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Without a Trace: An Evil Intentions Crime Thriller
A pulse-pounding crime thriller that proves you don’t need a badge to fight evil—just the guts to face it.
A missing girl. A team of unlikely misfits. One terrifying descent into darkness.When a teen girl vanishes without a trace, everyone assumes she ran from her strict father. But Justin Boyle knows something sinister is afoot.
He saw her at the mall. He saw the twisted intentions of the strangers with her. And he knows she’s in danger.
The police dismiss his warning. So Justin turns to the only allies he Edwin Arroyo, a disgraced UFC fighter living in a homeless camp with his loyal dog, Grace Turner, a true crime fanatic stuck working the food court, and Rakesh Abbasi, a quiet tech whiz running his family’s crumbling electronics store.
Together, they form an unlikely team of amateur sleuths, diving headfirst into a twisted mystery that exposes depravity, danger, and the limits of their own courage. Time is running out. If they fail, a young life will be lost—and the evil will spread.
From bestselling author Phil M. Williams comes a heart-pounding crime thriller perfect for fans of gritty thrillers, razor-sharp twists, and flawed heroes who refuse to quit.
Without a Trace will grip you from page one and won’t let go until the final reveal. Read it today!
A missing girl. A team of unlikely misfits. One terrifying descent into darkness.When a teen girl vanishes without a trace, everyone assumes she ran from her strict father. But Justin Boyle knows something sinister is afoot.
He saw her at the mall. He saw the twisted intentions of the strangers with her. And he knows she’s in danger.
The police dismiss his warning. So Justin turns to the only allies he Edwin Arroyo, a disgraced UFC fighter living in a homeless camp with his loyal dog, Grace Turner, a true crime fanatic stuck working the food court, and Rakesh Abbasi, a quiet tech whiz running his family’s crumbling electronics store.
Together, they form an unlikely team of amateur sleuths, diving headfirst into a twisted mystery that exposes depravity, danger, and the limits of their own courage. Time is running out. If they fail, a young life will be lost—and the evil will spread.
From bestselling author Phil M. Williams comes a heart-pounding crime thriller perfect for fans of gritty thrillers, razor-sharp twists, and flawed heroes who refuse to quit.
Without a Trace will grip you from page one and won’t let go until the final reveal. Read it today!
- GenresAudiobook
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
120 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Phil M. Williams
43 books366 followersPhil M. Williams is the author of twenty-five books primarily in the thriller genre. His thrillers span many subgenres, such as: murder mysteries, political, domestic, dystopian, legal, psychological, and technothrillers. His stories often feature regular Joes and Janes in extraordinary situations that are ripped from today’s headlines.
Williams lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife, Denise. When not writing, he can be found tending their permaculture farm.
If you’d like to read two of his thriller novels for free. Go to http://PhilWBooks.com.
Williams lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife, Denise. When not writing, he can be found tending their permaculture farm.
If you’d like to read two of his thriller novels for free. Go to http://PhilWBooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 10, 2026
Without a Trace had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t work for me. The “vibrating” concept was repeated so often it became distracting, and much of the book felt more like a superhero origin story than a thriller. Justin’s backstory was engaging but far too long, which hurt the pacing. The final quarter veered into implausible territory—especially the sudden involvement of the Russian mob—and I found myself bored rather than tense. While I appreciated the courtroom sequence near the end and the resolution involving Justin’s father, the story ultimately tried to do too much and lost focus. Overall rating 3/5.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC of this audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was so unbelievably good! I can't believe I've never heard of this author before. We start out following Justin the mall security guard and in this process we get to learn more about him and his ability to sense evil intentions. The first halve of the book gave us a good solid background of him and his unlikely posse of friends. Now in the second half of the book we follow them chasing after a missing girl with her father because, well because the police just ain't doing nothing. This was fast paced filled with tension and some amazing sleuthing skills from the "fantastic four". I loved their tenacity and the absolute determination they put into this. They uncover truth after horrible truth and I have never been so excited about uncovering lies. This will be an amazing series and I really can't wait for book two. Oh and of course the friendship that develops between Justin and a certain bully was just incredible- just shows you - there is good out there!
Thank you to @netgalley and @highbridgeaudio for this advanced copy!
Thank you to @netgalley and @highbridgeaudio for this advanced copy!
