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Missing
A brooding, atmospheric novel about the mysterious vanishing of a singer from a remote island, and the teenage runaway determined to uncover the truth.
When promising young singer Roxy Raines vanishes from the tiny resort of Sandown, the island locals refuse to speak about it to anyone they deem outsiders, instead proclaiming Roxy a teenage runaway.
Thirty years later, seventeen-year-old Mona Perry comes to the island resolute in her search for the real reason behind Roxy's disappearance. Armed with a suitcase and a microphone, Mona only has one hot summer to get to the bottom of Roxy's story and record it all for her podcast and fans.
But as Mona gets drawn deeper into the strange, isolated community, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems—least of all Mona's own past and the disappearance of someone close to her.
When promising young singer Roxy Raines vanishes from the tiny resort of Sandown, the island locals refuse to speak about it to anyone they deem outsiders, instead proclaiming Roxy a teenage runaway.
Thirty years later, seventeen-year-old Mona Perry comes to the island resolute in her search for the real reason behind Roxy's disappearance. Armed with a suitcase and a microphone, Mona only has one hot summer to get to the bottom of Roxy's story and record it all for her podcast and fans.
But as Mona gets drawn deeper into the strange, isolated community, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems—least of all Mona's own past and the disappearance of someone close to her.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2023
38 people are currently reading
5165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 29, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I started this book with no expectations, just a love of thrillers and YA fiction. I really struggled to get into this book. Usually thrillers and YA have something in the intro and beginning chapters that really hook you, but this book started with a lot more metaphorical language (which after reading it, I realized in the acknowledgements that the author has written poetry before so some of that makes sense; however, it still didn’t make the intro any more exciting in my opinion.)
I gave this book an honest 3 stars. It wasn’t bad, it just dragged on in the beginning especially and didn’t contain as much excitement as it could have. I guessed the “twist” from about 30% into the book so the mystery element was lacking to me. I didn’t love the main character, and I didn’t feel any more connected to her after I learned more about her past. Booker was the only character that I felt connected to, and I enjoyed his persona in the story. All in all, it wasn’t my favorite book, but it was a mystery worth reading (especially if you’re ever on vacation to an island during hurricane season!)
I gave this book an honest 3 stars. It wasn’t bad, it just dragged on in the beginning especially and didn’t contain as much excitement as it could have. I guessed the “twist” from about 30% into the book so the mystery element was lacking to me. I didn’t love the main character, and I didn’t feel any more connected to her after I learned more about her past. Booker was the only character that I felt connected to, and I enjoyed his persona in the story. All in all, it wasn’t my favorite book, but it was a mystery worth reading (especially if you’re ever on vacation to an island during hurricane season!)
October 12, 2023
I enjoyed the writing style and premise of the book. If you're into true crime and crime podcasts this is up your alley, as it's about a girl seeking to find answers about a missing Rockstar (she mostly keeps people updated on Twitter but runs a podcast like video thing). Super cool. I would've given 4 stars but some moments really seemed to drag. It took a bit for the book itself to pickup so I wouldn't consider this a "thriller". I did like the twists and ending. I think it's worth reading!
I won this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I won this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
November 29, 2023
Net Galley eARC. Mona Perry's sister Celeste went missing when she was 8 while on a hike, an event that has haunted her every since. Now 17 she has a podcast "How To Disappear" that covers missing persons in an effort to find closure for herself and others. She uncovers a story about Celeste's favorite singer Roxy Raines who disappeared from a small island resort thirty years ago. Mona takes a job as a seasonal worker for the summer to sek answers. She soon discovers none of the locals want to talk about it and seem uninterested in the local girl's fate. Mona refuses to give up continuing to dig into the island dark history and uncover the secrets it hides. This is darker than many YA suspense novels I have read and the author builds up a haunting brooding atmosphere with each chapter. The protagonist is portrayed as a troubled loner and has traits that make her unlikeable.. As the story progresses she becomes invested in a few of the people she comes to know and her personality lightens. As in any solidly plotted narrative things are not as they seem and there in an unexpected twist. that redeemed a rather slow burn story line. A solid read for anyone who enjoys a YA mystery.
August 17, 2023
Missing by Savannah Brown
Publisher Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date December 05, 2023
Characters: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Pace: 3/5
Overall Enjoyment: 3/5
I honestly wanted to love this book. The premise sounded really good but it was a very hard book to read. There was way too much language that because this author also writes poetry makes sense but I am not really into poetry and thrillers combined. it was a very slow read. It took forever to get to certain points that the author was trying to get at.
Rory Rains is a singer in the 1980’s and was supposed to arrive in Nashville for a singing contract but vanished the night before leaving. The story moves forward 30 yrs to a teenager Mona Perry. Mona has a podcast and now that she lives in the same city Rory did, she wants to solve her disappearance. Mona also had a sister that disappeared so that made her more determined to solve the mysterious disappearances of both girls. The only problem is that you will be able to figure it out pretty early on. This book could have been a 5 and maybe the author will work on changing some things around before it is due to be released.
3 stars
Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.
Publisher Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date December 05, 2023
Characters: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Pace: 3/5
Overall Enjoyment: 3/5
I honestly wanted to love this book. The premise sounded really good but it was a very hard book to read. There was way too much language that because this author also writes poetry makes sense but I am not really into poetry and thrillers combined. it was a very slow read. It took forever to get to certain points that the author was trying to get at.
Rory Rains is a singer in the 1980’s and was supposed to arrive in Nashville for a singing contract but vanished the night before leaving. The story moves forward 30 yrs to a teenager Mona Perry. Mona has a podcast and now that she lives in the same city Rory did, she wants to solve her disappearance. Mona also had a sister that disappeared so that made her more determined to solve the mysterious disappearances of both girls. The only problem is that you will be able to figure it out pretty early on. This book could have been a 5 and maybe the author will work on changing some things around before it is due to be released.
3 stars
Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.
June 23, 2025
•••Missing by Savannah Brown // 3.25 out of 5 stars •••
I felt like this book was full of unlikable characters, predictable mysteries, and unresolved endings. While the ride wasn’t bad and had its ups and downs, the destination wasn’t exactly worth the journey. I think if I was more patient with the narrator this would have been a more enjoyable story, but I disliked her do much that her commentary didn’t do much for me.
I felt like this book was full of unlikable characters, predictable mysteries, and unresolved endings. While the ride wasn’t bad and had its ups and downs, the destination wasn’t exactly worth the journey. I think if I was more patient with the narrator this would have been a more enjoyable story, but I disliked her do much that her commentary didn’t do much for me.
January 4, 2024
Yikes! This was a miss for me. I did not like this writing style at all. There were a lot of parts that read like poetry and I was not expecting that at all. It really took me out of the story and made things confusing. Also, I was expecting something more like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder or Sadie when it comes to the true crime podcast element and it was barely there in the story. Yes she runs a podcast but that's about all you learn about it. There was no actual point of her having a podcast.
The characters in this book were bland and not really thought out. I feel like there was a good idea behind the story but it just ended up being boring. Every time the MCs went to investigate a lead they were easily able to find pieces and figure everything out. The ending was extremely obvious but also so unbelievable.
The characters in this book were bland and not really thought out. I feel like there was a good idea behind the story but it just ended up being boring. Every time the MCs went to investigate a lead they were easily able to find pieces and figure everything out. The ending was extremely obvious but also so unbelievable.
August 11, 2023
I was actually a little surprised to see the lower ratings on this one. As a read alike to We Were Liars, the Truly Devious series, Shadow Sister, or the Inheritance Games books, I feel like this would do pretty well. But let's get into it, shall we?
17 year-old Mona Perry shows up at a small touristy island as just another teenage seasonal employee, but she comes with an agenda... and secrets. Determined to get to the bottom of a missing person cold case, she is determined to turn over every stone, but underestimates just how invested the locals are in keeping this particular case on ice.
If I had to take a stab at what people were grading down for, I think it has to be said that for all her podcasting expertise, Mona is not all that great at being an on-the-ground ground detective. She's sloppy, unsubtle... but to me that isn't so much of a minus. I love the Truly Devious books but Stevie is almost too good at what she does. I think with all these teen true detective stories you have to add in some suspension if disbelief off the bat for something or other. It didn't hurt anything for me.
I found the mystery--and really with this one you really get a two-for-one--very readable and suspenseful and thoroughly enjoyed the authentic sense of place you get with this. Apparently the author modeled Sundown on Put-in-Bay, Ohio but as a Michigan enthusiast I connected just as easily from past experiences on Mackinac Island.
Again, a solid recommendation for YA readers that like the true crime feel to their mysteries.
17 year-old Mona Perry shows up at a small touristy island as just another teenage seasonal employee, but she comes with an agenda... and secrets. Determined to get to the bottom of a missing person cold case, she is determined to turn over every stone, but underestimates just how invested the locals are in keeping this particular case on ice.
If I had to take a stab at what people were grading down for, I think it has to be said that for all her podcasting expertise, Mona is not all that great at being an on-the-ground ground detective. She's sloppy, unsubtle... but to me that isn't so much of a minus. I love the Truly Devious books but Stevie is almost too good at what she does. I think with all these teen true detective stories you have to add in some suspension if disbelief off the bat for something or other. It didn't hurt anything for me.
I found the mystery--and really with this one you really get a two-for-one--very readable and suspenseful and thoroughly enjoyed the authentic sense of place you get with this. Apparently the author modeled Sundown on Put-in-Bay, Ohio but as a Michigan enthusiast I connected just as easily from past experiences on Mackinac Island.
Again, a solid recommendation for YA readers that like the true crime feel to their mysteries.
September 5, 2023
3.25/5
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS fire and NetGalley for my gifted e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The pacing of this book might be very slow at the beginning as the author is setting the scene, but once it picks up, you wouldn't be able to put it down. I did not see the reveal about Celeste's life (and eventually her death) coming at all. I really spent an entire chapter worrying about Ellis and about the possibility of him vanishing into thin air in the woods when there's a hurricane coming, only to be smacked with THAT instead? For two chapters in a row? Overall, this was an enjoyable read, I recommend everyone to push through the slow-ness of the beginning because it's worth it.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS fire and NetGalley for my gifted e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The pacing of this book might be very slow at the beginning as the author is setting the scene, but once it picks up, you wouldn't be able to put it down. I did not see the reveal about Celeste's life (and eventually her death) coming at all. I really spent an entire chapter worrying about Ellis and about the possibility of him vanishing into thin air in the woods when there's a hurricane coming, only to be smacked with THAT instead? For two chapters in a row? Overall, this was an enjoyable read, I recommend everyone to push through the slow-ness of the beginning because it's worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
Thank you netgalley for this ARC !
Missing follows a teenage girl who goes to a idilic island for investigate the disappearance of a promising singer decades before. The books have a dry tone,so serious than it was even hard to me to depict the island as some place sunny,even tough the books takes place trough the summer. I really liked that ! Plus,the MC was bold and,even tough the book felt slow in some parts,I would totally recomend this one for thrillers and YA fans,the multiple POVS sounded a little bit off sometimes but it was nothing than could compromise my experience with "Missing".
Missing follows a teenage girl who goes to a idilic island for investigate the disappearance of a promising singer decades before. The books have a dry tone,so serious than it was even hard to me to depict the island as some place sunny,even tough the books takes place trough the summer. I really liked that ! Plus,the MC was bold and,even tough the book felt slow in some parts,I would totally recomend this one for thrillers and YA fans,the multiple POVS sounded a little bit off sometimes but it was nothing than could compromise my experience with "Missing".
November 27, 2023
Four stars for this suspense thriller set off the coast of Delaware, involving secrets, disappearances, ambitions and connections.
Stories of a once, on her way to becoming teen singer back in the seventies and then having vanished into thin air, is just the story, main character, Mina needs to boost her podcast and get her recognition.
A clever and smoothly written young adult thriller that keeps the characters engaging and the story hopping as young, Mona, desperately tries to uncover the secrets and hopefully discover what happened to Roxy all those years ago.
Thanks to Sourcebooksfire for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Stories of a once, on her way to becoming teen singer back in the seventies and then having vanished into thin air, is just the story, main character, Mina needs to boost her podcast and get her recognition.
A clever and smoothly written young adult thriller that keeps the characters engaging and the story hopping as young, Mona, desperately tries to uncover the secrets and hopefully discover what happened to Roxy all those years ago.
Thanks to Sourcebooksfire for the arc, all opinions are my own.
November 13, 2023
Mona has one goal this summer, find out what really happened to Roxy Raines in 1986 and report it on her podcast. She lies about her age to get a job on the island Roxy disappeared from and runs away from home. Mona tells us herself that she is a liar, and she proves it by lying to everyone multiple time s throughout the book.
The mystery is a good one with lots of twists a surprise ending, however, due to the vulgar language used in the book I will not be purchasing this one for my students.
CW: physical/mental abuse, language, alcohol use, murder.
The mystery is a good one with lots of twists a surprise ending, however, due to the vulgar language used in the book I will not be purchasing this one for my students.
CW: physical/mental abuse, language, alcohol use, murder.
July 16, 2023
I received an ARC from NetGalley, for my honest review. Thanks so much!!
The story is told over 30 years, Roxy Rains a singer basically vanishes. In the small close tight town, no one will talk about it. Until Mona Perry comes to town, Mona try’s to get people to talk and tell what they know, however they won’t, it’s all hush-hush. That is until one starts talking, and the truth is told finally. The twists may shock you, I know they did me.
The story is told over 30 years, Roxy Rains a singer basically vanishes. In the small close tight town, no one will talk about it. Until Mona Perry comes to town, Mona try’s to get people to talk and tell what they know, however they won’t, it’s all hush-hush. That is until one starts talking, and the truth is told finally. The twists may shock you, I know they did me.
November 23, 2023
Been 17-year-old Mona Perry leaves Indiana the only thing she takes with her is junk food and her podcasting equipment. When she was 11 her 17-year-old sister went missing while they were hiking in the woods and she thought developing her true crime podcast would somehow bring her closer to that devastating event but that isn’t why she’s heading to Sanborn Island and has applied to be a seasonal worker that Hass to do with a different missing girl her name is Roxy rain she was a singer who is about to leave for Tennessee the week after she went missing but unfortunately she was never seen again. on her first day there she met Cheryl and Elliss Cheryl invites her since she was a day early to go rest at her home and she has driven there by Cheryl son Elliss a boy who has mostly grew up on the island since the rooms for seasonal workers are not ready yet. When she does get her room she is hoping to do a quick podcast but finds out she is going to have a roommate and her name is Peyton who Mona is surprised to see if she is attracted to and doesn’t mind sharing the room with. She’s also happy to find out Peyton has been a seasonal worker on the island before and can get the nitty-gritty about the island and its inhabitants. This is how Mona finds out Cheryl Ellis are actually related to Roxy rain. Mona is itching to investigate and after the bonfire begins she leaves so she could break into the sheriff station to see if she could get her hands on Roxy‘s case file only to get caught by Alice but this actually turns out to be a stroke of luck because he will become her partner in crime and the investigation. It seems people on Sanborn don’t take too kindly to someone trying to dig up a 15-year-old secret NF they say she committed suicide leave it like that. Unfortunately Mona has bigger problems than a missing girl on the island she sabotage her own college admittance for one thing and secondly she didn’t tell her dad where she was going he is a busy prosecutor and insists she comes home when she says no he tells her his next day free he is going to the island to get her. Will Mona get to stay and finish her investigation will it bring the closure not only to her but to those who are closer to Roxy the Mona first knew? I can honestly say throughout this whole book I really thought I knew who the murderer was and so to say I was shocked would be correct but more than this being a good mystery it is a good book about someone getting to know their self and ultimately learning to like their self. This was a really good book and one I think is a perfect summary or anytime read I really liked it and highly recommend it. I want to thank the author the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 26, 2023
Mona heads to an island off the coast of Delaware to get answers about what happened to indie singer Roxy Raines over 30 years ago. But the islanders are secretive and don't appreciate Mona stirring up trouble, and with the island bringing up memories of what happened when her older sister went missing, Mona's in a lot deeper than she thinks.
This was certainly a book. I liked the podcast elements, but after the first part, they all but disappeared. I liked hearing the snippets of what Mona thought initially juxtaposed with the information she was finding out. Mona and Ellis (sunshine boy, must be protected at all costs) team up to get answers, but they seemed to have a very easy time getting them?? People would say "why are you doing this?" and proceed to spill their guts. Also the ending made literally no sense. It wasn't even a left unresolved on purpose sort of ending, it just abruptly cut off like the author hit a character limit and just gave up.
Topics like ableism and sibling abuse are skirted around and not addressed head-on, which was frustrating, especially in the case of the former because the treatment of Ellis is brought up so much but NO ONE talks about how it's not just because his family is "cursed"--it's because people are ableist and Ellis has a stutter. There were really no stakes, the mystery wasn't very interesting, and the writing was overly purple and too descriptive in a way that did not enhance the book, rather, it took away from the plot.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)
This was certainly a book. I liked the podcast elements, but after the first part, they all but disappeared. I liked hearing the snippets of what Mona thought initially juxtaposed with the information she was finding out. Mona and Ellis (sunshine boy, must be protected at all costs) team up to get answers, but they seemed to have a very easy time getting them?? People would say "why are you doing this?" and proceed to spill their guts. Also the ending made literally no sense. It wasn't even a left unresolved on purpose sort of ending, it just abruptly cut off like the author hit a character limit and just gave up.
Topics like ableism and sibling abuse are skirted around and not addressed head-on, which was frustrating, especially in the case of the former because the treatment of Ellis is brought up so much but NO ONE talks about how it's not just because his family is "cursed"--it's because people are ableist and Ellis has a stutter. There were really no stakes, the mystery wasn't very interesting, and the writing was overly purple and too descriptive in a way that did not enhance the book, rather, it took away from the plot.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)
June 17, 2025
YA is not my first choice, but honestly, other than lack of real spice, it feels much more like NA for the most part. I grabbed this one as a Blind Date with a Book and have no regrets. The "clues" intrigued me from the get go (anyone who has followed me for a while knows I have a huge fondness for rock stars, real and fictional, romance or otherwise. So the description card for this one read:
♡ Promising young singer
♡ Gone missing
♡ 13 years later
♡ Isolated Island
♡ Podcast
♡ YA mystery
So by the time I got to the YA part I was intrigued enough to over look it. Our main character, Mona, is actually only 17 and lies about her age to get hired on as a seasonal worker at a small resort type island, at least in summer. Her podcast "How to Disappear " has a decent amount of followers and she is determined to find out what really happened to Roxy Raines when she disappeared from the island. Her obsession partially is spawned by the love her missing sister had for Ms Raines. So it's 2 for 1 on the mysteries of Roxy and of Celeste, and without crossing into spoiler territory, I think it is safe to say that neither story is quite what it seems which makes it a much more interesting read (even if neither "big shocking twist" particularly astounded me) the book and some of the side characters are also well worth the read (Ellis and Peyton in particular)
I will search other works by this author. I like the style snd was impressed with the world and character buildijg.
♡ Promising young singer
♡ Gone missing
♡ 13 years later
♡ Isolated Island
♡ Podcast
♡ YA mystery
So by the time I got to the YA part I was intrigued enough to over look it. Our main character, Mona, is actually only 17 and lies about her age to get hired on as a seasonal worker at a small resort type island, at least in summer. Her podcast "How to Disappear " has a decent amount of followers and she is determined to find out what really happened to Roxy Raines when she disappeared from the island. Her obsession partially is spawned by the love her missing sister had for Ms Raines. So it's 2 for 1 on the mysteries of Roxy and of Celeste, and without crossing into spoiler territory, I think it is safe to say that neither story is quite what it seems which makes it a much more interesting read (even if neither "big shocking twist" particularly astounded me) the book and some of the side characters are also well worth the read (Ellis and Peyton in particular)
I will search other works by this author. I like the style snd was impressed with the world and character buildijg.
February 6, 2025
ORIGINAL REVIEW:http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Missing was my kind of story from the moment I read the synopsis. A teen or young adult trying to solve a crime that grown adults couldn’t solve? Sign me up! I expected a lot of bad choices, suspense, and a dramatic ending and Savannah Brown delivered.
The story follows Mona as she is drawn into the disappearance of a singer from decades before named Roxy on an island known for tourist season, but where locals are not overtly welcoming to those digging into their lives. Mona is that girl who goes in with the best intentions but completely messes up almost every step along the way. I liked how Brown made sure to work that into the side characters, with each one basically telling her she was out of line many times.
My biggest issue is that, as per usual to me, so many problems could have been avoided if the main character had asked for help or not made some crazy, off-the-wall decision. Mona was definitely this person and made a lot of terrible choices. This got frustrating to me after she did it over and over. I understood it was to make a suspensful story, but still frustrating.
With all that being said, Brown had me actually shocked at the end because I did not see that ending coming at all. I do not want to spoil it, but I would be surprised if you figure it out before the reveal. This book may have gotten a three, but I appreciate a really good surprise ending. I read so much mystery that I tend to figure it out earlier, so this was a pleasant surprise! I’ll definitely be checking out more from Savannah Brown!
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Missing was my kind of story from the moment I read the synopsis. A teen or young adult trying to solve a crime that grown adults couldn’t solve? Sign me up! I expected a lot of bad choices, suspense, and a dramatic ending and Savannah Brown delivered.
The story follows Mona as she is drawn into the disappearance of a singer from decades before named Roxy on an island known for tourist season, but where locals are not overtly welcoming to those digging into their lives. Mona is that girl who goes in with the best intentions but completely messes up almost every step along the way. I liked how Brown made sure to work that into the side characters, with each one basically telling her she was out of line many times.
My biggest issue is that, as per usual to me, so many problems could have been avoided if the main character had asked for help or not made some crazy, off-the-wall decision. Mona was definitely this person and made a lot of terrible choices. This got frustrating to me after she did it over and over. I understood it was to make a suspensful story, but still frustrating.
With all that being said, Brown had me actually shocked at the end because I did not see that ending coming at all. I do not want to spoil it, but I would be surprised if you figure it out before the reveal. This book may have gotten a three, but I appreciate a really good surprise ending. I read so much mystery that I tend to figure it out earlier, so this was a pleasant surprise! I’ll definitely be checking out more from Savannah Brown!
December 29, 2023
Savannah Brown's writing is very immersive. I really did not know how to feel about the main character for a very long time. I am still not sure how I feel about her. I'm still not sure her actual name is Mona. I love a good true crime podcast and so I liked the premise of this podcast. The protagonist was getting a lot of flack during her investigations from the other characters. Which I get, she has no official reason to be looking into this missing persons case other than the fact the victim is her favorite musician. About half way through the book I started thinking that she might actually not get anywhere with her investigation. And I was fine with that out come. In real life most cold cases will probably never get solved. I thought that this book was going to end up just being a coming of age story. She was going to have this adventure of investigating this missing person, make some friends and move on. But then she cracked the case and things starting rolling really fast. The last third of the book becomes a speed run of how many twists can Brown jam in by the end. I am not a huge fan of mysteries but I had fun reading this. It was a good, easy, and fast read.
October 30, 2023
Mona leaves home knowing that her busy dad won't even know she's gone til it is too late. She takes a job as summer help on an island but her real goal is searching for answers for her popular podcast of a singer songwriter who went missing years before. She is intent on solving this mystery more to resolve her mixed feelings of her sister's disappearance when she was eleven. The islanders are very close lipped about Roxy's disappearance but Mona manages to find a friend in Roxy's grandson Ellis. A small island, tight untrusting community, meddling teens and a potential killer at large - what could go wrong? There is a lot happening in this story and while the main points center around Roxy and the unsolved mystery the second story is Mona coming to grips with her own past trauma. YA readers will love the danger and mystery of the island and may also gain insight into dealing with bullying and traumatic experiences. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
June 20, 2024
This is the first book I've read by Savannah Brown, and unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I realize that the author has previously written poetry, but this writing style was displayed in this work of fiction and really distracted me from the story. It was extremely wordy and descriptive, using words that average teenagers would not be familiar with.
I wasn't a fan of Mona (the main character) or her role in the story. We are informed early on that she runs a podcast, but honestly, this fact wasn't important to the story at all even though it is the reason she is on the island in the first place. Out of all the characters, I liked Booker the most and wish his character had been more developed in the story. The ending was confusing and left me feeling disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I wasn't a fan of Mona (the main character) or her role in the story. We are informed early on that she runs a podcast, but honestly, this fact wasn't important to the story at all even though it is the reason she is on the island in the first place. Out of all the characters, I liked Booker the most and wish his character had been more developed in the story. The ending was confusing and left me feeling disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 5, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the copy of Missing by Savannah Brown. The story was really intriguing, even though I didn’t understand the point of the “other” missing person. I loved the big reveal and it was a huge shock for me! I’m not sure why the writing style made this book really hard to read, but I found myself having to read sentences and paragraphs a couple of times in order to understand them. I realized later that the author writes poetry, so it makes sense that the writing wasn’t my cup of tea and that I didn’t ‘get’ it. The only character I warmed up to was Ellis and it seemed like some of the other characters were just tossed into the story for no reason. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. It wasn't a bad book, it just wasn’t for me.
November 12, 2023
Review:
4.4 ⭐
It took me longer than I would have liked to really get into MISSING. Don't get me wrong, the book is beautifully written, from the description to the prose. I was confused about the Roxy and Celeste case, but eventually, I understood where the author was going with the story. Speaking of the story, once the dialogue picked up and the story, I was hooked. I couldn't believe the route that was took---and what actually happened in the past with Roxy and the others. Overall, MISSING was a great read with so many twists and turns that'll keep you guessing and intrigued until the end.
What I Liked About It:
*that big twist
*the description
*the writing
4.4 ⭐
It took me longer than I would have liked to really get into MISSING. Don't get me wrong, the book is beautifully written, from the description to the prose. I was confused about the Roxy and Celeste case, but eventually, I understood where the author was going with the story. Speaking of the story, once the dialogue picked up and the story, I was hooked. I couldn't believe the route that was took---and what actually happened in the past with Roxy and the others. Overall, MISSING was a great read with so many twists and turns that'll keep you guessing and intrigued until the end.
What I Liked About It:
*that big twist
*the description
*the writing
May 11, 2025
I checked out the audio book from my local library. They don't give reviews so I got it based off of the blurb.
First I really did not like the narrator. Her voice was fine but it seemed like she had an excess of saliva in her mouth at times. The slurping noise was distracting to the point where I didn't listen to the story.
Second, the missing stories of her sister and the singer was a complete let down.
The story went on and on. The book could have been more of a short story for the amount of info it needed to finish the story.
I would not recommend this to anyone and will not be checking out any more from this author. That was a complete waste of time!
First I really did not like the narrator. Her voice was fine but it seemed like she had an excess of saliva in her mouth at times. The slurping noise was distracting to the point where I didn't listen to the story.
Second, the missing stories of her sister and the singer was a complete let down.
The story went on and on. The book could have been more of a short story for the amount of info it needed to finish the story.
I would not recommend this to anyone and will not be checking out any more from this author. That was a complete waste of time!
August 2, 2023
This story takes place over a span of 30 years, One storyline follows Roxy Raines, who was a singer in the 1980s and simply vanished off the face of the Earth the night before she was supposed to leave for Nashville to fulfill a music contract. The other storyline follows modern day teenager Mona Perry, a newcomer to the small town where Roxy lived all those years ago. Mona has a podcast and wants to solve the Roxy Raines mystery for her followers. She's interested because a few years ago, her own sister disappeared. There are a lot of twists and turns, but this story drags along forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2023
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC.
This was a solid little mystery book. The elements were all there, mysterious past, trapped on an island, small town secrets, digging up the past. The story itself was engaging and solid, but I'm just not a fan of the writing style. The author used a lot of metaphorical language and came off a bit flowery for my taste. I've never been a fan of overly descriptive writing though, so it might just be me. YMMV. Overall it was a good book. Solid three stars.
This was a solid little mystery book. The elements were all there, mysterious past, trapped on an island, small town secrets, digging up the past. The story itself was engaging and solid, but I'm just not a fan of the writing style. The author used a lot of metaphorical language and came off a bit flowery for my taste. I've never been a fan of overly descriptive writing though, so it might just be me. YMMV. Overall it was a good book. Solid three stars.
March 1, 2024
This is just a bad book with a silly storyline and unbelievable characters. The main character reads like a jaded 42 year old, and that’s a character I would have believed this story from. The reason for this 17 year old to be obsessed with the disappearance of a stranger she has no ties to and went missing long before her birth is so shaky it stands no ground. I don’t even know how to complain about the parts of this book I hated most without providing spoilers so let that statement be my last on this book: if I could get that time back, I would.
April 9, 2025
Deep character development best describes this book .
Mona , a young podcast developer has a huge following as she discusses how best to disappear . Having experienced the disappearance and loss of her sister , she is inspired to travel to Sandown to unravel the disappearance of the island’s songstress 30 years ago . Working as part of the island’s summer staff she integrates with the community . Here a cast of locals and guilt-ridden characters are introduced. Secrets unfold . It is a deep unraveling of painful memories and lost friendships .
Mona , a young podcast developer has a huge following as she discusses how best to disappear . Having experienced the disappearance and loss of her sister , she is inspired to travel to Sandown to unravel the disappearance of the island’s songstress 30 years ago . Working as part of the island’s summer staff she integrates with the community . Here a cast of locals and guilt-ridden characters are introduced. Secrets unfold . It is a deep unraveling of painful memories and lost friendships .
November 4, 2023
-Goodreads giveaway winner-
I definitely wouldn't put this in a thriller category. It does have a twist in it but it's very slow getting there. The author writes well but I'm not into poetry and I feel like this book was a combination of her poetry and the actual story. The story is actually interesting it's just told way to slow for my personal taste. However, if you enjoy slow burns then I would recommend this book.
I definitely wouldn't put this in a thriller category. It does have a twist in it but it's very slow getting there. The author writes well but I'm not into poetry and I feel like this book was a combination of her poetry and the actual story. The story is actually interesting it's just told way to slow for my personal taste. However, if you enjoy slow burns then I would recommend this book.
December 3, 2023
I enjoy reading YA and I was interested in this book as soon as I saw the cover. Mona takes a summer job on an island where a famous singer disappeared thirty years ago. Mona has a podcast about missing people, started after her own sister went missing. Mona is determined to get the story for her podcast and starts digging. This is a solid YA story that anyone who listens to true crime podcasts would enjoy.
December 3, 2023
I enjoy reading YA and I was interested in this book as soon as I saw the cover. Mona takes a summer job on an island where a famous singer disappeared thirty years ago. Mona has a podcast about missing people, started after her own sister went missing. Mona is determined to get the story for her podcast and starts digging. This is a solid YA story that anyone who listens to true crime podcasts would enjoy.
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