Wow just wow this was an awesome read I just couldn't put it down. Such a fun ride!!! Definitely recommend

The Girl Who Couldn't Be Found by Lauren Street is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The third installment in The Salazar Redwood Forest Thrillers series, it follows ex-Military Police officer Sam Salazar as she tries to reclaim her life after losing her job and grappling with her past as a recovering addict. When an old Army buddy arrives in town asking for help with the disappearance of his daughter, Sam’s quiet life is thrust into a dangerous investigation.

As Sam digs into the mystery, she uncovers chilling rumors of a serial killer who’s been targeting women for years, possibly hiding out in the eerie Redwood Forest. The suspense builds with every turn, as Sam faces not only the physical danger of tracking down a killer but also the emotional turmoil of confronting her personal demons. The tension between Sam’s need for redemption and the dark mystery at the heart of the story is beautifully executed, making her a compelling, relatable protagonist.

Lauren Street masterfully blends atmospheric writing, a taut plot, and complex characters to create a story that’s both haunting and thrilling. The setting, the Redwood Forest, adds a sense of foreboding and isolation, making it the perfect backdrop for the chilling events that unfold.

With its heart-pounding suspense, deep character development, and a killer twist, The Girl Who Couldn't Be Found is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Street’s exploration of addiction, redemption, and survival adds an emotional depth that enhances the tension of the narrative, ensuring this book is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.

"The Girl Who Couldn't Be Found" is the third book in the series, though it's worth mentioning I read it as a standalone with no prior knowledge or influence from the earlier titles. Book three and we have three--narrators that is! It focuses on an amnesiac named Anna who wakes up in a hospital to a man claiming to be her husband and it's told through the perspectives of returning character Sam Salazar and newcomers Kody and Charles. I know not everyone likes so many narrators as it can be a little confusing, but personally I do. I feel it helps give a better understanding of the story as a whole to get multiple perspectives throughout, in particular because it's not uncommon to have unreliable narrators in genres such as these. Speaking on that, I recommend this highly to anyone who's a fan of thrillers and suspense; it certainly had me gripping the metaphorical pages til the very end! After a few breaks here and there that is. It's worth mentioning "The Girl Who Couldn't Be Found" is on the longer side, which can seem a little daunting. I did feel it could be shortened here and there for simplicity and pace sake, but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has everything you're looking for in this genre: mystery, murder, intrigue, and heaps of suspense! There's several twists and turns too, it isn't often a book can keep me guessing like this one did. Either way, it's got me sold on the rest of the series, so that's my goal is to read the previous books next, especially as they focus on Sam Salazar who I thought was an excellent character. Strong, female leads aren't always readily available so I love when I find one who I can really get to know over the course of multiple books. I'll give this one 4 out of 5 stars, but it may get amended if after reading the others I understand and like it even more.

This is the first book in this series I have read and totally enjoyed it. I loved Sam and how she doesn’t let other people bother her. She works so hard to solve a series of unsolved murders and halos an old army friend look for his missing daughter. I look forward to the next in this series.

The story was good enough to keep me reading but not as good as other series by this author.

I have to say I figured out pretty quickly who the murderer was. It didn’t seem to be to hard at all which took some suspense away from the story.

I like the character Sam being a strong woman who will stop at nothing to get to the bottom
Of whatever she’s working on.

Holy shit, definitely not like the other mysteries I’ve read. It was gripping and I could practically see everything happening right in front of my eyes. Loved the book. Loved the writing style. And loved the characters. Each and every single one of them.

Sam has been laid off whilst a flood in the bar closes it for repairs .
When she finds out that a stranger has been asking around town after her ,
her boredom takes a turn for the better - the stranger turns out to be an
old army buddy looking for his missing daughter ,
She soon finds that rumours of girls going missing have been around
for many years - no one seems to care no one seems to have investigated the
disappearances , But Sam is very much in your face when it comes to events
that feature women - often setting her up against the local Sherriff and the misogynist
town's leaders - she won't back down !
Small Town secrets can be dangerous but with Sam on the case they will eventually
be revealed whatever the cost .
This is another enjoyable , fast paced book featuring Sam Salazar - I look forward to
reading more in the future

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

After the pipes burst and Redwood Rings floods, ex-Military Police Sam Salazar finds herself out of a job. That’s bad news for a recovering addict.

It gets worse – a stranger from out of town is asking about her. He’s showing up at her work, her NA meetings, and her trailer park. Turns out he’s Sam’s old Army buddy, and he has a his daughter is missing.

Desperate to help, Sam investigates the girl’s disappearance and finds something sinister – rumors of a serial killer who’s been preying on women for decades. The local journalist believes the killer is holed up in the surrounding mountains, lurking just beyond the town limits.

I guess the end half way through! It was predictable. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Complex mystery of murder, kidnapping, loss, obsession, and evil hiding g in plain sight. Small town secrets, rivalries and grudges intertwine in the search for a missing girl that leads to much more. A lot of wordy interactions for those that like a lot of conversation in the plot.

I really enjoyed this book. Definitely kept me going and guessing quite a bit.
I actually didn’t catch on completely until about 3/4 way through.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers so don’t want to say too much.
Good book, good story, great characters and really good ending.

Probably gonna pick up the other 2 in the series to see if it tells more of Sam’s backstory.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

This book had me unable to put it down the entire time. I read it in one sitting. 5 stars. 10 out of 10 recommend.

This is part 3 of the series. I did not read the previous books in the series but it wasn't too hard to get into the story. I enjoyed reading it and I was left guessing until the end and there was unexpected plot twist. I liked the multi POV of Kody Sam and Charles. I was so nervous for Kody and my heart broke for Charles. Charles wife disappeared and he is a reporter that has spend years investigating what happened to his wife. Sam is ex-military and expert and she is working with Brad to find Kody. She has started a new life in this small town where everyone knows each other and secrets are revealed as she tries to find Kody before it's too late. I love how Strong Sam is and how she is struggling with her own trauma and addictions and

over all a good mystery that had me crying by the end and had me nervous for all the main characters.

This just scares me to ever think about hiking alone. You won't find me in the woods alone.


you will like if you enjoy

*Mystery/trillers
*Strong Female Characters
*healing after trauma

Salazar is an interesting character and their flaws make them more real. This is a really entertaining read as it is so fast paced and the multiple perspectives force your absolute attention. Lauren Street has written some great books and I think this series is growing and becoming something really special.

THE SALAZAR REDWOOD FOREST THRILLERS:
THE GIRL WHO COULDN'T BE FOUND - A much better read than *Stop Dying. Good characters, interesting story lines, some predictable, all set at a good pace. Source: Netgalley. 4*

THE GIRL WHO COULDN'T STOP DYING - I hated that I missed the first book of this series, I would have liked this book better. Otherwise, it was interesting after I read past the first few chapters; too much harping about the past without me knowing exactly what happened. Intriguing and intense story lines set at a good pace with believable characters made the pages turn rapidly. Hey Lauren, it's Bible Belt and God is uppercase case or better yet, use different expressions for 'oh my God' and 'thank God'. Source: Netgalley. 4*

THE BISHOP SMOKY MOUNTAIN THRILLERS:
BECAUSE ONE OF US WAS WRONG, Novella - This is a funny, interesting, intriguing and entertaining introduction to the Bishop Smokey Mountains series. Likeable characters, crimes like crazy, good story lines, and good humor. A must read first. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: Download through Hide Me Away, book one of the series. 5*nikki

HIDE ME AWAY, #1 - Interesting. Intriguing. Good pacing. Hard to put down with all the happenings, the variety of characters, and some intense story lines. It was easy to figure out the murders, even with all the suspects. Good team work between the acting sheriff and the veteran in solving the crimes. I like the writing style of the author. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: the author. 5*

FUEL TO THE FLAME, #2 - This story picks up four months after Hide Me Away ends. I'm not sure why the author though it was important to rehash HMA in the first four chapters, and others, which made it difficult for me to keep reading since I read HMA. The story kicks into gear and turns out full of gory but not graphic crimes, mixed with more crimes and plenty of action. Thar's a bit of crazy going on in those mountains. Intense story lines. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: BookSprout. 4*

CLOSER BY THE HOUR, #3 - Rather intriguing and a bit gory, but not graphically detailed, and definitely difficult to put down, the interesting, well written story lines and good characters made for an immersing, entertaining read. A good pace, terrible crimes and poor ole Rileigh getting herself into plenty of "Oh, snap" situations. Some humor, and Lily and Daisy are hoots. A little predictable but well worth reading. Now, a little bit of editing .... Source: BookSprout. 5*

A GAMBLE EITHER WAY, #4 - Interesting and hard to put down with all kinds of happenings, and on a paddlewheel steamboat. Hairy story lines with good characters and a constant pace. Intense. Intriguing. Editing is better. Source: The author, ARC. 5*

HERE YOU COME AGAIN, #7 - Very interesting and intriguing and too easy to solve, but still a good read. Enjoyable characters with a dark story line balanced with a possible romance brewing. I enjoy this series, eventhough I do not understand the lack of basic editing; closing a sentence before a partial quote, Bible Belt and such in lowercase, etc. Source: NetGalley. 4*
THE BISHOP SMOKY MOUNTAIN THRILLERS end.

I hadn't realised this book was part of a series when I requested it but I do feel it is alright to read as a stand-alone as I didn't feel I missed anything by not reading the first two books. But I must say it is a very long read, can get a bit confusing and at times dragged on.

The story is told by numerous characters so you have to read each chapter as a bit of a separate story. There is plenty of suspense and mystery, it does keep you guessing. I enjoyed this book to a point but maybe if I had read the other books in the series I would have enjoyed it more. For me it was a bit too long and drawn out, making me get a bit bored and annoyed at times when it did drag on.

All in all a good read so I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The format can be daunting, switching points of view from character to character. Remember to read the chapter heading to know whose head you're in.
It's an excellent story - although I do wonder what's going on in Lauren's head sometimes. She now has two series going, filled with folks the rest of us need to meet. They are out there. Lauren has chosen to introduce us to them. One word of advice, though. Don't get too close. The Good Guys are excellent people, the Bad Guys are not.
I look forward to the writings of Ms. Street; dropping everything else to dive right in. Please be aware, I say it again, the people you meet are not all there. If you prefer Wuthering Heights to 'Salem's Lot, you might want to set that book down and go find something else. On the other hand, the writing is always compelling so I know you'll enjoy the journey.

This is a story that had me guessing throughout the entire book. Just when I thought I had figured it out, along came another plot twist. I really enjoyed the book once I got used to Lauren Street’s reading style. At first, I thought her writing was a bit wordy with very long sentences. Once I got used to this, the book really moved along. It was thrilling to follow Sam’s detective work as she followed lead after lead. I did find a few parts frustrating as I thought common sense would have taken her back up the mountain much sooner.

I did not read the first two books in the series as I received this one as an advanced reader copy so I was a little lost on why so many people disliked Sam and I still wonder what happened with her daughter. I’ll have to go back and read the first two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling and Stone for sharing this book with me.

When the pipes bust at Redwood Rings bar, Sam Salazar finds herself with lots of time on her hands. Former military and a recovering addict, having idle time is not good. When a man comes looking for Sam it turns out to be an old Army buddy. His daughter came up to study the land and has gone missing. He needs Sam help to find her and they realize five other women have gone missing in the last thirty years. A local reporters wife went missing six years ago and everyone thought she ran off but the husband never believed that. Will the find the girl before it’s too late?
Plenty of “edge of your seat” action. Sam is witty and sarcastic. There were some parts that confused me. Like the chapters with Kody (the missing girl). The days on it. Good story.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed for Netgalley *

I read The Girl Who Couldn't Be Found as a standalone and really enjoyed it. It did have some areas where I feel like it dragged a little, but there were several loose ends that got wrapped up and a few that were surprising!
I look forward to reading future books by Street.