What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lost Highway #1
The Grapevine
From bestselling authors Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson, The Grapevine is a thrilling mystery featuring a quirky and relentless female protagonist, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter.
How far would you go to find your missing child?
Lou Gomersall’s going as far as it takes. And there’s no turning back.
When her nineteen-year-old daughter Abby disappears, Lou embarks on a reckless road trip in the family RV, scouring the highways and back roads of California. Through desert and mountains, into the woods, and to the ocean’s edge.
A year later, the police don’t believe Lou’s theory that four other missing young women have been taken by the same elusive predator. So, when another college sophomore vanishes, Lou jumps on the fresh trail, enlisting millennial #vanlifers, Gen Z entrepreneurs, boomer RVers, homeless sages, truck stop prostitutes and everyone in between in her do-or-die mission to rescue Abby …
Or kill the man who took her.
How far would you go to find your missing child?
Lou Gomersall’s going as far as it takes. And there’s no turning back.
When her nineteen-year-old daughter Abby disappears, Lou embarks on a reckless road trip in the family RV, scouring the highways and back roads of California. Through desert and mountains, into the woods, and to the ocean’s edge.
A year later, the police don’t believe Lou’s theory that four other missing young women have been taken by the same elusive predator. So, when another college sophomore vanishes, Lou jumps on the fresh trail, enlisting millennial #vanlifers, Gen Z entrepreneurs, boomer RVers, homeless sages, truck stop prostitutes and everyone in between in her do-or-die mission to rescue Abby …
Or kill the man who took her.
354 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2026
About the author
Alexandra Sokoloff
38 books1,008 followersI'm the Thriller Award-winning, Bram Stoker and Anthony Award-nominated author/screenwriter of the bestselling, feminist HUNTRESS MOON thrillers & the new LOST HIGHWAY thrillers, co-written with my Scottish husband. The New York Times Book Review has called me "a daughter of Mary Shelley" and my novels "some of the most original and freshly unnerving work in the genre."
I'm a California native and a graduate of U.C. Berkeley, where I majored in theater and minored in everything that Berkeley has a reputation for. After college I moved to Los Angeles, where I made an interesting living doing novel adaptations and selling original thriller scripts to various Hollywood studios.
Now I (mostly!) live in Scotland with my Scottish crime-writing husband, Craig Robertson. We've just written a new mystery/thriller series together — and we're still married and haven't killed each other! THE GRAPEVINE will be out in 2026.
My HUNTRESS MOON series follows a haunted FBI agent on the hunt for a female serial killer, which means I can smash hated genre cliches and kill a lot of men who need to be killed.
In my paranormal and supernatural thrillers, I like to cross the possibility of the supernatural with very real life explanations for any strangeness going on, and base the action squarely in fact. THE UNSEEN is based on real paranormal research conducted at the Duke University parapsychology lab, and BOOK OF SHADOWS teams a Boston homicide detective and a practicing Salem witch in a race to solve what may be a Satanic killing. THE SPACE BETWEEN is an edgy supernatural YA about a troubled high school girl who is having dreams of a terrible massacre at her school, and becomes convinced that she can prevent the shooting if she can unravel the dream.
My non-fiction workbooks SCREENWRITING TRICKS FOR AUTHORS and WRITING LOVE, based on my internationally acclaimed workshops and blog, have helped writers of all levels all over the world finish their books and find agents and book deals. https://alexandrasokoloff.substack.com/
When I'm not writing I travel and I dance: jazz, ballet, salsa, Lindy, swing - I do it all, every chance I get.
Join the mailing list (and receive a FREE short story from the SHATTERING GLASS anthology!):
https://authoralexandrasokoloff.subst... -
Connect with me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.so...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandraso...
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alexsokoloff...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@alexandrasok...
Substack: https://alexandrasokoloff.substack.com -
Read more about the books! http://alexandrasokoloff.com
I'm a California native and a graduate of U.C. Berkeley, where I majored in theater and minored in everything that Berkeley has a reputation for. After college I moved to Los Angeles, where I made an interesting living doing novel adaptations and selling original thriller scripts to various Hollywood studios.
Now I (mostly!) live in Scotland with my Scottish crime-writing husband, Craig Robertson. We've just written a new mystery/thriller series together — and we're still married and haven't killed each other! THE GRAPEVINE will be out in 2026.
My HUNTRESS MOON series follows a haunted FBI agent on the hunt for a female serial killer, which means I can smash hated genre cliches and kill a lot of men who need to be killed.
In my paranormal and supernatural thrillers, I like to cross the possibility of the supernatural with very real life explanations for any strangeness going on, and base the action squarely in fact. THE UNSEEN is based on real paranormal research conducted at the Duke University parapsychology lab, and BOOK OF SHADOWS teams a Boston homicide detective and a practicing Salem witch in a race to solve what may be a Satanic killing. THE SPACE BETWEEN is an edgy supernatural YA about a troubled high school girl who is having dreams of a terrible massacre at her school, and becomes convinced that she can prevent the shooting if she can unravel the dream.
My non-fiction workbooks SCREENWRITING TRICKS FOR AUTHORS and WRITING LOVE, based on my internationally acclaimed workshops and blog, have helped writers of all levels all over the world finish their books and find agents and book deals. https://alexandrasokoloff.substack.com/
When I'm not writing I travel and I dance: jazz, ballet, salsa, Lindy, swing - I do it all, every chance I get.
Join the mailing list (and receive a FREE short story from the SHATTERING GLASS anthology!):
https://authoralexandrasokoloff.subst... -
Connect with me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.so...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandraso...
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alexsokoloff...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@alexandrasok...
Substack: https://alexandrasokoloff.substack.com -
Read more about the books! http://alexandrasokoloff.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
10/10!!!!!
The Grapevine is currently the best thriller I have read this year and I'm blown away by it. I have recently been in a thriller slump and The Grapevine changed that! I couldn't put it down once I started and finished within two days!
This is for lovers of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri or Flight Plan (maybe True Detective on the Jodie Foster kick). I can totally see Frances McDormand or Jodie Foster as Lou.
