The First Thread: An FBI Agent Daisy Adams Thriller

by Nadija Mujagic

Please this is Book 1 of a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. The full story unfolds across the entire series, so the books should be read in order to reach the conclusion.______________________________________________________________________________
The 1980 a decade when thousands of children vanished—and most were never found.

When six-year-old Charlotte Mercer disappears from her front yard in Silver Spring, Maryland, rookie FBI Agent Daisy Adams is thrust into a case that feels more like a haunting. There are no witnesses. No clues.

Daisy has seen horror before—but nothing like this. As the investigation deepens, so does her fear. Because every missing child reminds her of her own daughter, Lila. And the more she digs into Charlotte’s disappearance, the more she’s forced to confront the question she’s spent years

What if one day, it’s Lila who vanishes?

Inspired by real events, The First Thread is a chilling psychological thriller about the monsters hiding in plain sight—and the parents who live in fear of hearing the your child is missing.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "I’m floored by the intensity and pace of this book! There isn’t a dull moment and I couldn’t put the book down!" - Goodreads reviewer

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "Such a gripping book that I didn't want to put down." - Goodreads reviewer

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "It’s gripping, emotional, and terrifyingly possible. Five stars." - Goodreads reviewer

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "The First Thread is an utterly gripping, emotionally devastating psychological thriller that left me breathless and haunted long after I turned the final page." - Goodreads reviewer

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "OMG! My jaw is on the floor and I'm left here, thinking, WTF did I actually just read!? I am ALL in!!" - Goodreads reviewer

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

About the author

Nadija has written several psychological thrillers and a memoir series. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sports and electric bass guitar.

Reviews

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FIRST THREAD BY NADIJA MUJAGIC.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release date set for the 25th of April 2025.
Book 1 of 3.
Based on a true events.
There's a few words to describe this book and I'd say it's chilling, creepy and heartbreaking at times.
I have been on the end of my seat the whole way through reading this.
It's a dark crime thriller that grips you from the very beginning and keeps you fully engaged throughout.
Such a gripping book that I didn't want to put down.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
I honestly cant wait for book 2 and 3 I need them like NOW.
Brilliant nadija. Just brilliant

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished The First Thread, and my heart is still somewhere on page 214. Set in the 1980s—when missing kids were on milk cartons and fear was a daily guest—this story follows rookie FBI agent and single mom Daisy Adams as she tries to find six-year-old Charlotte Mercer, who vanishes from her front yard like a ghost.

Daisy is raw, real, and running on fumes. She’s juggling a full-blown FBI case while trying not to imagine her own daughter disappearing next. I felt her panic—like a punch in the chest and a pit in the stomach, all at once. It’s that kind of book.

Nadija Mujagic doesn’t waste a word. The writing is fast, sharp, and hauntingly simple. Every chapter cranks up the tension until you’re flipping pages like you’re being timed. And if you’re a parent? Buckle up. This one hits close to home in the most chilling way.

It’s gripping, emotional, and terrifyingly possible. Five stars. And yes, I double-checked my front door when I finished.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Thread by Nadija Mujagic
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
WOW, WOW, WOW!! This is a true deep and dark psychological thriller!
I’m floored by the intensity and pace of this book! There isn’t a dull moment and I couldn’t put the book down!
This story is based on real events that took place in the 80’s. That right there should instill some fear!

Agent Daisy Adams, is trying to find a little girl, Charlotte, who vanished from a kiddie pool in her front yard. As time goes on, and there aren’t any leads, she fears it might be too late…The intensity and panic are growing!
As Agent Adams searches old files containing records of other missing children she comes across several similarities and realizes that she’s most likely dealing with a serial killer.
As a reader, I enjoyed that there are different facets to this story, and it will be interesting to see in books 2 & 3 how parts continue to tie together.
This book is legit fantastic! I can’t believe how fast I flew through it with my jaw hanging open and gasping!

I was so lucky to be an alpha reader for this book! It’s not an easy read, knowing that a lot of this is a based on real incidents that happened, but it’s so well written and Nadija Mujagic knows how to create an amazing story!

**Book 1 comes out April 25!!**
A definite must read! Don’t miss this series!! Be on the lookout for books 2 and 3 to follow, which will complete this series!

Book 2- The Crimson Knot (coming in June)
Book 3- The Final Stitch (coming in August)

[Sejla Velic · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! That was a wild ride and I need the next book immediately! Part of me is still soooo lost but the other part has an idea of what is happening. This book had my reactions clear all over my face, I was shocked, horrified, disgusted, and so much more. (Definitely check your triggers!) The fact that this is based on true events makes the emotions even harder to go through. However, Nadija has written this beautifully and these stories deserve to be told and brought to light. Nadija has outdone herself and I can’t wait to read the next one.

I am honored to be an ARC recipient of this book.
Comes out April 25th with 2 more in the series to follow!

[Melissa R · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)

Based on true events. This book was wild, dark and twisted, but in a good way. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, not knowing what to expect next.

It gave me Criminal Minds meets Law and Order SVU vibes.

If you enjoy True Crime and Dark Thrillers. This is a must read. Plus this is book 1, in the 3 book series. I’m patiently waiting for book 2 to be available.

Be sure to add The First Thread to your TBR collection, available April 25th!!!!

Thank you Nadija Mujagic for giving me the opportunity to receive a ARC copy. I was so excited to of received this opportunity

[JD Setzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say it this was amazing, beautifully written. Now to read the others.

[Carly Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 1980s, The First Thread follows rookie FBI agent and single mom Daisy Adams as she’s thrown into a chilling case that hits too close to home, the disappearance of a young girl from her front yard. As Daisy juggles her career and motherhood, she becomes deeply entangled in a nightmare rooted in true events. The deeper she digs, the darker things get. With emotional stakes and psychological tension running high, this story isn’t just about finding a child, it’s about confronting every parent’s worst fear. This is the first book in a gritty true crime thriller trilogy that dares to ask how far someone will go for the truth.

Okay, listen. I live for true crime, so when I found out this was inspired by real events? You know I dove in headfirst. The author was kind enough to give me a copy which did not affect this review. The First Thread did not disappoint. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Like white-knuckling my Kindle and forgetting I had responsibilities kind of hooked. Sorry Hubby!

This book is pure adrenaline. The pacing is fast and tight, no meandering plot here. Every chapter ratchets up the tension until you’re fully in it, heart racing, palms sweaty, side-eyeing your front door like maybe you should double-check those locks. Again.

Daisy, our main character, is so raw and real. She’s not some untouchable superhero agent. She’s a tired mom running on caffeine and grit, trying to balance work stress with mom guilt while being tossed into the most terrifying case of her life. Her emotions? Totally believable. You feel her panic. Her exhaustion. That sick feeling when the case starts mirroring her own life? Yeah, it got to me.

The writing doesn’t try too hard, and that’s what makes it hit even harder. Nadija Mujagic lays it all out in a way that’s brutally effective, no fluff, just pure gut-punch after gut-punch. I actually had to pause at one point because I forgot to breathe.

And since this is based on true events, that creepy, lingering feeling? It sticks with you. There’s something about knowing this really happened, or could happen, that makes it so much more impactful.

Now let’s talk about that ending. I am absolutely dangling off this cliff, and I need book two now. Like yesterday. Someone check on me until it drops because Nadija left me hanging in the most torturous, amazing way possible.

This book had me pacing like I was the one solving the case. If you're into thrillers with emotional depth, psychological tension, and a story that feels way too possible, The First Thread is your next obsession. Nadija Mujagic doesn’t just tell a story, she throws you straight into it and leaves you breathless. This is the start of a series that promises to be unforgettable. Grab it, lock your doors, and clear your calendar. You're not putting this one down.

The Vibes it Brings
🕵️‍♀️ Rookie FBI agent with mom-mode activated
😱 Based on true crime that’ll haunt your thoughts
📍 1980s suburbia meets full-blown panic
💔 Emotionally intense and devastatingly real
🎢 Rollercoaster pacing with zero slow chapters
🧠 Psychological mind games
🔦 Missing kids. No clues. Total dread.
🧃 Flashbacks to latchkey kid childhoods and sidewalk popsicle politics
🧘‍♀️ Zero chill. Not one ounce.

[Elisa Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Thread by Nadija Mujagić
(Can I give it 10 stars??)

Okay. WOW. The First Thread was an absolute rollercoaster—and I didn’t want to get off. Nadija Mujagić has officially claimed a permanent spot on my “auto-buy” list. This book was phenomenal from start to finish, and let me just say… JESUS. The character, not the religious figure (although the vibes are amazing), completely stole the show. I couldn’t help but fall for him—sharp, complex, unforgettable.

The fact that this is based on true events? My brain is still trying to process that. It adds a whole new layer of depth and emotional gravity that lingers long after the last page. Nadija doesn’t just tell stories—she draws you right into them (it’s intentional), and you feel every twist, every surprise, every gut punch.

This is my third book by Nadija, and let me tell you—she has never missed. Not once. She writes with heart, fire, and a kind of authenticity that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

To Nadija: I need books two and three. Like... yesterday. I’m sitting here, watching the clock, imagining my life as a dramatic series of scenes set to elevator music until the next one drops. Hurry up, girl. My life depends on it.

If you haven’t read The First Thread, do yourself a favor and jump in. And while you’re at it, grab everything else she’s written too. You won’t regret it.

Highly, HIGHLY recommend.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Thread is an utterly gripping, emotionally devastating psychological thriller that left me breathless and haunted long after I turned the final page. Nadija Mujagic masterfully captures the panic, helplessness, and heartbreak of a parent’s worst nightmare - and wraps it in a tense, beautifully layered story that is impossible to put down.

Mujagic doesn’t just tell a story - she immerses you in it. The writing is razor-sharp, the atmosphere thick with dread, and every twist lands with a punch.

What really sets The First Thread apart is that it’s based on true events. That connection to real life adds a whole new level of depth and makes the story even more chilling. Mujagic sheds light on a dark chapter in American history and gives a voice to families who never got answers.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that are as heart-wrenching as they are suspenseful, this book is a must-read.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The First Thread" by Nadija Mujagic is a chilling start to a series inspired by true events. It dives deep into the darkest corners of human psychology and had me on edge the entire time. The tension builds slowly at first, then tightens like a noose with each chapter, pulling you deeper into the darkness. The characters are psychologically complex—flawed, layered, and disturbingly real. Twisted, intense, and impossible to put down—I’m hooked and can’t wait to see where the next two books take us.

[Patricia Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Thread by Nadija Mujagic is the first book in a true crime thriller trilogy and is easily a 5 🌟 read! I received this as an ARC and I am very impatiently waiting for the second book! The First Thread is based on true events which means at times the subject matter is a little harder to get through for me personally. I typically don’t read or watch a lot of true crime so knowing these details are not just coming from the mind made this all the more chilling and haunting, but Nadija does a wonderful job of laying this story out. I genuinely can not wait to continue the series and read more from Nadija!!

[Jessica Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me in from the start. What stood out to me most was Agent Adams. She isn’t just another tough detective; she’s a mom, and her emotions bleed into every decision she makes. I really felt her fear and exhaustion, and it made me anxious right along with her.

The fact that it’s inspired by true events made it even more chilling. Some parts were hard to read because of the subject matter, but that’s also what made it so powerful.

If you like thrillers that really make you feel something, I’d absolutely recommend this series. I can’t wait to start the next one.

[Brittany Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing this story is based on true events makes it a tough pill to swallow. Kids are so innocent, born with curiosity, trust, dependent on adults to love them, teach them, and protect them. Monsters are very real in this world and pret on the innocent. This book is well written. Unfortunately I find Agent Adams to be dry, stuffy, and extremely reclusive. Her character gives me anxiety. I hope that changes in the next two books. I will certainly read this trilogy all the way through.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start to a series.

This is the start of a series. It involves FBI agent Daisy Adams, and her daughter Lila, whom she’s trying to protect from all the horrible things she sees happening to other children and people in the world. And boy do we hear about some of those people I am going to read book 2.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowwwww...... Talk about a jaw dropping, chest grabbing, holding breathes I didn't know I was holding story. Let me tell you, this ain't no Scooby Doo mystery. I'm shook after reading this. This story had me feeling emotions that I didn't think I'd ever feel. The fact that it is based on true events sent me down a rabbit hole. The story was quick and writing style sharp. Nadija was on point putting this story together. Once you open the book you won't want to close it. I'm still sitting here trying to wrap my head around what I've just read. Can't wait for book 2.

Thank you Nadija for the ARC.

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting start to a thrilling trilogy. Just seeing that it's based on a true story, immediately had my interest. While this first book could be read as a standalone, I definitely want to see where this is headed.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want to put this book down. it had me hooked from the start. It's very creepy in places. I really want to know who Jesus is! scary that this book is based on true events.
I need books 2 and 3 NOW!
I can't wait to read more by this author!

[John Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no forgetting what it felt like to grow up in the 1980s with the faces of missing children printed on milk cartons. For many of us, those cartons weren’t warnings; they were grim wallpaper. Adam Walsh, Lee Standifer, Johnny Gosch—to name only a few. The Jeanine Nicarico case in Illinois always haunted me. Countless others. The stories didn’t end; they just faded into static. So when a thriller like The First Thread dares to take that generational wound and drag it back into the light, I pay attention. Nadija Mujagic isn’t just writing a mystery. She’s resurrecting a fear many of us grew up with but never had the words to name. Before terms like “stalker” even existed in the public consciousness.

I don’t need another procedural. I need a story that remembers. That knows what it felt like to be young, walking past posters stapled to telephone poles, wondering why grown-ups whispered in grocery store aisles. Daisy Adams isn’t chasing a case. She’s chasing a ghost that looks too much like her daughter. That’s the horror Mujagic understands. It’s not the crime scene that ruins you. It’s the silence. The empty bedrooms. The way a child’s photo becomes evidence. Daisy doesn’t collapse into cliché. She holds it together the way mothers do, because they have no other choice. Back then, the worst four words a parent could hear were: your child is missing.

You want to know what failure looks like? Read this book. The First Thread isn’t just about a missing girl. It’s about what happens when the search stops mattering. When the cops stall. When the media moves on. When people start looking at the mother like she’s the problem. Mujagic doesn’t flinch. She writes the investigation the way it actually unfolds: slow, scattered, humiliating. No heroic breakthroughs. Just doors that stay closed. I grew up in Illinois. I’ve seen exactly this kind of case disappear into paperwork. So, when Daisy starts losing her grip, it’s not dramatic. It’s inevitable. This book understands how it happens. That’s what makes it terrifying.

The setting only sharpens that unease. Mujagic captures D.C. with a kind of haunted specificity. When I think of that city, I don’t just think of Capitol Hill. I think of Rock Creek Park. I think of Chandra Levy. I think of cases that exploded in the reactive mass media, only to vanish into silence. The First Thread carries that same ache. It’s about the stories we stop telling.

This is book one in a trilogy, and Mujagic resists the urge to offer easy closure. The ending doesn’t come with a bow; it comes with a knot. And for me, that’s exactly how it should be. Real pain doesn’t resolve itself in one arc. Real trauma doesn’t end in a courtroom.

The First Thread is a hell of a start. It doesn’t just echo the tragedies of the past. It demands we listen. It stares into the cold machinery of justice and asks how many kids it has failed. This isn’t just a harrowing story. It’s a reckoning.

[Book Blogging Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly captivating thriller that pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go. Nadija Mujagic’s writing is sharp, intelligent, and emotionally charged, making the book impossible to put down.

Set in the 1980s - America’s worst time for missing children - this story follows Agent Daisy Adams as she attempts to locate a missing girl, Charlotte, who vanished without a trace from her front yard in Silver Spring Maryland one afternoon while her father fell asleep on the couch inside. With no witnesses, no clues, and not enough time, Daisy is worried this case may not have a happy ending. As Daisy races to find Charlotte, she is constantly battling the fear that her daughter Lila could one day be the next missing child she is trying desperately to locate.

The plot is a brilliant blend of suspense and psychological depth, with twists that are both surprising and satisfying. The characters are well-developed and complex, with their own unique motivations and secrets. The way Mujagic explores their inner turmoil, especially the main character’s, and their relationships adds an extra depth to the already intense narrative. I found myself rooting for some while questioning the motives of others, which kept me on the edge throughout the entire book.

The story unfolds with masterful pacing and is told through multiple POVs, creating a gripping, tense, and oftentimes chilling atmosphere. If you are a fan of thrillers with intricate plotting and unforgettable characters, The First Thread is a must-read. This is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it, especially since it is based on true events. I am impatiently waiting to read the next book in this series because I just have to know where this is headed. I highly recommend this for all thriller and true crime fans!!

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Thread by Nadija Mujagic is the first book to come out in the FBI Agent Daisy Adams trilogy. An absolute emotional roller coaster of a thriller, this book will have you hooked from the first page!

FBI Agent Daisy Adams is a rookie investigator and single mother to her young daughter Lila. When Daisy is called in to investigate the disappearance of six year old Charlotte Mercer, she is not prepared for the darkest depths that this case will lead her to. As Daisy tries to juggle her professional and personal life, very few clues are left to find Charlotte. Going through old case files reveals a startling number of missing child cases that are similar to Charlotte's. Can Daisy push herself harder than ever before to find little Charlotte? And with a potential seri@l k!ller out there can she keep her daughter Lila safe from becoming this brutal predators next victim?

Wow!! This book grabbed me by the throat and did not let go!! Based on true events in the 80's, before the Amber Alert and when missing kids were pictured on milk cartons, The First Thread is a dark thriller that dives right into the complexities and emotional turmoil of a missing child. Our MC Daisy is vulnerable and real, trying to balance being a female FBI agent in a man's world and her fears and insecurities as a single mom to a growing daughter. Her fear and panic is palpable, and will make you feel like you're right there in the scene. Nadija's writing is brilliant, packing in emotional depth and gut wrenching, creeping paranoia throughout. This book does deal with some heavy themes so just be aware. I need books 2 and 3 like yesterday!!

Thank you so much Nadija for letting me be a part of your ARC team!!

Book 2- The Crimson Knot- expected publication date June 2025.
Book 3- The Final Stitch- expected publication date August 2025.

Available on KU!!

[Monica Mil-Homens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want the remaining books yesterday! I'm still a bit shaken by what I read. I really needed to read a thriller like this! A true page-turner, based on real events, where the information is given to us little by little, like a trail of breadcrumbs, and with each chapter, it becomes more terrifying. Yes, this book is quite graphic, with multiple instances of extreme domestic violence and violence committed by psychopathic, traumatized, and completely deranged characters.

When we think the story starts with Charlotte's disappearance, by the end of this first book in the series (which will be a trilogy), we realize it all began much earlier, and a huge trail of victims may be starting to come to light.

The main character, FBI Agent Daisy Adams, is a strong woman with only one weakness: her daughter Lyla, whose safety becomes a top priority due to the case Daisy is investigating.

I'm eagerly waiting for the next one, grateful to be part of the ARC team, and I want to know more! I need ANSWERS!!! :)
--------------------------------------

PT
Quero os restantes livros para ontem! Eu ainda estou meio abalada com o que li. Já precisava de ler um Thriller destes! Um verdadeiro page turner, baseado em factos reais, em que a informação nos vai sendo dada aos poucos, como um rasto de migalhas, e que a cada capítulo nos aterroriza mais. Sim , que este livro é bastante gráfico, com múltiplas situações de violência doméstica extrema, e de violência perpetrada por personagens psicopatas, traumatizadas e completamente dementes. Quando pensamos que o inicio é o desaparecimento de Charlotte, ao chegarmos ao final deste primeiro livro desta série (será uma Trilogia) sabemos que começou tudo muito antes e que um enorme rasto de vitimas poderá estar a ser desvendado. A personagem principal, A inspetora do FBI Daisy Adams é uma mulher forte com apenas um ponto fraco, a sua filha Lyla, que face ao caso que está a investigar se torna imperativo a sua segurança extrema. Aguardo ansiosamente o próximo, grata por fazer parte da ARC team, e quero saber mais! Preciso de RESPOSTAS!!! :)

[Felecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you..... The First Thread.... took👏🏽me👏🏽through👏🏽the👏🏽ringer! My voice is still lodged in my throat somewhere.

YALL LISTEN!!! This book (based on true events now) is to be released on this Friday, April 25th, and yall betstabe (bets ta be aka better be 🤣) ready!

The first of a 3 book series, The First Thread takes one back to the 1980s when a pandemic (it should've been) within the United States his when hundreds of young children are taken (abducted) in broad daylight never to be seen again.

One thing that I don't play about is children so in reading this book, my nerves were👏🏽ALL👏🏽OVER👏🏽THE👏🏽PLACE! I was in tears at one point just messed up!

I love how, in the beginning, she let's you know up front, 'Hey look here: There are triggers in this book so move forward at your own discretion.' I'm grateful for it because baby, you needed it!

This book wasn't gory or anything of that nature but it does pull at your heart strings for a tenderoni like myself (🤣 but I'm serious lol). This was so well written and yes, I'm ready for book 2, The Crimson Knot, to be ready in like 5 minutes from now lol

Add this one to your list if you like stories that are inspired by true events 🥹🩷💙

[Mrs Buffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set against the haunting backdrop of 1980s —a time marked by fear, confusion, and heartbreaking headlines about missing children. The First Thread by Nadija Mujagic is a chilling, emotionally charged thriller that lingers long after the final page.

When six-year-old Charlotte Mercer vanishes from her quiet suburban neighborhood, rookie FBI Agent Daisy Adams is thrust into a case that feels both deeply public and painfully personal. As she searches for missing six-year-old Charlotte Mercer, the lines between her professional duty and personal fears begin to blur. Watching her try to hold everything together while haunted by the thought of her own daughter disappearing was both heartbreaking and incredibly real.

This isn’t just a mystery—it’s a powerful look at motherhood, fear, and the invisible threads that tie people together. Mujagic handles the sensitive subject matter with care and grace, and the writing is both sharp and deeply human.

I cannot wait for the next two books in this series. Daisy Adams is a character I’ll be following to the end—she’s that good.

Highly recommend if you enjoy thrillers with heart, layered characters, and stories that stay with you long after you finish.

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review – The First Thread by Nadija Mujagic
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The First Thread is a chilling, emotionally intense psychological thriller that pulled me in from the first page and never let go. Set in the haunting reality of the 1980s—America’s darkest decade for missing children—this story is both gripping and devastating.

FBI Agent Daisy Adams is a force, and her raw fear as both an investigator and a mother hits hard. The pacing is relentless, the tension razor-sharp, and the emotional depth left me haunted long after the final page.

Huge thanks to Nadija Mujagic for selecting me as an early reader—what an unforgettable, heart-pounding experience. I am looking forward to the next book

#TheFirstThread #NadijaMujagic #PsychologicalThriller #BookReview #ARC #GrippingReads #Bookstagram #BookRecommendation

[Susan Belman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book is intense! There wasn’t a dull moment, and I had trouble putting it down. When I wasn’t reading, I was trying to figure out when I could start reading again. It’s a deep, dark psychological thriller that really pulls you in. The story is based on real events from the 80s, which makes it even more chilling!

The plot seems simple, Agent Daisy Adams is on the hunt for a little girl, Charlotte, who disappeared from her front yard, in plain sight, but no one seems to know what happened. As the investigation goes cold, the panic grows, and Daisy starts to fear it might be too late. When she starts digging through old files on other missing children, she realizes she may be dealing with a serial killer. I loved how the story unfolded with different layers. The ending left me hanging, so I’m definitely looking forward to the next ones. I had to make sure there was a part 2 & 3 in the works (or I was going to throw my kindle at the floor - LOL). I’m excited to see how parts tie together in books 2 and 3.

This book is fantastic and a must-read for thriller lovers!

[Cori Hortin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gratefully an ARC reader for this one.

Agent Daisy Adams goes on a semi terrifying chase to find the person who took little Charlotte. As the amazing detective she is, she starts going through old case files and comes across a possible link between cold cases that may point to a serial killer?? No answer for that yet. With each piece of the puzzle being somewhat filled in, there’s a twist in each chapter.

This book goes between 3 different characters points of view between the past and the present. It is very methodically written and doesn’t bounce around so much that you got lost, just enough you get a detailed understanding in that moment.

I was hooked from go and it felt like I was in the interrogation rooms with the detectives throughout the whole book.

I can’t wait for books 2 & 3 to come out!!

[Rogère Buivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating : 5⭐️
Publication date : 04/25/25
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story is based on real events and little did I know that I knew the story (yeah I’m a crime series girl 🤣) so I was more than pleased to read that book !!
The writing style is really nice and well paced so you’re gripping your Kindle/book so hard and you literally can’t put it down !! I would have read it in one day if I could !!
If you love a very good crime/thriller book, go get it and read it !
It’s the first book of a series of 3 books so I can’t wait to read the others as well !
It was my first book of Nadija Mujagic but it won’t be the last at all !!
I love discovering new authors that is damn well so talented !!!

[R.M. Demeester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many other books by this author, and I had patiently waited for the final book in this series to drop so I could binge read the entire series.

I love true crime, and I love crime drama (gives Criminal Mind vibes) and this book delivers both in a fictionalized version of true events. The main character, Daisy, an FBI agent, was very relatable both as a single mother struggling with motherhood and juggling her career. Even more so, her investigation into a missing person case felt especially poignant, given that she has a child of her own.

Having read and engaged with many real-life cases, I found her portrayal as an FBI agent to be realistic and grounded.

I really can’t wait to read the next book in this series because I’m totally invested.

5 stars

[Danielle Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book from Nadija and it was fabulous. This book is the first in a 3 part series of Agent Daisy Adams and it is based on true events. This book had me captivated by the first page. (I should mention, i love when that happens). Following the life of Agent Adams and her daughter Lila kept me on my toes. Agent Adams is searching for the killer for missing Charlotte Mercer from Maryland in the 1980s. I dont recall hearing of any kidnapping cases in the 80s but it’s likely because I was a kid. The twists and turns kept coming. I’m still not quite sure I got it right, but I think I did. Can’t wait to start the second book, The Crimson Knot!

[Denise Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadija Mujagic is a wonderful story teller, and takes us back to the 1980s, to a time when children were vanishing without a trace, and parents clinging to hope that often never came. This is based on true events. We follow the FBI agent as she is called to the case. The descriptions in this book are so good, I felt like I was in the story, and could also picture locations like I was looking at them. It’s emotional, and suspenseful and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2!

Released date April 25, 2025