Someone Somewhere Knows Something

by Meni Caroutas

Eighteen missing people, multiple families grieving, and one person looking for answers in this forensic and moving re-examination of some of Australia's most heartbreaking missing persons cases
Every 14 minutes in Australia, someone vanishes. Of the 38,000 missing persons reported each year, most return. But for the families of those who don't, it's a nightmare they never wake up from.

There are currently 2600 long-term missing Australians. On top of that, 700 unidentified bodies lie in morgues and unmarked graves across the country, silent mysteries waiting to be solved.

In this powerful and gripping collection of real-life cases, Meni Caroutas - a former cop turned investigative journalist - reviews old evidence, hunts new leads and recounts shocking developments surrounding the disappearance or murder of 18 people. From the baffling case of a deceased newborn sent in the mail from Melbourne to Darwin, to the haunting abduction of 16-year-old Gordana Kotevski in 1994, and the chilling possibility of a 14-year-old girl falling victim to notorious serial killer Ivan Milat, these are cases that have left behind shattered parents, traumatised families and grieving friends still searching for answers.

Meni sounds the plea Someone, somewhere, knows something, because this book isn't just about stories - it's about truth, hope and the relentless pursuit of justice for those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2025

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t read a lot of true crime, so I felt in very safe hands for this read given the background of Meni Caroutas who has had two jobs in his life, detective turned journalist. My interest was immediately piqued as he told the story of leaving the industry due to corruption - he will not suffer fools, his integrity crystal clear. This book contains details of a select group of cases, the way he has doggedly worked for the families of those missing, understanding the grief and emotional turmoil they are suffering. Some of these cases are high profile, some I had not heard of. Working alongside the Morcombe family, it was nice hearing to read the prologue written by Bruce Morcombe having seen their plight from afar. Meni tells the stories of his cases with empathy combined with an enormous amount of respect and understanding of how these situations have life long ramifications for all involved. I wasn’t expecting a case of those wishing to remain unfound, heartbreaking to hear the family’s account of losing their relative, their loved one - in this case a young person choosing to stay in Australia under the radar avoiding the immigration process, leaving his family behind while attempting to fake his own death.

Meni Caroutas is host of The Missing Australia podcast, his breadth of knowledge is outstanding, his network wide. For those interested in true crime this is an excellent book. With thanks to the publisher for my to read and review.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘This book honours the tenacity of those who refuse to give up, who refuse to let go, who believe, no mater how much time passes, that someone, somewhere, knows something.’

Harrowing true crime, detailing stories (some solved and many unsolved) of the long-term missing. As well as the ambiguous loss (term coined by Dr Pauline Boss) faced by their families and loved ones, due to the lack of resolution or answers.

This is written by former cop, turned investigative journalist and podcaster Meni Caroutas.

‘other families of missing people spend a lifetime waiting for answers they never get. A family’s love has no expiry date, so the suffering can last forever.’

A very worthwhile read for anyone interested in true crime, or interest in Australian missing persons.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about true stories of Australians who gone missing and never been found.

I am astonished at the facts the Meni quotes. Especially the fact 700 unidentified bodies lie in morgues and unmarked graves waiting to be solved.

The emotional upheaval that affects families and friends of a missing person is a huge impact. This subject is personal for me as it has affected my family. Thats why I am so passionate about books that highlight missing people. Because someone, somewhere knows something.

Hearing about new cases that I haven't heard of was good. Hopefully someone reading this book , it might trigger a memory to help it be solved.

[Tanja Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an Australia-centric true crime book about people who went missing. Some have been found and some not — but surely someone somewhere knows something. The book takes on the never quite processed grief of the loved ones, and frustrations with law enforcement.

[Brenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compelling stories for obvious reasons but the writing is simplistic, repetitive and distracts from the subject matter.

Appreciate this man’s passion but the book fell flat.

[Tamsin Ramone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a bit repetitive. You can’t help but feel terrible for those waiting for news, hopefully this book will help get them some answers.

[Ellen (the_plentiful_library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't feel quite right to say I 'enjoy' true crime but when I'm not reading or binge watching TVseries then I'm usually listening to a true crime podcast or watching a true crime doco. A lot of them are American so I was really interested to read Meni's book on missing Australians.

The book focuses on 15 different cases, some were completely new to me like that of a tiny baby boy whose body was sent in the mail and turned up at a post office in the Northern Territory in 1965. To this day he remains 'baby doe' which is heartbreaking. Some cases I already knew like Lorrin Whitehead who went missing just 7 minutes away from where I live. Even with the cases I was familiar with there was still plenty of new information about how each person came to be missing and where their case stands today. But it's Meni's interviews and connections with the families that makes this book, he really highlights the pain and sadness the families left behind feel not knowing what happened to their loved ones. I can't even begin to imagine the pain of having a family member missing. As the title suggests someone somewhere knows something about what happened to all these people and I hope one day there's closure for each of these families.

[Wendy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was heart wrenching to hear the stories in this book and while I am Australian and I remember a few of these cases I did not know them all
But I can say hearing what has happened or not knowing what has happened to these people breaks your heart and I had tears for all of them and my heart goes out to their families cannot imagine what life would be like for you all but hopefully someone somewhere will know something that can give some closure fingers crossed

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't wish to sound morbid but this was very interesting. I hope this book brings some answers for the family and friends and maybe even closure.

[Amy Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....

NOV – Someone Somewhere Knows Something by Meni Caroutas is a sobering read that blends investigative journalism with deeply human storytelling. These are the true stories of Australians who tragically vanished, and their grieving families who are searching for answers.

Meni Caroutas is a former police officer turned investigative journalist. In this collection, he revisits some of Australia’s most heartbreaking missing persons cases. Drawing from his podcast The Missing Australia, the book examines cases of 18 people who have been or were missing long-term, weaving together old evidence, new leads, and the enduring grief of families left without answers. There are currently 2600 long-term missing Australians, and on top of that 700 unidentified bodies that lie in morgues and unmarked graves. Caroutas’s work is both a forensic re-examination of these 15 cases, and a compassionate tribute to those who continue to search for loved ones.

While Caroutas’s book is undeniably powerful, it does come with its challenges. The weight of so many missing persons stories can feel overwhelming, often prompting me to pause and take a breath between chapters. At times, I also felt the repeated statistics about how often people vanish in Australia began to feel overemphasized, even though they serve to underline the scale of the crisis. Finally, because many of the cases remain unsolved, the book leans more toward reflection than resolution. Whilst this is the reality, it can leave a lingering sense of frustration. Caroutas doesn’t dramatize; instead, he invites readers to sit with the discomfort of uncertainty and the resilience of families who refuse to give up hope. It’s the kind of book you underline not for clever turns of phrase, but for the humanity it captures.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: True Crime, Missing Persons

- - -
I’m a big true crime fan but this was my first audiobook focused solely on missing people.

Eye-opening doesn’t even begin to cover it. I had no idea someone disappears in Australia every 14 minutes. The sheer scale of missing persons and the families left in limbo is heartbreaking.

Meni approaches the topic with empathy and realism sharing stories of multiple real missing people. From the potential where foul play seems likely through to the changes in behaviour of families like never selling the family home, just in case their loved one returns.

It’s not an easy listen. Each chapter closes without a neat ending which makes it even more heart wrenching. But Meni’s background in the police force and journalism makes him the perfect person to handle this sensitive subject. His passion to help these families is obvious and admirable.

This book was a tough listen at times but an important topic to shine a light on. I only hope someone somewhere listening does know something and can help bring some closure to these families.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well-set-out book and the narration by the Author flowed really well. I've listened to a few other similar style books that felt a bit clunky but this didn't. Meni's experience both with the Police Force and as a journalist showed. The stories were heartbreaking with few having an ending etc but hopefully his book and podcast as well as the work of many officers and families who are looking for these and other missing persons, will find some answers.

[Aussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am massive fan for true crime stories . I ate this one in one setting . This is based on true stories about Australians that gone missing and have never been found . I love how Meni did some facts that correspond with the quotes. Reading about the cases that i never heard of and some i have heard before

[Rosie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was powerful and sad. So many people who are missing, many of them at the time when missing cases were not handled the way they are now. It’s sad to think what could have happened, could they have been found if missing cases were taken seriously and not treated as runaways.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading in individual chapters not necessarily a cover to cover read. Some cases received substantial publicity many have not. It is astounding how many simply vanish in day light doing ‘normal’ tasks.

[Annie Milham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou Meni for a wonderful insight into missing persons
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tahlia Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of heart breaking cold cases. Brings light to the inner investigations and makes your heart ache for the lack of information and resolution for the families.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope the families gets answers one day.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former police officer turned investigative journalist recounts active missing person investigations in Australia. This book has the exact pacing and format I want in a non fiction book!

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and mysterious stories of missing people.

[Raelene Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great awakening of the plight of missing people and the affect on their families. The title says it all

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every 14 minutes in Australia, someone vanishes. There are currently 2600 long-term missing Australians (gone for > 3 months). On top of that, there are 700 unidentified bodies lying in morgues & unmarked graves.
These mysteries have baffled investigators for decades. & ultimately, someone, somewhere, knows something.

From Daniel Morcombe to the baby in the suitcase, this collection of stories shines a light on missing persons across the country & across the decades.

It was both fascinating & sad. One girl vanished only a short distance from where I work every day - & to hear how her disappearance has broken her family whilst knowing the area so well, & walking the same route she did that night, bought a new level of sadness.

Not enough awareness is made to these ‘cold cases’ & I’ll forever be grateful I stumbled across this audiobook & had the opportunity to be educated.