There were so many elements of this book that were executed perfectly. I think one of the best parts of the book was Lou's character. Although not much occurred in the way of her own character arc, the way The Grapevine was written had me utterly enthralled and invested in Lou. I think despite Lou's unconventional and unauthorized actions to find her daughter, she never once came across as insufferable or annoying. The ENTIRETY of the book, I was wholeheartedly rooting for her success in finding Abby and honestly so proud of her brash and brazen actions. I don't necessarily need to love the protagonist to enjoy the book, but it absolutely makes the reading experience sweeter. It's easy for most people (especially women) to relate to a mother in search of her child, and the unending determination to only cease upon finding her. So even if (hopefully) most of us will never be in a similar experience, it is easy to emphasize and sympathize with Lou.
The pacing throughout the book was incredible. Not once did tension let up; the story kept moving at a quick pace that kept me on my toes but also not overly stressed. I loved all of the twists and turns of the investigation. When I thought I had things figured out, I didn't and was taken on another surprising turn. I also thought the elements of the investigation were well thought out but not overly obvious. None of the big plot twists or breaks in the case were out of left field where it verges on the edge of unbelievable, but I also really had no idea where the story would go.
Seriously, a 10/10 thriller. I have no criticisms.
The Grapevine is currently the best thriller I have read this year and I'm blown away by it. I have recently been in a thriller slump and The Grapevine changed that! I couldn't put it down once I started and finished within two days!
This is for lovers of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri or Flight Plan (maybe True Detective on the Jodie Foster kick). I can totally see Frances McDormand or Jodie Foster as Lou.
There were so many elements of this book that were executed perfectly. I think one of the best parts of the book was Lou's character. Although not much occurred in the way of her own character arc, the way The Grapevine was written had me utterly enthralled and invested in Lou. I think despite Lou's unconventional and unauthorized actions to find her daughter, she never once came across as insufferable or annoying. The ENTIRETY of the book, I was wholeheartedly rooting for her success in finding Abby and honestly so proud of her brash and brazen actions. I don't necessarily need to love the protagonist to enjoy the book, but it absolutely makes the reading experience sweeter. It's easy for most people (especially women) to relate to a mother in search of her child, and the unending determination to only cease upon finding her. So even if (hopefully) most of us will never be in a similar experience, it is easy to emphasize and sympathize with Lou.
The pacing throughout the book was incredible. Not once did tension let up; the story kept moving at a quick pace that kept me on my toes but also not overly stressed. I loved all of the twists and turns of the investigation. When I thought I had things figured out, I didn't and was taken on another surprising turn. I also thought the elements of the investigation were well thought out but not overly obvious. None of the big plot twists or breaks in the case were out of left field where it verges on the edge of unbelievable, but I also really had no idea where the story would go.
Seriously, a 10/10 thriller. I have no criticisms.
July 7, 2026
What a terrific thriller this was!
You've got a mother with a mission, a possible serial killer, and a road trip built on longing and vengeance. What more can you want?
I adored Lou. I was hoping against hope that she'd find some sort of closure. Also, as a mom of a daughter about to head out to college in the fall, I felt what she was going through! As I was reading this, I wanted to hug my kiddo and just keep her home and safe.
This was book one in the series and I can't wait for book two to be available. I'm definitely in for the ride on this one. (Also, Ethan is kind of adorable.)
You've got a mother with a mission, a possible serial killer, and a road trip built on longing and vengeance. What more can you want?
I adored Lou. I was hoping against hope that she'd find some sort of closure. Also, as a mom of a daughter about to head out to college in the fall, I felt what she was going through! As I was reading this, I wanted to hug my kiddo and just keep her home and safe.
This was book one in the series and I can't wait for book two to be available. I'm definitely in for the ride on this one. (Also, Ethan is kind of adorable.)
June 5, 2026
Lou’s daughter, Abby, vanished a year ago. Leaving her husband, Brian, behind Lou sets off on a road trip in ‘Lady Luck’, her campervan, travelling to where other girls have gone missing. She’s desperate to find Abby and/or discover what has happened to her.
This is a fast paced and intense rollercoaster of a thriller. Lou comes across as a very determined and resilient woman on a mission. I also liked Ethan, the budding reporter, who joins her on her search. The depiction of campervan life is described wonderfully, so much so I felt as if I’d joined Lou and Ethan in ‘Lady Luck’ on their quest for the truth. I was fascinated by the idea of the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ festival - I wouldn't mind a visit myself and having a chat with the Cheshire cat. 😸 it sounded magical! To sum it up it’s an edge of your seat type of mystery, a page turner and a very enjoyable, entertaining read.
This is a fast paced and intense rollercoaster of a thriller. Lou comes across as a very determined and resilient woman on a mission. I also liked Ethan, the budding reporter, who joins her on her search. The depiction of campervan life is described wonderfully, so much so I felt as if I’d joined Lou and Ethan in ‘Lady Luck’ on their quest for the truth. I was fascinated by the idea of the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ festival - I wouldn't mind a visit myself and having a chat with the Cheshire cat. 😸 it sounded magical! To sum it up it’s an edge of your seat type of mystery, a page turner and a very enjoyable, entertaining read.
June 21, 2026
Continuing my trend of reading books with moms who will do anything for their kids, we go on an interesting journey. Lou's daughter went missing a year ago, and Lou decides to leave her hubby at home, take the RV out, and go on a road trip looking for answers to what happened to her daughter. Along the way, she discovers other missing women, gets stalked via the phone, and meets a young journalist who jumps on her bandwagon and goes on a journey with Lou. Lou winds up getting herself into some precarious situations and bites off a bit more than she can chew. Upsetting police, getting calls from the bad guy, and being the hope for women she meets along the way. This story is non-stop and very easy to read/listen to. Plummer is a great narrator, though sometimes I feel like I'm in a weird Virgin River world. Anyway, this does end abruptly, not when you expect it to. This being a series, the authors do leave it on a heck of a cliffhanger. I love all the characters and how fierce a mother Lou is. She is not willing to give up even if it is just to find a body, but she still has hope her daughter is alive somewhere. She picks up momentum and attention with her search, and it gets intense sometimes. Plus, we get to see an Alice in Wonderland festival, which is such an interesting concept, and I would imagine that would be a wild ride by itself.
June 24, 2026
Husband and wife writing duo Sokoloff and Robertson are well respected and best selling authors in their own right. I've often wondered if they would ever collaborate on a book, and they have, and here it is. It's an absolute cracker too, I read this whilst on holiday in Greece an was absolutely enthralled by it throughout.
For me, the fact that the story is driven by a mother's determination makes this so compelling. Tense, emotional and utterly addictive, I was grabbed from the first chapter.
Lou Gomersall has spent a year searching for her missing daughter, Abby. While everyone around her seems ready to accept defeat, Lou simply keeps going. Travelling across California in an RV, following every lead and chasing every possibility, she is a woman fuelled by hope, grief and sheer stubbornness. I loved her from the very start.
Lou is not always easy to like, and for me, that is exactly what makes her such a fascinating character. Her desperation pushes her into risky situations and she makes some shady decisions, but every action feels completely real. I found myself urging her on, willing her to find the answers that so many others had given up searching for.
The setting is brilliantly used. The highways, campgrounds and forgotten corners of California become characters in their own right. The community of vanlifers, travellers and drifters adds colour and depth to the story. I almost felt a sense of movement throughout the novel, as though we are sitting in the passenger seat, travelling alongside her.
The plotting is superb. The mystery unfolds at exactly the right pace, with clues scattered carefully enough to keep the reader guessing.
What impressed me most was the emotion at the centre of the story. Underneath the suspense and danger there is a powerful exploration of loss, hope and the extraordinary lengths a parent will go to for their child. It gives the novel real depth and makes Lou's journey impossible to forget.
The Grapevine is a thrilling start to what promises to be an outstanding series. Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson have created a memorable heroine and a story packed with tension, emotion and surprises. I raced through it and was genuinely disappointed when I reached the final page.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys intelligent, character-driven thrillers with a huge heart and plenty of twists along the way.
For me, the fact that the story is driven by a mother's determination makes this so compelling. Tense, emotional and utterly addictive, I was grabbed from the first chapter.
Lou Gomersall has spent a year searching for her missing daughter, Abby. While everyone around her seems ready to accept defeat, Lou simply keeps going. Travelling across California in an RV, following every lead and chasing every possibility, she is a woman fuelled by hope, grief and sheer stubbornness. I loved her from the very start.
Lou is not always easy to like, and for me, that is exactly what makes her such a fascinating character. Her desperation pushes her into risky situations and she makes some shady decisions, but every action feels completely real. I found myself urging her on, willing her to find the answers that so many others had given up searching for.
The setting is brilliantly used. The highways, campgrounds and forgotten corners of California become characters in their own right. The community of vanlifers, travellers and drifters adds colour and depth to the story. I almost felt a sense of movement throughout the novel, as though we are sitting in the passenger seat, travelling alongside her.
The plotting is superb. The mystery unfolds at exactly the right pace, with clues scattered carefully enough to keep the reader guessing.
What impressed me most was the emotion at the centre of the story. Underneath the suspense and danger there is a powerful exploration of loss, hope and the extraordinary lengths a parent will go to for their child. It gives the novel real depth and makes Lou's journey impossible to forget.
The Grapevine is a thrilling start to what promises to be an outstanding series. Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson have created a memorable heroine and a story packed with tension, emotion and surprises. I raced through it and was genuinely disappointed when I reached the final page.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys intelligent, character-driven thrillers with a huge heart and plenty of twists along the way.
Review of advance copy
This is a collaboration by two authors who I have previously read and enjoyed solo books by. Alexandra Sokoloff's Huntress Moon series, and Craig Robertson's Narey and Winter Series. So I was very excited to see what this husband and wife team could do together!
And I wasn't disappointed! It's the story of a missing daughter. Of several missing women in fact. But one specifically - that of Lou Gomersal whose daughter Abby disappeared a year before we first meet her. Since then, and frustrated by the lack of progress by the police, she has taken to the streets in her RV trying to trace her last steps. But that's not all she's been doing. She's also been doing her own investigation into not only Abby's disappearance, but also the disappearance of a bunch of other similar young women, whose circumstances all resemble those of Abby's. Obviously the police don't like her "interference" when she clashes with them, especially when she gate-crashes press conferences, but then she is a mother who has lost her child...
As well as all the investigating, we also get quite the overview of #vanlife and the world that encompasses this. I've often thought of embracing that lifestyle and I hope I live long enough after retiring from work to be able to do just that. But that's all outwith the main story being told herein. That of the missing girls and I have to be more than impressed by Lou's grit, determination, and smarts in the way she tries to find out who, and indeed catch the person she believes responsible...
And then she teams up with Ethan, a reporter who believes in her. Which is something she is desperate for. And then there's her tormentor.. a nasty voice on the end of the phone...
This book hooked me from the start and drew me right in. I felt so much for Lou, especially when she was being ignored, and dismissed for interfering. I was also impressed at how she put her life on the line to try and get to the truth. But then, she is a mum, and that's what they do...
And then, when the clouds started to clear and the truth started to come into focus, I read avidly as Lou got so close to the truth, a truth she didn't want to hear. Putting herself in danger to get it.
And that ending - oh my days, perfect for this book but, at the same time, proving scope for the next in series... maybe... I'll definitely be up for that...
And I wasn't disappointed! It's the story of a missing daughter. Of several missing women in fact. But one specifically - that of Lou Gomersal whose daughter Abby disappeared a year before we first meet her. Since then, and frustrated by the lack of progress by the police, she has taken to the streets in her RV trying to trace her last steps. But that's not all she's been doing. She's also been doing her own investigation into not only Abby's disappearance, but also the disappearance of a bunch of other similar young women, whose circumstances all resemble those of Abby's. Obviously the police don't like her "interference" when she clashes with them, especially when she gate-crashes press conferences, but then she is a mother who has lost her child...
As well as all the investigating, we also get quite the overview of #vanlife and the world that encompasses this. I've often thought of embracing that lifestyle and I hope I live long enough after retiring from work to be able to do just that. But that's all outwith the main story being told herein. That of the missing girls and I have to be more than impressed by Lou's grit, determination, and smarts in the way she tries to find out who, and indeed catch the person she believes responsible...
And then she teams up with Ethan, a reporter who believes in her. Which is something she is desperate for. And then there's her tormentor.. a nasty voice on the end of the phone...
This book hooked me from the start and drew me right in. I felt so much for Lou, especially when she was being ignored, and dismissed for interfering. I was also impressed at how she put her life on the line to try and get to the truth. But then, she is a mum, and that's what they do...
And then, when the clouds started to clear and the truth started to come into focus, I read avidly as Lou got so close to the truth, a truth she didn't want to hear. Putting herself in danger to get it.
And that ending - oh my days, perfect for this book but, at the same time, proving scope for the next in series... maybe... I'll definitely be up for that...
Review of advance copy
A mother's search for her missing child.
Lou Gomersall is a mother on a mission. Her daughter, Abby, disappeared a year ago. Since then, Lou has been on the road in her RV, trying to retrace her daughter’s steps and find out why she disappeared. Her investigations lead her to butt heads with police departments all over the state, who don’t like citizens investigating crimes. But Lou is persistent, as only a mother of a missing child can be.
This debut novel by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will keep you up late at night reading. The investigation leads Lou into some dangerous situations, and she meets some great characters along the way as well.
I loved the depiction of the vanlifers’ world. It’s not one that we get to glimpse often. The roads Lou traveled are very familiar from my own travels up and down the state, so it was a thrill to recognize the many places Lou stopped on her journey. She is a complex character and her motivations are pretty clear. The fact that no one wants to believe her theories hits home. It certainly leads the character to take bigger risks over time as she narrows in on her suspect. Lou gets herself into some dangerous situations, but the reader understands her motivations and the desperation of a mother who just wants to know what happened to her child. She’s a very relatable character.
The book hooked me from the start. It was one that I wanted to read in one sitting, but life got in the way. Each time I had to put it down to go do something else, I could not wait to pick up the story again. It was amazing writing and so suspenseful. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would love to read more from this author in the future. Thankfully, there will be a sequel to this book to look forward to.
Lou Gomersall is a mother on a mission. Her daughter, Abby, disappeared a year ago. Since then, Lou has been on the road in her RV, trying to retrace her daughter’s steps and find out why she disappeared. Her investigations lead her to butt heads with police departments all over the state, who don’t like citizens investigating crimes. But Lou is persistent, as only a mother of a missing child can be.
This debut novel by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will keep you up late at night reading. The investigation leads Lou into some dangerous situations, and she meets some great characters along the way as well.
I loved the depiction of the vanlifers’ world. It’s not one that we get to glimpse often. The roads Lou traveled are very familiar from my own travels up and down the state, so it was a thrill to recognize the many places Lou stopped on her journey. She is a complex character and her motivations are pretty clear. The fact that no one wants to believe her theories hits home. It certainly leads the character to take bigger risks over time as she narrows in on her suspect. Lou gets herself into some dangerous situations, but the reader understands her motivations and the desperation of a mother who just wants to know what happened to her child. She’s a very relatable character.
The book hooked me from the start. It was one that I wanted to read in one sitting, but life got in the way. Each time I had to put it down to go do something else, I could not wait to pick up the story again. It was amazing writing and so suspenseful. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would love to read more from this author in the future. Thankfully, there will be a sequel to this book to look forward to.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE GRAPEVINE (The Lost Highway Book #1) by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson is a tension-filled thriller featuring a mother who will go anywhere and do anything to find her missing daughter. This is a collaboration between two authors I have enjoyed reading individually, so of course I was excited when I was asked to read this book.
Lou Gomersall’s daughter, Abby, is missing without any clues. Leaving her husband at home, she takes the family RV and begins scouring the highways and byways of California. She collects any mention of other missing young women and uses the network of other people on the road living the van life, campground operators, and even prostitutes at truck stops to search for connections. Even when the police are skeptical and tell her to stay out of the cases she has found and go home, she continues. She refuses to believe her daughter is dead, no matter how crazy she seems or acts.
Lou is on a mission to save Abby and kill the man who took her.
Lou is such a memorable protagonist. You have empathy for her, you feel sorrow for her, you cheer her on even when she seems or acts crazy, and you keep hoping with each revelation she discovers the truth of what happened to all the missing girls, not just Abby. All the secondary characters are believable, and I was glad she had Ethan in the second half of the book to help her search for clues and try to keep her more grounded in reality. The plot pace continuously builds as more pieces of the puzzle of the missing young women cases are revealed. The ending chapters kept me on a rollercoaster of emotions and left me completely shocked and not expecting the revelation at the climax of the crime plot and I love it when that happens. I am not sure what these authors and this series will have instore in the future, but you can definitely count me in.
I highly recommend this emotionally charged, edge-of-your-seat crime thriller!
THE GRAPEVINE (The Lost Highway Book #1) by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson is a tension-filled thriller featuring a mother who will go anywhere and do anything to find her missing daughter. This is a collaboration between two authors I have enjoyed reading individually, so of course I was excited when I was asked to read this book.
Lou Gomersall’s daughter, Abby, is missing without any clues. Leaving her husband at home, she takes the family RV and begins scouring the highways and byways of California. She collects any mention of other missing young women and uses the network of other people on the road living the van life, campground operators, and even prostitutes at truck stops to search for connections. Even when the police are skeptical and tell her to stay out of the cases she has found and go home, she continues. She refuses to believe her daughter is dead, no matter how crazy she seems or acts.
Lou is on a mission to save Abby and kill the man who took her.
Lou is such a memorable protagonist. You have empathy for her, you feel sorrow for her, you cheer her on even when she seems or acts crazy, and you keep hoping with each revelation she discovers the truth of what happened to all the missing girls, not just Abby. All the secondary characters are believable, and I was glad she had Ethan in the second half of the book to help her search for clues and try to keep her more grounded in reality. The plot pace continuously builds as more pieces of the puzzle of the missing young women cases are revealed. The ending chapters kept me on a rollercoaster of emotions and left me completely shocked and not expecting the revelation at the climax of the crime plot and I love it when that happens. I am not sure what these authors and this series will have instore in the future, but you can definitely count me in.
I highly recommend this emotionally charged, edge-of-your-seat crime thriller!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
When nineteen-year-old Abby vanishes, her mother Lou spends a year chasing leads the police ignore. Convinced a serial predator is targeting young women, she launches her own cross-California investigation, determined to find Abby, and the person responsible.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
There’s so much passion and heart in this gripping audiobook. Thérèse Plummer is a known thriller narrator but she’s new to me. She fully encapsulates Lou and she’s able to capture the other characters too. The atmospheric descriptions occasionlly got a bit tired, but the audio kept me engaged.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This isn’t a fast action thriller. It's a gritty, slow-paced story focused on Lou's journey, the people she meets, and the places she travels while slowly piecing the mystery together. There are very few dramatic scenes - it’s more about Lou’s thoughts, and observations.
It’s a straightforward plot structure - linear with a single POV.
Lou was an easy FMC to root for. She's relentless in her pursuit of the truth and willing to push boundaries to find her daughter.
Ethan was such a welcome addition - he brought a lighter energy. All the other characters kind of blended together and didn’t have much personality or depth.
The ending more or less played out as I thought - I liked the finale but I found the “second book tease” a little corny.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Not gonna lie, I didn’t find this story particularly fresh or thrilling. It was well written and inspired me to road trip California in a van, but the story itself felt fairly predictable.
Thank you @blackstonepublishing Blackstone Publishing Audio and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Thérèse Plummer
📖 Release 06•23•26 | 354 pages | 10h 9m
When nineteen-year-old Abby vanishes, her mother Lou spends a year chasing leads the police ignore. Convinced a serial predator is targeting young women, she launches her own cross-California investigation, determined to find Abby, and the person responsible.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
There’s so much passion and heart in this gripping audiobook. Thérèse Plummer is a known thriller narrator but she’s new to me. She fully encapsulates Lou and she’s able to capture the other characters too. The atmospheric descriptions occasionlly got a bit tired, but the audio kept me engaged.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This isn’t a fast action thriller. It's a gritty, slow-paced story focused on Lou's journey, the people she meets, and the places she travels while slowly piecing the mystery together. There are very few dramatic scenes - it’s more about Lou’s thoughts, and observations.
It’s a straightforward plot structure - linear with a single POV.
Lou was an easy FMC to root for. She's relentless in her pursuit of the truth and willing to push boundaries to find her daughter.
Ethan was such a welcome addition - he brought a lighter energy. All the other characters kind of blended together and didn’t have much personality or depth.
The ending more or less played out as I thought - I liked the finale but I found the “second book tease” a little corny.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Not gonna lie, I didn’t find this story particularly fresh or thrilling. It was well written and inspired me to road trip California in a van, but the story itself felt fairly predictable.
Thank you @blackstonepublishing Blackstone Publishing Audio and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Thérèse Plummer
📖 Release 06•23•26 | 354 pages | 10h 9m
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🎧Audiobook review🎧
I was excited to listen to this, Craig Robertson is the author who got me reading Thrillers with his Murderabilia. The Grapevine is the first book of his that is co-written, and the first one entirely set in America.
It’s a mom’s obsessive quest to find her daughter, dead or alive, she’s been missing for a year having vanished without trace. Lou Gomersall is the mom, relentlessly searching, travelling in the family RV, searching for clues and similar cases, spreading the word wherever she goes.
I’ve read plenty of missing persons thrillers , but never with a mom on the road before. There’s a nice amount of detail about the locations and the routes and van life community.
It’s a very solid free flowing adventure / quest, Lou is a great character, her drive and tireless passion very believable. It’s got real heart and I’d place it in the Noelle W. Ihli, Anne Frasier and Sara Ennis ballpark. The audiobook narration by Thérèse Plummer is excellent, perfectly suited to middle aged mom Lou.
There were times it felt like it might be slowing down, only to turn a corner and change up a gear. There are plenty of twists, shocks and false leads.
Fresh, original and highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks
I was excited to listen to this, Craig Robertson is the author who got me reading Thrillers with his Murderabilia. The Grapevine is the first book of his that is co-written, and the first one entirely set in America.
It’s a mom’s obsessive quest to find her daughter, dead or alive, she’s been missing for a year having vanished without trace. Lou Gomersall is the mom, relentlessly searching, travelling in the family RV, searching for clues and similar cases, spreading the word wherever she goes.
I’ve read plenty of missing persons thrillers , but never with a mom on the road before. There’s a nice amount of detail about the locations and the routes and van life community.
It’s a very solid free flowing adventure / quest, Lou is a great character, her drive and tireless passion very believable. It’s got real heart and I’d place it in the Noelle W. Ihli, Anne Frasier and Sara Ennis ballpark. The audiobook narration by Thérèse Plummer is excellent, perfectly suited to middle aged mom Lou.
There were times it felt like it might be slowing down, only to turn a corner and change up a gear. There are plenty of twists, shocks and false leads.
Fresh, original and highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks
July 14, 2026
I picked this book up during my reading slump and I am so glad I did. I actually saw it being promoted here on Good Reads on one of the banners. Thank you Good Reads! Here is the set up. Lou is married to Brian and they have a college aged daughter, Abby. They live in California. When Abby is suddenly missing and the police offer little help Lou takes off in the family RV and begins her quest to find her daughter. In her search she finds many girls have gone missing, similar in age to Abby and ties their disappearances to a young guy who stalks women at bars or clubs. All the girls are similiar in age to Abby. Lou is able to come up with a composite drawing and as she travels up and down the freeway in California looking for someone who might recognize this guy more girls become targets. I won't give away any more other than to say Lou is one strong woman. You can't help but feel her pain and understand the length a mother will go through to find her daughter. Out there, by herself, she deals with truckers, vagrants, prostitutes, bartenders, and local law enforcement. All in an attempt to locate Abby. This book is a winner because you felt you were along for the ride. Four stars!
Read
July 7, 2026A slow burn with an unexpected ending that left me wanting more.
Okay, now that I know this is going to be a series, I can forgive the ending, but let’s back up a bit.
Lou will stop at nothing to find out what happened to her daughter, even if it means discovering the worst. She goes full detective mode, traveling around in her RV and pestering the police, who don’t believe the murders and disappearances of other young girls are connected.
I listened to the audiobook, and Thérèse Plummer was great. She was perfect for this character.
As Lou travels across California, we get fun facts sprinkled in about the places she visits, and I loved that. It really helped paint a picture of the scenery. Honestly, I could see this making a great TV series.
Between the writing style and the narration, I was invested throughout. I did not see the ending coming at all, but it also felt abrupt and left me with a lot of questions. Knowing there’s another book coming makes me much more okay with that.
Overall, I can definitely recommend this one, and I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced listening copy.
Okay, now that I know this is going to be a series, I can forgive the ending, but let’s back up a bit.
Lou will stop at nothing to find out what happened to her daughter, even if it means discovering the worst. She goes full detective mode, traveling around in her RV and pestering the police, who don’t believe the murders and disappearances of other young girls are connected.
I listened to the audiobook, and Thérèse Plummer was great. She was perfect for this character.
As Lou travels across California, we get fun facts sprinkled in about the places she visits, and I loved that. It really helped paint a picture of the scenery. Honestly, I could see this making a great TV series.
Between the writing style and the narration, I was invested throughout. I did not see the ending coming at all, but it also felt abrupt and left me with a lot of questions. Knowing there’s another book coming makes me much more okay with that.
Overall, I can definitely recommend this one, and I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced listening copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The Grapevine by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson, published by Blackstone Publishing
I enjoyed this novel even though the topic is an emotional one, missing and abused girls. The story is well written from the perspective of a mother whose daughter has been missing for a year. We follow her in her quest to find answers, she needs to know what happened. Her life gets put on hold as she starts her own investigation
I liked the plot and how the story unfolded, the characters were well thought out and described. The main character Lou, and mom to Abby, has her share of experiences and meets some interesting people. I liked the addition of Ethan's character to her search team part way through the story.
I also enjoyed the ending and how the authors wrapped up the story, oh my... can't wait to read more. Hoping there is a 2nd book.
I've never read books by either author before but would definitely recommend this novel.
I enjoyed this novel even though the topic is an emotional one, missing and abused girls. The story is well written from the perspective of a mother whose daughter has been missing for a year. We follow her in her quest to find answers, she needs to know what happened. Her life gets put on hold as she starts her own investigation
I liked the plot and how the story unfolded, the characters were well thought out and described. The main character Lou, and mom to Abby, has her share of experiences and meets some interesting people. I liked the addition of Ethan's character to her search team part way through the story.
I also enjoyed the ending and how the authors wrapped up the story, oh my... can't wait to read more. Hoping there is a 2nd book.
I've never read books by either author before but would definitely recommend this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Grapevine is the kind of thriller that doesn't let you put it down, and I mean that literally. I kept telling myself one more chapter, and then it was suddenly two hours later.
The pacing is exceptional. Sokoloff and Robertson know exactly when to tighten the screws and when to let you breathe, and the result is a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. The storytelling pulls you all the way in. You're not reading about Lou's search, you're living it.
Lou herself is what makes the whole thing land. Her determination is relentless, and it's impossible not to connect with her on a deeper level. She's a mother who will go as far as it takes, and you feel every mile of that with her.
A fantastic read. I tore through it, and I'm already hoping there's more of The Lost Highway to come.
Thank you to the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The pacing is exceptional. Sokoloff and Robertson know exactly when to tighten the screws and when to let you breathe, and the result is a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. The storytelling pulls you all the way in. You're not reading about Lou's search, you're living it.
Lou herself is what makes the whole thing land. Her determination is relentless, and it's impossible not to connect with her on a deeper level. She's a mother who will go as far as it takes, and you feel every mile of that with her.
A fantastic read. I tore through it, and I'm already hoping there's more of The Lost Highway to come.
Thank you to the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2026
Unfortunately I found this book so slow, tedious, and plodding. I disliked being in the main character's head and even though I'm a mom, I couldn't identify with her mission.
Lou's nineteen year old daughter Abby disappeared, and Lou has been on a mission to find out what happened to her. Lou has taken to the road in an RV for the past year, searching along the California freeways in the area where Abby might have been traveling, looking for anyone who might have seen her daughter or knows what is happening. Other young women go missing during this time, and Lou is convinced these disappearances are connected, but law enforcement doesn't see the connection and wants Lou out of the way.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator does a good job of keeping things moving along, even when the plot drags and nothing much happens. I will say that this isn't really a thriller until the end, and I really didn't feel a huge connection to any of the characters, not enough to make me want to root for their success, as sad as having a missing daughter was. There were parts of this story that seemed very simplistic and kind of eye rolling, and Lou's armchair detective work was really out there. I had a really, really difficult time believing that Lou, untrained and armed with an app, could help two people create an identifiable composite of a would-be bad guy. Even trained artists aren't that good.
Overall, I'm not going to continue with this series even though it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. It was just too slow for me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Lou's nineteen year old daughter Abby disappeared, and Lou has been on a mission to find out what happened to her. Lou has taken to the road in an RV for the past year, searching along the California freeways in the area where Abby might have been traveling, looking for anyone who might have seen her daughter or knows what is happening. Other young women go missing during this time, and Lou is convinced these disappearances are connected, but law enforcement doesn't see the connection and wants Lou out of the way.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator does a good job of keeping things moving along, even when the plot drags and nothing much happens. I will say that this isn't really a thriller until the end, and I really didn't feel a huge connection to any of the characters, not enough to make me want to root for their success, as sad as having a missing daughter was. There were parts of this story that seemed very simplistic and kind of eye rolling, and Lou's armchair detective work was really out there. I had a really, really difficult time believing that Lou, untrained and armed with an app, could help two people create an identifiable composite of a would-be bad guy. Even trained artists aren't that good.
Overall, I'm not going to continue with this series even though it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. It was just too slow for me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow what a ride. Pun intended. While I feel for all of the characters losses I admire Lou so much. Her daughter is missing. Many daughters are missing but Lou will not sit back and let this happen to her family without action. She is a force to be reckoned with and you will love her. She doesn’t just stop with her daughter she is determined to help each family she encounters. I love the addition of a young journalist and the relationship they develop. They don’t pull punches and care deeply for each other and the work they are trying to do.
The book is written with an excellent partner team that I hope is the beginning of more to come. As always, the sights and sounds bring this book to life. I don’t think anyone does a better job with the “feeling of being there” than Alexandra Sokoloff.
Keep writing and making the readers happy!
The book is written with an excellent partner team that I hope is the beginning of more to come. As always, the sights and sounds bring this book to life. I don’t think anyone does a better job with the “feeling of being there” than Alexandra Sokoloff.
Keep writing and making the readers happy!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Just how long would you keep looking for your missing daughter?
It's been a year now since Lou Gomersall's daughter disappeared. And Lou is NOT giving up looking for her. In fact, she's on the trail of a pretty nasty piece of work who preys on young women across the state of California. And Lou is nothing if not persistent.
She is traveling in a RV, following up on tips, posting pictures, tracking down leads, getting on the police department's nerves and actually finding clues to other young women who have either been attacked or disappeared in the same general area as Abby, her daughter.
Now she just needs to get someone to listen.
Great story with great characters. I'll be looking for the next book in the series.
I appreciated receiving this Digital Review Copy from Blackstone Publishing through Edelweiss and NetGalley. Thank you.
It's been a year now since Lou Gomersall's daughter disappeared. And Lou is NOT giving up looking for her. In fact, she's on the trail of a pretty nasty piece of work who preys on young women across the state of California. And Lou is nothing if not persistent.
She is traveling in a RV, following up on tips, posting pictures, tracking down leads, getting on the police department's nerves and actually finding clues to other young women who have either been attacked or disappeared in the same general area as Abby, her daughter.
Now she just needs to get someone to listen.
Great story with great characters. I'll be looking for the next book in the series.
I appreciated receiving this Digital Review Copy from Blackstone Publishing through Edelweiss and NetGalley. Thank you.
June 27, 2026
Although missing persons cases aren’t generally my favorite trope, I read this when recommended by a friend and am so glad I did! Because you can read the overall description, and I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, here are some things that made this one different for me.
1) It was a thriller/mystery, but also leaned heavily toward being more character driven.
2) It had the perfect number of clues, red herrings, and secondary characters to keep anything from being obvious, but without overwhelming the reader.
3) The protagonist wasn’t perfect and made decisions that could make the reader shake their head and say, “Why or WTF” throughout her journey.
4) I always love a road trip and/or messy family secrets book!
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of this book!
1) It was a thriller/mystery, but also leaned heavily toward being more character driven.
2) It had the perfect number of clues, red herrings, and secondary characters to keep anything from being obvious, but without overwhelming the reader.
3) The protagonist wasn’t perfect and made decisions that could make the reader shake their head and say, “Why or WTF” throughout her journey.
4) I always love a road trip and/or messy family secrets book!
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Thérèse Plummer does a fantastic job narrating this story! I could not put it down!
Never underestimate the power of a mam bear on the hunt for her missing daughter! Lou Gomersall's 19 year old daughter, Abby, is missing without a trace. So are multiple other young women and the police do not have any suspects. Lou takes off in a camper van to hunt the highways, bars, and back roads of California to find her daughter and the man who took her.
This is a well written, fasted paced thriller with lots of twists and turns! I loved Lou and her tenacity! She engages the culture of the van lifers and millenials and uses it to her advantage. Loved this suspenseful thriller!!!
Never underestimate the power of a mam bear on the hunt for her missing daughter! Lou Gomersall's 19 year old daughter, Abby, is missing without a trace. So are multiple other young women and the police do not have any suspects. Lou takes off in a camper van to hunt the highways, bars, and back roads of California to find her daughter and the man who took her.
This is a well written, fasted paced thriller with lots of twists and turns! I loved Lou and her tenacity! She engages the culture of the van lifers and millenials and uses it to her advantage. Loved this suspenseful thriller!!!
July 8, 2026
4.5 🌟 - ALC 🎧
Thank you NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, Alexandra Sokoloff & Craig Robertson for the opporunity to listen and review this audiobook.
This book would make a great movie adaptation! I pictured the FMC as Jodie Foster the whole time. I dont know if it was the narrator or the Determined Mother energy I got from this book that kind of mirrored JF in the movie "Flight Plan." Either way, this book was 👌🏼.
The narrator conveyed and expressed the characters' emotions well, and I found it easy to discern between them. I also felt the adrenaline the FMC felt when she was on to something, the sadness/grief from losing her daughter and the tenacity to find her!
If you enjoy a thriller with missing girls, a mother taking the case into her own hands, a taunting psychopath, and an ending that has you asking more questions; The Grapevine should be on your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, Alexandra Sokoloff & Craig Robertson for the opporunity to listen and review this audiobook.
This book would make a great movie adaptation! I pictured the FMC as Jodie Foster the whole time. I dont know if it was the narrator or the Determined Mother energy I got from this book that kind of mirrored JF in the movie "Flight Plan." Either way, this book was 👌🏼.
The narrator conveyed and expressed the characters' emotions well, and I found it easy to discern between them. I also felt the adrenaline the FMC felt when she was on to something, the sadness/grief from losing her daughter and the tenacity to find her!
If you enjoy a thriller with missing girls, a mother taking the case into her own hands, a taunting psychopath, and an ending that has you asking more questions; The Grapevine should be on your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Lou Gomersall’s daughter Abby disappears Lou goes in search of her she scours everywhere she possibly can but to no avail.
Lou is convinced Abby has been taken by a predator and when another young girl disappears she has to convince the police that there is someone out there taking young girls. But the police arn't convinced and don't take kindly to interference from Lou, so she must take matters into her own hands to rescue Abby or find the man that took her. But things arn't always what they seem and sometimes reality is something you have to accept.
