‘Two women haunted by their sisters’ unsolved disappearances band together in this captivating mystery from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All Good People Here and host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie.’

Sadly, for me, suspension of disbelief couldn't even begin to come into play here, what with all the heavy convolution and outright implausibility. The beginning started off so intriguing, but by the second half, the grip was completely, wholly lost on me. This wild sort of jacked-up blender effect, how this story scattered into absolutely every direction possible, I mean....ooof. It was just grossly over done imo.

Sorry.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this arc in exchange for review. I am always grateful.

Pub date: 5.6.2025.

Nic Monroe's life has fallen apart. Her sister, Kasey disappeared seven years ago without a trace. Most in the town assume she's dead at a serial killer's hand. Kasey is one of the two missing girls. Jules Connor vanished before Kasey with no clues left behind. Nic has taken that pain and let it eat her. She got a DWI, works a minimum wage job, and scrapes by. When Jenna Connor, Jules' sister, approaches her to reevaluate the case, Nic falls headfirst back into the investigation that led her down this awful path. Two sisters searching for the ones they lost all those years ago. When their paths diverge, who will finally know the truth.

Ashley Flowers is a true crime pro. She takes a very realistic approach to the messy world of disappearances. Nic is a struggling characters who still suffers from her grief, while Jenna appears to have grown from the experience. That's the reality of crime. It effects each person differently. Ashley writes story that are very much real life yet captivating and plot driven. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.

While it was a riveting story, it was too dark for my preference. I wasn’t a huge fan of the two main characters, and their relationship seemed pretty weird. I was mostly surprised by the twists, so that was well done, but in the end, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. There was also far too much profanity and generally immoral behavior for this to be a book I could recommend.

I love Ashley Flowers as a podcast host but I’m still getting into her novels. I wasn’t blown away after her first novel but I really enjoyed this one! Highly recommend this novel.

TL;DR: Flowers definitely knows how to write a devastatingly dark ending, but I struggled a lot with her sophomore effort here. I just wasn't invested in either of these sister stories, and didn't really care what happened to any of the characters. But oh man, does that ending re-contextualize the main character. Still interested to see what's next from Flowers.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

First of all, thank you NetGalley and the author for giving me early access in exchange for a review. I really did enjoy this book at the beginning and did not expect the plot twist. However, after that point, it just got kind of lackluster for me. It was still fun to read and would still recommend it. I really enjoyed the first book I read by Ashley Flowers and love her podcast so I will read anything she puts out.

“The Missing Half” is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns. What truly stood out was the unpredictable ending—one that I definitely did not see coming! Flowers does an excellent job of building tension, creating complex characters, and keeping the suspense high throughout. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a fast-paced, mind-bending mystery.

I listen to the Crime Junkie podcast, so I just knew I would like this book! Ashley is evolving as a print author and I believe she will continue to do well!

This story did not end up where I thought it would, with several twists and turns along the way. I thought I had it figured out, but I definitely did not! I could not have predicted the ending at all!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam, and of course Ashley Flowers, for allowing me to read this as an ARC!

As someone from Mishawaka, I was very excited to read the connections to the town. We are a smaller community, so reading a book that takes place here was awesome. The first 75% of the book had me on my toes. The ending wasn't what I was expecting and was a tad far-fetched. But overall I give it a 4/5 :)

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers is a compelling, high-stakes thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. One of the aspects I truly enjoyed was the sheer tenacity of the main character, Nic. Her determination to uncover the truth behind her sister’s murder is both admirable and emotionally charged. From the start, you can feel the weight of her loss, and this drive to find justice for her sister propels the entire story forward.

Nic isn’t just a typical protagonist; she’s flawed, complex, and refuses to let obstacles stop her—whether it’s dealing with personal pain or facing off against powerful people who want to keep the truth hidden. Her resilience in the face of danger and uncertainty made her incredibly relatable and easy to root for.

The pacing of the book kept me on edge. Just when I thought I could predict where the plot was heading, there was a twist or revelation that made me rethink everything. The way the story unfolds, with deep family secrets and dark revelations, keeps you second-guessing who can really be trusted, making it a constant thrill to read.

The emotional stakes are just as high as the suspense. Nic’s journey isn’t just about solving the case; it’s about uncovering painful truths about her family and the people she loves. That emotional depth, paired with the fast-paced plot and complex characters, made The Missing Half a standout read for me.

In the end, The Missing Half is a riveting thriller, and the tenacity of Nic is what made it truly unforgettable. It’s a perfect blend of mystery, emotional intensity, and suspense. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a gripping, character-driven mystery!

I loved this book! It had my attention from the very beginning and I finished it within one setting! Just as I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist. I did not expect the ending!

Ashley Flowers’s sophomore book is full of twists and turns and what in the world type of moments. It’s suspenseful, intriguing, and captivating. I couldn’t stop reading, because I needed to know!!! I am still processing and don’t know how I feel about the main character. You love her, you’re wary of her, you relate to her and then you’re left thinking what would I do in her shoes. Excellent work by Ashley Flowers. Love her works of fiction, as much as I love her true stories podcast. Highly recommend

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and honestly review this ARC of The Missing half by Ashley Flowers.

I loved it! I enjoyed her previous book Were All Good People Here. BUT I LOVED this book! I was hooked from page one! It had everything that a great read needs well developed main characters, mystery, suspense, and intriguing plot twists! Ashley Flowers is not afraid to take risks as a writer, and it pays off!
I highly recommend this book, and I will be looking forward to more by this author.

The final chapters in The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew! Such an emotional roller-coaster but well worth the thrill ride! My flabbers have been gasted!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this early! I have been looking forward to this book since Ashley’s last book. I absolutely could not put this book down. I read it in less than 24 hours. I was convinced several times I knew what was happening and I very much did not. The ending crushed me. I need several days to recover. I loved this book!

The Missing Half is a story about two women who work together to find the person involved with the disappearance of their sisters. It is a very dark story with some unexpected twists and turns at the end that totally caught me off guard. If you enjoy dark mysteries, then this is a good book to read.

I read this in one sitting could not put it down!! Highly recommend
If you're looking for suspense thriller then his is the book for you.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Ashley Flowers's "The Missing Half" is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and the secrets that bind us. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Lily and Emily, who have been separated by circumstance and a deeply buried family secret.

Lily, the older sister, has always felt a sense of responsibility and protectiveness towards Emily. As they grow older, their paths diverge, and a tragic event leads to their separation. Years later, Emily begins a search for the truth about her past, unearthing painful memories and shocking revelations that challenge everything she thought she knew about her family.

Flowers masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and heartache, drawing readers into the intricacies of the sisters' relationship and the mysteries that surround their family. The narrative is rich with emotional depth and expertly crafted characters who grapple with their own vulnerabilities and strengths.

This novel explorates themes such as forgiveness, resilience, and the quest for identity is both thought-provoking and resonant. Flowers's prose is lyrical and evocative, making it easy for readers to become fully immersed in the story.

Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction and anyone interested in stories that explore the complexities of family dynamics and personal discovery. "The Missing Half" is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel.

Holy smokes. I love Ashley Flower’s story telling in real life and in fiction. I enjoyed ‘All Good People Here’, but this one blew it out of the water. All the feelings with this one.

For everyone who has a sister who feels like their other half, this book has parts that are tough to read and will make your chest tight. To have that strong of a love for somebody and then have them ripped away from you, left wondering with no closure. It’s the worst kind of nightmare imaginable. In this book Nic lost her sister, Kasey, and Jenna lost her sister, Jules, in very similar ways only a few weeks apart. Years later after both of the cases have gone cold, Jenna approaches Nic and ropes her into investigating their disappearances with her. What follows is an emotional roller coaster that will keep you guessing. When you think you may be figuring something out, be prepared for the rug to be yanked out from under you.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning, kept me hooked throughout, and was very hard to put down. 100% recommend. And for anyone who didn’t enjoy ‘All Good People Here’ because they felt like they were left without closure, that isn’t this book. There is closure, and it may leave you hurting a little bit, or a lot, but it won’t leave you wondering. Definitely recommend reading this one when it comes out!

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers
Publishing date - 05/06/25
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved her debut, All Good People Here, and as soon as I saw this one available on netgalley I requested it immediately!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballentine for thIs e-ARC.
The story follows Nic and Jenna, two women dealing with the unresolved disappearances of their sisters, Kasey and Jules. suspense-filled read that had me hooked from the very beginning. The mystery surrounding the disappearances of the two sisters kept me on edge, and just when I thought I had everything figured out … wow 😮 The twist at the end was a total shocker! 😳

Highly recommend this one when it releases on May 6th!