Member Reviews
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Patricia Rodriguez narrates this and does a great job!
This is the story of 2 highschool friends who go on a road trip and do not come home. Tracy, who is Willow's mother, receives a late night guest returning the bus that her daughter and best friend were driving but the girls are missing. The story takes readers on an emotional journey as Tracy races against time to uncover the truth, revealing buried secrets and her own fears along the way.
This book is correctly labeled as a psychological thriller and has tension, intrigue and suspense. However, the first part dragged a bit for me. but once it got going, I did get pulled in and was surprised with the twist at the end.
Solid 3.5 stars
My Missing Daughter is an audiobook I'm so grateful I was able to read early thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio. Patricia Rodriguez did a fantastic job narrating this book portraying the right emotions well enough to make the reader feel engaged and connected to the feelings the characters were experiencing. I was able to keep up well with the audio at a 2.5x speed and the narrator made sure the flow of the book was great, easy to follow and made each character stand out enough for me as the reader to feel a different connection and feelings towards each one. I enjoyed the fast paced action, the twists and the fact that story kept me guessing throughout making it perfect for listening to while travelling, doing activities and at the gym.
The story focuses on Tracy who's daughter has just gone away on her first holiday with her long time friend but when only one of them returns Tracy is left wondering where her daughter Willow is and with best friend and travel partner Ameillia not offering up much help on that questions Tracy is also left questions what has happened. What loved most about this book was how quickly we got introduced to the action. There was no slow build and instead we got put straight into the action and the suspense keeping me hooked from the very start. I did feel the book lost me a little in the middle but the twists and tension towards the end hooked me once again. I loved the dual POV that ran throughout the book enjoying the voice of Willow and her perspective more. The addition of the social media posts kept the book feeling young and current. It added a little more depth to the story and more to the suspense factor keeping us as the reader guessing throughout.
I'd recommend this book to fans of domestic thriller. There are a few slower paced moments with some predicable parts here and there but this an enjoyable book with fantastic audio that portrayed the emotions of the characters well throughout. I'm really grateful I got to read this early.
Willow and her friend Amelia go on a roadtrip, but only Amelia returns home
Mom Tracey narrates in the ‘now’ timeline and daughter Willow in the ‘flashback roadtrip’. I’m a big fan of dual timelines, especially when it’s revealing, which this was
I thought it was clever that their roadtrip Instagram posts were filled with past and current comments, filing us in on the public’s real time reactions
The audiobook definitely improved as the story progressed, but I didn’t care for the giggling
This is a fast paced, popcorn thriller but you’re gonna want to suspend your disbelief as it occasionally gets pretty far fetched
The twists were totally unexpected, but they didn’t hit quite as hard because of a few far fetched moments. But all questions were answered and I did find this thrilling
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for the ARC, audiobook, of My Missing Daughter in exchange for my honest opinion.
Just as the RV in this plot took the road, this book twisted and turned throughout the entire time!!! The narrator did a fantastic job of keeping me engaged in the story as the plot races around the different perspectives in the book.
I have to admit that there were definitely some icky moments and themes, but the twists keep me listening and eager to get to the end!
Definitely take a look at this one if you like suspenseful, thrillers with twists that continue to twist!
Do not read this review if you hate spoilers. You've been warned. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced audiobook.
I wasn't sure how to rate this one. I'm going with 3.5 (rounded up).
There's nothing like an unreliable narrator and you certainly get one here. If that's your jam, pick this one up. I enjoyed that aspect of the book.
There's a line in the book about how you can do anything with a thriller which sort of foreshadows the nonsense ending.
I couldn't stand Tracy throughout the book. She made only idiotic choices until she was making the psychotic ones. When she says "her little girl is dead even if she comes home" upon finding out the girl was having *gasp* sex at 19, I rolled my eyes. The situation was yucky but 19 year olds are adults and can make adult choices, bad or not. That's part of growing and learning.
I liked the dynamic between the girls much more. Willow and Amelia are bickering teens and come across as authentic and broken people. They also make bad decisions but those are easier to forgive since they're so young and that's a part of the deal. Though, they certainly round out the ensemble of awful characters in this book. I don't think there was a single good human in this tangled affair.
The book definitely zigs and zags all over the place. You can puzzle it out if you pay close attention but it definitely keeps you on your toes. I found the characters interesting even when I wanted to kick them.
I loved the narrator. She did a fantastic job.
I received an arc of My Missing Daughter by Ellery A Kane in exchange for my honest review. Huge thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Bookouture Audio for this opportunity that I took full advantage of.. in one sitting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars for Ellery A. Kane and My Missing Daughter. I AM SHOOK. This slow burn novel was so well written and packed full of suspense that will leave you with stubs for nails and sore butt from sitting on the edge of your seat. This book will keep you guessing until you get to the last page and can’t believe that you’ve just finished the book in less than a day. 😆
Face paced, twisty, mysterious, thrilling, slow at first, but be patient because once you hit chapter 7 you’ll be hooked and there’s no turning back.
Amelia and Willow grew up on the same street and have been best friends as long as they can remember. With their shared love of writing and true crime- they decide to co-write the next hit thriller. As they get closer to publication they decide to take a best friend trip to spend time together, finalize the ending, and get some “inspiration” for their sequel. Willows mother did a compete Reno of a school bus for their cross roads trip and funds the entire thing to help them out before publication.
Except, the bus returns and the girls do not. As the story unfolds.. it turns out everyone has secrets and nothing is as it seems.
Side note- the author slipped a little bit of taboo in there and THANK YOU. I was all for it. ;)
I can’t wait to read more by Ellery A. Kane - this was my first but definitely not my last. ❤️🤩
My Missing Daughter is a suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Although this book has some tension, intrigue and suspense, sometimes it felt like it was dragging a little. The author still managed to keep me highly invested with her great storytelling skills, alternate POV's and media chapters.
The characters were good, but I do feel this would've been more suited to a YA audience. There was a lot of teen bickering, the social media, the petty teen stuff, which for me is fine but might not be for the ones who don't enjoy younger feeling books. The plot was good, it had some predictable moments but Kane brought some twists that I didn't see coming, those really took me by surprise.
Overall it was a fun and suspenseful read which I binged in one day. It was hard to put it down, I needed to know the outcome.
🎧 The narration by Patricia Rodriguez was good. I enjoyed listening to her and she brought the story and suspense to life. The only thing I think it would have benefited from multiple narrators as there were different characters and sometimes it was hard to follow.
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @bookouture & Ellery Kane for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so disappointed by the twist in this book. Up until the twist I thought this was going to be a 5 star read. It was very captivating and I had a hard time putting it down. I thought the pacing was good and the jumps between past and present were well done where it gave just enough information to keep you guessing the whole time.
I will definitely give this author another try. I did really enjoy the writing style and most of the story. The twist was just very underwhelming and fell flat.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a good book to start a month!
My Missing Daughter by Ellery A. Kane, an audiobook narrated by Patricia Rodriguez is a suspenseful psychological thriller packed with guesses, emotions and actions!
This story is told in past and present from Tracy and Willow's POV to unfold the actions behind the harsh reality.
I think this book would benefit from two narrators - one for the girls and the other for the mother. Please don't take me wrong, Patricia Rodriguez has done a fantastic narration. She made the book so suspenseful and heart-pounding!
Willow and Amelia went on a road trip and recorded every day on Instagram. Unfortunitelly Amelia returned alone without any knowledge, of where is Willow. Willow's mother Tracy is losing her mind, all she wants is her daughter back!
The end twist was a good one! Absolutely didn't see that coming! Loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the copy of this book :)
My Missing Daughter❣️
By Ellery Kane📖
Review🔍
This was a rather fast-paced thriller that kept me intrigued. I liked the dual point of view, which featured the missing girl. I feel that the road trip plot is overdone right now, but this one has some unique components. I thought every character was crazy, which was nice. 😂 The ending was unexpected for me! A solid thriller!
Audio review:
I thought the audio was great! No issues with the voices, which were clear and understandable.
Mystery
Thriller🔪⁉️
Plot twists🌀
Road trip 🚍
4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
wow I really loved this book. 😃 the plot was fast paced and entertaining. The characters were interesting and unpredictable. I thought I saw the ending coming but I was wrong ! The twist got me. The narration was great also.
My Missing Daughter by Ellery A. Kane
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book started off with an entertaining storyline and excitement continued throughout! This is a great psychological thriller with lots of mystery and suspense! Two friends are taking a cross country trip and lots of crazy surprises unfold. One of the friends, Willow, disappears and doesn’t make it back from the trip. The story takes off with lots of twists as Willow’s mother tries to find out what has happened to her daughter. Theres a lot of intensity and the ending is a great shocker!
The Narrator did a fantastic job in telling the story!
This is my first book from this author and I’m excited to read more from her! The story is very well written and I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley for an audio arc of this really exciting thriller!
* It comes out October 8th.*
My Missing Daughter delivers an intense, fast-paced psychological thriller! The story follows a mother’s worst nightmare when her daughter, Willow, doesn’t return from a trip with her friend. The mysterious arrival of the empty camping bus, a stranger at the door, and clear signs of a violent struggle set the tone for a rollercoaster of suspense and emotional tension.
The author masterfully builds a sense of dread, expertly weaving together the layers of mystery as the protagonist's search for her daughter unfolds. The vivid descriptions—like the clumps of hair and trashed belongings—pull you right into the mother’s panic and fear, making it easy to feel her desperation.
Overall, this audiobook is a must-listen for fans of domestic thrillers with strong psychological elements. The narrator’s performance elevates an already gripping story, making it a memorable journey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and the author for providing an ARC (audiobook) in exchange for my honest review.
*My Missing Daughter* by Ellery Kane is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story opens with a chilling scene: a mother, excited to reunite with her daughter after a camping trip, is instead faced with a nightmare. The empty bus, the missing girls, and the tell-tale signs of a struggle are all the ingredients for a story filled with suspense, tension, and emotion.
The plot is layered with twists and turns that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. Just when you think you’ve figured out who the suspect might be, Kane throws in a shocking twist that reshapes your entire understanding of the story. The ending, in particular, is a standout—completely unexpected and brilliantly executed.
What makes this book stand out is the powerful portrayal of a mother’s love and the lengths she is willing to go to find her missing daughter. You can feel the intensity of her emotions, her desperation, and her determination, which makes the book feel incredibly real and immersive. The author does an excellent job of building tension, and the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty is palpable throughout.
Additionally, the audiobook narrator brings an extra layer of depth to the story, capturing the emotions of the characters perfectly. The performance enhances the experience, drawing you even further into the heart of the mother’s ordeal.
While some moments in the book might feel a bit predictable for seasoned thriller readers, the overall suspense and character depth make *My Missing Daughter* a captivating read. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with unexpected twists and strong emotional undercurrents, this one is definitely worth picking up.
A first trip away from home, a daughter who did not return, a frantic mother, secrets, and unanswered questions set the stage for My Missing Daughter. This book kept me on my toes and turning the pages. No matter how old your children are, a parent always worries. This is on full display when Willow and her friend go on a trip Amelia hit the highway in hopes of finishing the book they are writing. It was meant to be a trip of adventure, a trip to finish their book, a trip for exploring. But when a man who was hired to return the van, delivers it to Willow's mother alarm bells go off. When Amelia returns home, speculation also kicks into overdrive. Don’t even get me started on all the secrets!
I enjoyed getting glimpses into the time Willow and Amelia were on their trip. It was nice seeing what they were doing, how they were getting along, and what they were experiencing. Let’s just say it was A LOT! Another plus is seeing Tracy, Willow's mother frantically trying to get answers from police about her daughter's whereabouts. The book goes back and forth between the two storylines which was nice touch and added to the tension in the book.
This book kept me on my toes and each time I thought I had things figured out, I found that I was wrong. I did not see the ending coming and was shocked. I love when that happens. I enjoyed the contrast in personalities and reactions between not only the two friends (Willow and Amelia) but between Tracy and Candice, Amelia's mothers. I found this to be very realistic, well done and showed how different people react to things differently and in their own ways.
This book was full of tension, secrets, twists, and turns. I was fully invested in learning the truth and as I mentioned, I did not see the ending coming at all. This was also a fast read for me. I had both the book and the audiobook which made for an enjoyable reading experience.
Story is told from 2 POV, the mother and her missing daughter. I liked that the book jumped right into the problem in chapter one, but then it did slow a bit for me until about 30-40% into it, then I was on board to the end. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was great. Narration is a little slow paced, but I usually listen to books at 1.5x, so that fixed that problem for me. There are some parts that are meant to be from social media post and I really was not feeling those (#, #, #)... But the story from Tracy and Willow's POV was well written and I liked the past and present story presentation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advance audiobook for review!
3.5
My missing daughter is the story of two friends going on a road trip, but only one returns home.
The first 50% of the book was really intriguing and i would say thrilling, but i didn't really love the choice for the numerous plot twist, therefore i didn't like the ending. However i recognise that it was unpredictable but feasible, so even if i didn't like it doesn't mean you wouldn't as well.
I really loved the narrator and she was so easy to follow that i have to give her so much credit for making me finish this book.
thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for this arc!!!!
It’s her first trip away. But she never came home…
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice rating: 🌶️/5
First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author.
This thriller was exactly what I was looking for. Suspenseful, well written. Really really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. I was honestly shocked by the ending and did not predict it which is a plus. Highly recommend!!!
Always have time for a good thriller and this one didn’t disappoint. I listened on a car journey and also it fell well between two heavier audio books. I like to alternate literary fiction and thrillers. I thought the character development was particularly good and I liked the premise very much. I haven’t listened to any previous audios by this author but will certainly listen to more in the future. The plot has the right level of intrigue to keep the listener challenged and hooked simultaneously
3.5 stars
I found this one a little slow to get going, but once it did, wow there was a lot going on! I didn't see that ending coming and it was enough of a twist that ended the book well for me. The narration was pretty good too.
Thanks very much to Bookouture Audio via Netgalley for gifting me an advance copy of this book.