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Missing Man: A Thriller
Her ex-husband disappeared, leaving her overwhelmed cleaning up the mess he left behind. She suspects a friend of foul play but can’t prove it. Can she find out the truth before it’s too late?
Irena Fishbone is always in a hurry, repairing boat engines and caring for her teenage daughter. She’s built a thriving business despite her ex-husband owing her for child support. But when he disappears, she must sell off his prized possessions to pay his debts.
With their long-time group of close-knit friends torn apart by her ex-husband’s disappearance, will she be able to track him down before her daughter’s heart breaks?
Missing Man is a fast-paced psychological thriller. If you like determined heroines and surprising plot twists, you’ll be gripped by Susan Specht Oram’s riveting story.
Buy Missing Man to dive into a page-turner today!
Irena Fishbone is always in a hurry, repairing boat engines and caring for her teenage daughter. She’s built a thriving business despite her ex-husband owing her for child support. But when he disappears, she must sell off his prized possessions to pay his debts.
With their long-time group of close-knit friends torn apart by her ex-husband’s disappearance, will she be able to track him down before her daughter’s heart breaks?
Missing Man is a fast-paced psychological thriller. If you like determined heroines and surprising plot twists, you’ll be gripped by Susan Specht Oram’s riveting story.
Buy Missing Man to dive into a page-turner today!
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2024
About the author
Susan Specht Oram
47 books119 followersWriting mysteries-thrillers and creative nonfiction. Author of SHORE LODGE, THE THIEVES, CABIN EIGHT, THE MOTHER's THREAT and SECRETS AT THE CAFE, UNDER JACKSON BRIDGE, MISSING MAN, BY MIDNIGHT, THE WINTER STORM, THE COLD NIGHT. I live in a windy part of the Pacific Northwest with my husband and rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 7, 2024
I went into this somewhat blindly, not having read the description beforehand. It really wasn't my cup of tea. I am not really a fan of friend and domestic drama and this book is packed with it. Immature adults and wise children. If that is your jam, this book is for you. It's an easy read and would be great for vacation or the beach.
I highly recommend if you're looking to get lost in some mindless drama and enjoy domestic thrillers.
I highly recommend if you're looking to get lost in some mindless drama and enjoy domestic thrillers.
October 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this second book in the Beyond The Bridge book series. This one releases October 24th but don’t miss the first book Under Jackson Bridge. I absolutely love following along with Ilena, Kelly, Jack and their friends. Ilena’s ex husband has disappeared and left behind a pile of debt. She needs to track him down for their daughter’s sake. I was shocked at the twists came up and love the different points of view. Can’t wait to see if more books in this series are in the future!!
October 8, 2024
Another fabulous book by the talented Susan Specht Oram. This book was well written and I enjoyed every minute of it. The ending was perfect. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a great mystery. If you haven't read her books you are missing out!!
October 10, 2024
I loved this book! I have been slow in reading this book, cause I love Susan's book! This was really a awesome read! I wanted to take my time cause I didn't want it to be over!
Thank you Susan for the chance to read this great book of yours!
Great read!
Thank you Susan for the chance to read this great book of yours!
Great read!
October 23, 2024
The second book in “The Beyond the Bridge Series”,
is “Missing Man”,and it doesn’t disappoint!
After Jack disappears in the first book, we now find his friends and family desperately searching for him. His ex wife Irena, and daughter Kelly, as well as the FBI, are involved in the search. Jack was supposed to be a key witness in an embezzlement trial, but after falling off a boat, he seems to have vanished.
The plot thickens, as his friends try to unravel Jack’s whereabouts!
This is an enjoyable book, easy to read, with the promise of a third installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory publishing for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
4 stars
is “Missing Man”,and it doesn’t disappoint!
After Jack disappears in the first book, we now find his friends and family desperately searching for him. His ex wife Irena, and daughter Kelly, as well as the FBI, are involved in the search. Jack was supposed to be a key witness in an embezzlement trial, but after falling off a boat, he seems to have vanished.
The plot thickens, as his friends try to unravel Jack’s whereabouts!
This is an enjoyable book, easy to read, with the promise of a third installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory publishing for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
4 stars
October 23, 2024
4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co Op for an advanced copy of Missing Man.
Irena is searching for her missing ex husband Jack who fell overboard and went missing. Except it seems he was working with the FBI and going into witness protection. But he never showed up to the meeting spot. Irena is learning the only person she can trust is her daughter Kelly. Can she find Jack before it is too late?
This is the second book in this series and I think you should read the first book before reading this it gives a lot of background. I really enjoyed this series. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Irena is searching for her missing ex husband Jack who fell overboard and went missing. Except it seems he was working with the FBI and going into witness protection. But he never showed up to the meeting spot. Irena is learning the only person she can trust is her daughter Kelly. Can she find Jack before it is too late?
This is the second book in this series and I think you should read the first book before reading this it gives a lot of background. I really enjoyed this series. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
October 1, 2024
An almost humorous thriller. 3 friends, Bud Wiser, Irena Pickle Fishbone and Abby Love search for answers when their friend, Jack Fishbone (Irena’s ex-husband goes missing. Don’t you love those names? Jack is deep in debt and in the cross hairs of some heavy weight debt collectors. I couldn’t wait for the twist at the end but it never came. Instead, it left me wanting more. I’ll have to read the next book!
November 6, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for my copy.
I hate doing this, but I his book was terrible. If you're going to make a book that needs a sequel, the first part still needs to be a story with a beginning, middle and end. This just finished in the middle of nowhere.
I always try and find something I like in everything I read:
✅I liked the chapters split into character povs
However, there was just so much wrong with this, that it's still only worth a single star (if that).
⭕It's hard to explain, but everything is flat. Like there's no soul in the piece.
⭕'And then I say, "blah blah blah."' Is extremely jarring even though it's technically correct and the author seems to favour it.
⭕Dialogue is clunky and jarring in general. Not everyone speaks in fully formed sentences, always explaining everything in full, yet everyone in the book does. It's unrealistic and slows the pace of the story.
⭕Too many characters and not one felt fully fleshed out. In fact, all the characters are totally unbelievable. Literally not one of them is realistic and that just made me mad in the end.
⭕Surely no one is as braindead as Abby in real life?
⭕Except maybe Irena who takes her daughter to A FUCKING SHOOT OUT!!?
⭕Ex who made your other ex "disappear" is watching the house and sneaking in when you're out and you take no measures to stop this? NOT ONE?
⭕That other ex is also known to be part of a major scam that the FBI are investigating and you still let him near your child? That makes you a terrible mother.
⭕Bestie is a klepto who has stolen from your house and you give her valuable items to "look after" and still keep letting her in your house? No. Surely no one would be stupid enough to do this?
⭕Teen daughter speaks like a 50 year old widow one minute then a 7 year old brat the next. I feel like this author has never met a teenager. Ever.
⭕Oh and 2/3 in, suddenly Irena has ESP or whatever?
Anyway, this book just got worse and worse.
I hate doing this, but I his book was terrible. If you're going to make a book that needs a sequel, the first part still needs to be a story with a beginning, middle and end. This just finished in the middle of nowhere.
I always try and find something I like in everything I read:
✅I liked the chapters split into character povs
However, there was just so much wrong with this, that it's still only worth a single star (if that).
⭕It's hard to explain, but everything is flat. Like there's no soul in the piece.
⭕'And then I say, "blah blah blah."' Is extremely jarring even though it's technically correct and the author seems to favour it.
⭕Dialogue is clunky and jarring in general. Not everyone speaks in fully formed sentences, always explaining everything in full, yet everyone in the book does. It's unrealistic and slows the pace of the story.
⭕Too many characters and not one felt fully fleshed out. In fact, all the characters are totally unbelievable. Literally not one of them is realistic and that just made me mad in the end.
⭕Surely no one is as braindead as Abby in real life?
⭕Except maybe Irena who takes her daughter to A FUCKING SHOOT OUT!!?
⭕Ex who made your other ex "disappear" is watching the house and sneaking in when you're out and you take no measures to stop this? NOT ONE?
⭕That other ex is also known to be part of a major scam that the FBI are investigating and you still let him near your child? That makes you a terrible mother.
⭕Bestie is a klepto who has stolen from your house and you give her valuable items to "look after" and still keep letting her in your house? No. Surely no one would be stupid enough to do this?
⭕Teen daughter speaks like a 50 year old widow one minute then a 7 year old brat the next. I feel like this author has never met a teenager. Ever.
⭕Oh and 2/3 in, suddenly Irena has ESP or whatever?
Anyway, this book just got worse and worse.
May 23, 2025
Missing man
Wow this book was filled with lots of twists and turns. I can't wait to see what the next book will be about.
Wow this book was filled with lots of twists and turns. I can't wait to see what the next book will be about.
October 6, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Susan Specht Oram’s “Missing Man” is a fast-paced psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. As the second book in the Beyond the Bridge series, it stands strong on its own, delivering a riveting story filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and deeply human characters.
The novel centers around the life of a determined heroine whose world is turned upside down when her ex-husband mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a trail of chaos and unanswered questions. Overwhelmed by the mess he left, she suspects foul play involving a close friend but struggles to find proof. Her journey to uncover the truth is fraught with danger and emotional turmoil, making for a compelling read.
Oram’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the protagonist’s inner and outer worlds. The small-town setting adds a layer of claustrophobia and tension, where every neighbor could be a potential suspect, and secrets are buried just beneath the surface. The author’s ability to create a sense of place is remarkable, making the town itself feel like a character in the story.
The plot is meticulously crafted, with each chapter peeling back another layer of mystery. Oram excels at building suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with well-timed revelations and red herrings. The pacing is relentless, ensuring that there is never a dull moment as the protagonist races against time to protect her daughter and uncover the truth.
Susan Specht Oram’s “Missing Man” is a fast-paced psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. As the second book in the Beyond the Bridge series, it stands strong on its own, delivering a riveting story filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and deeply human characters.
The novel centers around the life of a determined heroine whose world is turned upside down when her ex-husband mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a trail of chaos and unanswered questions. Overwhelmed by the mess he left, she suspects foul play involving a close friend but struggles to find proof. Her journey to uncover the truth is fraught with danger and emotional turmoil, making for a compelling read.
Oram’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the protagonist’s inner and outer worlds. The small-town setting adds a layer of claustrophobia and tension, where every neighbor could be a potential suspect, and secrets are buried just beneath the surface. The author’s ability to create a sense of place is remarkable, making the town itself feel like a character in the story.
The plot is meticulously crafted, with each chapter peeling back another layer of mystery. Oram excels at building suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with well-timed revelations and red herrings. The pacing is relentless, ensuring that there is never a dull moment as the protagonist races against time to protect her daughter and uncover the truth.
November 9, 2024
Irena Fishbone is a determined single mother who juggles her time between repairing boat engines and caring for her teenage daughter. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her ex-husband mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a chaotic situation that she must navigate. Overwhelmed by the mess he left, Irena suspects foul play involving a close friend but struggles to find concrete evidence to support her suspicions.
“Missing Man” is a fast-paced psychological thriller that promises surprising plot twists and an engaging narrative centered around a resilient heroine determined to seek justice and clarity in the midst of chaos
“Missing Man” is a fast-paced psychological thriller that promises surprising plot twists and an engaging narrative centered around a resilient heroine determined to seek justice and clarity in the midst of chaos
February 14, 2025
Story has 6 different people telling the story. Was about a third of the way reading it when I was like "I don't really care for this book " but because I had read so far into it i felt like I needed to finish it. Then it ends with no resolution and a cliffhanger. So annoying!
March 26, 2025
This was an odd book. Everyone is out for themselves but call themselves friends. I wasn't happy with any of the characters. The ending was left up on the air. I always like things wrapped up, so was disappointed by the ending.
June 28, 2025
The Missing Man is a quick read thriller with some humor thrown in. This is the second book in the Beyond the Bridge Series, and Jack's family and friends try to find him after he falls overboard. This story is full of mystery and surprises. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, By Midnight.
Want to Read
September 29, 2025Quick read. Very Enjoyable!
February 10, 2026
This is a fast paced thriller that grabs you firmly and doesn't let go until the last page. The suspense keeps on building and makes you not want to put it down. Very well written.
October 10, 2024
“Missing Man" by Susan Specht Oram is a mystery about dealing with the loss of a loved one who has disappeared. The story focuses on how this affects the people left behind, exploring their feelings and memories. Oram writes in a way that makes the characters relatable, showing their struggles and how they cope with grief. It’s a heartfelt story that captures the pain of loss and the search for closure.
December 24, 2025
Missing Man was a quick thriller read! It is book 2 in the Beyond The Bridge Series (though I didn't know that when I read it.) It is multi POVs and keeps you on your toes wondering what's going to happen next. It reminds me highly of JC Fuller's Rockfish Island mystery series (and we love us some JC Fuller over here.) So, if you like mystery and suspense pick up this series!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews