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Detective Gina Harte #17
Then She Vanished
It’s dark as the young woman leaves work. Crossing the empty car park alone, she thinks about the warmth of her little house. But she doesn’t make it home that night. Or ever again…
Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchard’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Elissa, went missing. Police were called, neighbours were interviewed, and even Ruth’s own husband was investigated, but the case went unsolved. Elissa disappeared forever.
Now, Ruth watches the local news and hears about another girl gone from the same streets where her beloved daughter was last seen, and her heart races. A distinctive red scarf was found at a crime scene, and she recognises it instantly. It belonged to Elissa.
After Ruth alerts the police, they rush to speak to her, but nobody answers the door. Her small home stands eerily quiet. Just like her daughter before her, Ruth has vanished into thin air.
Friends say that Ruth suspected someone close to home took Elissa. Others say she never trusted her husband again after he was questioned by police. Did she finally discover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance? And will her friends and family ever see her again?
From bestselling author Carla Kovach, this absolutely unputdownable crime thriller is perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh.
What readers are saying about Then She Vanished:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘LOVED!!!!! My favorite… So amazing… OMG… Couldn’t put this down for the life of me. I started this when the sun came up and finished when the sun went down. It was just that good… I was speechless. I couldn’t say anything for a while. I had to sit there and take it all in. Wow, wow and more wow.’ Blue Moon Blogger
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘THE BEST BOOK… What a read. I could not put this book down, I was so absorbed… A real page-turner.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Must read!! Finished in two days. Absolutely brilliant. It has bestseller written all over it. What a book!… I had to remind myself to breathe.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘OOOHHH I say that was one hell of a read. BRILLIANT.’ NetGalley reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gripping… I love this… Packs a punch and keeps me breathless from beginning to end… A must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh my goodness… Eye-popping… Packed with mystery, suspense and nail-biting twists and turns… Hooked from beginning to end.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fantastic and gripping… I was hooked from the prologue and devoured this in one sitting… Absolutely brilliant!’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely fantastic… I’m hooked on this.
Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchard’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Elissa, went missing. Police were called, neighbours were interviewed, and even Ruth’s own husband was investigated, but the case went unsolved. Elissa disappeared forever.
Now, Ruth watches the local news and hears about another girl gone from the same streets where her beloved daughter was last seen, and her heart races. A distinctive red scarf was found at a crime scene, and she recognises it instantly. It belonged to Elissa.
After Ruth alerts the police, they rush to speak to her, but nobody answers the door. Her small home stands eerily quiet. Just like her daughter before her, Ruth has vanished into thin air.
Friends say that Ruth suspected someone close to home took Elissa. Others say she never trusted her husband again after he was questioned by police. Did she finally discover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance? And will her friends and family ever see her again?
From bestselling author Carla Kovach, this absolutely unputdownable crime thriller is perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh.
What readers are saying about Then She Vanished:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘LOVED!!!!! My favorite… So amazing… OMG… Couldn’t put this down for the life of me. I started this when the sun came up and finished when the sun went down. It was just that good… I was speechless. I couldn’t say anything for a while. I had to sit there and take it all in. Wow, wow and more wow.’ Blue Moon Blogger
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘THE BEST BOOK… What a read. I could not put this book down, I was so absorbed… A real page-turner.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Must read!! Finished in two days. Absolutely brilliant. It has bestseller written all over it. What a book!… I had to remind myself to breathe.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘OOOHHH I say that was one hell of a read. BRILLIANT.’ NetGalley reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gripping… I love this… Packs a punch and keeps me breathless from beginning to end… A must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh my goodness… Eye-popping… Packed with mystery, suspense and nail-biting twists and turns… Hooked from beginning to end.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fantastic and gripping… I was hooked from the prologue and devoured this in one sitting… Absolutely brilliant!’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely fantastic… I’m hooked on this.
- GenresThrillerMystery Thriller
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2025
274 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kovach
33 books1,046 followersCarla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
April 12, 2025
Then She Vanished is a thrilling entry into the Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach. In this book, Gina is not only trying to solve a difficult case, but someone is threatening her for something that happened in her personal life. A 16 year old girl went missing after she left work 30 years ago and her parents have never recovered. Her name was Elissa Pritchard and she was never found. Living in limbo when someone you love vanished is the most agonizing of pains you can go through. Her parents are now divorced because the tragedy drove them apart. Ruth, Elissa's mom is watching the news one night when a story comes on about a missing girl. She vanished in the same area that Elissa did and they found a red scarf at the scene. Ruth recognizes that scarf because it was Elissa's!
Ruth calls in to the police tip line that the news said to call if you had any information. When the police come to her house to talk to her, there's no answer. Ruth isn't there! Where could she be? Why would she call the tip line and then not wait for the police to come? Something is very wrong! Friends and neighbors tell the police that Ruth thought someone close had taken Elissa, possible even her father! He lives in a house across the street from Ruth and is always getting in her business. Could he really be responsible? When the police find out he lied to them, he becomes a suspect.
Will they find Ruth? Will they find the girl who was recently taken? What happened to Elissa? Will the person threatening Gina follow through with his threats? Will Gina be okay? Then She Vanished keeps you on edge and has you guessing at who is behind these awful kidnappings and threats. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and rate it 5 stars. Then She Vanished is out now and can be enjoyed as a standalone book even if you haven't read any other books in the series. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Then She Vanished in exchange for a fair review. I look forward to reading the next book in the Gina Harte series. #ThenSheVanished
Ruth calls in to the police tip line that the news said to call if you had any information. When the police come to her house to talk to her, there's no answer. Ruth isn't there! Where could she be? Why would she call the tip line and then not wait for the police to come? Something is very wrong! Friends and neighbors tell the police that Ruth thought someone close had taken Elissa, possible even her father! He lives in a house across the street from Ruth and is always getting in her business. Could he really be responsible? When the police find out he lied to them, he becomes a suspect.
Will they find Ruth? Will they find the girl who was recently taken? What happened to Elissa? Will the person threatening Gina follow through with his threats? Will Gina be okay? Then She Vanished keeps you on edge and has you guessing at who is behind these awful kidnappings and threats. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and rate it 5 stars. Then She Vanished is out now and can be enjoyed as a standalone book even if you haven't read any other books in the series. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Then She Vanished in exchange for a fair review. I look forward to reading the next book in the Gina Harte series. #ThenSheVanished
March 18, 2025
✅This story was a roller-coaster of a ride that kept going and going and going. Literally, one thing after another was happening so fast, it was hard to keep up with everything.
Detective Gina Harte has her hands full as she attempts to unravel a very complex case that has everyone running around in circles. It seems the start of the case really occurred 30 years ago. Can she figure out what is going on? On top of this case, Gina has so much going on in her personal life. I really wish this personal aspect gets resolved soon.
Perfect series for fans of a good detective series. Carla Kovach’s writing is solid and engaging….she keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Detective Gina Harte has her hands full as she attempts to unravel a very complex case that has everyone running around in circles. It seems the start of the case really occurred 30 years ago. Can she figure out what is going on? On top of this case, Gina has so much going on in her personal life. I really wish this personal aspect gets resolved soon.
Perfect series for fans of a good detective series. Carla Kovach’s writing is solid and engaging….she keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 15, 2025
Then She Vanished by Carla Kovach is the 17th in the Detective Gina Harte series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
DI Gina Harte works homicides. Her team consists of: DS Jacob Driscoll, DC Harry O’Connor and DC Paula Wyre, with a lot of assistance from PC Smith and PC Kapoor. Gina is a stubborn lady, and a determined detective. She has had a rough life, which has led to an uneasy relationship with her daughter Hannah and grand-daughter Gracie. It has also led to a lack of real friends. She is in an on-again/off-again relationship with her boss, DCI Chris Briggs, but they keep it quiet. It is also not common knowledge that Gina's husband was abusive, and only Briggs knows that she did nothing to save him when he fell to his death many years ago. Her brother-in-law, however, is suspicious.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The body of a man is found, an apparent suicide. But the note that he left behind has the team anxious. Part of it read "save her". Who? Where is she? Children's library books in the vehicle lead them to the library, where they discover that the victim is a bit of a creep, and he's been using the ID of a dead man.
Meanwhile, Ruth Pritchard's divorce just came through, and she is dating a wonderful man named Eric. Unfortunately, her ex, Gary, bought the house directly across the street from Ruth, and he's always in her face. They had a long marriage, and Gary hasn't moved on. Thirty years ago, their 16-year old daughter Elissa went missing, and was never found. After that, the marriage suffered.
When Ruth sees a crime photo of a red scarf, she knows it right away. It was hers, and Elissa had been wearing it. She notifies the police right away, but when they arrive at her home, Ruth has vanished.
Meanwhile, it appears that Stephen has reared his ugly head again, and is posting photos of Gina in compromising positions on the dark web. So far, none have gone public, but Gina fears it's only a matter of time.
My Opinions:
This is the second book in a row where Gina has somewhat annoyed me. Last time she ignored a health scare because she is the only one who can solve a case. This time, she refused to let her boss/boyfriend in on something that could have a major impact on both of their lives. Again, she can solve everything herself. Her ego knows no bounds.
The plot, however, was really good. It was also really twisted, and had a lot of characters to keep straight. You really had to pay attention. I liked how the story was told through different people - Gina, as well as victims.
Overall, this was a very complex mystery, and even though Gina disappointed me, I enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to the next one!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
DI Gina Harte works homicides. Her team consists of: DS Jacob Driscoll, DC Harry O’Connor and DC Paula Wyre, with a lot of assistance from PC Smith and PC Kapoor. Gina is a stubborn lady, and a determined detective. She has had a rough life, which has led to an uneasy relationship with her daughter Hannah and grand-daughter Gracie. It has also led to a lack of real friends. She is in an on-again/off-again relationship with her boss, DCI Chris Briggs, but they keep it quiet. It is also not common knowledge that Gina's husband was abusive, and only Briggs knows that she did nothing to save him when he fell to his death many years ago. Her brother-in-law, however, is suspicious.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The body of a man is found, an apparent suicide. But the note that he left behind has the team anxious. Part of it read "save her". Who? Where is she? Children's library books in the vehicle lead them to the library, where they discover that the victim is a bit of a creep, and he's been using the ID of a dead man.
Meanwhile, Ruth Pritchard's divorce just came through, and she is dating a wonderful man named Eric. Unfortunately, her ex, Gary, bought the house directly across the street from Ruth, and he's always in her face. They had a long marriage, and Gary hasn't moved on. Thirty years ago, their 16-year old daughter Elissa went missing, and was never found. After that, the marriage suffered.
When Ruth sees a crime photo of a red scarf, she knows it right away. It was hers, and Elissa had been wearing it. She notifies the police right away, but when they arrive at her home, Ruth has vanished.
Meanwhile, it appears that Stephen has reared his ugly head again, and is posting photos of Gina in compromising positions on the dark web. So far, none have gone public, but Gina fears it's only a matter of time.
My Opinions:
This is the second book in a row where Gina has somewhat annoyed me. Last time she ignored a health scare because she is the only one who can solve a case. This time, she refused to let her boss/boyfriend in on something that could have a major impact on both of their lives. Again, she can solve everything herself. Her ego knows no bounds.
The plot, however, was really good. It was also really twisted, and had a lot of characters to keep straight. You really had to pay attention. I liked how the story was told through different people - Gina, as well as victims.
Overall, this was a very complex mystery, and even though Gina disappointed me, I enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to the next one!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
March 20, 2025
Another banger from Carla, honestly one of her best. I never, ever read the synopses for these books and going in blind gives so much more oomph to these crazy twists and turns. If you've never read a Gina Harte book, pick up the first one immediately!
June 23, 2025
Des montagnes russes tout le long, c'était excellent. Un des meilleurs de la série !!
February 5, 2025
A complex case for DI Gina Harte just as it seems her own life is imploding. A new case has come in that relates to a cold case. A suicide that links them together.
The mystery girls voice breaks your heart.
Despite this being book 17, there is no let up in the story. A fast paced detective series with strong characters. Great as usual
The mystery girls voice breaks your heart.
Despite this being book 17, there is no let up in the story. A fast paced detective series with strong characters. Great as usual
February 19, 2025
Wow this book is number 17 in the series and this one is still as exciting as when the first book came out, Carla Kovach is a brilliant author not only for this series but also her other standalone books.
There is a lot going on in this book which meant another long night of reading as I couldn’t put it down. A young farmhand finds a body in a car and alerts the police who find the man has committed suicide. The man has left behind a note which leads Gina and her team in search of a missing girl, and Gina is determined to find her and quickly. Next, a woman crossing an empty carpark to get home on a very cold evening is attacked and murdered, is there any connection to part of their current investigation?
Ruth Pritchard’s daughter Elissa disappeared thirty years ago, and she has never been found, nor have there been any clues about her whereabouts. Ruth has always feared the worst. She has recently separated from her husband and is now in another relationship. Ruth then sees a news bulletin on TV showing a picture of a scarf the police believe is a major lead in their investigation and Ruth contacts them as she knows this scarf is the one Elissa owned before she went missing. Ruth has also started receiving some cryptic messages and she believes they are connected to her daughter; the note asks her to meet someone at a specific place and against her better judgement she decides to do so. when On arrival she realsies the danger she has put herself in and calls the police, they hear her on the phone but she is then brutally attacked. The case becomes more complicated than it already is.
Privately Gina is also still haunted by Stephen, the brother of her previous partner who abused her for many years and whom she killed by pushing him down a flight of stairs. Stephen knows the truth of what Gina did and he will not leave her alone, taunting her continuously. Mentally Gina is a mess, and she knows she should let Briggs know about what is currently happening, but she has decided to keep things to herself. Journalist Pete Bloxwich is also back on the scene, and this complicates things even further.
Another fabulous instalment in this series, as always highly recommended. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
There is a lot going on in this book which meant another long night of reading as I couldn’t put it down. A young farmhand finds a body in a car and alerts the police who find the man has committed suicide. The man has left behind a note which leads Gina and her team in search of a missing girl, and Gina is determined to find her and quickly. Next, a woman crossing an empty carpark to get home on a very cold evening is attacked and murdered, is there any connection to part of their current investigation?
Ruth Pritchard’s daughter Elissa disappeared thirty years ago, and she has never been found, nor have there been any clues about her whereabouts. Ruth has always feared the worst. She has recently separated from her husband and is now in another relationship. Ruth then sees a news bulletin on TV showing a picture of a scarf the police believe is a major lead in their investigation and Ruth contacts them as she knows this scarf is the one Elissa owned before she went missing. Ruth has also started receiving some cryptic messages and she believes they are connected to her daughter; the note asks her to meet someone at a specific place and against her better judgement she decides to do so. when On arrival she realsies the danger she has put herself in and calls the police, they hear her on the phone but she is then brutally attacked. The case becomes more complicated than it already is.
Privately Gina is also still haunted by Stephen, the brother of her previous partner who abused her for many years and whom she killed by pushing him down a flight of stairs. Stephen knows the truth of what Gina did and he will not leave her alone, taunting her continuously. Mentally Gina is a mess, and she knows she should let Briggs know about what is currently happening, but she has decided to keep things to herself. Journalist Pete Bloxwich is also back on the scene, and this complicates things even further.
Another fabulous instalment in this series, as always highly recommended. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
March 14, 2025
This is a gripping crime thriller with some great twists and turns.
It’s quite a complex story with several characters all linked in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Ruth is trying to move on with her life after her teenage daughter disappeared, but she’s finding it hard. She’s always hoped to find Elissa one day, so when she gets a message to meet someone who knows about her, she follows the directions.
Unfortunately this doesn’t end how she hoped and Gina and Jacob have to try and find Ruth before it’s too late.
This is a great crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
It’s quite a complex story with several characters all linked in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Ruth is trying to move on with her life after her teenage daughter disappeared, but she’s finding it hard. She’s always hoped to find Elissa one day, so when she gets a message to meet someone who knows about her, she follows the directions.
Unfortunately this doesn’t end how she hoped and Gina and Jacob have to try and find Ruth before it’s too late.
This is a great crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
March 18, 2025
Gina Harte arrived at the scene of an apparent suicide. Strangely, and most concerningly, there was a note in the man’s car, hinting at remorse for a crime and a desperate attempt to save a girl. The news of a missing girl, coupled with a disappearance that had occurred decades earlier, seemed to be connected somehow. The intricate puzzle of these crimes kept Gina occupied as she tried to unravel the mysteries, while also searching for the missing girl. Amidst all this, her personal life was in turmoil.
This emotionally charged and intricate story was utterly captivating. The narrative’s delivery, coupled with one of the perspectives that adds depth to the gravity of the events, was genuinely chilling to read. This book was an absolute page-turner, especially as the true nature of the unfolding events begins to unfold. Meanwhile, Gina is struggling with a form of harassment that has a history dating back to her past, which has impacts her current life in more than one way.
This 17th book in the Detective Gina Harte series, has her familiar team that works diligently alongside her. Her romantic entanglement is complicated, and just might go off the rails thanks to her former brother-in-law. Despite those difficulties, Gina’s primary focus is on solving the crimes at hand. In fact, when a woman recognizes a specific item from a current crime photo, it is Gina and her team who are called. However, when they arrive the woman who called has mysteriously disappeared.
Putting together all the pieces of past and present disappearances, while juggling a deep and disturbing event from her past, is undoubtedly exhausting for Gina. However, she perseveres with her usual determination. As each book in this series has demonstrated, it remains intense and never loses momentum. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this captivating series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
This emotionally charged and intricate story was utterly captivating. The narrative’s delivery, coupled with one of the perspectives that adds depth to the gravity of the events, was genuinely chilling to read. This book was an absolute page-turner, especially as the true nature of the unfolding events begins to unfold. Meanwhile, Gina is struggling with a form of harassment that has a history dating back to her past, which has impacts her current life in more than one way.
This 17th book in the Detective Gina Harte series, has her familiar team that works diligently alongside her. Her romantic entanglement is complicated, and just might go off the rails thanks to her former brother-in-law. Despite those difficulties, Gina’s primary focus is on solving the crimes at hand. In fact, when a woman recognizes a specific item from a current crime photo, it is Gina and her team who are called. However, when they arrive the woman who called has mysteriously disappeared.
Putting together all the pieces of past and present disappearances, while juggling a deep and disturbing event from her past, is undoubtedly exhausting for Gina. However, she perseveres with her usual determination. As each book in this series has demonstrated, it remains intense and never loses momentum. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this captivating series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
February 27, 2025
I read about the first 7 of her books about Detective Gina Hart and loved the. This is book 17, and it doesn't matter if you didn't read the previous ones.
This is a good detective story as usual, what we can expect from this author. The story is about Elissa, she disappeared and was never heard of or seen again. It broke the marriage of her parents.
The story has some twists and the end is not what you expect. This author has a gift of presenting some really sick people. That makes her books so great. A long the way you realize that there are more girls.
The story is from multiple points of view. You also read the stories from the victims, which makes you very curious throughout the book.
Read this if you love a good detective story with some very sick perpetrators...
This is a good detective story as usual, what we can expect from this author. The story is about Elissa, she disappeared and was never heard of or seen again. It broke the marriage of her parents.
The story has some twists and the end is not what you expect. This author has a gift of presenting some really sick people. That makes her books so great. A long the way you realize that there are more girls.
The story is from multiple points of view. You also read the stories from the victims, which makes you very curious throughout the book.
Read this if you love a good detective story with some very sick perpetrators...
February 7, 2025
The 17th book in the series and finishing the last one, you would think how the author is going to surpass this one and naturally she does, what I love most is the blend of Gina’s determination to solve the latest case while her personal life is falling apart. These can be read as standalone as there are insights into Gina’s life but to get the full story, it’s best to read from the start. My only disappointment is finishing the book because now I have to wait for the next book. A five plus star rating from me.
March 25, 2025
Another Hit!
Carla has outsmarted me again! Just when think you have the case solved, it completely twists the other way. This story is so gripping and suspenseful, you will be glued to it until the end. Until #18…
Carla has outsmarted me again! Just when think you have the case solved, it completely twists the other way. This story is so gripping and suspenseful, you will be glued to it until the end. Until #18…
March 13, 2025
I love all her books and it’s great to see how Gina’s getting on, the case she is trying to solve this time is very complicated and you really have to study what you’re reading but well worth it Elissa goes missing never to be seen again then as the story progresses there are more girls that are missing. There are a lot of devious people and you can’t trust anyone. It was hard to put down as very exciting.
Brilliant story can’t wait for her 18th book
March 23, 2025
Personally there are so many characters that I had to keep going back to find out their link.
However gripping story.
However gripping story.
February 5, 2025
Wow we are on book 17 of the Gina Harte series and the story shows no signs of slowing down. This book was explosive straight out of the gate and was fast paced with twists and turns galore. Really enjoyed it, Gina has some huge personal issues going on whilst trying to solve a kidnapping/murder case. Will this be a career ending problem? I hope not I’ve loved the whole series, which gets better and better with each book. Highly recommend this series. It can be read as a stand alone book but I would recommend starting at the beginning as there is a lot to learn and unpack about Gina’s personal life. Starting at the beginning will make it all make sense!
March 23, 2025
Book 17 in the Gina Harte series, and this has got to be one of the most complex by far!
Although every book has been one hell of a rollercoaster, book #17 offered up the most twists, turns, and full throttle speed by far. It just kept going and going and then going some more. It never slowed down.
Detective Gina Harte and her team are tasked with unravelling a case that is spinning her in circles. A case that seems to have started 30 years ago.
When the body of a man is found, by apparent suicide, a photograph with a note scrawled on the back is found with him, ‘Save her’.... but who needs saving? Finding children’s library books among his belongings, a trip to the local library offers more clues, but without a name, a face, an identity, can they work out who they need to save? More clues surface, but nothing appears to offer any real tangible leads.
Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchards 16 year old daughter Elissa mysteriously vanished without any trace. In the years since, her marriage has broken down, but things seem to be on the up, since meeting a wonderful, doting man, Eric. The only downside is still the presence of her ex husband Gary, who is living dead opposite her home.
When the police make an appeal to the public, showing a picture of a scarf they believe is part of their case, Ruth believes it was Elissa’s but after making a call to the police, she is unreachable. And then they realise Ruth has now gone missing.
Alongside the case, Gina’s nemesis Stephen, the brother of her past abusive husband, has once again reared his ugly head, and it’s got more personal than ever. Gina, being the strong-willed, defiant character she is, keeps everything to herself until she has no choice! Will this nightmare ever end, or will Stephen finally get what he really wants?
I absolutely loved the way the story was told through not only Gina’s narrative but also the victims. It added another dimension to the plot that i found extra readable.
There are so many threads to this book that you have to be on the ball. While i could say you need to give it your full focus, you honestly won’t have a choice. This is not a ‘pick up, put down’ read. It is a book that’s plot will have you in its full vice like grip for every single word written.
As always, Carla can do no wrong. The plot, the pacing, the character execution, and every single paragraph were just exquisite.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
17 in the Gina Harte series, and this has got to be one of the most complex by far!
Although every book has been one hell of a rollercoaster, book #17 offered up the most twists, turns, and full throttle speed by far. It just kept hoing and going and then going some more. It never slowed down.
Detective Gina Harte and her team are tasked with unravelling a case that is spinning her in circles. A case that seems to have started 30 years ago.
When the body of a man is found, by apparent suicide, a photograph with a note scrawled on the back is found with him, 'Save her'.... but who needs saving? Finding children's library books among his belongings, a trip to the local library offers more clues, but without a name, a face, an identity, can they work out who they need to save?
Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchards 16 year old daughter Elissa mysteriously vanished without any trace. In the years since, her marriage has broken down, but things seem to be on the up, since meeting a wonderful, doting man, Eric. The only downside is still the presence of her ex husband Gary, who is living dead opposite her home.
When the police make an appeal to the public, showing a picture of a scarf they believe is part of their case, Ruth believes it was Elissa's but after making a call to the police, she is unreachable. And then they realise Ruth has now gone missing.
Alongside the case, Gina's nemesis Stephen, the brother of her past abusive husband, has once again reared his ugly head, and it's got more personal than ever. Gina, being the strong-willed, defiant character she is, keeps everything to herself until she has no choice! Will this nightmare ever end, or will Stephen finally get what he really wants?
I absolutely loved the way the story was told through not only Gina's narrative but also the victims. It added another dimension to the plot that i found extra readable.
There are so many threads to this book that you have to be on the ball. While i could say you need to give it your full focus, you honestly won't have a choice. This is not a 'pick up, put down' read. It is a book that's plot will have you in its full vice like grip for every single word written.
As always, Carla can do no wrong. The plot, the pacing, the character execution, and every single paragraph were just exquisite.
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Although every book has been one hell of a rollercoaster, book #17 offered up the most twists, turns, and full throttle speed by far. It just kept going and going and then going some more. It never slowed down.
Detective Gina Harte and her team are tasked with unravelling a case that is spinning her in circles. A case that seems to have started 30 years ago.
When the body of a man is found, by apparent suicide, a photograph with a note scrawled on the back is found with him, ‘Save her’.... but who needs saving? Finding children’s library books among his belongings, a trip to the local library offers more clues, but without a name, a face, an identity, can they work out who they need to save? More clues surface, but nothing appears to offer any real tangible leads.
Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchards 16 year old daughter Elissa mysteriously vanished without any trace. In the years since, her marriage has broken down, but things seem to be on the up, since meeting a wonderful, doting man, Eric. The only downside is still the presence of her ex husband Gary, who is living dead opposite her home.
When the police make an appeal to the public, showing a picture of a scarf they believe is part of their case, Ruth believes it was Elissa’s but after making a call to the police, she is unreachable. And then they realise Ruth has now gone missing.
Alongside the case, Gina’s nemesis Stephen, the brother of her past abusive husband, has once again reared his ugly head, and it’s got more personal than ever. Gina, being the strong-willed, defiant character she is, keeps everything to herself until she has no choice! Will this nightmare ever end, or will Stephen finally get what he really wants?
I absolutely loved the way the story was told through not only Gina’s narrative but also the victims. It added another dimension to the plot that i found extra readable.
There are so many threads to this book that you have to be on the ball. While i could say you need to give it your full focus, you honestly won’t have a choice. This is not a ‘pick up, put down’ read. It is a book that’s plot will have you in its full vice like grip for every single word written.
As always, Carla can do no wrong. The plot, the pacing, the character execution, and every single paragraph were just exquisite.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
17 in the Gina Harte series, and this has got to be one of the most complex by far!
Although every book has been one hell of a rollercoaster, book #17 offered up the most twists, turns, and full throttle speed by far. It just kept hoing and going and then going some more. It never slowed down.
Detective Gina Harte and her team are tasked with unravelling a case that is spinning her in circles. A case that seems to have started 30 years ago.
When the body of a man is found, by apparent suicide, a photograph with a note scrawled on the back is found with him, 'Save her'.... but who needs saving? Finding children's library books among his belongings, a trip to the local library offers more clues, but without a name, a face, an identity, can they work out who they need to save?
Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchards 16 year old daughter Elissa mysteriously vanished without any trace. In the years since, her marriage has broken down, but things seem to be on the up, since meeting a wonderful, doting man, Eric. The only downside is still the presence of her ex husband Gary, who is living dead opposite her home.
When the police make an appeal to the public, showing a picture of a scarf they believe is part of their case, Ruth believes it was Elissa's but after making a call to the police, she is unreachable. And then they realise Ruth has now gone missing.
Alongside the case, Gina's nemesis Stephen, the brother of her past abusive husband, has once again reared his ugly head, and it's got more personal than ever. Gina, being the strong-willed, defiant character she is, keeps everything to herself until she has no choice! Will this nightmare ever end, or will Stephen finally get what he really wants?
I absolutely loved the way the story was told through not only Gina's narrative but also the victims. It added another dimension to the plot that i found extra readable.
There are so many threads to this book that you have to be on the ball. While i could say you need to give it your full focus, you honestly won't have a choice. This is not a 'pick up, put down' read. It is a book that's plot will have you in its full vice like grip for every single word written.
As always, Carla can do no wrong. The plot, the pacing, the character execution, and every single paragraph were just exquisite.
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
August 9, 2025
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this eARC.
In Then She Vanished, Carla Kovach delivers another taut, emotionally charged installment in the Gina Harte series. This time, the past refuses to stay buried. When Ruth Pritchard hears about a new missing girl in the same neighborhood where her daughter Elissa disappeared thirty years ago, a red scarf at the crime scene reignites old wounds—and suspicions. Ruth alerts the police, but when they arrive, she too has vanished.
Detective Gina Harte is pulled into a case that’s as much about memory and guilt as it is about solving a crime. Kovach masterfully weaves together two timelines, exploring how trauma reverberates across decades and how justice delayed can become justice denied.
Kovach’s storytelling is brisk and immersive. She balances procedural precision with emotional depth, allowing Gina Harte’s personal struggles to mirror the case’s complexity. The dual mystery—Elissa’s disappearance and Ruth’s sudden vanishing—creates a layered narrative that keeps readers guessing. Kovach uses short chapters and cliffhanger endings to maintain momentum, but it’s the psychological tension that truly grips.
This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a meditation on grief, obsession, and the corrosive power of secrets. Ruth’s decades-long suspicion of her own husband adds a chilling domestic layer, while Gina’s own haunted past continues to shape her instincts and decisions. Kovach explores how unresolved trauma can warp relationships and how the search for truth can become its own form of captivity.
Gina Harte remains one of the most compelling detectives in contemporary crime fiction. Her empathy, intuition, and emotional vulnerability make her more than just a procedural protagonist—she’s a fully realized character navigating both professional and personal minefields. Ruth Pritchard is equally memorable: a mother consumed by loss, suspicion, and the desperate hope for closure.
📖 While Then She Vanished stands on its own, longtime fans of the series will appreciate the continued evolution of Gina’s character and the subtle callbacks to earlier cases. Kovach manages to keep the series fresh while deepening its emotional and thematic resonance.
Then She Vanished is a gripping, emotionally intelligent thriller that blends procedural suspense with psychological insight. Kovach proves once again that crime fiction can be both thrilling and thoughtful. For fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter, and Clare Mackintosh, this installment is a must-read.
In Then She Vanished, Carla Kovach delivers another taut, emotionally charged installment in the Gina Harte series. This time, the past refuses to stay buried. When Ruth Pritchard hears about a new missing girl in the same neighborhood where her daughter Elissa disappeared thirty years ago, a red scarf at the crime scene reignites old wounds—and suspicions. Ruth alerts the police, but when they arrive, she too has vanished.
Detective Gina Harte is pulled into a case that’s as much about memory and guilt as it is about solving a crime. Kovach masterfully weaves together two timelines, exploring how trauma reverberates across decades and how justice delayed can become justice denied.
Kovach’s storytelling is brisk and immersive. She balances procedural precision with emotional depth, allowing Gina Harte’s personal struggles to mirror the case’s complexity. The dual mystery—Elissa’s disappearance and Ruth’s sudden vanishing—creates a layered narrative that keeps readers guessing. Kovach uses short chapters and cliffhanger endings to maintain momentum, but it’s the psychological tension that truly grips.
This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a meditation on grief, obsession, and the corrosive power of secrets. Ruth’s decades-long suspicion of her own husband adds a chilling domestic layer, while Gina’s own haunted past continues to shape her instincts and decisions. Kovach explores how unresolved trauma can warp relationships and how the search for truth can become its own form of captivity.
Gina Harte remains one of the most compelling detectives in contemporary crime fiction. Her empathy, intuition, and emotional vulnerability make her more than just a procedural protagonist—she’s a fully realized character navigating both professional and personal minefields. Ruth Pritchard is equally memorable: a mother consumed by loss, suspicion, and the desperate hope for closure.
📖 While Then She Vanished stands on its own, longtime fans of the series will appreciate the continued evolution of Gina’s character and the subtle callbacks to earlier cases. Kovach manages to keep the series fresh while deepening its emotional and thematic resonance.
Then She Vanished is a gripping, emotionally intelligent thriller that blends procedural suspense with psychological insight. Kovach proves once again that crime fiction can be both thrilling and thoughtful. For fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter, and Clare Mackintosh, this installment is a must-read.
March 10, 2025
Then She Vanished is the 17th book in the Detective Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach. Each of the books contains a complete crime and solution, so can be read as a standalone story, but you will miss character and relationship development that occurs along the way. In this book, Gina is called to a farm, where it appears a man has committed suicide in his car. She finds a picture in the car that says to "save her". Gina is now concerned that a young girl is being held somewhere and will die if they can't find her. They track the man down to the library using books in his car and find out that he is using a dead man's card. They also learn that he had been grooming a young girl at the library and she had escaped a thwarted kidnapping and/or rape. A second storyline centers around Ruth Pritchard, whose 16 YO daughter had been kidnapped thirty years earlier. She and her husband are divorced, although he now lives across the street from their home that Ruth got in the divorce. He spies on her and often shows up unannounced. She is seeing someone else, and he is not happy. When a picture is posted on the news, Ruth recognizes her daughter's scarf. How do these stories all fit together? Who is the girl in the picture?
This was another well written, gripping crime thriller by Carla Kovachs. Gina had lots to deal with in this book. There is another storyline going on in her private life, but you will have to read this one to find out what that is. The crime moves fast and furious. I loved seeing how they followed bits and pieces of information to the next clue. Every time they seem to get somewhere, there is another twist and someone else is missing. The story pulled me in at the beginning and never let go until the end. I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong again. This is another book that shows what dangers lurk on the internet and how difficult it is to stop some of the disgusting things that happen using the "dark web". We do get the POV of someone being held captive, but we don't know who it is, where they are, or who is holding them captive. This was one of the best in this series so far. I don't know how she comes up with new ideas and crimes for each book, but she does. If you like a good crime thriller, police procedural, then I recommend this book and series.
This was another well written, gripping crime thriller by Carla Kovachs. Gina had lots to deal with in this book. There is another storyline going on in her private life, but you will have to read this one to find out what that is. The crime moves fast and furious. I loved seeing how they followed bits and pieces of information to the next clue. Every time they seem to get somewhere, there is another twist and someone else is missing. The story pulled me in at the beginning and never let go until the end. I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong again. This is another book that shows what dangers lurk on the internet and how difficult it is to stop some of the disgusting things that happen using the "dark web". We do get the POV of someone being held captive, but we don't know who it is, where they are, or who is holding them captive. This was one of the best in this series so far. I don't know how she comes up with new ideas and crimes for each book, but she does. If you like a good crime thriller, police procedural, then I recommend this book and series.
March 26, 2025
Gina Harte and her team are back. And this time they are investigating a suicide that has links to a kidnapping thirty years ago. It opens with a chilling prologue and then the discovery of a man’s body in his car. The man has clearly taken his own life, but he has left an ominous note talking about a girl he’s tried to keep safe. With no real clues or idea who this girl is, the race is on for the team to identify their John Doe and the girl in the note and then find her before it's too late. Alongside the case, Gina is going through a lot in her personal life as someone is threatening to expose the secret she’s kept hidden for decades. A secret that will end her career. Can she find the girl, solve the case and stop her secret from being revealed?
Tense, twisty and totally addictive, this heart-stopping thriller had me holding my breath as I read. It might be seventeen books in, but the Gina Harte Series keeps getting better with each installment. Carla Kovach is a thriller queen who delivers stories time and again that are well-written, cleverly plotted, dark, gritty, and nail-bitingly tense. The crimes explored in this series are always hard-hitting and can be difficult to read, but Kovach never makes them feel gratuitously violent and instead amplifies the voices of victims of crime, writing these stories in a way that is raw, honest, but also sensitive to what they have been through.
Ms. Kovach fills her stories with characters that are flawed, relatable and morally complex, exploring how good people can do bad things and making you question what you might do in their shoes. Gina is a fantastic protagonist who is easy to root for, even if I don’t always agree with her. After reading this series for so long, Gina and team feel like old friends and I’m invested not only in the crimes they are solving, but their personal lives too, so I was on tenterhooks as someone threatened to destroy Gina’s life by exposing her secret. Can she keep flying so close to the sun without being burned?
A riveting thriller that kept me guessing, this is another must-read thriller from Ms. Kovach.
Tense, twisty and totally addictive, this heart-stopping thriller had me holding my breath as I read. It might be seventeen books in, but the Gina Harte Series keeps getting better with each installment. Carla Kovach is a thriller queen who delivers stories time and again that are well-written, cleverly plotted, dark, gritty, and nail-bitingly tense. The crimes explored in this series are always hard-hitting and can be difficult to read, but Kovach never makes them feel gratuitously violent and instead amplifies the voices of victims of crime, writing these stories in a way that is raw, honest, but also sensitive to what they have been through.
Ms. Kovach fills her stories with characters that are flawed, relatable and morally complex, exploring how good people can do bad things and making you question what you might do in their shoes. Gina is a fantastic protagonist who is easy to root for, even if I don’t always agree with her. After reading this series for so long, Gina and team feel like old friends and I’m invested not only in the crimes they are solving, but their personal lives too, so I was on tenterhooks as someone threatened to destroy Gina’s life by exposing her secret. Can she keep flying so close to the sun without being burned?
A riveting thriller that kept me guessing, this is another must-read thriller from Ms. Kovach.
March 7, 2025
Suspenseful and multiple tragedies combined😰
4-4.5🌟 stars
This is a good series and, although not my favorite of the bunch, Then She Vanished is a quality police thriller.
This story hit me like an onion being peeled, constantly revealing new layers of deceit and despair. All following a young farmer's discovery of an apparent suicide on the edge of his property. With a number of different families weaving and knitting together after a string of young women disappear over the years and an ominous white van still roving on the prowl for new victims. From early on, it's clear that girls and young women have been targeted for grooming, even at the local library (!) and it's not just a recent threat.
I was glad that the story is told from multiple POVs, including that of several of the victims. The whole ballooning case is complex and even when the pieces are put together at the end, a bit more tangled than suited me. I found all the relationships quite confusing and two of the women had such similar names. Sometimes I could not tell which victim was narrating.
As to Gina Harte's personal woes, she's still gott'em springing from her husband's death and her former brother-in-law's vendetta against her. It keeps Gina nervy, but rather than detracting from her investigation, it actually leads to some help on the case from an unexpected source.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4-4.5🌟 stars
This is a good series and, although not my favorite of the bunch, Then She Vanished is a quality police thriller.
This story hit me like an onion being peeled, constantly revealing new layers of deceit and despair. All following a young farmer's discovery of an apparent suicide on the edge of his property. With a number of different families weaving and knitting together after a string of young women disappear over the years and an ominous white van still roving on the prowl for new victims. From early on, it's clear that girls and young women have been targeted for grooming, even at the local library (!) and it's not just a recent threat.
I was glad that the story is told from multiple POVs, including that of several of the victims. The whole ballooning case is complex and even when the pieces are put together at the end, a bit more tangled than suited me. I found all the relationships quite confusing and two of the women had such similar names. Sometimes I could not tell which victim was narrating.
As to Gina Harte's personal woes, she's still gott'em springing from her husband's death and her former brother-in-law's vendetta against her. It keeps Gina nervy, but rather than detracting from her investigation, it actually leads to some help on the case from an unexpected source.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
March 23, 2025
I loved this layered, complex story. I love the team and the characters and the whole package. I’ll admit I am not a fan of Gina not trusting those around her, but that didn’t sour the book for me. Since this is told from multiple POVs, I was able to get a complete picture of what was unraveling. I followed all the red herrings and was shocked by the twists. I really never had a handle on what happened and who they were after until the reveal and even then, I took a moment to pause to make sure that was what I just read.
There are a lot of characters and a few storylines, that at times intersect in unpredictable ways. I was drawn in from the start and I am not normally a fan of books that morph into something else, but this one really never let up. And I was so invested in the characters and their outcome that I wanted to consume it as quick as I could.
I felt for Ruth and what she had been through with her family. I’m not sure how you ever recover when your child goes missing with no answers. But it setup a dark, compelling story. And that ending has me wondering where Gina goes from there.
There isn’t a need to read books 1 – 16 before starting this one. The case is self contained. But you will miss out on the personal lives and growth of the team by starting in the middle. I am not sure how authors with long running series keep it fresh, but this one definitely was.
If you love a good crime novel or police procedural, you need to check out this series.
There are a lot of characters and a few storylines, that at times intersect in unpredictable ways. I was drawn in from the start and I am not normally a fan of books that morph into something else, but this one really never let up. And I was so invested in the characters and their outcome that I wanted to consume it as quick as I could.
I felt for Ruth and what she had been through with her family. I’m not sure how you ever recover when your child goes missing with no answers. But it setup a dark, compelling story. And that ending has me wondering where Gina goes from there.
There isn’t a need to read books 1 – 16 before starting this one. The case is self contained. But you will miss out on the personal lives and growth of the team by starting in the middle. I am not sure how authors with long running series keep it fresh, but this one definitely was.