But how far would you go to find your missing child? As a mother myself I would go to the end of the earth so could relate to Lou. Highly recommend this book.
Lou is convinced Abby has been taken by a predator and when another young girl disappears she has to convince the police that there is someone out there taking young girls. But the police arn't convinced and don't take kindly to interference from Lou, so she must take matters into her own hands to rescue Abby or find the man that took her. But things arn't always what they seem and sometimes reality is something you have to accept.
But how far would you go to find your missing child? As a mother myself I would go to the end of the earth so could relate to Lou. Highly recommend this book.
June 23, 2026
The Grapevine by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson is an excellent start to a new series that I thoroughly enjoyed.
A year after her daughter Abby disappears, Lou refuses to give up hope. Convinced there’s a link to other missing girls, she takes matters into her own hands. Along the way she teams up with aspiring journalist Ethan, setting off in her camper van, Lady Luck, determined to uncover the truth.
I loved Lou’s determination and the developing relationship between her and Ethan. The mystery kept me engaged throughout, and I found myself eager to discover what had happened to Abby.
A gripping start to the series, and I can’t wait to see where Lou and Ethan’s journey takes them next.
A year after her daughter Abby disappears, Lou refuses to give up hope. Convinced there’s a link to other missing girls, she takes matters into her own hands. Along the way she teams up with aspiring journalist Ethan, setting off in her camper van, Lady Luck, determined to uncover the truth.
I loved Lou’s determination and the developing relationship between her and Ethan. The mystery kept me engaged throughout, and I found myself eager to discover what had happened to Abby.
A gripping start to the series, and I can’t wait to see where Lou and Ethan’s journey takes them next.
July 8, 2026
This is such a great collaboration by two writers who are great as individual ones and so now that they have joined up ....... Set as a road trip around California in an RV, Lou is determined to find her missing daughter either dead or alive and if the former, then she will seek out the killer. She shows some great spirit throughout the book even if at times a bit reckless and has a very patient husband at home waiting for her. There are plenty of highs and lows throughout with some great descriptions of SoCal and especially Death Valley - you feel that you are right there with Lou.
What I have also loved about this story is that the authors set about recreating this trip to promote the book, only to find that RV's are not always what they seem !! Looking forward to the next book now.
What I have also loved about this story is that the authors set about recreating this trip to promote the book, only to find that RV's are not always what they seem !! Looking forward to the next book now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was absolutely sucked in right from the beginning of this one!
Lou is on a mission to find her missing daughter. She refuses to give up and along the way, she comes into contact with others who have been touched by their own tragedies. The author(s) did a fantastic job capturing the emotion and heartache of not only Lou, but those she came in contact with on her travels.
The tension was there throughout the book and watching everything fall into place was fascinating. My only complaint is that now I have to wait for the next one in the series....what happens next?????
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lou is on a mission to find her missing daughter. She refuses to give up and along the way, she comes into contact with others who have been touched by their own tragedies. The author(s) did a fantastic job capturing the emotion and heartache of not only Lou, but those she came in contact with on her travels.
The tension was there throughout the book and watching everything fall into place was fascinating. My only complaint is that now I have to wait for the next one in the series....what happens next?????
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 26, 2026
I gave The Grapevine 4 out of 5 stars. This was an intense and emotionally charged thriller that kept me invested from beginning to end. Lou's determination to find her missing daughter, Abby, made for a compelling protagonist, and her relentless journey across California in an RV added a unique and memorable backdrop to the story.
The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists that kept me guessing. I especially enjoyed the way the authors incorporated an eclectic cast of characters from different walks of life who help Lou in her search, making the story feel rich and authentic.
The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists that kept me guessing. I especially enjoyed the way the authors incorporated an eclectic cast of characters from different walks of life who help Lou in her search, making the story feel rich and authentic.
June 29, 2026
Your heart breaks as this one opens and you find out about Lou and her daughter. I feel for her, really love how she is doing whatever it takes to find her daughter and along the way other missing women. It's interesting the network she builds along the way and what she finds out, things the police haven't. But even as she's searching, there is an evil person that seems to be stalking her and it feels related to her daughter. The things this person says are horrible and just pick at all the bad things Lou tries not to think about.
It's interesting how things ended, how Lou was instrumental in finding the bad guy and what she found out about her daughter.
It's interesting how things ended, how Lou was instrumental in finding the bad guy and what she found out about her daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Grapevine had an interesting premise and a determined protagonist I found easy to root for. A mother's relentless search for her missing daughter created plenty of tension, and the road-trip investigation kept the story moving.
While there were moments that pulled me in, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I found myself wanting a tighter mystery and stronger emotional connection to some of the characters. Overall, this was a solid thriller with an engaging concept, but it didn't quite deliver the impact I was hoping for.
While there were moments that pulled me in, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I found myself wanting a tighter mystery and stronger emotional connection to some of the characters. Overall, this was a solid thriller with an engaging concept, but it didn't quite deliver the impact I was hoping for.
June 23, 2026
What a BANGER! Lou is on a quest, a quest to find who abducted her daughter, Abby. She is traveling the Californian countryside looking for clues, asking questions, basically raising hell. She and Lady Luck, her vintage RV, won’t take no for an answer. She hits up truck stops, camp grounds, and other vanlifers. Making several connections along the way, Lou is one of the best characters I have experienced in a long time. This was an excellent, fast pace story, very entertaining and engaging. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy
The Grapevine is an engaging thriller about a mother searching for her missing daughter. The story moves quickly, with plenty of suspense, twists, and emotional moments.
Lou, the main character, is determined and easy to root for, making the mystery feel personal and compelling. While some plot developments may be predictable for experienced thriller readers, it's an entertaining and heartfelt read overall.
June 26, 2026
What a ride! Lou’s daughter disappeared a year ago. Dissatisfied with law enforcement’s efforts, she sets out in her aging motorhome to search on her own. This powerful novel is exceptionally good. The plot is tight, the characters well drawn and believable, and the writing is very skilled. Very highly recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews