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In Case I Go Missing: A small town YA thriller, full of twists to keep you guessing
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Expected 28 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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In Case I Go Missing, the debut YA thriller from R. N. Swann, is a twist-filled small-town mystery. Perfect for fans of The Reappearance of Rachel Price.
Fenny has been the Watson to Sarah's Sherlock for as long as she can remember. Over the years, Sarah has ruffled a few feathers in their small town as an amateur detective and vigilante.
Now, she's disappeared. The police have written her off as a runaway - but when Fenny discovers the binder Sarah left behind with a disturbing title, In Case I Go Missing, she knows there's foul play. Sarah was investigating her biggest mystery yet, one so explosive it had the power to shake the town to its very foundations.
So Fenny picks up the case, following a trail of clues leading back to the dark, secret past of her home. How far did her suspects go to keep the truth buried?
Readers are gripped by In Case I Go Missing...
'A well-plotted mystery … a similar vibe to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, so if you liked that this is a must read' Netgalley reviewer
'I admit I’m a bit of an addict for YA/NA thrillers and this one certainly did not disappoint! I felt so deeply for the characters and was hooked on the mystery, waiting for every twist and turn in this tightly plotted adventure' Netgalley reviewer
'[A] wisecracking Young Adult mystery … Good for fans of Karen M. McManus, Holly Jackson and Ravena Guron' Netgalley reviewer
'A dark, twisty thriller built around fear, disappearance, and the stories we leave behind. Sharp pacing and a creeping sense of dread make it addictive' Netgalley reviewer
Fenny has been the Watson to Sarah's Sherlock for as long as she can remember. Over the years, Sarah has ruffled a few feathers in their small town as an amateur detective and vigilante.
Now, she's disappeared. The police have written her off as a runaway - but when Fenny discovers the binder Sarah left behind with a disturbing title, In Case I Go Missing, she knows there's foul play. Sarah was investigating her biggest mystery yet, one so explosive it had the power to shake the town to its very foundations.
So Fenny picks up the case, following a trail of clues leading back to the dark, secret past of her home. How far did her suspects go to keep the truth buried?
Readers are gripped by In Case I Go Missing...
'A well-plotted mystery … a similar vibe to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, so if you liked that this is a must read' Netgalley reviewer
'I admit I’m a bit of an addict for YA/NA thrillers and this one certainly did not disappoint! I felt so deeply for the characters and was hooked on the mystery, waiting for every twist and turn in this tightly plotted adventure' Netgalley reviewer
'[A] wisecracking Young Adult mystery … Good for fans of Karen M. McManus, Holly Jackson and Ravena Guron' Netgalley reviewer
'A dark, twisty thriller built around fear, disappearance, and the stories we leave behind. Sharp pacing and a creeping sense of dread make it addictive' Netgalley reviewer
Audible Audio
Expected publication May 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Want to Read
April 12, 2026YA mystery thriller and I have the arc, so sign me up....teen detective reminds me of Pip for sure, but it also reminds me of Nancy Drew because I spent my entire childhood reading those books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
I was pleasantly surprised at how invested I was in this YA debut. It's certainly been awhile that had me this engrossed, where even my sister asked me what I was reading so very intently. 😲 Strong storytelling, relatable and flawed characters, and a well-crafted mystery that progressed at a fast yet believable pace, where the tensions and hints unfolded in a gripping, tense fashion that had me turning the pages, eager to find out what happens next.
A propulsive thriller that follows Fenris Jane Allen, or Fenny, and her best friend, Sam as they search in determined desperation for the whereabouts of Sarah, the leader and mastermind of their three-person vigilante crusade, who went missing while trying to solve a decades-old unsolved mystery of Richmand, South Dakota. 😥
“I didn't know what made me more upset: that she left at all or that she left without me.”
It's more than just a suspenseful murder mystery full of secrets and crimes but an honest, complex, and ultimately, tragic, portrayal of the inseparable bond they shared, of how the little clues and hints left behind by Sarah in her binder defined how well she knew them, trusting they would rely on their memories of her to follow her footsteps in a more pragmatic way but also capturing how deep-rooted their friendship was. 😢
Fenny was such a capable and relatable protagonist; even when swayed by emotions, she used her head. I loved that the author did not attempt to create a forced romance between her and Sam but depicted a real feel to their dynamic. 🥺 One of trust and support and love, burying their own personal struggles in their desperate torment and turmoil of trying to find their best friend, finding strength in each other to keep their broken hearts steady and afloat, differently, awkwardly, with missing pieces and jagged edges, but together. ❤️🩹
Although, considering how big a part Sam's own family history played, I think it would have been nice to have his own POV to give weight to his emotions, too, as he, too, was bearing the brunt of parents who don't pay attention, with a complete lack of communication. Typical in YA, but what can you do? 🤷🏻♀️
“There was a story there. something important. i just couldn't see it yet.”
I was happy not knowing for sure who the culprit was; the unpredictable nature in not knowing how the clues would align kept the stakes elevated, and the tension escalated as Fenny and Sam drew nearer to how the past and the present connected - a clear pattern of disappearances was becoming visible. 😟The twists are challenging and harrowing, but it is the truth that is ultimately heartbreaking. One split decision can change the course of history; one ill-fated choice to save a friendship can cost a lifetime. It is loyalty over justice that tests our sense of righteousness.
The writing was also very accessible, a certain realness to it that easily drew me in. The tone felt authentic to the small-town vibes with its YA feel that just made it all the more engaging. It was not over-the-top, despite certain cliché inclusions, and it had a lot of heart to it, one that allowed me to feel the fears and the tears openly and expressively. 👍 It's a strong inclusion for the YA mystery-thriller market, and I actually look forward to more of the author's works. ✨
“A picture was appearing, piece by bloody piece, even if I didn't fully understand it yet. But i didn't feel ready, or adequate, or smart enough. How was I supposed to do this without her?”
I was pleasantly surprised at how invested I was in this YA debut. It's certainly been awhile that had me this engrossed, where even my sister asked me what I was reading so very intently. 😲 Strong storytelling, relatable and flawed characters, and a well-crafted mystery that progressed at a fast yet believable pace, where the tensions and hints unfolded in a gripping, tense fashion that had me turning the pages, eager to find out what happens next.
A propulsive thriller that follows Fenris Jane Allen, or Fenny, and her best friend, Sam as they search in determined desperation for the whereabouts of Sarah, the leader and mastermind of their three-person vigilante crusade, who went missing while trying to solve a decades-old unsolved mystery of Richmand, South Dakota. 😥
“I didn't know what made me more upset: that she left at all or that she left without me.”
It's more than just a suspenseful murder mystery full of secrets and crimes but an honest, complex, and ultimately, tragic, portrayal of the inseparable bond they shared, of how the little clues and hints left behind by Sarah in her binder defined how well she knew them, trusting they would rely on their memories of her to follow her footsteps in a more pragmatic way but also capturing how deep-rooted their friendship was. 😢
Fenny was such a capable and relatable protagonist; even when swayed by emotions, she used her head. I loved that the author did not attempt to create a forced romance between her and Sam but depicted a real feel to their dynamic. 🥺 One of trust and support and love, burying their own personal struggles in their desperate torment and turmoil of trying to find their best friend, finding strength in each other to keep their broken hearts steady and afloat, differently, awkwardly, with missing pieces and jagged edges, but together. ❤️🩹
Although, considering how big a part Sam's own family history played, I think it would have been nice to have his own POV to give weight to his emotions, too, as he, too, was bearing the brunt of parents who don't pay attention, with a complete lack of communication. Typical in YA, but what can you do? 🤷🏻♀️
“There was a story there. something important. i just couldn't see it yet.”
I was happy not knowing for sure who the culprit was; the unpredictable nature in not knowing how the clues would align kept the stakes elevated, and the tension escalated as Fenny and Sam drew nearer to how the past and the present connected - a clear pattern of disappearances was becoming visible. 😟The twists are challenging and harrowing, but it is the truth that is ultimately heartbreaking. One split decision can change the course of history; one ill-fated choice to save a friendship can cost a lifetime. It is loyalty over justice that tests our sense of righteousness.
The writing was also very accessible, a certain realness to it that easily drew me in. The tone felt authentic to the small-town vibes with its YA feel that just made it all the more engaging. It was not over-the-top, despite certain cliché inclusions, and it had a lot of heart to it, one that allowed me to feel the fears and the tears openly and expressively. 👍 It's a strong inclusion for the YA mystery-thriller market, and I actually look forward to more of the author's works. ✨
May 8, 2026
I was given the opportunity to read and review an ARC of In Case I Go Missing by R. N. Swann. This is the first book that I have read by R.N. Swann.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers.
It took me a few pages to get into the novel. At first, I did not enjoy the writing style. My opinion changed as I got invested in the fate of the characters. Fenny, Sam and Sarah have been best friends since they were young. They are now seventeen. Sarah is the one who talks them into troublesome situations trying to solve different wrongs that have been going on in the town. Sam is the misunderstood kid from a rich family and Fenny is the sidekick. But, when Sarah goes missing and everyone in the town believes that the troublemaker just ran away, Fenny and Sam start to investigate. They don’t believe that Sarah ran away especially when they begin to investigate the mystery that she was investigating. There are many suspects and many town secrets are revealed. It is important to remember that the narrator tells you right away that the story will not have a happy ending.
I enjoyed the twists and surprises in the novel. I plan to purchase this for my library collection and recommend it to my mystery-lover patrons.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers.
It took me a few pages to get into the novel. At first, I did not enjoy the writing style. My opinion changed as I got invested in the fate of the characters. Fenny, Sam and Sarah have been best friends since they were young. They are now seventeen. Sarah is the one who talks them into troublesome situations trying to solve different wrongs that have been going on in the town. Sam is the misunderstood kid from a rich family and Fenny is the sidekick. But, when Sarah goes missing and everyone in the town believes that the troublemaker just ran away, Fenny and Sam start to investigate. They don’t believe that Sarah ran away especially when they begin to investigate the mystery that she was investigating. There are many suspects and many town secrets are revealed. It is important to remember that the narrator tells you right away that the story will not have a happy ending.
I enjoyed the twists and surprises in the novel. I plan to purchase this for my library collection and recommend it to my mystery-lover patrons.
April 25, 2026
This immersive read came together in the best way thanks to a complimentary ARC from Random House Children’s via NetGalley and an ALC from PRH Audio through their influencer program—and I’m really glad I experienced it this way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The structure stood out immediately with its first-person POV told through journal-style entries, layered with a fourth-wall-breaking tone that is intended to be a legal deposition. It made for a unique and engaging format, even with all the twists and details to keep track of. It gave me slight A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder vibes in the sense of a young investigator digging into both past and present crimes, but it still very much stands on its own in a good way.
Doing this as an immersion read truly elevated the experience. Having the ARC on hand helped me follow the formatting and flip back when needed (which came in handy with all the moving pieces), while the audiobook added another layer of engagement. The narration by Alex Finke was beautifully done—she felt perfectly age-appropriate, with a natural pace at 1x that also held up well when sped up. Her tone and inflection kept me locked in, even during slower moments or when juggling a lot of information.
I also really loved the found family aspect. Fenny’s relationship with her friend Sam was a highlight, and I enjoyed seeing how their friendship evolved alongside their shared connection to Sarah—the center of their investigation.
All in all, this felt like a solid YA thriller that can appeal to a wide range of readers.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The structure stood out immediately with its first-person POV told through journal-style entries, layered with a fourth-wall-breaking tone that is intended to be a legal deposition. It made for a unique and engaging format, even with all the twists and details to keep track of. It gave me slight A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder vibes in the sense of a young investigator digging into both past and present crimes, but it still very much stands on its own in a good way.
Doing this as an immersion read truly elevated the experience. Having the ARC on hand helped me follow the formatting and flip back when needed (which came in handy with all the moving pieces), while the audiobook added another layer of engagement. The narration by Alex Finke was beautifully done—she felt perfectly age-appropriate, with a natural pace at 1x that also held up well when sped up. Her tone and inflection kept me locked in, even during slower moments or when juggling a lot of information.
I also really loved the found family aspect. Fenny’s relationship with her friend Sam was a highlight, and I enjoyed seeing how their friendship evolved alongside their shared connection to Sarah—the center of their investigation.
All in all, this felt like a solid YA thriller that can appeal to a wide range of readers.
March 3, 2026
This was such a satisfying YA mystery.
Seventeen-year-old Fenny Allen has always lived in the shadow of her bold, brilliant best friend, Sarah Vincenty — the town’s self-appointed amateur detective and vigilante. But when Sarah suddenly disappears and the police dismiss her as a runaway, Fenny refuses to believe it. And when she finds a binder titled In Case I Go Missing, she realizes Sarah anticipated this all along.
From that moment on, I was hooked.
What I loved most was following the breadcrumb trail Sarah intentionally left behind. The binder was such a clever narrative device — each clue unfolding like a puzzle piece in a larger, darker picture. It made the reading experience feel interactive, like you were solving the mystery alongside Fenny and Sam.
The decades-old town mystery layered into the present-day disappearance added depth and stakes. The small-town setting was done so well — that eerie feeling that everyone knows each other… and everyone has something to hide. As Fenny steps out of her sidekick role and into her own strength, her character growth felt authentic and empowering.
Read if you love:
• Small-town secrets
• Clever clue trails
• Strong female friendships
• Twisty YA mysteries with heart
This one absolutely delivers. I devoured it and loved every second of following Sarah’s carefully constructed trail.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Seventeen-year-old Fenny Allen has always lived in the shadow of her bold, brilliant best friend, Sarah Vincenty — the town’s self-appointed amateur detective and vigilante. But when Sarah suddenly disappears and the police dismiss her as a runaway, Fenny refuses to believe it. And when she finds a binder titled In Case I Go Missing, she realizes Sarah anticipated this all along.
From that moment on, I was hooked.
What I loved most was following the breadcrumb trail Sarah intentionally left behind. The binder was such a clever narrative device — each clue unfolding like a puzzle piece in a larger, darker picture. It made the reading experience feel interactive, like you were solving the mystery alongside Fenny and Sam.
The decades-old town mystery layered into the present-day disappearance added depth and stakes. The small-town setting was done so well — that eerie feeling that everyone knows each other… and everyone has something to hide. As Fenny steps out of her sidekick role and into her own strength, her character growth felt authentic and empowering.
Read if you love:
• Small-town secrets
• Clever clue trails
• Strong female friendships
• Twisty YA mysteries with heart
This one absolutely delivers. I devoured it and loved every second of following Sarah’s carefully constructed trail.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this! Young adult mysteries are harder to win me over these days, but this one did. I liked that it was a mystery within a mystery and that the missing girl’s friends had to follow in her footsteps/investigation in order to also figure out what happened to her. The characters were fine and not memorable, but they really didn’t need to be. This was exactly what I hoped it would be when I read the premise.
May 1, 2026
Review to come..
April 4, 2026
Wow. Woooooow. This book is so good. I admit that it started off a bit slow for me, but once I got into it, it was everything. I had no idea where the mystery was going (Farming? Really?), and it kept me on the edge of my seat. And it’s all so heartbreaking. Just… ugh. Please read this book. Thanks to Viking Books for the arc.
February 27, 2026
Reviewing an uncorrected proof/advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley.*
This is easily one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read.
What makes it exceptional is the sheer number of layers woven into the story. The narrative moves across generations - from a present-day group of teenagers to those who once stood exactly where they are, and even further back. Watching the current generation dig into the past, uncovering secrets of people who were once their age, and realizing how history loops and reshapes itself… it was brilliantly executed.
The plot is phenomenal. Even though we’re given clues and subtle reveals throughout, I genuinely couldn’t figure out who the killer was until the very end. That’s how masterfully the mystery was constructed. The pacing, the twists, the carefully placed breadcrumbs - everything felt intentional and gripping.
What truly elevated this book, though, was the emotional depth. These teenagers felt real. They aren’t perfect. They mess up. They mistrust each other. They fracture friendships. They blame adults. They fall apart and slowly mend. And just as powerfully, the adults are growing too.
Characters like Roberta, Fenny’s mother, and the school principal, Alex Prescott, aren’t static authority figures. They evolve alongside the teenagers. As the 17-year-olds try to rebuild trust after the disappearance of their close friend fractures their relationships, the adults are also forced to confront their past mistakes. The generational healing and the shifting dynamics between adults and teenagers add such a rich emotional undercurrent to an already brilliant thriller.
For a debut author, this feels astonishingly seasoned. The storytelling confidence, the layered plotting, the emotional realism - it reads like the work of someone who has been writing thrillers for decades.
Mystery. Generational trauma. Teenage friendships. Adult regret. Growth. Consequences. Redemption.
It was epic.
An easy five stars. This is absolutely going onto my favorites shelf, and I cannot wait to buy a physical copy when it releases.
April 27, 2026
I received an advanced copy of In Case I Go Missing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a quick, addictive read. It follows best friends Fenny & Sam as they try to solve a mystery after the third member of their trio, Sarah, goes missing, leaving behind a trail of clues. What starts as a search for their friend turns into uncovering a decades-old mystery tied to their town’s past.
The pacing kept me hooked, and I loved how the clues slowly came together. I felt really connected to the characters, which made the story even more engaging.
I had no idea who was involved until the last couple chapters, and I love a mystery that can actually surprise me. Definitely a fun, twisty thriller to pick up.
This was such a quick, addictive read. It follows best friends Fenny & Sam as they try to solve a mystery after the third member of their trio, Sarah, goes missing, leaving behind a trail of clues. What starts as a search for their friend turns into uncovering a decades-old mystery tied to their town’s past.
The pacing kept me hooked, and I loved how the clues slowly came together. I felt really connected to the characters, which made the story even more engaging.
I had no idea who was involved until the last couple chapters, and I love a mystery that can actually surprise me. Definitely a fun, twisty thriller to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For a 400 page book, this was a really fast read. So easy to binge. There was a lot going on in the book, but all of it kept me interested and trying to predict what happened. There were several times I thought the story was wrapping up only to realize there was still a lot more book left. Sometimes that can be frustrating, but it didn't bother me with this one because the different pieces and players were just so perfectly sprinkled throughout the book that it kept me reading and guessing.
Perfect for fans of books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Truly Devious, and The Agathas. This YA mystery/thriller is going to be a big hit.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Perfect for fans of books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Truly Devious, and The Agathas. This YA mystery/thriller is going to be a big hit.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Did Not Finish
March 30, 2026Sigh. I’m just BORED. I don’t even care why Sarah is missing. Fenny is a stupid ass name and I did not give one single shit about the town’s history. This was the least suspenseful thriller ever.
April 24, 2026
3.75. Was definitely slower than I liked but good enough over all. Very much Outer Banks meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Guys, we have a big winner here, and I’m proudly announcing a brilliant new YA mystery author: R. N. Swann! In my opinion, this writer is ready to compete for the throne alongside powerhouse YA mystery authors like Karen M. McManus, Holly Jackson, and Maureen Johnson.
This complex and gripping crime thriller delivers a mystery within another mystery, packed with suspects, secrets, and motives that keep you constantly guessing whodunit until the very last moment. The pacing is incredibly engaging, the kind that keeps you glued to the pages and sitting at the edge of your seat because you just need to know what happens next.
The structure of the story is particularly clever. Everything begins with the mysterious disappearance of Sarah Vincenty, which slowly unravels a massive town secret. But that’s only the beginning. As the investigation deepens, another missing-person case from twenty years ago emerges, and the possibility that the two incidents might be connected opens the door to even more shocking revelations. The author carefully layers the twists, building tension step by step until the final moments deliver some truly powerful surprises.
When it comes to characters, Fenny Allen completely stole my heart. She became my favorite almost immediately. Fenny isn’t loud, flashy, or the kind of person who dreams of being a genius detective solving headline-making cases. Instead, she’s quiet, thoughtful, and incredibly intelligent in her own understated way. What truly defines her is her determination and her enormous heart.
Her life is far from easy. She’s been abandoned by her father, lives with a neglectful mother who struggles with alcoholism, and now she’s facing the devastating disappearance of one of her closest friends. Inside, she’s falling apart—but she refuses to give up. Fenny is stubborn in the best possible way. No matter how painful the truth might be, she’s determined to find it.
For years, Fenny was the loyal sidekick to Sarah and their friend Sam. Together they spent their time exposing small-town secrets, correcting injustices, and running their own amateur investigations. But everything changes when Sarah suddenly decides to distance herself from them and work alone. Then, without warning, she disappears.
Now seventeen-year-old Fenny refuses to remain in the background. She steps out of Sarah’s shadow and takes the lead, determined to solve the mystery herself—even though it might be the most difficult and dangerous challenge she has ever faced.
The plot itself is absolutely fascinating. Sarah Vincenty, a fearless amateur detective and self-appointed seeker of justice, vanishes at seventeen—but not before leaving a series of notes and clues behind for her best friends Fenny and Sam, just in case something happens to her.
Sam, meanwhile, comes from the wealthiest family in town—a family that may have secrets of its own hidden behind closed doors.
Neither Fenny nor Sam believes Sarah is dead. Instead, they decide to follow the trail she left behind and continue investigating the case she had been working on before her disappearance. But what starts as a search for answers quickly turns into something much bigger: a mystery that could expose powerful people and shake the entire town to its core.
Sarah had already compiled a long list of suspects, and the deeper Fenny and Sam dig, the more they realize that almost no one can be trusted.
The tension escalates as threats begin to surface. Sarah had tried to keep her friends out of the investigation to protect them—but now it’s too late. The people responsible for Sarah’s disappearance may be watching, and Fenny and Sam could be their next targets.
Overall, this book absolutely worked for me. The characters feel authentic and emotionally layered, the mystery unfolds in a smart and satisfying way, and the writing kept my eyes glued to the pages from beginning to end.
I’ve officially added this author to my auto-read list, and I can’t wait to see what they write next.
If you’re addicted to mysteries like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder or the twisty YA thrillers of Karen M. McManus, then this book will absolutely be your next obsession. In my opinion, it’s easily one of the best YA mysteries of the year, and it truly earned my five-star rating.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and the Penguin Young Readers Group / Viking Books for Young Readers for sharing this addictive YA thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This complex and gripping crime thriller delivers a mystery within another mystery, packed with suspects, secrets, and motives that keep you constantly guessing whodunit until the very last moment. The pacing is incredibly engaging, the kind that keeps you glued to the pages and sitting at the edge of your seat because you just need to know what happens next.
The structure of the story is particularly clever. Everything begins with the mysterious disappearance of Sarah Vincenty, which slowly unravels a massive town secret. But that’s only the beginning. As the investigation deepens, another missing-person case from twenty years ago emerges, and the possibility that the two incidents might be connected opens the door to even more shocking revelations. The author carefully layers the twists, building tension step by step until the final moments deliver some truly powerful surprises.
When it comes to characters, Fenny Allen completely stole my heart. She became my favorite almost immediately. Fenny isn’t loud, flashy, or the kind of person who dreams of being a genius detective solving headline-making cases. Instead, she’s quiet, thoughtful, and incredibly intelligent in her own understated way. What truly defines her is her determination and her enormous heart.
Her life is far from easy. She’s been abandoned by her father, lives with a neglectful mother who struggles with alcoholism, and now she’s facing the devastating disappearance of one of her closest friends. Inside, she’s falling apart—but she refuses to give up. Fenny is stubborn in the best possible way. No matter how painful the truth might be, she’s determined to find it.
For years, Fenny was the loyal sidekick to Sarah and their friend Sam. Together they spent their time exposing small-town secrets, correcting injustices, and running their own amateur investigations. But everything changes when Sarah suddenly decides to distance herself from them and work alone. Then, without warning, she disappears.
Now seventeen-year-old Fenny refuses to remain in the background. She steps out of Sarah’s shadow and takes the lead, determined to solve the mystery herself—even though it might be the most difficult and dangerous challenge she has ever faced.
The plot itself is absolutely fascinating. Sarah Vincenty, a fearless amateur detective and self-appointed seeker of justice, vanishes at seventeen—but not before leaving a series of notes and clues behind for her best friends Fenny and Sam, just in case something happens to her.
Sam, meanwhile, comes from the wealthiest family in town—a family that may have secrets of its own hidden behind closed doors.
Neither Fenny nor Sam believes Sarah is dead. Instead, they decide to follow the trail she left behind and continue investigating the case she had been working on before her disappearance. But what starts as a search for answers quickly turns into something much bigger: a mystery that could expose powerful people and shake the entire town to its core.
Sarah had already compiled a long list of suspects, and the deeper Fenny and Sam dig, the more they realize that almost no one can be trusted.
The tension escalates as threats begin to surface. Sarah had tried to keep her friends out of the investigation to protect them—but now it’s too late. The people responsible for Sarah’s disappearance may be watching, and Fenny and Sam could be their next targets.
Overall, this book absolutely worked for me. The characters feel authentic and emotionally layered, the mystery unfolds in a smart and satisfying way, and the writing kept my eyes glued to the pages from beginning to end.
I’ve officially added this author to my auto-read list, and I can’t wait to see what they write next.
If you’re addicted to mysteries like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder or the twisty YA thrillers of Karen M. McManus, then this book will absolutely be your next obsession. In my opinion, it’s easily one of the best YA mysteries of the year, and it truly earned my five-star rating.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and the Penguin Young Readers Group / Viking Books for Young Readers for sharing this addictive YA thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
A suspenseful murder mystery with teens forced to play detective when their best friend goes missing with only blood and an ominous message left behind. Throw in a small town, flawed and real characters and a thrilling pace as secrets and tensions are revealed and you’ve got a fantastic read that has me eagerly flipping through the pages.
The story follows Fenny and Sam, two parts of a best friend trio. Sarah, the leader of their many misadventures has gone missing after weeks of acting unusually. She has always loved mysteries and the three of them have spent their youth solving crimes, outing affairs, revealing scandals and more. Their loyalty is unbreakable so when they find out Sarah has been hunting a mystery without them and its the one to take her away, is more than a blow. Fenny is single minded in solving Sarah’s mystery, determined to believe it will being her back to them.
The characters were complex, honest, raw in this beautiful and tragic story of friendship. Sarah trusted her friends to know her well enough to find the clues she left for them. And they do, the friendships infusing every page. It’s not perfect, it can be messy and hurtful with arguments and sore feelings but it’s also full of kindness and understanding, of acceptance without expectations. I loved that there was no forced romance between the characters, just two friends learning how to exist without their best friend, fitting their jagged edges together as they search for answers.
Fenny was full of feeling but capable and determined. She balanced nicely with Sam, even as she tried to fulfil Sarah’s role. All the characters felt raw around the edges and I liked that they weren’t just another teen detective who likes true crime, but just three friends that cling to each other as a safe havens from their less than perfect lives, and follow Sarah’s self righteous need to expose people’s secret when they hurt others. The whole cast was compelling and added depth to the story and showed how there’s always more to a person that meets the eye.
The mystery itself has a lot of moving pieces. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering what tied the characters together, which secrets they’ve buried and why. I was happily along for the ride, gasping with each betrayal and unexpected turn in the hunt. I appreciated how many people were involved and how the truth behind it came together. Secrets never stayed buried.
It shows us how one choice can ripple over time. What does it look like when fear, loyalty, selfishness wins out over justice? There will always be casualties. The emerging patterns of disappearances and you know this story won’t end well. I liked how it ended, it felt full circle, like the characters could finally breathe after the constant tension of secrets and past hurts despite everything they’ve been through.
The pacing was full throttle but perfect, it stayed realistic but kept the plot moving with every subplot or extra scene playing a greater role in the story. Old hurts are excised from the dark and relationships tentatively worked out as a natural progression of the characters emotional journey.
The writing was perfectly balanced to deliver an access ya thriller with the familiar set up (teen detective, small town) but with a lot more heart and grit than I expected. It stands up on its own and apart from others, definitely a worthy addition to the genre and one I had a great time reading.
If you enjoy books like A Goose Girls Guide to Murder and The Summer She Went Missing then this should be on your radar!
A suspenseful murder mystery with teens forced to play detective when their best friend goes missing with only blood and an ominous message left behind. Throw in a small town, flawed and real characters and a thrilling pace as secrets and tensions are revealed and you’ve got a fantastic read that has me eagerly flipping through the pages.
The story follows Fenny and Sam, two parts of a best friend trio. Sarah, the leader of their many misadventures has gone missing after weeks of acting unusually. She has always loved mysteries and the three of them have spent their youth solving crimes, outing affairs, revealing scandals and more. Their loyalty is unbreakable so when they find out Sarah has been hunting a mystery without them and its the one to take her away, is more than a blow. Fenny is single minded in solving Sarah’s mystery, determined to believe it will being her back to them.
The characters were complex, honest, raw in this beautiful and tragic story of friendship. Sarah trusted her friends to know her well enough to find the clues she left for them. And they do, the friendships infusing every page. It’s not perfect, it can be messy and hurtful with arguments and sore feelings but it’s also full of kindness and understanding, of acceptance without expectations. I loved that there was no forced romance between the characters, just two friends learning how to exist without their best friend, fitting their jagged edges together as they search for answers.
Fenny was full of feeling but capable and determined. She balanced nicely with Sam, even as she tried to fulfil Sarah’s role. All the characters felt raw around the edges and I liked that they weren’t just another teen detective who likes true crime, but just three friends that cling to each other as a safe havens from their less than perfect lives, and follow Sarah’s self righteous need to expose people’s secret when they hurt others. The whole cast was compelling and added depth to the story and showed how there’s always more to a person that meets the eye.
The mystery itself has a lot of moving pieces. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering what tied the characters together, which secrets they’ve buried and why. I was happily along for the ride, gasping with each betrayal and unexpected turn in the hunt. I appreciated how many people were involved and how the truth behind it came together. Secrets never stayed buried.
It shows us how one choice can ripple over time. What does it look like when fear, loyalty, selfishness wins out over justice? There will always be casualties. The emerging patterns of disappearances and you know this story won’t end well. I liked how it ended, it felt full circle, like the characters could finally breathe after the constant tension of secrets and past hurts despite everything they’ve been through.
The pacing was full throttle but perfect, it stayed realistic but kept the plot moving with every subplot or extra scene playing a greater role in the story. Old hurts are excised from the dark and relationships tentatively worked out as a natural progression of the characters emotional journey.
The writing was perfectly balanced to deliver an access ya thriller with the familiar set up (teen detective, small town) but with a lot more heart and grit than I expected. It stands up on its own and apart from others, definitely a worthy addition to the genre and one I had a great time reading.
If you enjoy books like A Goose Girls Guide to Murder and The Summer She Went Missing then this should be on your radar!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“In Case I Go Missing” by R.N. Swann is a layered, fast-moving YA mystery that combines small-town secrets, long-buried history, and the emotional fallout of losing someone you thought would always be there. With a clever hook and steadily escalating tension, Swann delivers a suspenseful story that rewards patient readers who enjoy complex, twist-heavy mysteries.
Seventeen-year-old Fenny Allen has always been the sidekick to Sarah Vincenty who is the town’s self-appointed teen detective who exposes secrets, solves petty crimes, and isn’t afraid to take justice into her own hands. So when Sarah disappears just before graduation, the police are quick to label her a runaway. Fenny knows better. Her certainty deepens when she finds a binder Sarah left behind titled In Case I Go Missing, filled with notes, clues, and ominously torn-out pages.
Alongside Sam, her other best friend, Fenny picks up Sarah’s final investigation. What begins as a search for a missing girl quickly spirals into something far larger: a century-old mystery involving missing gold, a forgotten abandoned church, a man who vanished ten years earlier, and a cover-up that reaches into the highest levels of their small town. As suspects multiply, many of them powerful and protected, it becomes clear that Sarah’s disappearance is tied directly to secrets some people would kill to keep buried.
One of the story’s greatest strengths is its characters. Fenny and Sam feel like real teenagers, balancing gallows humor, fear, and loyalty in a way that keeps the story grounded. Their friendship is the emotional heart of the book, especially as both are dealing with difficult home lives. Sam’s in particular is shaped by years of abuse from his older brother. Sarah herself is a more complicated presence: smart and driven, but also deeply flawed, willing to exploit others’ secrets in pursuit of the truth. No one here is idealized, which makes the stakes feel more authentic.
The mystery is dense, with multiple timelines and plot threads weaving together, sometimes almost overwhelmingly so. Younger readers may find it a bit complicated, but Swann ultimately brings everything together in a way that feels intentional and satisfying. The pacing steadily tightens, layering twist upon twist until the central question--whether Sarah is alive or dead—can no longer be avoided.
By the end, the story delivers solid closure without pretending that trauma and loss vanish neatly. The characters grow, the truth comes to light, and there’s a sense of hard-won resolution rather than easy answers.
Overall, “In Case I Go Missing” is a smart, suspenseful YA thriller packed with secrets, history, and moral gray areas. With its strong friendships, flawed characters, and intricately connected mystery, it’s a rewarding read for older YA fans who enjoy complicated puzzles and small-town darkness lurking just beneath the surface.
“In Case I Go Missing” by R.N. Swann is a layered, fast-moving YA mystery that combines small-town secrets, long-buried history, and the emotional fallout of losing someone you thought would always be there. With a clever hook and steadily escalating tension, Swann delivers a suspenseful story that rewards patient readers who enjoy complex, twist-heavy mysteries.
Seventeen-year-old Fenny Allen has always been the sidekick to Sarah Vincenty who is the town’s self-appointed teen detective who exposes secrets, solves petty crimes, and isn’t afraid to take justice into her own hands. So when Sarah disappears just before graduation, the police are quick to label her a runaway. Fenny knows better. Her certainty deepens when she finds a binder Sarah left behind titled In Case I Go Missing, filled with notes, clues, and ominously torn-out pages.
Alongside Sam, her other best friend, Fenny picks up Sarah’s final investigation. What begins as a search for a missing girl quickly spirals into something far larger: a century-old mystery involving missing gold, a forgotten abandoned church, a man who vanished ten years earlier, and a cover-up that reaches into the highest levels of their small town. As suspects multiply, many of them powerful and protected, it becomes clear that Sarah’s disappearance is tied directly to secrets some people would kill to keep buried.
One of the story’s greatest strengths is its characters. Fenny and Sam feel like real teenagers, balancing gallows humor, fear, and loyalty in a way that keeps the story grounded. Their friendship is the emotional heart of the book, especially as both are dealing with difficult home lives. Sam’s in particular is shaped by years of abuse from his older brother. Sarah herself is a more complicated presence: smart and driven, but also deeply flawed, willing to exploit others’ secrets in pursuit of the truth. No one here is idealized, which makes the stakes feel more authentic.
The mystery is dense, with multiple timelines and plot threads weaving together, sometimes almost overwhelmingly so. Younger readers may find it a bit complicated, but Swann ultimately brings everything together in a way that feels intentional and satisfying. The pacing steadily tightens, layering twist upon twist until the central question--whether Sarah is alive or dead—can no longer be avoided.
By the end, the story delivers solid closure without pretending that trauma and loss vanish neatly. The characters grow, the truth comes to light, and there’s a sense of hard-won resolution rather than easy answers.
Overall, “In Case I Go Missing” is a smart, suspenseful YA thriller packed with secrets, history, and moral gray areas. With its strong friendships, flawed characters, and intricately connected mystery, it’s a rewarding read for older YA fans who enjoy complicated puzzles and small-town darkness lurking just beneath the surface.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Case I Go Missing by R.N. Swann is, somewhat irritatingly, very good. The kind of good where you keep expecting it to fumble something and it just…doesn’t. Five stars, even if I resent how easily it earns them.
The premise sounds like something you’ve seen before. Missing girl. Small town. A binder full of clues because apparently some teenagers are far more organized than the rest of us will ever be. Her best friend picks up where she left off. You think you know the shape of this story. You do not. Or at least, not for long.
The book has been described as “tightly plotted” and “twist-filled,” which usually translates to “we tried our best.” Here, it actually means it. The plot is structured with an almost suspicious level of competence. Twists don’t feel random or desperate. They feel earned, which is frankly a little rude because it leaves you with fewer things to complain about.
The binder could have been a gimmick. It is not. It is, annoyingly, the best part. It turns the whole story into a kind of collaborative investigation where you’re constantly flipping back, rethinking, and realizing you’ve been confidently wrong for several chapters. It gives the book momentum and just enough interactivity to make you feel involved, right up until it outpaces you again.
The town is exactly what you want from a small-town mystery, meaning deeply unsettling beneath a thin layer of “we all know each other here.” Yes, you do. That’s the problem. Everyone knows everyone, everyone knows something, and no one is particularly interested in being helpful about it. The deeper the story goes, the clearer it becomes that secrets here aren’t just kept, they’re maintained. With effort.
Fenny makes for a solid lead mostly because she doesn’t feel like she’s been designed to be likable at all times. She’s determined, increasingly overwhelmed, and makes choices that feel realistic rather than heroic. Her relationships, especially with Sarah and Sam, add emotional weight without turning the book into a therapy session. The story has places to be, and it knows it.
Also, this is not a cozy mystery wearing a leather jacket. The tone has some bite. The Fargo comparisons are deserved, not because it’s quirky, but because it has that same underlying belief that people, given the opportunity, will make impressively bad decisions and then double down on them.
If there’s anything to flag, it’s that the book does not go out of its way to make you comfortable. It doesn’t handhold, it doesn’t over-explain, and it definitely doesn’t wrap everything up in a neat, reassuring bow. You’re expected to keep up. It assumes you can, which is generous.
In the end, this is a debut that is far more put-together than it has any right to be. Smart, fast, and just self-aware enough to avoid its own tropes, In Case I Go Missing is one of those books that quietly outperforms most of its competition while pretending it’s just another mystery. It isn’t. And yes, fine, it deserves the five stars.
The premise sounds like something you’ve seen before. Missing girl. Small town. A binder full of clues because apparently some teenagers are far more organized than the rest of us will ever be. Her best friend picks up where she left off. You think you know the shape of this story. You do not. Or at least, not for long.
The book has been described as “tightly plotted” and “twist-filled,” which usually translates to “we tried our best.” Here, it actually means it. The plot is structured with an almost suspicious level of competence. Twists don’t feel random or desperate. They feel earned, which is frankly a little rude because it leaves you with fewer things to complain about.
The binder could have been a gimmick. It is not. It is, annoyingly, the best part. It turns the whole story into a kind of collaborative investigation where you’re constantly flipping back, rethinking, and realizing you’ve been confidently wrong for several chapters. It gives the book momentum and just enough interactivity to make you feel involved, right up until it outpaces you again.
The town is exactly what you want from a small-town mystery, meaning deeply unsettling beneath a thin layer of “we all know each other here.” Yes, you do. That’s the problem. Everyone knows everyone, everyone knows something, and no one is particularly interested in being helpful about it. The deeper the story goes, the clearer it becomes that secrets here aren’t just kept, they’re maintained. With effort.
Fenny makes for a solid lead mostly because she doesn’t feel like she’s been designed to be likable at all times. She’s determined, increasingly overwhelmed, and makes choices that feel realistic rather than heroic. Her relationships, especially with Sarah and Sam, add emotional weight without turning the book into a therapy session. The story has places to be, and it knows it.
Also, this is not a cozy mystery wearing a leather jacket. The tone has some bite. The Fargo comparisons are deserved, not because it’s quirky, but because it has that same underlying belief that people, given the opportunity, will make impressively bad decisions and then double down on them.
If there’s anything to flag, it’s that the book does not go out of its way to make you comfortable. It doesn’t handhold, it doesn’t over-explain, and it definitely doesn’t wrap everything up in a neat, reassuring bow. You’re expected to keep up. It assumes you can, which is generous.
In the end, this is a debut that is far more put-together than it has any right to be. Smart, fast, and just self-aware enough to avoid its own tropes, In Case I Go Missing is one of those books that quietly outperforms most of its competition while pretending it’s just another mystery. It isn’t. And yes, fine, it deserves the five stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, thank you Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Second, this is easily one of the best young adult mysteries I’ve read in a long time.
It’s difficult to do this book justice in a review, especially without giving too much away, but here goes. At its core, In Case I Go Missing is a story about friendship and loyalty. It follows Fenny and Sam, best friends who become entangled in a complicated mystery when Sarah (the third member of their group) goes missing. The three friends have been solving the local town’s mysteries (such as, who is behind the school’s stolen library books) together for years, with Sarah as their ringleader. However, this time Fenny and Sam discover Sarah has been working on a much bigger case on her own– a case involving the town’s history that has dangerous and potentially deadly consequences. When Fenny and Sam realize that Sarah has left behind clues for them, they begin investigating in hopes of solving the case and finding their friend. What follows is a complex mystery full of twists as everyone Fenny and Sam encounter becomes a suspect.
The best aspects of this book, in my opinion, are:
The mystery is complex, similar to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I was trying to guess the conclusion the entire time I was reading, and I was still surprised by the ending.
The portrayal of life in a small town is very accurate. This is a place where people know their neighbors, and the entire community is deeply affected by Sarah’s disappearance.
The main characters, Fenny and Sam, are well-developed and likeable. Even the supporting characters have distinct voices, which is hard to pull off in a story with so many moving pieces.
The writing style comes across as unbiased. In this book, people make good choices and they make bad choices. All the characters are unique and they don’t feel like stereotypes, which I found refreshing.
The flashbacks to a younger Sarah reminded me of Harriet the Spy.
I would recommend this book for older teens, fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus, and anyone who enjoys mysteries and/or true crime stories. This is definitely an author to watch, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
It’s difficult to do this book justice in a review, especially without giving too much away, but here goes. At its core, In Case I Go Missing is a story about friendship and loyalty. It follows Fenny and Sam, best friends who become entangled in a complicated mystery when Sarah (the third member of their group) goes missing. The three friends have been solving the local town’s mysteries (such as, who is behind the school’s stolen library books) together for years, with Sarah as their ringleader. However, this time Fenny and Sam discover Sarah has been working on a much bigger case on her own– a case involving the town’s history that has dangerous and potentially deadly consequences. When Fenny and Sam realize that Sarah has left behind clues for them, they begin investigating in hopes of solving the case and finding their friend. What follows is a complex mystery full of twists as everyone Fenny and Sam encounter becomes a suspect.
The best aspects of this book, in my opinion, are:
The mystery is complex, similar to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I was trying to guess the conclusion the entire time I was reading, and I was still surprised by the ending.
The portrayal of life in a small town is very accurate. This is a place where people know their neighbors, and the entire community is deeply affected by Sarah’s disappearance.
The main characters, Fenny and Sam, are well-developed and likeable. Even the supporting characters have distinct voices, which is hard to pull off in a story with so many moving pieces.
The writing style comes across as unbiased. In this book, people make good choices and they make bad choices. All the characters are unique and they don’t feel like stereotypes, which I found refreshing.
The flashbacks to a younger Sarah reminded me of Harriet the Spy.
I would recommend this book for older teens, fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus, and anyone who enjoys mysteries and/or true crime stories. This is definitely an author to watch, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story follows Fenny Allen, who has always been the loyal sidekick to teen detective Sarah Vincenty. When Sarah disappears, most people in town assume she just ran away, but Fenny, her best friend, is sure there’s more to it.
Fenny is a character driven by raw emotion. Her life is already fractured due to her father's leaving her and her mother for a younger woman. Her mother copes with the fallout through alcohol and unhealthy relationships. With no real support system, Sarah’s disappearance pushes Fenny into a storm of anger and grief. When she discovers the binder Sarah abandoned behind, it becomes both a roadmap and an obsession, a lifeline to Sarah. Finishing Sarah’s investigation becomes Fenny’s way of reclaiming some sense of control in a life that feels completely shattered.
Sam, their other close friend, is the only steady presence Fenny has left. He gives her some stability, even when she pulls him into risky situations. Their friendship is at the heart of the story. Fenny’s loyalty to Sarah and Sam’s loyalty to Fenny create a bond that feels real, especially for teens who often depend on friends more than adults.
The emotional themes become even more fraught in the absence of caring adults. None of the adults in this story creates a safe place for Feeny and Sam, leaving them to navigate grief, fear, and danger on their own. As a result, the two of them become scrappy and fiercely protective of one another. Their determination to discover the truth isn’t simplyabout solving a mystery; it’s about holding onto the people who matter most to them.
Fenny often goes too far, and her anger sometimes puts her in danger and leads to risky mistakes. But this also makes her feel real and relatable. Her actions stem from the pain of abandonment. The mystery unravels through clues connected to the town’s history, and the tension rises as it becomes clear that someone in town will stop at nothing, not even murder, to hide the truth. This story is about friendship, grief, and the kind of loyalty that can make people act recklessly out of love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.
Fenny is a character driven by raw emotion. Her life is already fractured due to her father's leaving her and her mother for a younger woman. Her mother copes with the fallout through alcohol and unhealthy relationships. With no real support system, Sarah’s disappearance pushes Fenny into a storm of anger and grief. When she discovers the binder Sarah abandoned behind, it becomes both a roadmap and an obsession, a lifeline to Sarah. Finishing Sarah’s investigation becomes Fenny’s way of reclaiming some sense of control in a life that feels completely shattered.
Sam, their other close friend, is the only steady presence Fenny has left. He gives her some stability, even when she pulls him into risky situations. Their friendship is at the heart of the story. Fenny’s loyalty to Sarah and Sam’s loyalty to Fenny create a bond that feels real, especially for teens who often depend on friends more than adults.
The emotional themes become even more fraught in the absence of caring adults. None of the adults in this story creates a safe place for Feeny and Sam, leaving them to navigate grief, fear, and danger on their own. As a result, the two of them become scrappy and fiercely protective of one another. Their determination to discover the truth isn’t simplyabout solving a mystery; it’s about holding onto the people who matter most to them.
Fenny often goes too far, and her anger sometimes puts her in danger and leads to risky mistakes. But this also makes her feel real and relatable. Her actions stem from the pain of abandonment. The mystery unravels through clues connected to the town’s history, and the tension rises as it becomes clear that someone in town will stop at nothing, not even murder, to hide the truth. This story is about friendship, grief, and the kind of loyalty that can make people act recklessly out of love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In primary school, while researching a history project in the library, I stumbled across the thriller section and into worlds filled with lies, deceit, and murder. Years later, R.N. Swann’s In Case I Go Missing has dragged me right back in.
In Case I Go Missing follows Fenny Allen and her best friend Sam Kelly as they investigate the disappearance of their friend, Sarah Vincenty. While local law enforcement and the town’s gossip mill dismiss her as a runaway, Fenny and Sam aren’t convinced. In a town built on conspiracies and dark secrets, the pair begin piecing together the puzzle Sarah left behind.
I’ve not read a thriller in years, let alone a good one and let me tell In Case I Go Missing was the best choice I’ve made regarding diving back into the genre. This book provoked tears, gave me goosebumps and threw me way off course before it set me back on the right track.
What I truly loved about this book is the group dynamic, it felt nostalgic and there’s a scene between Fenny and Sam that reminds me of the sacrifice scene in the live action Scooby Doo where Shaggy and Scooby Doo have a heart to heart. It hit me right in the feels, it showed how much Fenny and Sam truly love each other and the lengths they’ll go to protect each other.
R.N. Swann done a beautiful job in setting the scene, describing the characters and their lives which gave me that chance to connect with the characters and events of the book.
The mystery in the book was well written, but I do feel like at times it was hard to keep track of who the bad guy was but was pleasantly surprised and shocked with the final reveal. I also liked the element that it was an elaborate scavenger hunt with deadly consequences and how all the clues linked so smoothly together.
I feel as though the book despite being serval hundred pages long was such a fast and easy read.
Overall In Case I Go Missing was an emotional and fast-paced thriller that I’d recommend every single time if I could. If you are like me and just getting back into the genre please give In Case I Go Missing a bash, you won’t regret it.
In primary school, while researching a history project in the library, I stumbled across the thriller section and into worlds filled with lies, deceit, and murder. Years later, R.N. Swann’s In Case I Go Missing has dragged me right back in.
In Case I Go Missing follows Fenny Allen and her best friend Sam Kelly as they investigate the disappearance of their friend, Sarah Vincenty. While local law enforcement and the town’s gossip mill dismiss her as a runaway, Fenny and Sam aren’t convinced. In a town built on conspiracies and dark secrets, the pair begin piecing together the puzzle Sarah left behind.
I’ve not read a thriller in years, let alone a good one and let me tell In Case I Go Missing was the best choice I’ve made regarding diving back into the genre. This book provoked tears, gave me goosebumps and threw me way off course before it set me back on the right track.
What I truly loved about this book is the group dynamic, it felt nostalgic and there’s a scene between Fenny and Sam that reminds me of the sacrifice scene in the live action Scooby Doo where Shaggy and Scooby Doo have a heart to heart. It hit me right in the feels, it showed how much Fenny and Sam truly love each other and the lengths they’ll go to protect each other.
R.N. Swann done a beautiful job in setting the scene, describing the characters and their lives which gave me that chance to connect with the characters and events of the book.
The mystery in the book was well written, but I do feel like at times it was hard to keep track of who the bad guy was but was pleasantly surprised and shocked with the final reveal. I also liked the element that it was an elaborate scavenger hunt with deadly consequences and how all the clues linked so smoothly together.
I feel as though the book despite being serval hundred pages long was such a fast and easy read.
Overall In Case I Go Missing was an emotional and fast-paced thriller that I’d recommend every single time if I could. If you are like me and just getting back into the genre please give In Case I Go Missing a bash, you won’t regret it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy.
It is interesting that we have such a fascination with teen detectives. From Nancy Drew to the Hardy Boys, and more recent books like the Truly Devious series, we are often thrust into the shoes of a detective, often a girl, who despite her young age sees things that the adults don't, and makes connections that save the day. What drew me to In Case I Go Missing is that this is a teen detective story where the detective is dead, and her sidekicks, the Watson types, have to pick up the pieces and solve her murder.
Sarah is missing, and her two best friends, Fenny and Sam, are confused, sad, and angry. The three of them did everything together, and now they are just finding out that Sarah was working on a major case, one who's answer someone is desperate to protect. As Fenny begins finding pages from Sarah's binder, entitled "In Case I Go Missing," they are thrust into a conspiracy that involves gold, murders, corn, and a slew of suspects with something to hide.
This is a fun story, and if you are in the mood for a mystery, it will scratch that itch nicely. But I think it worked for me both on the merit of being a page turning who-dun-it, but also for how it made me think about the teen detective. We are often willing to go along with what the detective is doing because the story is being told from their point of view-- even if they are doing unkind or mildly illegal things, they are there to justify and placate the audience, explaining why they are doing something and assuring us that it is okay, much like Sarah is doing to Fenny and Sam in the few flashbacks we get. But when the story is from a different point of view, that of the often neglected and 'there for the ride, will do what they're told' sidekick, we are given a different picture of who the detective is. That maybe they were not a good friend, and maybe not even a good person. Though this book tries very hard to assure us that Sarah wasn't a bad friend or bad person, this thought rang in my head the whole time. And if there was something that I wish the book did, it would have been to explore this more.
It is interesting that we have such a fascination with teen detectives. From Nancy Drew to the Hardy Boys, and more recent books like the Truly Devious series, we are often thrust into the shoes of a detective, often a girl, who despite her young age sees things that the adults don't, and makes connections that save the day. What drew me to In Case I Go Missing is that this is a teen detective story where the detective is dead, and her sidekicks, the Watson types, have to pick up the pieces and solve her murder.
Sarah is missing, and her two best friends, Fenny and Sam, are confused, sad, and angry. The three of them did everything together, and now they are just finding out that Sarah was working on a major case, one who's answer someone is desperate to protect. As Fenny begins finding pages from Sarah's binder, entitled "In Case I Go Missing," they are thrust into a conspiracy that involves gold, murders, corn, and a slew of suspects with something to hide.
This is a fun story, and if you are in the mood for a mystery, it will scratch that itch nicely. But I think it worked for me both on the merit of being a page turning who-dun-it, but also for how it made me think about the teen detective. We are often willing to go along with what the detective is doing because the story is being told from their point of view-- even if they are doing unkind or mildly illegal things, they are there to justify and placate the audience, explaining why they are doing something and assuring us that it is okay, much like Sarah is doing to Fenny and Sam in the few flashbacks we get. But when the story is from a different point of view, that of the often neglected and 'there for the ride, will do what they're told' sidekick, we are given a different picture of who the detective is. That maybe they were not a good friend, and maybe not even a good person. Though this book tries very hard to assure us that Sarah wasn't a bad friend or bad person, this thought rang in my head the whole time. And if there was something that I wish the book did, it would have been to explore this more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Her best friend left behind a binder titled In Case I Go Missing… and that is where this story begins 👀
Would you read a YA mystery where the only person who believes a girl is missing is her best friend who then has to solve the case herself? 🔍
📖 First Line (Can I convince you to read it?) The first time I solved a mystery, I was eight years old.
🧠 Micro Synopsis: Fenny and Sarah have been solving mysteries together since elementary school but now Sarah is gone and the police have written it off as a runaway situation. When Fenny finds the binder Sarah left behind with a title that makes her blood run cold she knows something is very wrong. What Sarah was investigating before she disappeared is bigger than either of them ever imagined and it goes all the way back to the darkest parts of their town's history.
🔥 Reasons to Read This If You Love…
Small Town Secrets 🏚️
Best Friend Detectives 🔍
Twisty Mysteries 🌀
This one was an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish and I was not expecting the ride it took me on
When the story starts you have no idea how Sarah's disappearance connects to the town's history and when it clicks it goes deep
Fenny and Sam are not the most complex characters and they absolutely make decisions that will make you want to shake them
But their loyalty to each other and their friends is so genuine and that really comes through on the page
There are so many moments where you just want to yell at them to stay together because they are literally all each other has
The suspect list keeps you guessing the whole way through which I really appreciated
The twists kept coming and I was genuinely surprised more than once
This gave me the thriller energy I did not know I was craving and it delivered
It is a great pick if you like mysteries with heart even when the characters are being absolutely chaotic
For a YA mystery this one has some real weight to it when everything finally comes together
Do you love a mystery where the clues keep building until everything explodes at once… or do you prefer one that reveals things slowly and steadily? 👀
Would you read a YA mystery where the only person who believes a girl is missing is her best friend who then has to solve the case herself? 🔍
📖 First Line (Can I convince you to read it?) The first time I solved a mystery, I was eight years old.
🧠 Micro Synopsis: Fenny and Sarah have been solving mysteries together since elementary school but now Sarah is gone and the police have written it off as a runaway situation. When Fenny finds the binder Sarah left behind with a title that makes her blood run cold she knows something is very wrong. What Sarah was investigating before she disappeared is bigger than either of them ever imagined and it goes all the way back to the darkest parts of their town's history.
🔥 Reasons to Read This If You Love…
Small Town Secrets 🏚️
Best Friend Detectives 🔍
Twisty Mysteries 🌀
This one was an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish and I was not expecting the ride it took me on
When the story starts you have no idea how Sarah's disappearance connects to the town's history and when it clicks it goes deep
Fenny and Sam are not the most complex characters and they absolutely make decisions that will make you want to shake them
But their loyalty to each other and their friends is so genuine and that really comes through on the page
There are so many moments where you just want to yell at them to stay together because they are literally all each other has
The suspect list keeps you guessing the whole way through which I really appreciated
The twists kept coming and I was genuinely surprised more than once
This gave me the thriller energy I did not know I was craving and it delivered
It is a great pick if you like mysteries with heart even when the characters are being absolutely chaotic
For a YA mystery this one has some real weight to it when everything finally comes together
Do you love a mystery where the clues keep building until everything explodes at once… or do you prefer one that reveals things slowly and steadily? 👀
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Macmillan UK Audio, First Ink & NetGalley for sending me an ALC of In Case I Go Missing in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun YA mystery story, twists and turns galore and the story certainly didn't end up going in the direction I was expecting it to from the beginning!
Fenny, Sam & Sarah are best friends with a penchant for solving mysteries around their small town vigilante-style. Sarah, the ringleader and mystery junkie, suddenly goes missing without a trace leaving Fenny & Sam scrambling to try and work out what happened. Using Sarah's 'in case I go missing' binder full of details of her latest investigation, Fenny & Sam soon find themselves in way over their heads in a mystery that keeps getting darker and darker.
My favourite thing about YA books is the focus on the friendships that make us who we are, and In Case I Go Missing delivered this in spades. The deep, unwavering love and connection between these three friends was evidence in every facet of their lives, right down to the seemingly innocuous clues Sarah left behind. She knew that her friends would be able to crack her code eventually!
This book took so many unexpected turns, it left my head spinning and at times stretched credulity. However, the ever-escalating stakes and uncertainty around who could be trusted ultimately led to a satisfying conclusion that will keep you guessing until the very end. The conspiracy goes so much deeper than I expected, but remained accessible for a younger audience without an excessive amount of hand holding. Clues were dropped and woven into the story all the way through, with all the loose ends knitting together.
I would have preferred this to be dual POV from both Fenny and Sam rather than just Fenny, as I actually found Sam to be a much more compelling character - especially considering his family background. There are times I think this would have really helped with the tension too, but it's not a huge issue!
While not as satisfying as A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, this was very reminiscent of Holly Jackson's series and I think fans of Pip & Ravi's investigations will have a good time with this one!
This was a fun YA mystery story, twists and turns galore and the story certainly didn't end up going in the direction I was expecting it to from the beginning!
Fenny, Sam & Sarah are best friends with a penchant for solving mysteries around their small town vigilante-style. Sarah, the ringleader and mystery junkie, suddenly goes missing without a trace leaving Fenny & Sam scrambling to try and work out what happened. Using Sarah's 'in case I go missing' binder full of details of her latest investigation, Fenny & Sam soon find themselves in way over their heads in a mystery that keeps getting darker and darker.
My favourite thing about YA books is the focus on the friendships that make us who we are, and In Case I Go Missing delivered this in spades. The deep, unwavering love and connection between these three friends was evidence in every facet of their lives, right down to the seemingly innocuous clues Sarah left behind. She knew that her friends would be able to crack her code eventually!
This book took so many unexpected turns, it left my head spinning and at times stretched credulity. However, the ever-escalating stakes and uncertainty around who could be trusted ultimately led to a satisfying conclusion that will keep you guessing until the very end. The conspiracy goes so much deeper than I expected, but remained accessible for a younger audience without an excessive amount of hand holding. Clues were dropped and woven into the story all the way through, with all the loose ends knitting together.
I would have preferred this to be dual POV from both Fenny and Sam rather than just Fenny, as I actually found Sam to be a much more compelling character - especially considering his family background. There are times I think this would have really helped with the tension too, but it's not a huge issue!
While not as satisfying as A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, this was very reminiscent of Holly Jackson's series and I think fans of Pip & Ravi's investigations will have a good time with this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fenny has been the Watson to Sarah's Sherlock for as long as she can remember. Over the years, Sarah has ruffled a few feathers in their small town as an amateur detective and vigilante, and now, she's disappeared. When Fenny discovers the "In Case I Go Missing" binder Sarah left behind, she knows it's time to investigate.
Sometimes, I just need to pick up a good YA mystery to feel something, and, oh what a joy this one was. Well, obviously not talking about the content, but you get me. Maybe I have just been unlucky, but I always have such a hard time finding one with a good plot, good pacing,,, I'm not even that picky, it just needs to be entertaining to win me over most of the times, and it still is hard. But this hit the spot so quickly, I was hooked a couple of minutes into the audio.
The plot might be something you see around a lot, but there is a reason for it, and it comes down to the fact that it works. If you know how to execute it, it works. And this one works oh so perfectly. The characters are easily likable, messy in a way teens can be, and that's something I really appreciated it; they act their age, and I really love that. There is a lot going on, and it could be a little overwhelming at times, but the story does a good job keeping itself in check and keeping you in the loop, in a way, if that makes sense to anyone other than me? It twists and turns in a really smart way, giving you proper reasons to doubt everyone, and then it wraps up in a way that makes sense, and ties everything up, which, again, has been really hard to find lately, so it's always a nice touch.
As I mentioned before, I did have the audio for this one, and I truly found it fantastic; the narrator does an incredible job bringing it to life and making it feel even more engaging than it already is. The writing is so good, and flows really well. The story has a certain A Good Girl's Guide to Murder/Pretty Little Liars vibe going on, so if that's something you enjoy, I would definitely recommend checking this one out!!!
Many thanks to Macmillan UK Audio & NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Sometimes, I just need to pick up a good YA mystery to feel something, and, oh what a joy this one was. Well, obviously not talking about the content, but you get me. Maybe I have just been unlucky, but I always have such a hard time finding one with a good plot, good pacing,,, I'm not even that picky, it just needs to be entertaining to win me over most of the times, and it still is hard. But this hit the spot so quickly, I was hooked a couple of minutes into the audio.
The plot might be something you see around a lot, but there is a reason for it, and it comes down to the fact that it works. If you know how to execute it, it works. And this one works oh so perfectly. The characters are easily likable, messy in a way teens can be, and that's something I really appreciated it; they act their age, and I really love that. There is a lot going on, and it could be a little overwhelming at times, but the story does a good job keeping itself in check and keeping you in the loop, in a way, if that makes sense to anyone other than me? It twists and turns in a really smart way, giving you proper reasons to doubt everyone, and then it wraps up in a way that makes sense, and ties everything up, which, again, has been really hard to find lately, so it's always a nice touch.
As I mentioned before, I did have the audio for this one, and I truly found it fantastic; the narrator does an incredible job bringing it to life and making it feel even more engaging than it already is. The writing is so good, and flows really well. The story has a certain A Good Girl's Guide to Murder/Pretty Little Liars vibe going on, so if that's something you enjoy, I would definitely recommend checking this one out!!!
Many thanks to Macmillan UK Audio & NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book hit me with serious A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Not Quite Dead Yet energy. Perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson!
POV: First person
Spice: 1/5 (light kissing + a brief intimacy scene between adult side characters)
Language: Some mild cussing
Mentions of Christianity w/ a few Bible verses (which I loved but not the main focus)
A couple side characters are gay (not main focus, everyone isn't)
The story is about the Richmand Three: Sarah (the mastermind), Sam (the brain), and Fenny (the loyal support). When Sarah goes missing, decades-old secrets, betrayals, and hidden vengeance start falling apart in ways that keep you guessing.
I honestly didn't expect to fall this hard for a debut, but R.N. Swann absolutely crushed it. The plotting is thorough and every detail connects, every twist feels earned, and nothing is wasted.
The characters are so distinct. I especially loved the character development: Sam's dysfunctional family background, Fenny stepping up to care for her alcoholic mother after her dad abandoned them, and Sarah's seemingly perfect family life that crumbles when she vanishes. These backstories add real emotional weight without ever feeling forced.
The mystery builds tension beautifully, weaving in friendship dynamics, old grudges, and shocking revelations. I pieced together the big twist right near the end, but it still caught me off guard. By the final page, I was so attached to these characters that I genuinely miss them. I'm already planning to grab a physical copy so I can reread and annotate all the clues I missed the first time.
This is an incredible debut: smart, twisty, emotionally gripping, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend for anyone who loves YA mysteries with heart and sharp plotting.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC! All opinions are my own*
This book hit me with serious A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Not Quite Dead Yet energy. Perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson!
POV: First person
Spice: 1/5 (light kissing + a brief intimacy scene between adult side characters)
Language: Some mild cussing
Mentions of Christianity w/ a few Bible verses (which I loved but not the main focus)
A couple side characters are gay (not main focus, everyone isn't)
The story is about the Richmand Three: Sarah (the mastermind), Sam (the brain), and Fenny (the loyal support). When Sarah goes missing, decades-old secrets, betrayals, and hidden vengeance start falling apart in ways that keep you guessing.
I honestly didn't expect to fall this hard for a debut, but R.N. Swann absolutely crushed it. The plotting is thorough and every detail connects, every twist feels earned, and nothing is wasted.
The characters are so distinct. I especially loved the character development: Sam's dysfunctional family background, Fenny stepping up to care for her alcoholic mother after her dad abandoned them, and Sarah's seemingly perfect family life that crumbles when she vanishes. These backstories add real emotional weight without ever feeling forced.
The mystery builds tension beautifully, weaving in friendship dynamics, old grudges, and shocking revelations. I pieced together the big twist right near the end, but it still caught me off guard. By the final page, I was so attached to these characters that I genuinely miss them. I'm already planning to grab a physical copy so I can reread and annotate all the clues I missed the first time.
This is an incredible debut: smart, twisty, emotionally gripping, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend for anyone who loves YA mysteries with heart and sharp plotting.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC! All opinions are my own*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
Spoiler free
╭──────────.★..─╮
↳ 𝕊𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 - ★★★★☆ - really liked the small town vibe
↳ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 - ★★★☆☆ - They were so annoying and they all acted like they had no brain.
↳ ℙ𝕝𝕠𝕥 - ★★★★☆ - expected a bit more but it wasn't so bad. To me it felt sort of complicated in some bits
↳ ℙ𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 - ★★★★☆ - Was very fast paced and easy to get through
↳ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 - ★★★★☆
╰─..★.──────────╯
╭──────────.★..─╮
𝙰𝚐𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 14+
𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎: Talks of crushes a few times but barely
𝚅𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎: use of gun
𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜: Use of Gods name and going to church
𝙼𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚌: None
𝙻𝙶𝙱𝚃𝚀: two gay character
𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐:
𝙻𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚐𝚎 : use of f***, bull****, d***, a$$**** quite a few times but not a lot
╰─..★.──────────╯
──────── ౨ৎ ─────────
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙:
The whole plot, was very interesting and enjoyable. Very fast paced and easy to get through
I really liked the plot twist as well
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚/𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧:
Annoying characters, they were all genuinely pi$$ing me off. Use a little brain for goodness sake, especially you Fenny
I feel like they didn't really solve the mystery, they just got clues and gave them all the answers or they just went around asking people for answers instead of actually thinking.
As much as I love the plot twist I just felt like it wasn't executed well, not because i was able to guess it but because the way the author put it down/ write it didnt make it feel exciting.
Also it felt like the author was doing a lot of telling and not showing. Too much information dump
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Fenny : girl is just so impulsive, she needs to chill a bit
Sam : Bro cannot think on his own without the help of Fenny/Sarah. Practically useless tbh
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
First person
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ♡
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Would recommend
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 :
⤷ Mystery
⤷ A bit of thriller
⤷ Sorta gives a bit of agggtm vibe but not a lot
⤷ small town
⤷ Plot twist kinda
Spoiler free
╭──────────.★..─╮
↳ 𝕊𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 - ★★★★☆ - really liked the small town vibe
↳ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 - ★★★☆☆ - They were so annoying and they all acted like they had no brain.
↳ ℙ𝕝𝕠𝕥 - ★★★★☆ - expected a bit more but it wasn't so bad. To me it felt sort of complicated in some bits
↳ ℙ𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 - ★★★★☆ - Was very fast paced and easy to get through
↳ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 - ★★★★☆
╰─..★.──────────╯
╭──────────.★..─╮
𝙰𝚐𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 14+
𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎: Talks of crushes a few times but barely
𝚅𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎: use of gun
𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜: Use of Gods name and going to church
𝙼𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚌: None
𝙻𝙶𝙱𝚃𝚀: two gay character
𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐:
𝙻𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚐𝚎 : use of f***, bull****, d***, a$$**** quite a few times but not a lot
╰─..★.──────────╯
──────── ౨ৎ ─────────
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙:
The whole plot, was very interesting and enjoyable. Very fast paced and easy to get through
I really liked the plot twist as well
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚/𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧:
Annoying characters, they were all genuinely pi$$ing me off. Use a little brain for goodness sake, especially you Fenny
I feel like they didn't really solve the mystery, they just got clues and gave them all the answers or they just went around asking people for answers instead of actually thinking.
As much as I love the plot twist I just felt like it wasn't executed well, not because i was able to guess it but because the way the author put it down/ write it didnt make it feel exciting.
Also it felt like the author was doing a lot of telling and not showing. Too much information dump
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Fenny : girl is just so impulsive, she needs to chill a bit
Sam : Bro cannot think on his own without the help of Fenny/Sarah. Practically useless tbh
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
First person
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ♡
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Would recommend
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 :
⤷ Mystery
⤷ A bit of thriller
⤷ Sorta gives a bit of agggtm vibe but not a lot
⤷ small town
⤷ Plot twist kinda
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an easy 5⭐️ read for me. I was sold from the summary: a small town, teen vigilante/detective has gone missing and her sidekick friends need to solve the mystery of her disappearance because the police don’t seem to be taking it seriously. The synopsis also promises an explosive mystery that will shake the tiny town of Richmand to its very core - something it very much delivers on!
The main character, Fenny (a high school student), narrates the story, detailing the investigation and the clues she finds along the way, with the (sometimes reluctant) support from her best friend and fellow mystery solver, Sam. During the course of their investigation we meet their fellow students, families, and other notable figures about town. I thought all of the characters, including minor ones who didn’t get as much page-time, were interesting and distinct from one another, making for an entertaining cast with realistic and relatable interactions between them.
Plot wise, this one was fast paced and kept me guessing. I always know when I’m really enjoying a mystery/thriller book because I get so invested that I forget to try and solve the puzzle, instead going along for the ride with the characters, which is exactly what happened when I read this book. I was as shocked as Fenny and Sam at the various revelations and plot twists, which were shocking enough to make me gasp in places.
This book was marketed as ideal for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus, which grabbed my interest immediately. I have to say, having read the book that I wholeheartedly agree, and would add that fans of books like Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ ‘The Naturals’ series would love this too. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends and to my teenage students looking for something exciting and fun to read!
Thank you so much to NetGalley/First Ink and, in turn, R. N. Swann for selecting me as an ARC reader for this book; I had SUCH a great time reading it!
The main character, Fenny (a high school student), narrates the story, detailing the investigation and the clues she finds along the way, with the (sometimes reluctant) support from her best friend and fellow mystery solver, Sam. During the course of their investigation we meet their fellow students, families, and other notable figures about town. I thought all of the characters, including minor ones who didn’t get as much page-time, were interesting and distinct from one another, making for an entertaining cast with realistic and relatable interactions between them.
Plot wise, this one was fast paced and kept me guessing. I always know when I’m really enjoying a mystery/thriller book because I get so invested that I forget to try and solve the puzzle, instead going along for the ride with the characters, which is exactly what happened when I read this book. I was as shocked as Fenny and Sam at the various revelations and plot twists, which were shocking enough to make me gasp in places.
This book was marketed as ideal for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus, which grabbed my interest immediately. I have to say, having read the book that I wholeheartedly agree, and would add that fans of books like Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ ‘The Naturals’ series would love this too. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends and to my teenage students looking for something exciting and fun to read!
Thank you so much to NetGalley/First Ink and, in turn, R. N. Swann for selecting me as an ARC reader for this book; I had SUCH a great time reading it!
April 12, 2026
I have yet to be let down by a YA thriller, and this is no exception. I was throughly impressed especially as this is a debut novel. From the synopsis, I anticipated a well thought out murder mystery/missing persons case. What I didn't anticipate, however, was the level of emotional depth the author was able to reach in a 4oo page thriller.
First off, there are some heavy themes here, so as always , check your triggers. I thought these themes were handled expertly, and were delivered in a way that made me feel real emotions even though I had not had very much time to get attached to these characters. My heart strings were throughly pulled.
The story follows 17 year old Fenny and her best friend, Sam, as they attempt to navigate the disappearance and potential murder of their other best friend, Sarah. This was such a complex story that continued to expand as you read on. No one is innocent, everyone has a motive, who can you trust? I was not able to predict anything here and I pride myself on my ability to predict plot twists. There were several and they were all executed fantastically.
On top of that, the relationships were depicted in an authentic and realistic way with all the characters. While there is no romance here, the friendship between Sam and Fenny was almost as good as if there was one. You could feel how much they cared for each other. They really would go to the ends of the earth for each other. Fenny and her mom had a complicated bond, but seeing that grow and be nurtured was heart warming.
Absolutely recommend this to anyone that loves YA thrillers as much as me!!
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for the e-ARC!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
First off, there are some heavy themes here, so as always , check your triggers. I thought these themes were handled expertly, and were delivered in a way that made me feel real emotions even though I had not had very much time to get attached to these characters. My heart strings were throughly pulled.
The story follows 17 year old Fenny and her best friend, Sam, as they attempt to navigate the disappearance and potential murder of their other best friend, Sarah. This was such a complex story that continued to expand as you read on. No one is innocent, everyone has a motive, who can you trust? I was not able to predict anything here and I pride myself on my ability to predict plot twists. There were several and they were all executed fantastically.
On top of that, the relationships were depicted in an authentic and realistic way with all the characters. While there is no romance here, the friendship between Sam and Fenny was almost as good as if there was one. You could feel how much they cared for each other. They really would go to the ends of the earth for each other. Fenny and her mom had a complicated bond, but seeing that grow and be nurtured was heart warming.
Absolutely recommend this to anyone that loves YA thrillers as much as me!!
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for the e-ARC!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you PenguinTeen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A suspenseful read! When she was younger Fenny Allen helped Sarah Vincent’s solve her first case. Then it was just who kept stealing library books but as the years went on the cases got harder. But eventually solving cases took up more of Sarah’s time and it caused some difficulties in there friendships. The latest being her not showing up to their friend Sam’s brother’s engagement party. A brother who had tormented Sam and Sarah knew how horrible he was to Sam. Fenny was done with Sarah this was one step two far. Only she soon finds out that Sarah herself is missing. The police think she ran away but Fenny knows she never would, something is wrong. And then she discovers a binder that Sarah left entitled In Case I Go Missing. Sarah was working on something big, something she knew could put her in danger. Now it’s up to Fenny and Sam to play detective and find Sarah. But can Fenny step out of the sidekick role? Can they piece together the clues in time to save Sarah? And when the clues point to decades old mystery and dark secrets held within their town they just may be in for more danger than either of them are prepared for. And someone is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure those secrets stay hidden even if it means removing Fenny and Sam. R.N. Swann packs a lot into their debut novel from mystery to generational trauma to teenage friendships and angst to growth. Lots of twists and turns with plenty of red herrings in this one! Plenty of thrills that kept me hooked and turning the pages!
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