February 9, 2026
Not the best from this author
This was a very confusing book with mature subject matter but written as though for grade school level. I’ve read many books by this author and have given most of them high ratings. The writing style in this book was such a divergence from his other works that it felt like it was written by someone else.
The “vibration” thing was just plain weird, and as much as I wanted to feel sympathetic towards Justin, I just couldn’t. All the other characters were two dimensional. At 75% into the book, I no longer cared if the kidnapping mystery got solved or not and I gave up.
I do recommend these other books by Phil M. Williams: What Happened At The Lake, Redemption, No Conscience, Rumors, The Predator Hunter, Against The Grain, No Good Deed, The Cart Pusher, and Ugly AF.
This was a very confusing book with mature subject matter but written as though for grade school level. I’ve read many books by this author and have given most of them high ratings. The writing style in this book was such a divergence from his other works that it felt like it was written by someone else.
The “vibration” thing was just plain weird, and as much as I wanted to feel sympathetic towards Justin, I just couldn’t. All the other characters were two dimensional. At 75% into the book, I no longer cared if the kidnapping mystery got solved or not and I gave up.
I do recommend these other books by Phil M. Williams: What Happened At The Lake, Redemption, No Conscience, Rumors, The Predator Hunter, Against The Grain, No Good Deed, The Cart Pusher, and Ugly AF.
February 10, 2026
I think my favorite part of this book is the unlikely group of heroes who band together to do what's right. This story is fast paced and it kept me interested in the story. I was really rooting for these guys to crack the case. I enjoyed the ending and I really hope that the author chooses to give them another book, I would love to see them solve more cases!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator has a fantastic voice, and it works very well with the characters and story.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator has a fantastic voice, and it works very well with the characters and story.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 12, 2026DNF 25%
After 2.5 hours of listening to the audiobook, I still haven’t reached the main storyline that was marketed in the blurb. Nothing has happened at all. There is no action, and what those two hours managed to show was just Justin’s day-to-day life: working as a security guard in a mall, swooning over girls, and everyone constantly “vibrating” around him.
The writing leaves a lot to be desired. The beginning of the book needs to be rewritten. There is a blatant overuse of modern, cringey TikTok slang, which makes listening to this audiobook especially painful. There are also countless brand mentions with specific products, which feel completely unnecessary and take away from the immersion. I don’t know what “Hobby Lobby” is — I’m not American.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, even if the action supposedly picks up later, due to how boring and poorly written it is.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
After 2.5 hours of listening to the audiobook, I still haven’t reached the main storyline that was marketed in the blurb. Nothing has happened at all. There is no action, and what those two hours managed to show was just Justin’s day-to-day life: working as a security guard in a mall, swooning over girls, and everyone constantly “vibrating” around him.
The writing leaves a lot to be desired. The beginning of the book needs to be rewritten. There is a blatant overuse of modern, cringey TikTok slang, which makes listening to this audiobook especially painful. There are also countless brand mentions with specific products, which feel completely unnecessary and take away from the immersion. I don’t know what “Hobby Lobby” is — I’m not American.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, even if the action supposedly picks up later, due to how boring and poorly written it is.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2026
Justin is just four years old when he watches his mother be murdered by a man who was vibrating while holding a toothbrush. If that sentence does not hook you at least a little bit, I am not sure what will. It is an unusual and intriguing opening that immediately sets this story apart.
Fifteen years later, Justin has dedicated his life to trying to make it mean something. He has the ability to see when people have bad intentions because they vibrate, and he attempts to use that skill in his job as a mall cop, sometimes with questionable decision making. At his core, Justin is simply a good person trying his best. His intentions are consistently pure, even when they cost him his job or allow others to walk all over him. He is easy to root for, even when he is frustratingly self sacrificing.
This is very much a slow burn mystery. The main missing person storyline does not fully come into play until around 45 percent of the way through the book, when a young girl Justin previously noticed at the mall goes missing. That is when the story truly found its stride for me, and my enjoyment noticeably increased. While the first half helps establish Justin’s character and highlights how often he helps others to his own detriment, that subplot ultimately felt somewhat unresolved and slightly disconnected from the central investigation. Because of this, the second half felt more compressed in comparison.
One of the highlights of the novel is the team Justin pulls together to solve the mystery. Grace, Edwin and Rakesh all bring something distinct to the group, and the found family dynamic adds warmth and personality to the investigative plot. There are no major, jaw dropping twists, but the appeal lies in watching this unlikely group work together and gradually uncover the truth. The friendships are what carry the story.
The writing style felt slightly choppy at times, particularly in the earlier chapters, where the prose came across as somewhat staccato and stiff. However, this seemed to smooth out as the book progressed. I listened to the audiobook and, although there were a few longer pauses that occasionally disrupted the pacing, I did enjoy the narration overall. The character voices were clearly differentiated, and the female voices in particular were handled well.
While I was not emotionally devastated or shocked by dramatic twists, I was consistently curious. I found myself thinking about the story when I was not reading, which is always a positive sign.
Overall, I rated Without a Trace 3.75 out of 5 stars.
This is not a fast paced, twist heavy thriller, but rather a slower burn investigative mystery with heart, friendship and a genuinely decent main character trying to do the right thing. I am definitely interested in continuing with the series, as I would like to spend more time with this group and see where their story goes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Without a Trace in exchange for an honest review.
Fifteen years later, Justin has dedicated his life to trying to make it mean something. He has the ability to see when people have bad intentions because they vibrate, and he attempts to use that skill in his job as a mall cop, sometimes with questionable decision making. At his core, Justin is simply a good person trying his best. His intentions are consistently pure, even when they cost him his job or allow others to walk all over him. He is easy to root for, even when he is frustratingly self sacrificing.
This is very much a slow burn mystery. The main missing person storyline does not fully come into play until around 45 percent of the way through the book, when a young girl Justin previously noticed at the mall goes missing. That is when the story truly found its stride for me, and my enjoyment noticeably increased. While the first half helps establish Justin’s character and highlights how often he helps others to his own detriment, that subplot ultimately felt somewhat unresolved and slightly disconnected from the central investigation. Because of this, the second half felt more compressed in comparison.
One of the highlights of the novel is the team Justin pulls together to solve the mystery. Grace, Edwin and Rakesh all bring something distinct to the group, and the found family dynamic adds warmth and personality to the investigative plot. There are no major, jaw dropping twists, but the appeal lies in watching this unlikely group work together and gradually uncover the truth. The friendships are what carry the story.
The writing style felt slightly choppy at times, particularly in the earlier chapters, where the prose came across as somewhat staccato and stiff. However, this seemed to smooth out as the book progressed. I listened to the audiobook and, although there were a few longer pauses that occasionally disrupted the pacing, I did enjoy the narration overall. The character voices were clearly differentiated, and the female voices in particular were handled well.
While I was not emotionally devastated or shocked by dramatic twists, I was consistently curious. I found myself thinking about the story when I was not reading, which is always a positive sign.
Overall, I rated Without a Trace 3.75 out of 5 stars.
This is not a fast paced, twist heavy thriller, but rather a slower burn investigative mystery with heart, friendship and a genuinely decent main character trying to do the right thing. I am definitely interested in continuing with the series, as I would like to spend more time with this group and see where their story goes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Without a Trace in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was happy to receive this audiobook from Net Galley, as it’s soon to be released.
The book has a dramatic start, as we meet our MC Justin as a young boy. We quickly move on to Justin as a young adult, where he is working as a mall cop. Justin has a rare ability to sense evil intentions, but though he tries to help in situations, it seems to backfire on him. When a teen girl is reported missing, Justin remembers seeing her, and feeling like the people she was with might be dangerous.
Justin tries to approach the police, but they aren’t interested in his theory. Before long though, he and his new friends are following leads to track her down. They are an unusual and inexperienced group, but determined to find her… especially as they begin to suspect the evil behind her disappearance and what may happen to her.
This is my first book by Phil M. Williams, but it won’t be the last. I really came to like the characters, which were complex and interesting.
* The audiobook had unusually long pauses between chapters. Even though I came to expect it, I still checked my phone multiple times to see if it had stopped playing. 😂 . No big deal.
*There is one relationship in the book that didn’t make sense to me. They went from best friends to enemies in a way that didn’t seem realistic given their history. I understand how it fit into the plot, but the shift was too sudden for me.
*The book is described as pulse-pounding and heart-pounding. Yes, there was a dramatic start, but then the tempo slowed down considerably. This part of the book was important to get to know the characters, but it did make me wonder. As the book goes further the action does pick up.
*Have you ever unrolled a large ball of yarn or string? It starts out slowly and then picks up speed as you go along. That’s how I’d describe the pacing of this book.
The book has a dramatic start, as we meet our MC Justin as a young boy. We quickly move on to Justin as a young adult, where he is working as a mall cop. Justin has a rare ability to sense evil intentions, but though he tries to help in situations, it seems to backfire on him. When a teen girl is reported missing, Justin remembers seeing her, and feeling like the people she was with might be dangerous.
Justin tries to approach the police, but they aren’t interested in his theory. Before long though, he and his new friends are following leads to track her down. They are an unusual and inexperienced group, but determined to find her… especially as they begin to suspect the evil behind her disappearance and what may happen to her.
This is my first book by Phil M. Williams, but it won’t be the last. I really came to like the characters, which were complex and interesting.
* The audiobook had unusually long pauses between chapters. Even though I came to expect it, I still checked my phone multiple times to see if it had stopped playing. 😂 . No big deal.
*There is one relationship in the book that didn’t make sense to me. They went from best friends to enemies in a way that didn’t seem realistic given their history. I understand how it fit into the plot, but the shift was too sudden for me.
*The book is described as pulse-pounding and heart-pounding. Yes, there was a dramatic start, but then the tempo slowed down considerably. This part of the book was important to get to know the characters, but it did make me wonder. As the book goes further the action does pick up.
*Have you ever unrolled a large ball of yarn or string? It starts out slowly and then picks up speed as you go along. That’s how I’d describe the pacing of this book.
January 30, 2026
Let me start by saying the start of this book is not like the end of this book; in fact, it is like two completely different stories mashed together. The first 48.6% of this book has very little to do with the plot outlined in the summary. It follows Justin along his life, getting to know him and the people he surrounds himself with, but mostly, we get to know his character. We see how he sees people 'vibrate' when they are planning on acting on doing something bad, and we see him try to do the right thing time and time again, often to great peril to himself. The whole romance subplot in the beginning was 100% unnecessary and had no real effect on the story except wasting time and seeing how deeply Justin goes into everything that he does. I do appreciate the anatomical uses of genitalia during the intimate scene, though. Once we get to the crime-solving aspect of the story, everything picks up pace, and the story gets pretty good. We move hard and fast to save a missing teenager, and this group of young adults who have no business investigating crimes comes together to save the day. We see the hunt, the chase, and the aftermath, and that was worth slogging through the first half of the book. We definitely have a setup for a series, and if the rest of the stories are as good as the second half of this book, then it is going to be amazing. I just hope we can edit out the fluff and just have the plot and maybe some splits of the main characters' lives, like really short ones. I'm rooting for everyone on this team that Justin brought together; they started rough and ended strong. Plus, there is a dog, a golden retriever, and there is nothing negative about having a K9 team member as smart as this one.
February 12, 2026
Without a Trace (Book 1. of Evil Intentions)
By: Phil M. Williams
Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Pub. Date February 3, 2026
General Fiction (Adult)
Mystery & Thrillers
4.25/5 stars
A missing girl, a group of amateur sleuths, and a MC who senses bad intentions.
After a young teen girl is reported missing, Justin a mall security employee remembers seeing her with other people that Justin sensed had evil intentions toward the girl. He goes to local police yet they don’t feel what he’s saying is valid and brush it off as just another runaway. Justin then gathers a few people together to help him look into the missing girl. After witnessing something horrific as a child, Justin always tries to help others and do good.
Williams did a great job with character building and giving us Justin’s backstory but felt the first half was a little slower paced for being a thriller.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the way the characters that came together (the amateur sleuths) to help Justin were a close knit.
The twist and turns kept the story going till the end and gave me as a listener a satisfying feeling with the ending. I recommend Without a Trace and look forward to the next book in the series! Matt Godfrey did great with the narration and kept it compelling and captivating throughout the story.
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the ALC 🎧 in exchange for a honest review.
#NetGalley, HighBridgeAudio, #WithoutATrace, #PhilM.Williams, #MattGodfrey, #GeneralFiction, #Mystery&Thrillers, #ALC
By: Phil M. Williams
Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Pub. Date February 3, 2026
General Fiction (Adult)
Mystery & Thrillers
4.25/5 stars
A missing girl, a group of amateur sleuths, and a MC who senses bad intentions.
After a young teen girl is reported missing, Justin a mall security employee remembers seeing her with other people that Justin sensed had evil intentions toward the girl. He goes to local police yet they don’t feel what he’s saying is valid and brush it off as just another runaway. Justin then gathers a few people together to help him look into the missing girl. After witnessing something horrific as a child, Justin always tries to help others and do good.
Williams did a great job with character building and giving us Justin’s backstory but felt the first half was a little slower paced for being a thriller.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the way the characters that came together (the amateur sleuths) to help Justin were a close knit.
The twist and turns kept the story going till the end and gave me as a listener a satisfying feeling with the ending. I recommend Without a Trace and look forward to the next book in the series! Matt Godfrey did great with the narration and kept it compelling and captivating throughout the story.
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the ALC 🎧 in exchange for a honest review.
#NetGalley, HighBridgeAudio, #WithoutATrace, #PhilM.Williams, #MattGodfrey, #GeneralFiction, #Mystery&Thrillers, #ALC
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Without a trace. What a breath of fresh air! This was a gripping and refreshingly different crime thriller that had me hooked from the opening chapters. When a teenage girl vanishes from a shopping centre, it is quickly written off as a runaway case. Her father knows better and, when the authorities fail to act, takes matters into his own hands with the help of Justin and his cast of unlikely helpers who come together to search for her. They are ordinary, flawed people, and their dynamic brings both heart and tension to the story. I can’t explain how much I was quickly invested in each character and their path through this storyline. The pacing is tight and relentless, with twists that feel earned rather than forced, keeping the stakes high throughout.
This is not a standard police procedural but a sharp, character driven thriller about how far people will go when someone they love disappears. A really fantastic listen for me, the narration was so enjoyable and captured the heart aching and tender moments of this plot line. Compelling, original and hard to put down. A very easy five stars for me. Please release the next one soon!
This is not a standard police procedural but a sharp, character driven thriller about how far people will go when someone they love disappears. A really fantastic listen for me, the narration was so enjoyable and captured the heart aching and tender moments of this plot line. Compelling, original and hard to put down. A very easy five stars for me. Please release the next one soon!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Matt Godfrey does a fantastic job narrating this book!
An unusual group of friends play detective in order to solve the disappearance of a missing local girl.
Justin is a small in stature young adult with a big heart. He he has the unusual talent of being able to tell when people have evil intentions. This greatly helps him working as a mall cop. When a mall robbery goes wrong and Justin loses his job. When a teen girl is reported missing, Justin remembers seeing the girl at the mall and thought the other girls with her were bad company. DIsmissed by the cops, he joins forces with a couple of friends to search for the missing girl.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I was pulled in at the beginning but the story began to drag a bit, in the middle. It needed more going on or to be cut shorter. I get that the author used this part to develop his characters but I lost interest in the slower pace. Once the story picked up, I was enthralled to the end.
3.5 stars rounded up.
An unusual group of friends play detective in order to solve the disappearance of a missing local girl.
Justin is a small in stature young adult with a big heart. He he has the unusual talent of being able to tell when people have evil intentions. This greatly helps him working as a mall cop. When a mall robbery goes wrong and Justin loses his job. When a teen girl is reported missing, Justin remembers seeing the girl at the mall and thought the other girls with her were bad company. DIsmissed by the cops, he joins forces with a couple of friends to search for the missing girl.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I was pulled in at the beginning but the story began to drag a bit, in the middle. It needed more going on or to be cut shorter. I get that the author used this part to develop his characters but I lost interest in the slower pace. Once the story picked up, I was enthralled to the end.
3.5 stars rounded up.
January 27, 2026
Justin is a former foster kid now eking out a living as mall security. He has a sixth sense for when people are acting hinky. Unfortunately, mall management doesn't want him to get involved. But Justin has a big heart and, despite his small frame and youthful visage, he isn't afraid to do the right thing. This is what I learned in the first 45% of the book. In other words, it's a slow start, building up the backstories of the main characters and getting them (and us) invested in what's to come.
Justin and his friend-from-the-mall, Grace, are asked to help find a missing teenage girl. The rest of the story is about how they discover what happened to the girl, implement their rescue plan, and the legal trials that result.
It's a hodge-podge of a book, but ultimately entertaining with good narration. 3.75 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HighbridgeAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #WithoutaTrace for review purposes. Publication date: 3 February 2026.
Justin and his friend-from-the-mall, Grace, are asked to help find a missing teenage girl. The rest of the story is about how they discover what happened to the girl, implement their rescue plan, and the legal trials that result.
It's a hodge-podge of a book, but ultimately entertaining with good narration. 3.75 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HighbridgeAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #WithoutaTrace for review purposes. Publication date: 3 February 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I kid you not- I stopped THREE times in the first half to reread the blurb (or reviews on Goodreads), convinced I was not reading the book I thought I was. With this "From bestselling author Phil M. Williams comes a heart-pounding crime thriller perfect for fans of gritty thrillers, razor-sharp twists, and flawed heroes who refuse to quit." and the fact that it is part of a new series called Evil Intentions, I did not expect to learn about a mall cop in love (like) with the neighbor girl. This starts SLOW. I hope the time building the characters and backgrounds is worth it in subsequent books.
It wasn't terrible- not even the first half, but it also wasn't really a page turner that had me on the edge of my seat. There is enough left unresolved that has me interested in reading the next book.
Edwin is my favorite. I really like his story line.
Matt Godfrey narrates the audiobook.
This is a rambling mess of a review, but this book was so strange. However, I am hopeful a good foundation was set for a great series. We shall see.
It wasn't terrible- not even the first half, but it also wasn't really a page turner that had me on the edge of my seat. There is enough left unresolved that has me interested in reading the next book.
Edwin is my favorite. I really like his story line.
Matt Godfrey narrates the audiobook.
This is a rambling mess of a review, but this book was so strange. However, I am hopeful a good foundation was set for a great series. We shall see.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wish I could give "1/2" stars. I think this is a solid 3.5 stars for me. Thank you NetGalley for allowing the opportunity to listen to the ARC of this intriguing mystery.
Without a Trace by Phil M. Williams was an enjoyable read overall, with a really compelling sci-fi hook. I especially liked the idea that the main character can sense when people have bad intentions — it adds tension and raises interesting questions about trust and responsibility. The protagonist’s determination to help others, even when he’s underestimated, makes him easy to root for. The group of unlikely sleuths leads to the beginning of a promising series.
This story is action-driven and fast-paced, and the audiobook narrator was excellent (5 stars for narration). While a few plot developments felt a bit rushed for me, the book clearly sets up a larger story and ends with enough intrigue to make me curious about what comes next, and I plan to continue with book two.
Without a Trace by Phil M. Williams was an enjoyable read overall, with a really compelling sci-fi hook. I especially liked the idea that the main character can sense when people have bad intentions — it adds tension and raises interesting questions about trust and responsibility. The protagonist’s determination to help others, even when he’s underestimated, makes him easy to root for. The group of unlikely sleuths leads to the beginning of a promising series.
This story is action-driven and fast-paced, and the audiobook narrator was excellent (5 stars for narration). While a few plot developments felt a bit rushed for me, the book clearly sets up a larger story and ends with enough intrigue to make me curious about what comes next, and I plan to continue with book two.
February 8, 2026
They all save the day.
Jeremy was a mall cop but lost his job for going above and beyond. He could see the bad ones shaking and he would get involved only to be put out of commission by someone bigger than him. He had never been with a woman until Leah moved in next door with her boyfriend. He would beat Leah and Jeremy finally stood up to him but he was beaten up. Leah dropped him for Kyle, his best friend and roommate. Kyle moved in with Leah and she wanted Jeremy gone. She had Kyle to protect her. Jeremy wanted to do something special for someone. He decided to help Edwin get off drugs. After a lot of pain Edwin accepted his help. Then there was a missing girl Kristin and Jeremy decided he was going to find her. Jeremy was a very caring person and would do anything anyone would ask. He was small but gained a lot of respect after what he and his friends did.
Jeremy was a mall cop but lost his job for going above and beyond. He could see the bad ones shaking and he would get involved only to be put out of commission by someone bigger than him. He had never been with a woman until Leah moved in next door with her boyfriend. He would beat Leah and Jeremy finally stood up to him but he was beaten up. Leah dropped him for Kyle, his best friend and roommate. Kyle moved in with Leah and she wanted Jeremy gone. She had Kyle to protect her. Jeremy wanted to do something special for someone. He decided to help Edwin get off drugs. After a lot of pain Edwin accepted his help. Then there was a missing girl Kristin and Jeremy decided he was going to find her. Jeremy was a very caring person and would do anything anyone would ask. He was small but gained a lot of respect after what he and his friends did.
February 9, 2026
3,5 stars!
This story is all over the place.
The first part of the novel has nothing to do with the ending. It starts off very slowly, setting the scene and describing Justin's life with his friends, enemies, and love interests.
I enjoyed the beginning of the novel, but I felt that the investigation itself came too late. This makes the second part seem rushed, as does the resolution of the investigation. The frequent references to brands or presidential elections really took me out of the story.
Since it appears to be part of a series, I would give it a 3.5 because I understand that the setup makes more sense and the opening of this multitude of plot lines will be addressed later on.
I loved the narrations by Matt Godfrey!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is all over the place.
The first part of the novel has nothing to do with the ending. It starts off very slowly, setting the scene and describing Justin's life with his friends, enemies, and love interests.
I enjoyed the beginning of the novel, but I felt that the investigation itself came too late. This makes the second part seem rushed, as does the resolution of the investigation. The frequent references to brands or presidential elections really took me out of the story.
Since it appears to be part of a series, I would give it a 3.5 because I understand that the setup makes more sense and the opening of this multitude of plot lines will be addressed later on.
I loved the narrations by Matt Godfrey!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
4.5 stars
A gritty, fast-paced thriller that kicks off the Evil Intentions series with a bang. When the police dismiss a teenage girl’s disappearance as "just another runaway," an unlikely group of misfits—led by the determined Justin Boyle—takes matters into their own hands.
What I loved:
The Characters: The team of "outsider" investigators (including a disgraced UFC fighter) makes for a refreshing change from typical police procedurals.
The Stakes: It’s a dark, realistic look at the underbelly of society and the lengths good people will go to for justice.
The Pace: Lean, punchy chapters that make it nearly impossible to put down.
A must-read for fans of vigilante justice and high-tension mysteries. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series!
A gritty, fast-paced thriller that kicks off the Evil Intentions series with a bang. When the police dismiss a teenage girl’s disappearance as "just another runaway," an unlikely group of misfits—led by the determined Justin Boyle—takes matters into their own hands.
What I loved:
The Characters: The team of "outsider" investigators (including a disgraced UFC fighter) makes for a refreshing change from typical police procedurals.
The Stakes: It’s a dark, realistic look at the underbelly of society and the lengths good people will go to for justice.
The Pace: Lean, punchy chapters that make it nearly impossible to put down.
A must-read for fans of vigilante justice and high-tension mysteries. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Without a Trace by Phil Williams completely exceeded my expectations. I went into it not quite sure what I was getting into, but from the very first chapter, I was hooked. Williams builds tension beautifully, weaving mystery, emotion, and suspense in a way that kept me turning pages long past when I planned to stop.
The characters feel real, the pacing is tight, and every twist hits exactly the way it should. It’s one of those rare books where you keep telling yourself, “Just one more chapter,” and suddenly you’ve finished the whole thing. I genuinely could not put it down.
If you’re looking for a gripping story that surprises you in all the best ways, Without a Trace is absolutely worth the read. I loved it.
The characters feel real, the pacing is tight, and every twist hits exactly the way it should. It’s one of those rare books where you keep telling yourself, “Just one more chapter,” and suddenly you’ve finished the whole thing. I genuinely could not put it down.
If you’re looking for a gripping story that surprises you in all the best ways, Without a Trace is absolutely worth the read. I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Without a Trace by Phil M. Williams is a tense, emotionally driven thriller that understands one core truth: disappearance is not just an event, it’s a wound that keeps reopening.
This book leans heavily into atmosphere. From the opening chapters, there’s a steady sense of unease, the kind that settles in quietly and refuses to leave. Williams does not rush the tension. Instead, the story unfolds with intention, letting dread build through absence, unanswered questions, and the psychological toll left behind.
This is a must for those who like slow burn thrillers with amazing story payoff.
Thank you to NetGalley, High Bridge Audio and the author for this advance audiobook copy. The narration was fantastic and kept me engaged. Review is my own.
This book leans heavily into atmosphere. From the opening chapters, there’s a steady sense of unease, the kind that settles in quietly and refuses to leave. Williams does not rush the tension. Instead, the story unfolds with intention, letting dread build through absence, unanswered questions, and the psychological toll left behind.
This is a must for those who like slow burn thrillers with amazing story payoff.
Thank you to NetGalley, High Bridge Audio and the author for this advance audiobook copy. The narration was fantastic and kept me engaged. Review is my own.
January 28, 2026
Without a Trace by Phil M. Williams pulled me in from the start and never let go. With intriguing characters and a cleverly constructed plot, I was instantly hooked. I especially enjoyed the unlikely group of amateur sleuths who come together in their shared determination to find a missing girl.
As the first book in the new Evil Intentions series, it left me eager for more. I can’t wait to see what Justin, Edwin, Grace, and Rakesh do next.
The audiobook narration by Matt Godfrey was excellent and truly brought the story to life. Overall, the production quality was outstanding.
Thank you to NetGalley & HighBridge | Highbridge Audio for letting me read this ARC.
As the first book in the new Evil Intentions series, it left me eager for more. I can’t wait to see what Justin, Edwin, Grace, and Rakesh do next.
The audiobook narration by Matt Godfrey was excellent and truly brought the story to life. Overall, the production quality was outstanding.
Thank you to NetGalley & HighBridge | Highbridge Audio for letting me read this ARC.
February 11, 2026
Another fantastic read!
Another fantastic read from Phil M. Williams. He never fails to deliver books that you can't put down once you start reading them and this one is no exception. It has everything from teenage angst to human trafficking with a dash of supernatural and the Russian mafia to keep you on the edge of your seat. Well written, well developed characters pull you into their world and keep you vested until the very end.
Another fantastic read from Phil M. Williams. He never fails to deliver books that you can't put down once you start reading them and this one is no exception. It has everything from teenage angst to human trafficking with a dash of supernatural and the Russian mafia to keep you on the edge of your seat. Well written, well developed characters pull you into their world and keep you vested until the very end.
February 12, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
Without a trace is a slowly written book. It felt like it took a bit to go anywhere the story. It does seek to develop the characterization of the characters in thh story, but at times this felt to be at a detriment to the plot. I felt okay about the narration. I didn't dislike it and I didn't really enjoy it either.
Without a trace is a slowly written book. It felt like it took a bit to go anywhere the story. It does seek to develop the characterization of the characters in thh story, but at times this felt to be at a detriment to the plot. I felt okay about the narration. I didn't dislike it and I didn't really enjoy it either.
September 30, 2025
In rural Pennsylvania, an unlikely group bands together to solve a Missing Persons case. A young girl disappears, and a web of deceit leads to her case being a series of dead ends.
The first of a series, the improbable union of two late teens, a twenties tech wizard, and a rehabbed cage fighter join to form a private investigation team.
More good mystery from an accomplished author.
The first of a series, the improbable union of two late teens, a twenties tech wizard, and a rehabbed cage fighter join to form a private investigation team.
More good mystery from an accomplished author.
January 26, 2026
Received this book via NetGalley as an ARC here is my voluntarily review.
This book is a suspenseful thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish . The plot is packed with twists and unanswered questions, pulling the reader into a world where nothing is quite as it seems. I had the Audio and it was so good . This is a series can’t wait for book two .
This book is a suspenseful thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish . The plot is packed with twists and unanswered questions, pulling the reader into a world where nothing is quite as it seems. I had the Audio and it was so good . This is a series can’t wait for book two .
February 6, 2026
Listened to the audiobook from Netgalley and really enjoyed this. I enjoyed the narration and the focus on the security guard who focuses and questions things that don't make sense instead of just letting them go. I enjoyed the writing style and the narration was well done. Will be reading more from this author!
February 7, 2026
Light reading, good characters
Characters are ordinary people, with lives you can believe are real. Storyline a bit ragged and drawn out...but the team comes together and you're cheering them on. Look forward to strong the team come together. Next please.
Characters are ordinary people, with lives you can believe are real. Storyline a bit ragged and drawn out...but the team comes together and you're cheering them on. Look forward to strong the team come together. Next please.
December 8, 2025
If you are looking to find an engaging thriller that is also the first in a series, look no further.
February 6, 2026
3.75 ⭐ Review coming
February 3, 2026
Riveting
When I picked this up, I only had time to read a few chapters. But I found myself rearranging my schedule and reading it straight through. At first it was curiosity. The main character is far from the typical protagonist and instead faces the life of an underdog that so many face in reality. But there is just something special about him. Reality can be brutal, as can life. I don't want to give away any of the plot so, I'll just say sometimes even every day people can rise above their situations and make real differences in the world.
When I picked this up, I only had time to read a few chapters. But I found myself rearranging my schedule and reading it straight through. At first it was curiosity. The main character is far from the typical protagonist and instead faces the life of an underdog that so many face in reality. But there is just something special about him. Reality can be brutal, as can life. I don't want to give away any of the plot so, I'll just say sometimes even every day people can rise above their situations and make real differences in the world.
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