If you love a good crime novel or police procedural, you need to check out this series.
April 12, 2025
Then She Vanished by Carla Kovach is a psychological thriller that will have readers not only terrified for the novel's missing girls but also the world out there. Specifically the Dark Web. A middle-aged man has committed suicide, and Gina Harte is the detective assigned to the case, but it's what he leaves behind that causes Gina serious concern. He seems to indicate that a missing girl is in grave danger and that they need to find her as soon as possible. But who was this man and what link does he have to the girl? It’s a race against time, and Gina is determined to find the girl, only she’s being led down a terrifying path that she might not survive.
Then She Vanished had a cleverly-written plot that not only focuses on Gina’s professional life but her personal life too. Her determination to do the right thing even when confronted with personal demons was endearing. The Dark Web is a disgusting place where the most depraved go to gather and I’m grateful to Carla for highlighting this horrifying fact in Then She Vanished. One never knows what goes on in the minds of others, and it's best to always stay vigilant and wary of who we speak to. It is a horrifying reality that there are many depraved people out there who operate under the cover of normalcy. I enjoyed Then She Vanished and recommend it to all victims of abuse. Men are supposed to be our Protectors but sometimes they can be our worst enemy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for giving me a free copy to review.
Then She Vanished had a cleverly-written plot that not only focuses on Gina’s professional life but her personal life too. Her determination to do the right thing even when confronted with personal demons was endearing. The Dark Web is a disgusting place where the most depraved go to gather and I’m grateful to Carla for highlighting this horrifying fact in Then She Vanished. One never knows what goes on in the minds of others, and it's best to always stay vigilant and wary of who we speak to. It is a horrifying reality that there are many depraved people out there who operate under the cover of normalcy. I enjoyed Then She Vanished and recommend it to all victims of abuse. Men are supposed to be our Protectors but sometimes they can be our worst enemy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for giving me a free copy to review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
I am a huge Di Gina Harte fan, so seeing book 17 in the series on Netgalley made my day. I obviously took the opportunity to ARC read this one.
This case, it's a big one filled with mystery. A teenage farmer boy discovered a car on their land, in that car was a man that wasn't moving.. When police came it was quite clear the man had commuted suicide. With a note that began this case they start looking for a girl, trapped somewhere by John Doe. Without food and drinks so time is of the essence. In this case it comes to light that there are missing girls, now cold cases, that have described John does' appearance loitering in the days prior to the dissappearences.
There's also I side thing going on. Gina is being harassed by misogynistic man, with ai altered pictures out there and later on pictures from her past resurfacing, her head isn't completely in the case. Trying to handle the situation she puts her trust in none other then Pete f.ing Bloxwich (if I wrote the name wrong. Excuse me.) and letting Briggs in the dark hoping it'll just blow over or it being resolved without anyone knowing.
When the case unfolds there are a lot of things happening at once. But god, what a story. That a mind can create this kind of fiction has me blown away.
Thank you for letting me read this beaut of a book!
This case, it's a big one filled with mystery. A teenage farmer boy discovered a car on their land, in that car was a man that wasn't moving.. When police came it was quite clear the man had commuted suicide. With a note that began this case they start looking for a girl, trapped somewhere by John Doe. Without food and drinks so time is of the essence. In this case it comes to light that there are missing girls, now cold cases, that have described John does' appearance loitering in the days prior to the dissappearences.
There's also I side thing going on. Gina is being harassed by misogynistic man, with ai altered pictures out there and later on pictures from her past resurfacing, her head isn't completely in the case. Trying to handle the situation she puts her trust in none other then Pete f.ing Bloxwich (if I wrote the name wrong. Excuse me.) and letting Briggs in the dark hoping it'll just blow over or it being resolved without anyone knowing.
When the case unfolds there are a lot of things happening at once. But god, what a story. That a mind can create this kind of fiction has me blown away.
Thank you for letting me read this beaut of a book!
March 11, 2025
Then She Vanished is the seventeenth book in the Detective Gina Harte series. This is a fast-paced story and is also a stand-alone read.
Ruth Pritchards daughter has been missing for many years, but she has never given up hope that she would find her. Her divorce from her estranged husband has come through which seems to upset him more than usual. She is in a relationship with another man which also adds more stress than she needs. ruth gets a call about her daughter and agrees to meet the person and ends up missing. This sets off the investigation in a new direction for the many missing young girls.
Gina is struggling to deal with her former partners brother as he threatens her future. But she will have to put that aside for now as she tries to find Ruth and what may have happened to the other missing girls.
The story is told from the past and the present although it is not obvious at first. There are many characters in this very twisted tale. The author writes the book in such a way it is not obvious who is to blame. I went back and forth about who was responsible and surprised at the reveal. I am always rewarded for sticking with the story with a surprise ending. I recommend this book, but I think the series is that good you should begin at the beginning.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Ruth Pritchards daughter has been missing for many years, but she has never given up hope that she would find her. Her divorce from her estranged husband has come through which seems to upset him more than usual. She is in a relationship with another man which also adds more stress than she needs. ruth gets a call about her daughter and agrees to meet the person and ends up missing. This sets off the investigation in a new direction for the many missing young girls.
Gina is struggling to deal with her former partners brother as he threatens her future. But she will have to put that aside for now as she tries to find Ruth and what may have happened to the other missing girls.
The story is told from the past and the present although it is not obvious at first. There are many characters in this very twisted tale. The author writes the book in such a way it is not obvious who is to blame. I went back and forth about who was responsible and surprised at the reveal. I am always rewarded for sticking with the story with a surprise ending. I recommend this book, but I think the series is that good you should begin at the beginning.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
March 17, 2025
Then She Vanished by Carla Kovach is the 17th book in the Detective Gina Harte series. While this book can be read as a standalone novel it might help to start at the beginning so you get the full background information of all the characters.
Thirty years ago when Ruth's daughter Elissa vanished police investigated every lead, even Ruth's husband. But Elissa was never seen again. Now when Ruth sees that another young girl goes missing from the same place Elissa was last seen, she knows that this case is related to her daughters. That's because Ruth's red scarf was found at the crime scene. After Ruth contacts the police they race over the talk to her, but she has vanished as well. How is Ruth's disappearance connected to Elissa's? Will she ever be seen again?
This novel has many different characters and side plots going on which is understandable because it is the 17th book in the series. I do think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read the other books but I still found it complex and gripping. I definitely could not figure out the twists and I was kept guessing right up until the end. I am definitely interested in reading more from Carla Kovach.
Thank you to NetGalley, Carla Kovach, and Bookouture for this ARC. Expected publication date is March 17th 2025.
Thirty years ago when Ruth's daughter Elissa vanished police investigated every lead, even Ruth's husband. But Elissa was never seen again. Now when Ruth sees that another young girl goes missing from the same place Elissa was last seen, she knows that this case is related to her daughters. That's because Ruth's red scarf was found at the crime scene. After Ruth contacts the police they race over the talk to her, but she has vanished as well. How is Ruth's disappearance connected to Elissa's? Will she ever be seen again?
This novel has many different characters and side plots going on which is understandable because it is the 17th book in the series. I do think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read the other books but I still found it complex and gripping. I definitely could not figure out the twists and I was kept guessing right up until the end. I am definitely interested in reading more from Carla Kovach.
Thank you to NetGalley, Carla Kovach, and Bookouture for this ARC. Expected publication date is March 17th 2025.
February 27, 2025
‘Then She Vanished’ is the seventeenth book in the Gina Harte series by author Carla Kovach. This series seems to be getting better and this latest offering is another solid read.
Mother Ruth Pritchard is haunted by a tragedy that occurred thirty years ago when her sixteen-year-old daughter, Elissa, disappeared without a trace. The case went cold despite extreme investigations, including suspicion falling on Ruth’s own husband. Ruth has been forced to face the unanswered questions and the unknown.
Ruth’s nightmare begins again when another young woman vanishes from the same streets where Elissa was last seen. A distinctive red scarf is found at the crime scene and Ruth immediately recognises it as belonging to her missing daughter. She is convinced the two cases are linked so contacts the police, but then suddenly disappears herself.
Tension builds as detectives race to uncover the truth, why has Ruth disappeared, did she discover a lead or is she in danger.
The characters grow stronger with every new book to the series and together with well thought out plots make fascinating reading.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Mother Ruth Pritchard is haunted by a tragedy that occurred thirty years ago when her sixteen-year-old daughter, Elissa, disappeared without a trace. The case went cold despite extreme investigations, including suspicion falling on Ruth’s own husband. Ruth has been forced to face the unanswered questions and the unknown.
Ruth’s nightmare begins again when another young woman vanishes from the same streets where Elissa was last seen. A distinctive red scarf is found at the crime scene and Ruth immediately recognises it as belonging to her missing daughter. She is convinced the two cases are linked so contacts the police, but then suddenly disappears herself.
Tension builds as detectives race to uncover the truth, why has Ruth disappeared, did she discover a lead or is she in danger.
The characters grow stronger with every new book to the series and together with well thought out plots make fascinating reading.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2025
Enjoyed this one, although I quickly realised that I had missed a few in the series so some parts of the book would have been better if I was more familiar with those e.g. Gina's "relationship" with Pete Bloxwich. I thought the chapters by Girl really added to the book and really helped me to empathise with the characters. It starts with a suspected suicide which opens up a lot of other strands and quickly becomes much more complicated with the involvement of accomplices and other missing people. I found Ruth to be a very likeable character, her husband and partner much less so! At times, the story seemed overly complicated, and I had to keep reminding myself of what had already happened as there seemed to be lots of extra characters. All the while, Gina's personal life was also impacting and I wondered throughout whether that would resolve itself. I'll go back and read the books I have missed in the series and I'm sure the background will help.
I'd suggest you read a few before this one so that the background is making more sense, so I'm not sure this can be read as a standalone.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
I'd suggest you read a few before this one so that the background is making more sense, so I'm not sure this can be read as a standalone.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
February 20, 2025
Absolutely brilliant writing!
This book is so twisty and highly complex with character development. I loved it and was hooked from the first chapter! It’s full of urgency and lots of mystery characters.
Throughout the book the main character, Gina is dealing with her own personal dilemmas which threaten to end her career and home life. This particular part of the story, for me, could’ve been buried in the last book. I found the issue was blown out of proportion when it came to her handling the situation. Gina is grounded and very strong willed so to see her react in the way she did rather than front it out like she had done for years - felt off to me.
That’s aside, this book can be read as a standalone novel and you won’t miss out on the fact that this is book 17!! There’s l enough dialogue, backstory and character interaction for you to swiftly gain your footing and keep up with Gina as she investigates the case.
Absolutely brilliant and totally worth picking up. If you’re a fan of crime fiction - this is the book for you.
Thanks to NetGalley my advance copy in return for my honest review.
This book is so twisty and highly complex with character development. I loved it and was hooked from the first chapter! It’s full of urgency and lots of mystery characters.
Throughout the book the main character, Gina is dealing with her own personal dilemmas which threaten to end her career and home life. This particular part of the story, for me, could’ve been buried in the last book. I found the issue was blown out of proportion when it came to her handling the situation. Gina is grounded and very strong willed so to see her react in the way she did rather than front it out like she had done for years - felt off to me.
That’s aside, this book can be read as a standalone novel and you won’t miss out on the fact that this is book 17!! There’s l enough dialogue, backstory and character interaction for you to swiftly gain your footing and keep up with Gina as she investigates the case.
Absolutely brilliant and totally worth picking up. If you’re a fan of crime fiction - this is the book for you.
Thanks to NetGalley my advance copy in return for my honest review.
February 24, 2025
Loved!!!!! My favorite series of all time. I am truly invested in every single character. I don’t think I ever felt this way about a series before. These characters are so amazing and I feel as though I am living their lives with them. I feel everything they feel. You know an author is great when they can make you feel this way. Now let’s talk about plot. Any missing teenager book piques my interest but there was so much more going on than just that in this book. There were many twists and turns that you didn’t see coming. I was OMG what is going to happen next. I had to finish and couldn’t put this down for the life of me. I started this when the sun came up and finished when the sun went down. It was just that good. Last but not least my favorite part of every book the ending. I was speechless. I couldn’t say anything for a while. I had to sit there and take it all in. Wow, wow and more wow. If you haven’t tried this author and series yet you are missing out. This series keeps getting better and better with each book. Carla Kovach you truly are amazing and continue this series forever in my opinion.
March 21, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
wow this one was jaw droppingly good though it was also a hard read based on its subject matter which even from the prologue hits hard.....
30 years ago a young girl goes missing never to be seen or heard of again....
ruth the mother never forgot her daughter and when a young girl goes missing in exactly the same way as her daughter and at the scene a very distinctive scarf is found... one that she is sure was her daughters.... her only course of action is to contact the police.... could her daughter still be alive....
gina and her crew are investigating but she also has troubles of her own when her ex- in laws are creating trouble for her again.....only could this time be the end of her career and with the abusive messages she was getting gina has her work cut out for her....
like i said this wasnt a pleasant read... its gripping and thought provoking and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.... highly addictive.... cant wait to see whats in store for gina and her crew next...
wow this one was jaw droppingly good though it was also a hard read based on its subject matter which even from the prologue hits hard.....
30 years ago a young girl goes missing never to be seen or heard of again....
ruth the mother never forgot her daughter and when a young girl goes missing in exactly the same way as her daughter and at the scene a very distinctive scarf is found... one that she is sure was her daughters.... her only course of action is to contact the police.... could her daughter still be alive....
gina and her crew are investigating but she also has troubles of her own when her ex- in laws are creating trouble for her again.....only could this time be the end of her career and with the abusive messages she was getting gina has her work cut out for her....
like i said this wasnt a pleasant read... its gripping and thought provoking and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.... highly addictive.... cant wait to see whats in store for gina and her crew next...
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