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Sydney, Australia.

Bonnie Hunter is done with creeps who treat their families like possessions. Sidelined and angry after a domestic violence call-out went horribly wrong, the detective finds herself seconded to a team tasked with finding a missing young woman.

According to her husband, Juliet Keller went to the grocery store and never returned. The husband demands action, but his violent outbursts and controlling behaviour have Bonnie’s family violence radar on high alert. Convinced he’s responsible for Juliet’s disappearance, Bonnie is single-minded in her mission to disprove his story.

Outsmarted at every turn, and questioning her worth to her new team, Bonnie finds herself in a cat-and-mouse chase to uncover the truth. Because whatever happened to Juliet Keller, it’s soon clear her life is not the only one on the line.

Missing is the gripping first book in the Detective Bonnie Hunter Thriller series. If you like strong female leads, spine-tingling suspense, and unexpected twists, then you’ll love Catherine Lee’s unforgettable psychological thriller.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2023

136 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

About the author

Catherine Lee

26 books88 followers
Australian author of fast-paced, mostly clean, crime fiction.

The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.

The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.

Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Phrynne.
4,031 reviews2,727 followers
May 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this author's previous crime series which featured D.I.Charlie Cooper so it was great to pick up this first book in a new series and find Charlie is still around.

The book opens with Detective Bonnie Hunter trying to deal with a domestic violence case which goes really wrong. In the aftermath of this she is asked by Cooper to join his team who are trying to find a missing woman. Bonnie immediately recognizes signs of domestic abuse and the supposition is that the husband has killed his wife and disposed of the body. Or has she faked her own disappearance in order to escape?

As usual Catherine Lee has written a fast paced and gripping story. She handles the topic of domestic violence well, and of course I loved the setting in the suburbs of Sydney. A great start to a new series and I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,074 reviews3,012 followers
July 18, 2023
Detective Bonnie Hunter was home, still feeling the grief and guilt over the domestic violence case she was on the day before, when she was asked to join the Homicide team in the city. A young married woman was missing and they were fearful for her safety. It seemed she'd been abducted from the small town of Bundanoon, south of Sydney, where she and her husband had a holiday house. Bonnie and Cooper headed to the town immediately.

Juliet Keller had been married to Sam for five years, and as their investigation began and deepened, Bonnie could see a pattern of behaviour from him that horrified her. His temper was on show for all to see, and his demands that they "do something" showed his demeanor - did Sam kill her? Was this another domestic violence case that Bonnie was involved in?

Missing is the 1st in the Detective Bonnie Hunter series for Aussie author Catherine Lee and I was captivated from the first page! Action packed, fast paced, with a nice cross-over from the Cooper & Quinn series, I loved it! A breathtaking start to Ms Lee's new series, with the subject of DV handled well; I am looking forward to #2 already! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,293 reviews73 followers
January 26, 2024
Missing is book one in the Detective Bonnie Hunter series by Catherine Lee. Detective Sergeant Bonnie Hunter was angry and hurt after a case she worked on went wrong until her friend, Detective Inspector Charlie Cooper, dragged her back from feeling guilty to help him find a missing person, Julliet Keller. Her husband, Sam Keller, reported her missing from the grocery store at Bundaroon. However, Detective Sergeant Bonnie Hunter did not believe him and believed that he killed her. The readers of Missing will continue to follow Detective Sergeant Bonnie Hunter and her new team to discover what happens.

Missing is the start of a new series by Catherine Lee. Wow, what a start! I engaged with the characters and the story from the first page. I am pleased she used one of the characters, Charlie Cooper, and his family in her new series to allow me closure. I love Catherine Lee's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Missing is well-written and researched by Catherine Lee. I like Catherine Lee's description of the settings of Missing, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Missing will learn the meaning of coercive control in domestic violence cases. Also, the readers of Missing will know about law enforcement officers' pressures during their working lives.

I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Jo Lee.
1,164 reviews23 followers
June 1, 2025

Happy publication day 🥳🎉🎧

This isn’t an easy review to write, not an easy book to read/listen to and as the author acknowledges not an easy one to write, so I’ll begin at the end so to speak, It wasn’t until the authors note at the end that the tears came, so I’d like to extend a thank you to the author for the process she’s gone through to make this title as close as it is to reality, a thank you for getting it right and a thank you for her honesty in sharing how difficult the research process was.

There is a content warning at the beginning of the audiobook, I’d reiterate to tread with caution, huge triggers for domestic violence, coercive control and marital sexual abuse.

The first in a new series that got off to a flying start, Missing sets out with Detective Bonnie Hunter at the scene of a domestic violence call that has ended dreadfully, a quick turnaround sees her seconded to an old colleague’s team to investigate the case of a young woman reported missing by her husband, Bonnie suspects she has another domestic violence case on her hands, but seems to be blocked at every turn with no real evidence to work with. What follows is a gripping and fast paced police procedural, jam packed with drama and intrigue. The characters are written perfectly and the research the author has done is first class and evident throughout the story.

I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series.

The audio narration by Eva Seymour was amazing 🎧

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ELC 🎧
Profile Image for Nancy McFarlane.
869 reviews188 followers
June 15, 2025
I love a good police procedural, and this one was outstanding. Detective Bonnie Hunter pegs Sam right away as a domestic abuser and her interactions with him are genius. The story is told from two viewpoints - the police viewpoint as they investigate and try to discover what happened to Juliet and Juliet’s point of view from the first time she meets Sam up to the day she went missing. Domestic abuse or coercive control is a hard subject to tackle, but Catherine Lee does it tactfully and in such a way that it helps explain how this can happen and perhaps give someone the strength and understanding to be able to get away and not end up a victim.
Profile Image for Kim Anne.
509 reviews7 followers
May 15, 2025
Hands down one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve come across in a long time. Solid 5 stars from me!

From the very first chapter, this book had me completely hooked. The pacing is fast and relentless, and the writing style pulls you in so deeply that I literally didn’t want to stop listening. If it weren’t for pesky things like work, I would’ve devoured it in one sitting.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Eva Seymour, and I’m convinced that made the experience even better. Her narration was incredible—she brought the whole story to life in such a vivid way, I felt like I was actually there in the suburbs of Sydney. Her Australian accent added the perfect touch since the characters and setting are all Aussie too. And the way she captured the eerie vibe around Sam just gave me chills.

Speaking of characters… Bonnie Hunter is such a standout. I loved her strength and resilience, especially in how she handles the very real and tough issue of domestic violence. She’s a total badass and someone you can’t help but root for. On the flip side, Sam, ugh. I hated him more and more as the story went on. Like, truly despised him—so kudos to Lee for writing such a convincingly awful antagonist!

I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. I need more Detective Bonnie Hunter in my life!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the audiobook in exchange of my honest review.
Profile Image for Susan J. Barrett.
Author 2 books31 followers
May 11, 2025
A gritty and gripping new detective emerges in the shape of Bonnie Hunter. She’s tough, independent and determined to see justice done. Based in Sydney, she’s currently assigned to domestic abuse, having previously been a homicide detective.
Her old boss and good friend, Cooper, wants her to return to his homicide team, but she’s not sure that’s what she wants.
When a woman goes missing and Cooper is called, he ropes Bonnie in as his driver, and she’s swiftly caught up in the case.
Sam has swept Juliet off her feet from the moment he met her. He’s charming, good looking, rich and generous; her knight in shining armour. After a whirlwind romance she agrees to be his wife.
So what if she’s young? And he likes to choose her outfits for her. And her friends. And insists they move to the city, away from her family…
I guessed the ‘twist’ pretty early on but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment. Five stars from me for this first book in Catherine Lee’s new series, read by Eva Seymour. The audiobook from Bolinda publishes on 1 June.
With thanks to NetGalley and BolindaAudio for the chance to read an ARC.
Profile Image for Naomi (aplace_inthesun).
1,165 reviews34 followers
August 1, 2025
I listened to this audio as part of the Libro.fm influencers program. Love that it’s set in Australia and it was fun to traverse the places with Bonnie and her police colleagues that I know well.

Essentially this book is about a woman who is missing, thought to be abducted. Bonnie, a police officer, joins homicide initially for this one off case after a career in sex crimes. Bonnie is quite war weary and seemingly at a career crossroad. We follow the story as Bonnie unpacks the mystery and balances getting the job done, whilst dealing with her own trauma. There’s an alternating POV which provides the build up to events which is particularly well done. There’s some great characters who I think will appear in future books, a potential suitor (I can probably do without that tangent unless there’s a backstory), and lots of dynamics to explore.

A content warning for this one - there is a dominant theme of intimate partner violence which may be triggering, so practice self-care as events occur on page.

As an audio it’s a single narration, which worked fine with the story and made for easy listening.
38 reviews
June 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Loved This Book

Juliet is a victim of domestic abuse who suddenly goes missing. Her husband, Sam, is a sharp and calculating defense attorney who knows how to work the system. Detective Bonnie is a standout—strong, smart, and determined to uncover the truth.

This book does an incredible job showing how abusers manipulate their victims, making them feel like they’re to blame. It’s gripping, emotional, and eye-opening. I couldn’t put it down. Loved every page
Profile Image for Hazel.
738 reviews12 followers
May 24, 2025
I haven't read anything by Catherine Lee before but I certainly won't be making that mistake again if this book is anything to go by. I listened to the audiobook and from the very beginning, I was absolutely hooked.

Everything about this book is exceptional ... the story, the writing style, the dual timeline, the pace, the characters, the tension, the emotion, etc., etc., is second to none, especially given the difficult subject matter of domestic violence which I think the author captured accurately but without sensationalising it. And lets not forget the narration which was one of the best I have listened to so far; Ms Seymour's voice drew me into the story with ease and kept me listening long after I should have stopped.

Like I said, this does cover the heinous crime of domestic violence so if that is a trigger for you, I would definitely pass this book by but otherwise, I would highly recommend it to others who enjoy gripping thrillers.

This is the first book in a new series and I very much look forward to reading or listening to more in the future and my thanks must go to the author, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this excellent book.
Profile Image for Laurie Conney.
31 reviews6 followers
September 17, 2025
Heartfelt. Difficult subject matter. Good procedural and character development. Predictable.
Profile Image for Joanne Leddy.
356 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2025
A new mystery series based in Australia with a lead female detective. A bit predictable but engaging and certainly kept me interested. This first book includes domestic violence which may be triggering for some.
Profile Image for Larly.
138 reviews
April 25, 2025
3.5

Catherine Lee’s Missing promises to be a thought provoking crime series. Set in Australia, the story follows Detectives as they investigate the disappearance/murder? of a young woman. With a tight plot, and a great focus on the victim over the perpetrator, Missing hits many of the right beats for fans of police procedurals following female victims.

Lee does a great job building suspense though I was fairly certain about the ending quite early on. The mystery and the Australian setting adds a nice atmospheric touch that makes it stand out from the usual crime books I pick up.

However, the character development feels a bit thin at times. Especially for the detectives. some of the emotional beats—especially surrounding the victims and their families—don’t quite land as powerfully as they could have. Some characters seem very much plot devices than fully fleshed-out nuanced people.

That said, Lee’s writing is clean and accessible, making this a quick and engaging read. It’s not quite a breakout thriller, but it lays strong groundwork for future installments. If you’re in the mood for a smart, victim focused detective story with a distinctly Aussie flavor, Missing is worth checking out.

3.5 stars — A solid, suspenseful crime novel with room to grow in depth and character nuance.

Thanks for the arc @netgalley and @bolinda
Profile Image for Simi.
390 reviews12 followers
June 22, 2025
Bonnie Hunter is on the case to find Juliet, a suspected murder and DV victim. Our detective may be a little too close to the case as her last domestic abuse case did not end well. The narration of the audiobook by Eva Seymour was great, I really enjoyed her pacing and the different voices performed, especially the differences between Bonnie and Juliet.

This new series picks up from DI Charlie Cooper's and although I was not familiar with it, I still managed to connect with the characters and not feel like a chunk of the story was missing. I enjoyed the alternating timelines as we flash back to Juliet's POV and see what DS Hunter is discovering. I also really enjoyed the setting, being familiar with Castle Hill in Sydney, Australia. It was refreshing to have a cop mystery set in Australia!

Thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook; all opinions are my own.

Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while).
2,624 reviews2,473 followers
June 9, 2025
EXCERPT: ' . . . We've got a case. Call came in while you were out.'
'We? I'm taking a break, remember? And it's Sunday. The Swans are playing this afternoon. Only case I'll be working on is the rest of that case of beer.'
'You're taking a break from Sex Crimes. This is a potential homicide.'
'Coop . . .'
Cooper held up a hand to stop her. 'Nope, not listening. I've got a missing woman. I have to drive to the Southern Highlands, and I've got a massive hangover thanks to you. The least you can do is drive me down there. Besides, Carmel doesn't want you left alone.'
'Seriously? I'm a big girl.'
'I know that,' Cooper said as he fished around in Bonnie's fridge. 'But you lost a victim two days ago, Bonnie. We all need a helping hand sometimes.'
'What I need is to relax at home and watch the game.' She crossed her arms defiantly.
Cooper closed the fridge and turned to face her. 'Okay. I'll let Carmel know. She said she'll send McLeish to babysit you.'
'She wouldn't.'
'I don't think she was joking. What happened to the rest of the pizza from last night?'
Bonnie opened the lid of the garbage bin and pointed.
Cooper looked crestfallen. 'You threw it out? Seriously?'
'We left it out on the bench all night. You can't eat that.'
'Maybe you can't. I've got a cast-iron stomach.' He stared into the garbage bin, and for a moment Bonnie thought he was actually going to reach in there and pull out a slice.
'There's some cereal in the cupboard and milk in the fridge. Help yourself while I shower.'
'So, you're coming?'
'Well, I'm sure as shit not staying here with McLeish.' She headed for the bathroom, then turned back to face him. 'I'll drive you down there, but I'm not getting involved, Coop. Homicide isn't for me.'
Cooper smiled. 'We'll see.'

ABOUT 'MISSING': Sydney, Australia.

Bonnie Hunter is done with creeps who treat their families like possessions. Sidelined and angry after a domestic violence call-out went horribly wrong, the detective finds herself seconded to a team tasked with finding a missing young woman.

According to her husband, Juliet Keller went to the grocery store and never returned. The husband demands action, but his violent outbursts and controlling behaviour have Bonnie’s family violence radar on high alert. Convinced he’s responsible for Juliet’s disappearance, Bonnie is single-minded in her mission to disprove his story.

Outsmarted at every turn, and questioning her worth to her new team, Bonnie finds herself in a cat-and-mouse chase to uncover the truth. Because whatever happened to Juliet Keller, it’s soon clear her life is not the only one on the line.

MY THOUGHTS: This is my first book by Australian author Catherine Lee, and it won't be my last. Lee had me captivated from the very first word until the very last. The plot is fast paced and gripping, the characters all too familiar and real.

Although this is the first book in the Detective Bonnie Hunter series, it follows on from where the author's Cooper & Quinn mystery series leaves off. This wasn't a problem and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. However, I am delighted that I have a backlist of books by this author to catch up on!

Missing is told in alternating timelines - Bonnie's search for Juliet and Juliet's backstory up to and including her disappearance.

Missing is a story of domestic violence, of coercive control. I have been in Juliet's position and can attest to the accuracy of what she portrays. Despite this, I found myself gobbling up this mystery, rooting all the time for Juliet, hoping that she had escaped, that Sam hadn't killed her and that Bonnie would get the bastard.

Does Juliet escape or is she dead? Does Bonnie get to arrest Sam? Not telling.

Read the book for yourself.

I have just found myself a 'read everything she writes' author.

I listened to the audiobook of Missing, superbly narrated by Eva Seymour.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#Missing #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Catherine Lee is an Australian author of fast-paced, mostly clean, crime fiction.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of Missing, written by Catherine Lee and narrated by Eva Seymour. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Profile Image for Davena.
154 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2025
Missing by Catherine Lee

Missing is book one in the Detective Bonnie Hunter series.

Detective Bonnie Hunter has been sidelined and left feeling conflicted after a domestic violence call-out went horribly wrong; she is seconded to the homicide team by her friend, 'Coop'.

The team is investigating a potential kidnapping after Juliet Keller goes to the grocery store and never returns. Bonnie's domestic violence spidey senses start tingling as soon as she meets Juliet's husband, who is a lawyer from a family with significant means behind them. The book explores themes of domestic violence and coercive control, and there are chapters from Juliet's POV that describe scenes of both, so read with caution.

I think you'll like Missing by Catherine Lee if you like books with strong female leads or enjoy Australian police procedurals (for example, anything by Shelly Burr @shelleyburrwrites, Jane Harper @janeharperauthor or Dervla McTiernan @dervlamctiernan) or books that you aren't comfortable reading, like Denizen by James McKenzie Watson @jamesmcwatson or psychological thrillers like Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra @tsierraauthor or Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian Blunt @akalagianblunt all of which I loved, but ... they were not warm cosy books.

A big thumbs up. I'll be adding other books by Catherine Lee to my TBR pile. (I swear that 141 unread books in my Kobo account are a perfectly reasonable number of books to read.)

Body Count = 3

Thank you to Bolinda Audio and Netgalley for this audiobook ARC.

@Bolindaaudio #Bolindaaudio @netgalley #NetGalley #missing

#Bookstagram #booksdeevaareads #2025bookshelf #goreadabook #allthebooks #booknerd #Designer #GraphicDesign #DesignNerd #designdeevaa #CreativeLife #DesignInspiration #ArtAndDesign #Designer #Grapicdesign #DesignNerd #FashionDesign #AustralianAuthor #Melbourne #NewRelease #ArtAndCulture #SupportArtists
Profile Image for DustyBookSniffers -  Nicole .
356 reviews61 followers
August 21, 2025
Missing is the first book in Catherine Lee’s new Detective Bonnie Hunter series, and it’s a gripping, emotionally intense listen. It deals with some complex but important topics, including domestic violence, coercive control, and sexual assault, so it’s not a light read, but it is a powerful one.

The story follows Detective Bonnie Hunter as she’s assigned to a missing person case, Juliet Keller, a young woman who supposedly vanished during a weekend away with her husband. From the start, Bonnie suspects there’s more to the story than what Juliet’s husband, Sam, is telling. His controlling behaviour and angry outbursts raise red flags, and Bonnie becomes determined to uncover the truth.

The book shifts between a “then and now” timeline, which took me a couple of chapters to get used to, but once I found the flow, I was fully drawn into the story. As the layers peel back, it becomes clear Juliet has been hiding something dark and that there’s more at stake than one missing person.

Bonnie is a strong, smart leader with a lot of heart, and I enjoyed following her journey. She’s dealing with her own professional challenges while trying to navigate a very emotionally charged case, which makes her feel real and relatable.

The audiobook narration by Eva Seymour was excellent. Her performance was clear and expressive, the pacing was spot on, and she made it easy to distinguish between characters without ever pulling you out of the story.

If you enjoy crime thrillers with strong female protagonists, emotional depth, and twists that keep you guessing, Missing is a great choice. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing an Advanced Listeners Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The e-book is also available through Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Jennifer (JC-S).
3,533 reviews285 followers
April 7, 2023
‘Domestic in progress. Macquarie Park. Can you attend?’

After a domestic violence call-out went tragically wrong, Sydney based Detective Bonnie Hunter is seconded to a team tasked with finding a missing woman. Juliet Keller, according to her husband Sam, went to the grocery store and never returned. Bonnie, acutely sensitised to the actions and behaviour of a controlling partner, is certain that Juliet’s husband is responsible for her disappearance. Checking with Juliet’s family and friends confirms that Sam Keller controlled his wife. Has he murdered her? Bonnie is convinced that Sam’s story about Juliet’s disappearance is wrong and is determined to prove it. At the same time, while she has a high regard for Detective Inspector Cooper who is leading the team, she is finding it difficult to work as part of the team.

‘Why the hell did she do this job?’

After eagerly devouring each book in Ms Lee’s Cooper and Quinn series, I was delighted to re-join Bonnie Hunter and Charlie Cooper in this series. Bonnie may be impulsive, but she has good analytical skills and is a determined investigator. And she needs to be because there are a few twists in this story (no spoilers) that had me wondering how (and where) this story would end. A terrific thriller which touches on several difficult issues.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with well developed characters, then you may also enjoy Ms Lee’s first book in her new series. If you’ve not yet read the Cooper and Quinn series, there are seven wonderful mysteries awaiting your reading pleasure. Me, I’m waiting (patiently, Ms Lee) for the next instalment.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Profile Image for Natalie.
806 reviews
October 20, 2025
2.5 stars

Look, this was a solid police procedural on domestic violence that I think a lot of people will enjoy. I was drawn in at the start with a fantastic narrator.

Except anyone who knows anything about domestic violence would find this book predictable. It was pretty obvious what happened to Juliet and why. And of course .

By the time Bonnie worked it out, the tension dissipated for the final showdown which again was pretty predictable that. The flashbacks added nothing to the story for me because it was obvious where it was heading given Bonnie pegged Sam the minute she met him! One juicy flashback as a prologue would’ve sufficed to create tension and mystery.

When you can easily predict what’s going to happen and does happen with nothing fresh to it, then sadly it’s not the crime novel for me. So this is my rating for my experience but I think other people will enjoy this. I will read this author again though.
Profile Image for Mark Shannon.
138 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2025
This is set in Sydney. The first in what look to be a series of books following Detective Bonnie Hunter.

This story primarily follows Bonnie's story, who is a cop on a domestic violence squad and ends up at a call out that doesn't end well. She ends up being persuaded to join her friend on his homicide team.

The team are put on a case of a missing wife, Juliet Keller. Bonnie's suspicions are immediately raised when a lot of domestic violence red flags flash in front of her.

The story darts between the present and the search for Juliet and the past which is telling you Juliet's story and what leads up to her disappearance.

I enjoyed the fast paced nature of this, the two timelines and stories unfolding simultaneously worked very well. Bonnie and Juliet's characters were built well as it develops and both are very likeable characters and relatable. Sam was written so elequantly handsomely ugly in a way that you just hated him from the start.

A dark triggering subject handled with absolute clarity and care.

Did it matter than I guessed what the twist was going to be relatively early on? No, not at all.

I'd definitely be up for more of the Bonnie Hunter series if this one is anything to go on. I give this a 5/5
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,746 reviews747 followers
July 23, 2023
In this first book of a new series DS Bonnie Hunter of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad has just had a case of domestic violence turn out very badly indeed. Her friend DI Charlie Cooper suggests she takes a break for Sex Crimes and join his team in Homicide on a temporary basis to see if she might consider a permanent switch. Which is how she finds herself assigned to investigate a woman missing from Bundanoon in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Juliet Keller is the woman who has disappeared after arriving in Bundanoon for a weekend in her husband’s family’s holiday house. Her husband of six years, Sam reported that she took the car to pick up some last minute items from the local supermarket and didn’t return. When a friend drove him to look for her, they found her phone and keys near the car parked outside the supermarket. Everyone’s first thought is that she has been abducted, but after meeting Sam, Bonnie suspects he may have something to do with her disappearance.

It was good to see Charlie Cooper from the author’s Cooper & Quin series working with Bonnie in this mystery and there are some promising new characters in Cooper’s team for us to get to know. Using past and current time lines, the author paints a vivid picture of a woman under stress in a difficult marriage and Bonnie’s keen nose for finding the truth. A great start to what promises to be another exciting series from Catherine Lee.
9 reviews
January 8, 2024
I imagine this troubled story of domestic abuse can’t have been easy to write. This tale is close to me as a Sister was subjected to woeful wounds of cigarette burns etc etc, and in reality proved so much more difficult to escape her abuser, because small children were involved.
Thank you Catherine for tackling this subject. Not an easy read, but written bravely and believably. I got quite engrossed in the twists and turns of the story of this beautiful couple, who by all outside appearances had it all. Lavish, partying lifestyle, with gorgeous clothes, properties etc ….. pots of money to ensure an idyllic existence. Away from prying eyes though, a woman living a pitiful nightmare of a life, alienated from friends and family, subjected to the brutal inclinations of a twisted sadistic partner. How would this marriage which held so much love at its beginnings, end? Who could possibly help her?
Enter Detective Sergeant Bonnie Hunter fresh from another recent case which had gone horribly wrong….
A 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read.
Profile Image for Sharon Valler:  Live Love Read Review.
1,027 reviews17 followers
May 5, 2025
"Missing" had me hooked from the start! Detective Bonnie Hunter gets caught up in a hostage situation which sets the scene for the introduction of this new series, featuring her as the main character. After I caught my breath, Bonnie was straight into the next case, a missing woman who reportedly went to the local shop and never returned. Her husband's aggressive demands make Bonnie suspicious of his potential involvement and her insight into the typical behaviour of abductors and killers was fascinating, as she tried to deduce whether he had an involvement or was simply frustrated and desperate.

Bonnie is a strong female lead and she also displays empathy and humanity which makes her and excellent character and I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Eva Seymour, di an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Catherine Lee and Bolinda for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dani.
229 reviews20 followers
April 26, 2025
Missing by Catherine Lee is an incredibly powerful read. Centered around the police investigation into the disappearance of Juliet, the story dives deep into the devastating impacts of coercive control and domestic violence. It’s clear that Lee has put immense research into this novel — the portrayal of Juliet’s emotions, fear, and turmoil felt heartbreakingly real.

This wasn’t always an easy read, but that’s part of what made it so compelling. The slow build of tension and the uncertainty surrounding Juliet’s fate kept me completely absorbed. I found the narration authentic and realistic, capturing both the procedural side of the investigation and the very human experiences behind it.

I’m really impressed by Catherine Lee’s writing and will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a crime thriller that’s both gripping and emotionally resonant.
Profile Image for Karen.
183 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2025
There are some really fantastic crime novels coming out of Australia at the moment and Missing by Catherine Lee is right up there with the best of them. With a dual timeline which worked incredibly well; a well executed missing person mystery; and a really strong female detective lead, The Missing is a truly phenomenal start to a new series. With domestic violence at the heart of the story it was never going to be the easiest of listens, but with excellent narration and the obvious thoroughness of research done by the author, it came across as an extremely well written gripping drama. I was fully invested in finding out what happened to Juliet and cannot wait to read the next book in the Detective Bonnie Hunter series.

Once again, the Bolinda Audio recording is outstanding; they really are head and shoulders above the rest for the quality of their recordings.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the audio ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Sue Jack.
224 reviews9 followers
April 23, 2025
I haven't previously read anything by Catherine Lee but I understand this is the first in a new series of crime books focusing around Detective Bonnie Hunter who, after a difficult experience in another police department, has been persuaded by a colleague to join the homicide team.
The book operates across two different timelines as we gain insight into the married life of a missing woman and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
I really enjoyed the good balance between the actual crime investigation story and the strong character development throughout.
An entertaining page turner which deals with the challenging issue of domestic violence / coercive control extremely well. I will look forward to the next instalment in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this well narrated audiobook.


Profile Image for Denice Langley.
4,794 reviews45 followers
June 1, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of MISSING. Eva Seymour does an excellent job of building the story and maintaining the emotions and tension found in the story of a police detective investigating a missing woman who could be a victim of domestic violence.

MISSING is the first book in the new Detective Bonnie Hunter series, a spin-off of the DI Charlie Cooper series, another excellent mystery/thriller series by Catherine Lee. Detective Hunter's still reeling from the DV case that ended badly when she's recruited to join the investigation of a missing woman. The husband is making noise about finding his wife, but Det Hunter's experience tells her there is something wrong. Set in Sidney, Australia, the descriptive writing brings the community to life as Lee builds a cast of characters you'd recognize in the grocery store. Fast paced and tension-filled, this series is another winner for Lee.
494 reviews
October 8, 2025
🎧 5 stars, and yet it’s a very confronting story of intimate partner abuse, ranging from emotional and financial control through to repeated life-threatening violence. It’s crime fiction’s way of helping those of us who have not been directly affected to see how the type of family violence this novel mainly deals with (coercive control) goes. From the over the top Prince-Charming routine at the start, onwards.

This is not a book I could re-visit, even though I usually re-read my 5 star rated ones. For most of it, it didn’t feel like I was listening to a crime novel at all. I don’t do True Crime podcasts/Tv as I prefer the distance of fiction for crime, but I did feel especially concerned for the character of Juliet.

Acknowledgement too for the excellent audiobook narration by Eva Seymour- what a tough reading gig that must have been.
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