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The Lost Women
Brought to you by Penguin.
THE HEART-STOPPING NEW THRILLER FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING MASTER OF THE MISSING PERSON MYSTERY
THE WOMEN WHO DISAPPEARED
Before he was a missing persons investigator, David Raker was a journalist – and there's one story that still haunts him. The Lost Women.
Eighteen years ago, on the Cornish coast, three women were filming a documentary about a missing student…until they vanished too.
With no bodies and no leads, the disappearances remain unsolved.
THE PATIENT WHO VANISHED
Today, Raker is hired to crack an impossible mystery. Following a car accident, Preston Stewart has surgery on his face. The operation is a success.
But when the dressings are removed, Preston's wife realises something is very wrong.
The man under the bandages is not her husband.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Raker and his ally, former detective Colm Healy, begin digging into Preston’s disappearance – and discover a horrifying connection to the lost women.
But there’s something even worse.
The men only have 48 hours to solve both cases – or everything that matters to them and everyone they love is in danger…
'Weaver's books are unputdownable. If you haven't yet met Raker, you're in for a treat' MICK HERRON
'What a talent' DAILY MAIL
© Tim Weaver 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
THE HEART-STOPPING NEW THRILLER FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING MASTER OF THE MISSING PERSON MYSTERY
THE WOMEN WHO DISAPPEARED
Before he was a missing persons investigator, David Raker was a journalist – and there's one story that still haunts him. The Lost Women.
Eighteen years ago, on the Cornish coast, three women were filming a documentary about a missing student…until they vanished too.
With no bodies and no leads, the disappearances remain unsolved.
THE PATIENT WHO VANISHED
Today, Raker is hired to crack an impossible mystery. Following a car accident, Preston Stewart has surgery on his face. The operation is a success.
But when the dressings are removed, Preston's wife realises something is very wrong.
The man under the bandages is not her husband.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Raker and his ally, former detective Colm Healy, begin digging into Preston’s disappearance – and discover a horrifying connection to the lost women.
But there’s something even worse.
The men only have 48 hours to solve both cases – or everything that matters to them and everyone they love is in danger…
'Weaver's books are unputdownable. If you haven't yet met Raker, you're in for a treat' MICK HERRON
'What a talent' DAILY MAIL
© Tim Weaver 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Audible Audio
Published February 26, 2026
110 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Tim Weaver
53 books1,636 followersTim Weaver is the Sunday Times Top 3 bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series, the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces, and the novella collection, The Shadow at the Door. His novels have been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club four times, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. He is currently developing an original TV drama with the team behind Line of Duty. He lives near Bath in the UK. Find out more about Tim and his writing at www.timweaverbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 21, 2026
4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is my second book by Tim Weaver, I started reading this series with the previous book, and I'm so glad I picked it up.
The Lost Women follows on from the previous book, but only in some of the overarching storylines. It also refers back to an older book in the Raker series, but it does a great job of catching you up.
In this instalment, Raker is pulled into an investigation that brings him face to face with an old nemesis, and Healy is dragged along with him.
This starts off on the slower side, but soon ramps up pace to the point I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it.
There was tension and dead ends galore as I tried to work out what happened/ who the baddie was.
That ending though gah!
The Lost Women follows on from the previous book, but only in some of the overarching storylines. It also refers back to an older book in the Raker series, but it does a great job of catching you up.
In this instalment, Raker is pulled into an investigation that brings him face to face with an old nemesis, and Healy is dragged along with him.
This starts off on the slower side, but soon ramps up pace to the point I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it.
There was tension and dead ends galore as I tried to work out what happened/ who the baddie was.
That ending though gah!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was an incredible book and a super fun experience. This is the 15th book in the David Raker series, but, although it was obvious that the book was part of a series due to the many references to previous cases and characters backstories, it was very easy to follow and can be read as a standalone. However, as I'm now invested in the characters too much and I have 14 books to add to my tbr because I want to go back and read everything about them!
The story here is very tense and gripping. It is also very complex, with a few subplots that initially spring unconnected, but soon become all part of the same investigation. I was in awe at how they all came together so "easily", testament to the author's ability to plot everything perfectly.
I seriously can't wait to go back to the beginning and get to know the characters properly 🤩
The story here is very tense and gripping. It is also very complex, with a few subplots that initially spring unconnected, but soon become all part of the same investigation. I was in awe at how they all came together so "easily", testament to the author's ability to plot everything perfectly.
I seriously can't wait to go back to the beginning and get to know the characters properly 🤩
November 3, 2025
Actual rating 4.5.
February 8, 2026
Before he was a missing persons investigator, David Raker was a journalist – and there's one story that still haunts him - The Lost Women. Eighteen years ago, on the Cornish coast, three women were filming a documentary about a missing student…until they vanished too, their disappearances remain unsolved. Today, Raker is hired to crack an impossible mystery when following a car accident, Preston Stewart has surgery on his face. But then Preston’s wife says the man is not her husband. Raker and former detective Colm Healy, begin digging into Preston’s disappearance – and discover a horrifying connection to the lost women but they only have 48 hours to solve both cases – or everything that matters to them and everyone they love is in danger…
After discovering Tim’s books after reading The Missing Family, I have been reading the series from the beginning. Having only got to book 7 I still have a while to go but I couldn’t resist skipping ahead to read this latest title in the series.
Knowledge from the previous books does come in useful BUT you can absolutely read this as a standalone, as with all of the books in the series. I would however definitely recommend reading The Dead Tracks just to give a little more background to fully absorb just how significant the impact of this book is.
David Raker continues to be the brave and courageous investigator who won’t be deterred from his mission to uncover the secrets of a missing person case. Reunited with Healy, a relationship that just works so well together, the pace is fast with the tension and suspense maintained throughout thanks to short, snappy chapters, full of intrigue and leading us nicely to an absolutely astounding cliffhanger ending.(Tim you cannot leave it like this!!!)
It’s hard to say too much more without spoilers but it’s safe to say this is Raker on top form and a very suitable way to celebrate 15 years of this fabulous character. For fans of the series, you won’t be disappointed and for anyone yet to discover Tim’s writing, I can’t recommend enough. However, the worst thing about now having read the latest book in the series? Knowing that I’m going to have to wait another year to find out what happens next!!!
After discovering Tim’s books after reading The Missing Family, I have been reading the series from the beginning. Having only got to book 7 I still have a while to go but I couldn’t resist skipping ahead to read this latest title in the series.
Knowledge from the previous books does come in useful BUT you can absolutely read this as a standalone, as with all of the books in the series. I would however definitely recommend reading The Dead Tracks just to give a little more background to fully absorb just how significant the impact of this book is.
David Raker continues to be the brave and courageous investigator who won’t be deterred from his mission to uncover the secrets of a missing person case. Reunited with Healy, a relationship that just works so well together, the pace is fast with the tension and suspense maintained throughout thanks to short, snappy chapters, full of intrigue and leading us nicely to an absolutely astounding cliffhanger ending.(Tim you cannot leave it like this!!!)
It’s hard to say too much more without spoilers but it’s safe to say this is Raker on top form and a very suitable way to celebrate 15 years of this fabulous character. For fans of the series, you won’t be disappointed and for anyone yet to discover Tim’s writing, I can’t recommend enough. However, the worst thing about now having read the latest book in the series? Knowing that I’m going to have to wait another year to find out what happens next!!!
Review of advance copy
I knew from the minute I read the first chapter that I was going to absolutely love this book. I devoured it, couldn't put it down. It was sooooo good as you'd expect from the brilliant Tim Weaver.
Who are you going to call when inexplicably a husband goes missing from hospital? David Raker, of course. Missing Persons Investigator extrordinaire. We follow Raker and his ally Colm Healy as they discover a horrifying connection to a mysterious case of 3 lost women, and a crime from 30 years ago. But, they only have 48 hours to solve the cases before everythng and everyone they care about is in danger…
The Lost Women is the latest in the Raker series, but works perfectly well as a standalone. I've read all of the books in the series and this felt a bit different, a different approach and I really enjoyed that. I also loved the tick tick tick of the chapter titles, clocking down the 48 hours. It felt dramatic, claustrophobic and ramped up the tension to an even higher scale.
Tim Weaver really is the king of cliffhangers. I love that we get to a tense and dramatic cliffhanger at the end of a chapter, but then get thrown to a backstory, and it may be several chapters later before we find out what on earth is going on. The wonderful writing masterfully fuses a haunting cold case with the present day of Raker's investigation. The story is dark, gripping, dramatic, and urgent. The short, sharp chapters made every page feel like time is slipping away, like the hands of time. The apprehension is palpable. I felt nervous with each turn of the page.
Raker is such a brilliant, well drawn character. I really like that Healy also played a large part in this story. Raker and Healy are a really fabulous duo.
The antagonist is pure evil and gruesome. The settings are amazing, almost like a character in the book. Check out Tim's post about the inspiration behind this.
The twists are clever and unpredictable, and the complexity of the plot is woven together so skilfully. The shocks and revelations run throughout the book, right through to the incredible ending. And that ending? What a cliffhanger!
Who are you going to call when inexplicably a husband goes missing from hospital? David Raker, of course. Missing Persons Investigator extrordinaire. We follow Raker and his ally Colm Healy as they discover a horrifying connection to a mysterious case of 3 lost women, and a crime from 30 years ago. But, they only have 48 hours to solve the cases before everythng and everyone they care about is in danger…
The Lost Women is the latest in the Raker series, but works perfectly well as a standalone. I've read all of the books in the series and this felt a bit different, a different approach and I really enjoyed that. I also loved the tick tick tick of the chapter titles, clocking down the 48 hours. It felt dramatic, claustrophobic and ramped up the tension to an even higher scale.
Tim Weaver really is the king of cliffhangers. I love that we get to a tense and dramatic cliffhanger at the end of a chapter, but then get thrown to a backstory, and it may be several chapters later before we find out what on earth is going on. The wonderful writing masterfully fuses a haunting cold case with the present day of Raker's investigation. The story is dark, gripping, dramatic, and urgent. The short, sharp chapters made every page feel like time is slipping away, like the hands of time. The apprehension is palpable. I felt nervous with each turn of the page.
Raker is such a brilliant, well drawn character. I really like that Healy also played a large part in this story. Raker and Healy are a really fabulous duo.
The antagonist is pure evil and gruesome. The settings are amazing, almost like a character in the book. Check out Tim's post about the inspiration behind this.
The twists are clever and unpredictable, and the complexity of the plot is woven together so skilfully. The shocks and revelations run throughout the book, right through to the incredible ending. And that ending? What a cliffhanger!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Lost Women follows missing persons investigator David Raker, who is still haunted by an unsolved story from 18 years ago when three women vanished. Now, Raker is hired to crack an impossible mystery. Preston Stewart has had surgery on his face, but when the bandages are removed, his wife realises the man is not her husband. As Raker and his ally Colm Healy investigate, they discover a horrifying connection to the lost women. But, there’s only 48 hours to solve both cases before everything they care about is in danger…
The Lost Women is the latest in the Raker series, yet works perfectly well as a standalone. That said, I loved it so much that I’ll definitely be going back to read the series from the beginning!
Tim Weaver masterfully blends a haunting cold case with a relentless ticking-clock suspense, creating a story that is dark, gripping, tense, and urgent. The short, sharp chapters made every page feel like precious time slipping away, building an unbearable level of tension. It’s the kind of book where I had to resist the urge to skip ahead in my desperation for answers!
I loved how the narrative unfolded through multiple perspectives, but Raker and Healy’s characters and dynamic are an evident example of why this series has done so well - and I can’t wait to read more of them.
The twists are clever and unpredictable, and the complexity of the plot is woven together so skilfully that when everything finally fell into place, I was genuinely stunned. And that ending? What a cliffhanger! I won’t give anything away, but it left me reeling - and desperate for the next book!
Thank you so much to Tim Weaver, IBT and Michael Josephs for sending me this manuscript to read and review - it has been so exciting and surreal, and I am honoured to have been been a part of it! My opinions are my own.
(We read a copy that had names changed and locations redacted. I have used the correct character names in my review).
The Lost Women is the latest in the Raker series, yet works perfectly well as a standalone. That said, I loved it so much that I’ll definitely be going back to read the series from the beginning!
Tim Weaver masterfully blends a haunting cold case with a relentless ticking-clock suspense, creating a story that is dark, gripping, tense, and urgent. The short, sharp chapters made every page feel like precious time slipping away, building an unbearable level of tension. It’s the kind of book where I had to resist the urge to skip ahead in my desperation for answers!
I loved how the narrative unfolded through multiple perspectives, but Raker and Healy’s characters and dynamic are an evident example of why this series has done so well - and I can’t wait to read more of them.
The twists are clever and unpredictable, and the complexity of the plot is woven together so skilfully that when everything finally fell into place, I was genuinely stunned. And that ending? What a cliffhanger! I won’t give anything away, but it left me reeling - and desperate for the next book!
Thank you so much to Tim Weaver, IBT and Michael Josephs for sending me this manuscript to read and review - it has been so exciting and surreal, and I am honoured to have been been a part of it! My opinions are my own.
(We read a copy that had names changed and locations redacted. I have used the correct character names in my review).
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Michael Joseph Books and Instatours for a copy of the book as part of a mystery guess-the-author book tour!
The Lost Women is the latest in a series following missing persons private investigator, David Raker.
As a journalist, Raker investigated 3 women who went missing from an island off the Cornish coast whilst filming a documentary about a missing student.
Now, Raker is hired to find Preston Stewart, a man who has gone missing from the hospital where he has just had facial surgery.
As Raker and his colleague Healy dig deeper, Preston’s disappearance begins to connect not only to the missing women, but to a dangerous criminal from both men’s pasts.
This was my first book in this series and first Tim book altogether, but it absolutely won’t be my last. It really ticked ALL the boxes! And, although it is part of series, it was no problem for me joining the ride at this point (although I do now want to go back and read them all!)
✔️ Twisty, compelling and unpredictable
✔️ Short chapters that end in cliffhangers
✔️ Multiple character POVs so you’re kept waiting another chapter on those cliff edges!
✔️ A strong lead character with an intriguing back-story
✔️ Lots of story strands cleverly plotted together
✔️ Bucket-loads of suspense!
It was so tightly and cleverly plotted. At no point was I able to guess what was truly going on and who I could or couldn’t trust. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was going on, another twist would arrive to throw me off!
It was brilliantly written, so suspenseful and tense. I kept having to stop myself from looking at the end of the chapter because I was so eager for the next cliff hanger! And the ending - oof! Suffice to say, I’ll be buying the next book in the series!
The Lost Women is the latest in a series following missing persons private investigator, David Raker.
As a journalist, Raker investigated 3 women who went missing from an island off the Cornish coast whilst filming a documentary about a missing student.
Now, Raker is hired to find Preston Stewart, a man who has gone missing from the hospital where he has just had facial surgery.
As Raker and his colleague Healy dig deeper, Preston’s disappearance begins to connect not only to the missing women, but to a dangerous criminal from both men’s pasts.
This was my first book in this series and first Tim book altogether, but it absolutely won’t be my last. It really ticked ALL the boxes! And, although it is part of series, it was no problem for me joining the ride at this point (although I do now want to go back and read them all!)
✔️ Twisty, compelling and unpredictable
✔️ Short chapters that end in cliffhangers
✔️ Multiple character POVs so you’re kept waiting another chapter on those cliff edges!
✔️ A strong lead character with an intriguing back-story
✔️ Lots of story strands cleverly plotted together
✔️ Bucket-loads of suspense!
It was so tightly and cleverly plotted. At no point was I able to guess what was truly going on and who I could or couldn’t trust. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was going on, another twist would arrive to throw me off!
It was brilliantly written, so suspenseful and tense. I kept having to stop myself from looking at the end of the chapter because I was so eager for the next cliff hanger! And the ending - oof! Suffice to say, I’ll be buying the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Mild spoilers in review.
Tim Weaver makes life hard for himself with each book he writes, because each book he writes has a mystery more complex and gripping than the one that came before. The Lost Women is no exception, so he's set himself up for a difficult job writing a sequel to this one.
As with all David Raker thrillers, this one opens with a baffling missing person case. But this entry in the series is a bit different. Weaver almost goes Silence of the Lambs on us as he reintroduces the serial killer Glass and revisits several plot strands from previous books.
As with all Raker's cases, the mystery is twisting and complex, made all the more enthralling by the short, punchy chapters which keep things moving at a rattling pace.
This felt like Weaver at the top of his game. Raker seems more fleshed out here and I enjoy his banter with Healey and them working together to solve the case. The appearance of Glass adds a nice atmosphere of dread and there's some great dialogue between him, Raker and Healey as their pasts and presents collide.
The central mystery is an intriguing one, with a satisfactory, if devastating denouement. As is Tim's habit of late, The Lost Women ends on a massive cliffhanger. It'll be a long year to wait until the next entry.
Another gripping mystery. Well written, brilliantly paced and very entertaining.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Tim Weaver makes life hard for himself with each book he writes, because each book he writes has a mystery more complex and gripping than the one that came before. The Lost Women is no exception, so he's set himself up for a difficult job writing a sequel to this one.
As with all David Raker thrillers, this one opens with a baffling missing person case. But this entry in the series is a bit different. Weaver almost goes Silence of the Lambs on us as he reintroduces the serial killer Glass and revisits several plot strands from previous books.
As with all Raker's cases, the mystery is twisting and complex, made all the more enthralling by the short, punchy chapters which keep things moving at a rattling pace.
This felt like Weaver at the top of his game. Raker seems more fleshed out here and I enjoy his banter with Healey and them working together to solve the case. The appearance of Glass adds a nice atmosphere of dread and there's some great dialogue between him, Raker and Healey as their pasts and presents collide.
The central mystery is an intriguing one, with a satisfactory, if devastating denouement. As is Tim's habit of late, The Lost Women ends on a massive cliffhanger. It'll be a long year to wait until the next entry.
Another gripping mystery. Well written, brilliantly paced and very entertaining.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
February 21, 2026
First of all… reading blind is the most exciting thing EVER!!
This was a mystery book tour from in collaboration with Michael Joseph at Penguin! We didn’t know the author, the release date or the blurb. Character names were all changed, locations altered and identifying words all blanked out. The reading schedule strict and the release perfectly planned! The group chat was off the scale! Thank you for having me 🫶🏼
Let me tell you… this book had me hooked! The shift in the original timeline was a little confusing, along with the multitude of characters but once settled in after a good few chapters, it blends seamlessly. Each chapter is short, ending on cliff hangers that make you think oh one more won’t hurt, sticking to schedule was hard! The relationship between the main characters is clearly already that of substance, giving a good repertoire and insight into their backstory. The secondary characters all played a good role in setting the scene and adding to the increasing tension. The ending though… 🤯🤯🤯
I will 100% be reading the full David Raker series, however, these books can absolutely be read on their own!
This was a mystery book tour from in collaboration with Michael Joseph at Penguin! We didn’t know the author, the release date or the blurb. Character names were all changed, locations altered and identifying words all blanked out. The reading schedule strict and the release perfectly planned! The group chat was off the scale! Thank you for having me 🫶🏼
Let me tell you… this book had me hooked! The shift in the original timeline was a little confusing, along with the multitude of characters but once settled in after a good few chapters, it blends seamlessly. Each chapter is short, ending on cliff hangers that make you think oh one more won’t hurt, sticking to schedule was hard! The relationship between the main characters is clearly already that of substance, giving a good repertoire and insight into their backstory. The secondary characters all played a good role in setting the scene and adding to the increasing tension. The ending though… 🤯🤯🤯
I will 100% be reading the full David Raker series, however, these books can absolutely be read on their own!
March 4, 2026
I’ve loved Tim Weaver’s work for years, so I went into The Lost Women with high expectations — and at first, it absolutely delivered. The opening pulled me in immediately, and I found myself reading late into the night, which is exactly what I want from a Raker novel.
But as the story unfolded, I started to feel a shift. A twist I predicted early on took away some of the usual surprise, and the return of a previous storyline felt more repetitive than organic. I’m not a fan of revisiting old ground unless it adds something new, and here it didn’t quite land for me. The police interview scenes also became aggravating and slowed the pace.
What disappointed me most was how little the “Lost Women” case actually featured. It felt overshadowed by the current investigation and the revived arc, leaving the title mystery strangely underdeveloped.
Still, Weaver’s writing is strong, and Raker remains a character I care about deeply. The ending suggests the series isn’t finished, which leaves me hopeful rather than discouraged.
A good book, but not the standout I expected — hence the four stars instead of my usual five.
But as the story unfolded, I started to feel a shift. A twist I predicted early on took away some of the usual surprise, and the return of a previous storyline felt more repetitive than organic. I’m not a fan of revisiting old ground unless it adds something new, and here it didn’t quite land for me. The police interview scenes also became aggravating and slowed the pace.
What disappointed me most was how little the “Lost Women” case actually featured. It felt overshadowed by the current investigation and the revived arc, leaving the title mystery strangely underdeveloped.
Still, Weaver’s writing is strong, and Raker remains a character I care about deeply. The ending suggests the series isn’t finished, which leaves me hopeful rather than discouraged.
A good book, but not the standout I expected — hence the four stars instead of my usual five.
March 7, 2026
I read this as part of a Mystery Readalong with Insta Book Tours. All we knew was that it was written by a best-selling thriller author. Names had been changed, and details had been redacted...
This was such a fun experience, especially as I have never read a book by Tim before, so he's definitely found a new fan (along with every single other person in the group chat - I don't think a single person didn't enjoy this one!).
The trouble is... This is book 14 in the David Raker series, which means I have to add 13 more books to my TBR now!
BUT! This most definitely can be read as a standalone. Although there are some links to a previous book (The Dead Tracks), you didn't need to know anything to enjoy this one, and apparently, all books can be read in any order, which is great to hear!
I love a detective series and I look forward to reading more in this one. The characters were brilliant, the crimes were dark, and there was a lot to keep you gripped to the page. It was a immensely enjoyable read!
This was such a fun experience, especially as I have never read a book by Tim before, so he's definitely found a new fan (along with every single other person in the group chat - I don't think a single person didn't enjoy this one!).
The trouble is... This is book 14 in the David Raker series, which means I have to add 13 more books to my TBR now!
BUT! This most definitely can be read as a standalone. Although there are some links to a previous book (The Dead Tracks), you didn't need to know anything to enjoy this one, and apparently, all books can be read in any order, which is great to hear!
I love a detective series and I look forward to reading more in this one. The characters were brilliant, the crimes were dark, and there was a lot to keep you gripped to the page. It was a immensely enjoyable read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow, this book has more layers than an onion! We have a missing hospital patient, the disappearance of three women from 30 years ago, an imprisoned serial killer wanting to share information and a 48 hour timeline in which to figure out exactly what connects them all. Former journalist David Raker, now and expert in locating missing persons, and his ex-cop sidekick Colm Healy are brought in to investigate. Both men share a tragic history and a mutual dislike for the local police force - however as the case progresses they have no choice but to work alongside them. Each chapter leaves you on a cliffhanger enticing you to read on and counts each hour down, giving it a sense of urgency. The story comes to a brilliant climax with an unsuspecting twist or two thrown in. And that ending .... just brilliant! Although this book is part of an established series it could easily be read as a standalone. This was my first Tim Weaver book and I absolutely cannot wait to read more!
February 21, 2026
I am a long time fan of David Raker and since discovering Tim Weavers writing in 2011 I’ve never looked back.
Every new book has been better than the last but this one……THIS ONE…..takes the biscuit.
More twists and turns you can’t help but keep page turning and the pace is breathtaking.
A massive twist at the end that leaves you furious because you know you have to wait a year for the next edition.
I won’t put chapter and verse about what this book entails because I think you just need to read it to understand just how genius Tim is.
People go missing in the most dramatic ways and he always drags you down dark roads where you think he’ll never be able to come back to the light - yet he does and you are left astonished.
Not enough adjectives to say how amazing the Raker series is and certainly not enough to describe this book.
Bravo Tim. We are not worthy!
Every new book has been better than the last but this one……THIS ONE…..takes the biscuit.
More twists and turns you can’t help but keep page turning and the pace is breathtaking.
A massive twist at the end that leaves you furious because you know you have to wait a year for the next edition.
I won’t put chapter and verse about what this book entails because I think you just need to read it to understand just how genius Tim is.
People go missing in the most dramatic ways and he always drags you down dark roads where you think he’ll never be able to come back to the light - yet he does and you are left astonished.
Not enough adjectives to say how amazing the Raker series is and certainly not enough to describe this book.
Bravo Tim. We are not worthy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I read this book blind as part of a mystery book tour with Instabooktours and Penguin Michael Joseph. We hadn’t been told the title, characters names were changed and locations were changed or redacted.
The Lost Women is the latest book in the David Raker Missing Persons series. This was the first book I have read by this author and this series can certainly be read as a standalone.
Told through multiple POV’s, with short chapters ending on cliffhangers you won’t want to stop reading!
I was intrigued as to what was going to happen with the case Raker was looking into when it appeared to be connected to a case from a number of years ago. It was hard to know who to trust.
The twists were so good and the ending!! I will definitely be reading the next book along with the previous books in the series too.
The Lost Women is the latest book in the David Raker Missing Persons series. This was the first book I have read by this author and this series can certainly be read as a standalone.
Told through multiple POV’s, with short chapters ending on cliffhangers you won’t want to stop reading!
I was intrigued as to what was going to happen with the case Raker was looking into when it appeared to be connected to a case from a number of years ago. It was hard to know who to trust.
The twists were so good and the ending!! I will definitely be reading the next book along with the previous books in the series too.
February 25, 2026
An 18 year old mystery. A journalist that can’t let go. An ex police officer haunted by the past. A missing patient…
𝗠𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗧.
Cover to cover this book was nothing short of sensational. It had my pulse racing on so many occasions I had to physically put it down to gather my thoughts enough to continue.
The plot and characters were a masterpiece, the twists completely unexpected and it had me second guessing my theories constantly.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough to anyone that loves high octane, suspense filled thrillers.
𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀!
𝗠𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗧.
Cover to cover this book was nothing short of sensational. It had my pulse racing on so many occasions I had to physically put it down to gather my thoughts enough to continue.
The plot and characters were a masterpiece, the twists completely unexpected and it had me second guessing my theories constantly.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough to anyone that loves high octane, suspense filled thrillers.
𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀!
March 5, 2026
Stunning, absolutely stunning. I love being back in the world of David Raker and his cases. This one, although not detailed in the synopsis, ties in with a previous case and the villain, Dr Glass (from the Dead Tracks book). When I realised this I got very excited, as Dead Tracks is one of my favorite Raker stories. Tim says that this book can be read standalone but I'd highly recommend reading The Dead Tracks (and maybe Vanished - book 3) to get full background history on everyone's connections.
This books races along, and is full of twists, turns and red herrings. And the ending! Holy moly! My only disappointment is I have to wait a long time for the next book to see what's going to happen.
This books races along, and is full of twists, turns and red herrings. And the ending! Holy moly! My only disappointment is I have to wait a long time for the next book to see what's going to happen.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 ⭐️
A rollercoaster read of a book. Short chapters, ending on mini cliffhangers with suspense right until the end. I could not turn the pages quick enough.
I absolutely loved the partnership between Raker and Colm and their banter was excellent.
This book is a part of a series but I definitely did not feel like I missed out and this can be read as a standalone. The only downside is I now want to go and read all the others 🤣
A rollercoaster read of a book. Short chapters, ending on mini cliffhangers with suspense right until the end. I could not turn the pages quick enough.
I absolutely loved the partnership between Raker and Colm and their banter was excellent.
This book is a part of a series but I definitely did not feel like I missed out and this can be read as a standalone. The only downside is I now want to go and read all the others 🤣
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book has it ALL…and then some. I was immersed immediately and it kept me that way because every short chapter had a hook to keep me reading.
It felt like I was reading three storylines in one and they all intertwined perfectly.
Raker is a former journalist turned investigator of missing people and his latest job takes him all the way back 18 years ago, to one job he never quite got over. He enlists the help of his old ally Healy who is battling his own demons, to help solve the case. Obviously it isn’t that simple and with the clock ticking all hell breaks loose.
I loved everything about this book. It is part of a series but you can totally read it as a stand alone. I hadn’t read any of the previous books……but I bloody will be now. My poor TBR
It felt like I was reading three storylines in one and they all intertwined perfectly.
Raker is a former journalist turned investigator of missing people and his latest job takes him all the way back 18 years ago, to one job he never quite got over. He enlists the help of his old ally Healy who is battling his own demons, to help solve the case. Obviously it isn’t that simple and with the clock ticking all hell breaks loose.
I loved everything about this book. It is part of a series but you can totally read it as a stand alone. I hadn’t read any of the previous books……but I bloody will be now. My poor TBR
March 8, 2026
Tim Weavers David Raker series honestly has my heart ❤️ and this book did not disappoint.
I’ve done a full video on my booktok account but oh my god this book was soooooo good.
Short chapters, each chapter ends on a cliff hanger which makes you want to just keep reading. There’s so many twists and turns and things you just don’t see coming.
I don’t see many people reading these books but honestly I would a million percent recommend.
I’ve done a full video on my booktok account but oh my god this book was soooooo good.
Short chapters, each chapter ends on a cliff hanger which makes you want to just keep reading. There’s so many twists and turns and things you just don’t see coming.
I don’t see many people reading these books but honestly I would a million percent recommend.
February 20, 2026
I was very lucky to be on the mystery book tour for this one. I had no idea who the book was by or the title as everything was kept top secret. What a fab, fast paced and easy to follow book this was. I found myself hooked with the short chapters and multiple POV throughout. I definitely will consider giving this author another go after reading this one.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow! Just wow!
I went into this book blind and it genuinely surprised me how much I loved it. Ive never read anythjng by this author before and that may change..
So many twists and shocking moments. Every chapter ended on a cliff hanger. It was such a wild and enjoyable ride!
This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone book.
I went into this book blind and it genuinely surprised me how much I loved it. Ive never read anythjng by this author before and that may change..
So many twists and shocking moments. Every chapter ended on a cliff hanger. It was such a wild and enjoyable ride!
This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone book.
March 2, 2026
Yet another incredible instalment in the David Raker series!
The Lost Women is a fast-paced, high-action thriller that will leave you wanting more. A story within a story, we learn the fate of three women in a case that has had Raker baffled for over a decade. Twisty and clever, I can’t wait for the next book.
The Lost Women is a fast-paced, high-action thriller that will leave you wanting more. A story within a story, we learn the fate of three women in a case that has had Raker baffled for over a decade. Twisty and clever, I can’t wait for the next book.
March 6, 2026
I love the David Raker books, so much so that I had this on pre-order which I rarely do. This lived up to my expectations, a great story well written. I would have given it five stars if it had not done what I hate, which is ending books on a cliffhanger. So it gets 4.5 stars instead. I’m hoping I will still be able to remember the story when the follow up comes out!
March 2, 2026
Well, he did it again! Tim yet again has produced an amazing book that I literally couldn’t put down and didn’t want to put down!
No spoilers but the fact I have to wait a whole year to read the next book is just not fair at all!
No spoilers but the fact I have to wait a whole year to read the next book is just not fair at all!
March 4, 2026
I considered marking the book down a star as it is a to be continued...But that wouldn't have been fair. It was excellent, well worth a read. Now the questions are: what happens next and how long will I have to wait to find out?
February 28, 2026
OMG there has to be another book…and soon!! Another Raker story devoured at every opportunity. Love this one just as much as all the others.
March 9, 2026
Another Tim Weaver triumph well worth the wait - have read the whole series and he never disappoints - twisting and turning as always but that last sentence ahhhhhhhh
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