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Thomas Shepherd Mystery #8
Next Girl Missing
Every town has its secrets . . . and Emma Walsh knows too many.
Sixteen years earlier, Emma fled her hometown of Wolf Lake after her best friend disappeared without a trace—a case that went cold, leaving the town in uneasy silence. Now, a seasoned investigative journalist, Emma is drawn back following a series of mysterious disappearances of young girls, each eerily mirroring her friend's vanishing.
Forced to confront her traumatic past, Emma teams up with Sheriff Thomas Shepherd, who has his own reasons for wanting to solve the case. But when excavations in a local forest unveil a burial site containing the remains of several children, it becomes hauntingly clear that Wolf Lake's history is far darker than anyone could have imagined.
Is the kidnapper the same person who took Emma's friend all those years ago? Every clue drags them deeper into a web of deceit.
And the predator is always one step ahead.
Echoing the suspense of Harlan Coben with a touch of Lisa Gardner's narrative brilliance, Next Girl Missing will leave readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what lurks in the shadows of their own hometowns.
Dare to uncover the truth? Scroll up to one-click your copy now!
Sixteen years earlier, Emma fled her hometown of Wolf Lake after her best friend disappeared without a trace—a case that went cold, leaving the town in uneasy silence. Now, a seasoned investigative journalist, Emma is drawn back following a series of mysterious disappearances of young girls, each eerily mirroring her friend's vanishing.
Forced to confront her traumatic past, Emma teams up with Sheriff Thomas Shepherd, who has his own reasons for wanting to solve the case. But when excavations in a local forest unveil a burial site containing the remains of several children, it becomes hauntingly clear that Wolf Lake's history is far darker than anyone could have imagined.
Is the kidnapper the same person who took Emma's friend all those years ago? Every clue drags them deeper into a web of deceit.
And the predator is always one step ahead.
Echoing the suspense of Harlan Coben with a touch of Lisa Gardner's narrative brilliance, Next Girl Missing will leave readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what lurks in the shadows of their own hometowns.
Dare to uncover the truth? Scroll up to one-click your copy now!
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2023
178 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Dan Padavona
101 books611 followersAuthor of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 31, 2024
thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
as a child, emma’s best friend, hannah, disappeared without a trace as they were walking home from school one day. the case was unsolved and eventually went cold, since there weren’t any witnesses or leads to follow back to the kidnapper. as an adult, emma returns to wolf lake to try and bring justice for her best friend - and dozens of other missing children who are connected to hannah’s disappearance. emma, sheriff thomas shepherd and his deputies, and the wolf lake consulting team work together to uncover the kidnapper’s identity, all while emma’s safety is at risk.
i finished this book in less than 24 hours - this is the fastest i have read a book recently, and for good reason! i really enjoyed following the wolf lake investigative teams while they worked with emma to reopen the cold case and take down the kidnapper. i liked the sequence of events throughout the investigation and liked how many different people contributed to the resolution of the case. i wish agents bell and gardy were available to help in the investigation, i feel like that would have been the cherry on top.
my biggest complaint of this book - which isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things - is that i don’t remember why the kidnapper suddenly stopped claiming victims. i genuinely can’t remember if that was explained and i forgot or if it just wasn’t explained at all.
overall, this book is a fantastic addition to the thomas shepherd series. the wolf lake series and thomas shepherd series are a must read for thriller fans!
as a child, emma’s best friend, hannah, disappeared without a trace as they were walking home from school one day. the case was unsolved and eventually went cold, since there weren’t any witnesses or leads to follow back to the kidnapper. as an adult, emma returns to wolf lake to try and bring justice for her best friend - and dozens of other missing children who are connected to hannah’s disappearance. emma, sheriff thomas shepherd and his deputies, and the wolf lake consulting team work together to uncover the kidnapper’s identity, all while emma’s safety is at risk.
i finished this book in less than 24 hours - this is the fastest i have read a book recently, and for good reason! i really enjoyed following the wolf lake investigative teams while they worked with emma to reopen the cold case and take down the kidnapper. i liked the sequence of events throughout the investigation and liked how many different people contributed to the resolution of the case. i wish agents bell and gardy were available to help in the investigation, i feel like that would have been the cherry on top.
my biggest complaint of this book - which isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things - is that i don’t remember why the kidnapper suddenly stopped claiming victims. i genuinely can’t remember if that was explained and i forgot or if it just wasn’t explained at all.
overall, this book is a fantastic addition to the thomas shepherd series. the wolf lake series and thomas shepherd series are a must read for thriller fans!
June 11, 2024
I loved Next Girl Missing. Dan Padavona gave me suspense and mystery, I was kept on the edge of my seat turning the pages. In my opinion Next Girl Missing is a great continuation of Thomas Shepherd Mystery Series. I enjoy the camaraderie and how they all work in their areas of expertise to solve the mystery. In my opinion Dan Padavona writes the stories to be standalone yet a continuation of series. He goes into backstories but he doesn't drive you crazy repeating everything from previous books. Some authors with series like these go into too much detail from previous books. I'm enjoying the growth of the characters and how each is growing and changing. In my opinion if you are a Dan Padavona fan he doesn't disappoint. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.
June 20, 2024
Next Girl Missing - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Journalist Emma Walsh's school-friend Hannah Clarke went missing as the friends walked home, 26 years ago.
Now Emma's returned to Wolf Lake to reinvestigate, and more girls are found to have been taken since her long ago ordeal.
Chelsey, Scout, LeVar and Raven of Wolf Lake Consulting, are called on to help with the case by Nightshade County's Sheriff, Thomas Shepherd and his deputies, whilst the latter also investigate a tech mogul's stalker.
Is the IT expert really the innocent victim he claims to be?
Read this 5 star psychological thriller by the amazing Dan Padavona to find out...but please, don't have nightmares!
Journalist Emma Walsh's school-friend Hannah Clarke went missing as the friends walked home, 26 years ago.
Now Emma's returned to Wolf Lake to reinvestigate, and more girls are found to have been taken since her long ago ordeal.
Chelsey, Scout, LeVar and Raven of Wolf Lake Consulting, are called on to help with the case by Nightshade County's Sheriff, Thomas Shepherd and his deputies, whilst the latter also investigate a tech mogul's stalker.
Is the IT expert really the innocent victim he claims to be?
Read this 5 star psychological thriller by the amazing Dan Padavona to find out...but please, don't have nightmares!
November 1, 2025
A fantastic story and series
When the past comes calling, will Thomas and his Deputies be ready for the unexpected investigation? Wolf Lake Consulting is busy with their own new case, but not everything is as it seems. Will they be able to figure it out before it's too late? It's certainly not a story or series to be missed!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
When the past comes calling, will Thomas and his Deputies be ready for the unexpected investigation? Wolf Lake Consulting is busy with their own new case, but not everything is as it seems. Will they be able to figure it out before it's too late? It's certainly not a story or series to be missed!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
June 16, 2024
Another great thriller !
This book was such a great addition to the Thomas Shepard series. I have enjoyed every one of his books and I believe the Thomas Shepherd series is my favorite. I am looking forward to reading the next one.. I really love all the characters in this series so much .
This book was such a great addition to the Thomas Shepard series. I have enjoyed every one of his books and I believe the Thomas Shepherd series is my favorite. I am looking forward to reading the next one.. I really love all the characters in this series so much .
June 17, 2024
Engaging and exciting
I always look forward go the next release long Dan Pandora books. The characters feel like I know them. The stories keep me guessing and eager to continue reading.
I always look forward go the next release long Dan Pandora books. The characters feel like I know them. The stories keep me guessing and eager to continue reading.
June 20, 2024
Another good one
Dan Padavona's books are about a little mystery to solve, or a bad guy to catch yet it seems much more. More about the dynamics of friendship and family. Always simple. Always a quick read.
Dan Padavona's books are about a little mystery to solve, or a bad guy to catch yet it seems much more. More about the dynamics of friendship and family. Always simple. Always a quick read.
June 26, 2024
Fantastic!!!
Another stellar book by a true literary master. Dan Padavona knows how to deliver the goods when storytelling. Characters you will love and hate. Storyline with twists and turns, that keep the reader needing to know what happens next.
Another stellar book by a true literary master. Dan Padavona knows how to deliver the goods when storytelling. Characters you will love and hate. Storyline with twists and turns, that keep the reader needing to know what happens next.
June 30, 2024
another thriller
Enjoyed this one with two Mysterious storyline and a dive into the controversies of AI. Appreciate the through line in this series regarding being on the spectrum and approach to issues relevant to today and how they may impact society and crime
Enjoyed this one with two Mysterious storyline and a dive into the controversies of AI. Appreciate the through line in this series regarding being on the spectrum and approach to issues relevant to today and how they may impact society and crime
July 12, 2024
Great Book!
As usual, I enjoyed another one of the Thomas Shepherd books. Living in the Finger Lakes Region, I really relate to the scenes that Dan plays out. The characters are so good & believable that reading these books is like hanging out with a group of old, close friends.
As usual, I enjoyed another one of the Thomas Shepherd books. Living in the Finger Lakes Region, I really relate to the scenes that Dan plays out. The characters are so good & believable that reading these books is like hanging out with a group of old, close friends.
August 6, 2024
Sheriff Shepherd Never Disappoints!
From the very beginning of each book you become invested in finding out what’s going to happen next and caring for each character. Suspense, Love, Humor—Dan’s books have it all!
From the very beginning of each book you become invested in finding out what’s going to happen next and caring for each character. Suspense, Love, Humor—Dan’s books have it all!
June 16, 2024
Started Saturday afternoon finished at 3pm today. I was engrossed with the multiple stories going on.
Shepherd and the gang do it again, how they managed to pull it off outstanding 👌 👏 😎
Shepherd and the gang do it again, how they managed to pull it off outstanding 👌 👏 😎
June 28, 2024
Fantastic Read.
July 21, 2024
Great book
Each book, Dan Padavona writes, just keeps getting better and better. Very thought provoking. Great book for any age group.
Each book, Dan Padavona writes, just keeps getting better and better. Very thought provoking. Great book for any age group.
November 1, 2024
last book in the seried, loved meeting TS again
January 1, 2026
Excellent story about a kidnapper who has been kidnapping young girls for decades. One girl’s friend is now a journalist who wants to solve her friend’s case. Thomas and company are on the case.
June 22, 2024
Thomas Shepherd is a good series to read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews