky, without a lot of nuance in the storytelling. I certainly don't mind suspending belief, which the storyline absolutely required, but the writing itself lacked finesse.

3.5 starts rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.