The Missing Couple

Colby Agency: The Next Generation #7

by Debra Webb

In a small town

…they uncover shocking secrets.

Charly Nix could lose everything when her rustic Alabama retreat is rocked by a missing persons scandal. When Colby agent Billie Jagger arrives to help Charly search for the newlywed couple who have disappeared, the stakes intensify when he reveals that it’s his beloved sister who’s missing. And he’ll stop at nothing to find her. But as he and Charly investigate, their solo MOs develop into a partnership with feelings neither expected. Most alarming, the couple’s disappearance may be related to decades of other unsolved crimes in the quiet small town. Can they rescue Briana and Martin—before they’re gone for good?      

From Harlequin  Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the  Colby The Next Generation  series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following

 Book 1: A Colby Christmas Rescue
Book 2: Alibi for Murder
Book 3: Memory of Murder
Book 4: Witness to Murder
Book 5: The Husband's Secret
Book 6: The Bride's Betrayal
Book 7: The Missing Couple

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Harlequin, Suspense, Romantic Suspense

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2026

About the author

DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 180 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.

With more than ten million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Missing Couple
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 (4.5; rounded up to 5 stars)
Format: audiobook

This is my first book of the Colby Agency series. That being said, this review is me coming in without any knowledge of prior characters or plot dynamics.

Highlights:
⭐️ The fact that I picked up book #7 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn’t confused at all with any aspects of the plot or characters. Webb genuinely wrote a stand-alone mystery novel that is still part of a series without spoiling anything from the previous books. This alone intrigues me to backtrack to see how the other books unfold.
⭐️ Our protagonists, Charlie & Billy. Charlie’s steady & sparky personality balances well with Billy’s intense, serious & methodical one. Not only do I want to know what happens with these characters romantically but also professionally. Will they start solving mysteries together?
⭐️ The plot. From introducing the Colby Agency/Billy flying across the country to the final twist at the end. Not only did everything flow nicely, loose ends were tied up, & I was shocked!
⭐️Narration was phenomenal as well!

Pitfalls:
❌ None!

Overall, great mystery/thriller book if you are looking for a stand-alone novel or to start a series. Plus the location of the novel sounds pretty cool if you ask me. 😉 Roll Tide! 🤘🏻

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion and review!

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a small town mystery, sailed at a steady pace and reaches the end without much ado. Hardly much twists, very predictable and kinda bland.
A small town where people go missing for years, until Charly nix the widow, owner of a resorting Alabama has one of her honeymooning couple vanish. Cops, sheriff, and bride's brother are all converging on her resort. Only the brother is serious. He's connected, intelligent and oh so sexy!! She soon joins with him in looking for them and the suspicion net is cast far and wide.
Alas! They circle back to their small town where all te secrets hide and unexpected people become foes.
“3.5 stars for flavorless drivel”
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[Kirsten Clason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few days ago, I read my first book by Debra Webb and really enjoyed it! I saw 2 other books of hers in Netgalley that are coming out soon. I requested them and luckily got them a few hours later. These are actually a part of a series (I think I have books 6 and 7) but I was able to completely enjoy them even though I haven’t read the others. Right now, I want to tell you about The Missing Couple. This was a really quick read at only 220 pages!
Charly Nix runs a peaceful retreat where people come to unplug—but when she goes to check on a couple that have gone past their check out time, she finds that the a newlyweds have disappeared. At that point, her property becomes part of a chilling investigation.
Enter Billie Jagger—a determined investigator with one major twist: the missing woman is his sister.Now it’s not just a case. It’s personal.
As Charly and Billie start digging, they realize this isn’t a simple disappearance. The deeper they go, the more secrets they uncover—secrets this town has been hiding for YEARS.
And the scariest part is this might not be the first time something like this has happened…
With time running out, tension rising, and trust slowly building between them, this turns into a high-stakes race to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
And of course, Charly and Billie fall for each other,too! So there’s that!
Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin Intrigue for this ALC! This book comes out July 28.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What should have been a happy, celebratory weekend becomes....

...a terrifying race against time to find the newly weds before their time runs out.
Charly and Billie work so well together, they respect each other and the others skills, Charly excels in searching and tracking, Billie, investigation and digging out hidden clues. Together they are a determined and dynamic team that don't give up no matter how many feathers they ruffle or how upset the local police force get. They not only manage to find the missing couple but they also find answers to a number of cold cases....answers Charly wasn't sure she would ever get.
Their relationship may develop quickly, but it's strong, deep and beautiful to see. I love the Colby Agency Next Generation series, I listened to this on Audible.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good suspense.
Setting: Guntersville, Alabama
Billie Jagger (of Colby Agency) and Charley (Charlotte) Nix (widow, owner of resort located on Deep Woods Trail)
Human trafficking.
Martin and Brianna Willard, newlyweds, have been abducted .. the hunt is on ….
Romance is minimal. Red herrings. Violence. Harlequin Intrigue.
Read paperback book. Bought @ WalMart. Not sure why that is not listed on GR….
Standalone.

[Khatreenah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Missing Couple (written by Debra Webb, narrated by Megan Tusing) from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

#aKhatreenahRecommendation !! Oh my gosh, this book was so good and simple! I love mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense, and this book was perfection. It was my first book by Debra Webb, but it will not be my last — I’m going to browse through her catalog now! I’m actually about to request another ARC by her because I am so impressed. Hopefully I get selected to do the ARC for that one as well.

The Missing Couple was about a woman who owned a cabin resort, and a young newlywed couple went missing on the resort. The owner contacted the bride’s brother and he went full “Taken”-mode. He stopped what he was doing, came from Chicago, and was like, “Let me find my baby sister.” The whole book is them working together to figure out what happened to the couple and bringing them home safely.

While the two dive into the disappearance, someone or ones in the small town is trying to prevent them from uncovering the truth about the couple’s disappearance.

As they work together, a romantic side-plot forms, and there’s forced proximity, tension, jealousy, and flirting. Was it instant-love? Yeah. But I’m not opposed to it because, you know, I’m a fairytale girlie! So sure, they fall for each other after a few days but whatever. I love the character insights and learning what actually made them fall for each other and about them in general (definitely added more dimensions to the characters).

My only issue with the book is that we went through the entire book trying to figure out what happened to the young couple: Let’s retrace their stay at the resort. Can we find them? Are they still alive? Is it too late? Have they been murdered? We didn’t know. Then, when everything is revealed, we didn’t get the details on what actually happened. I don’t like when I read a book and don’t get to know exactly what happened. Tell me in detail! I’ve been waiting this whole investigation, with the characters, and then it’s just blown over with general information. And I’m like, wait… but what happened to these people? How did it happen? What took place? Tell me something! Then it’s just, “Yay, the end of the book.” Then I’m like, “Run that back!” Tell me the details and paint the picture because I did all this work investigating with y’all.

Read the trigger warnings and be sure to take care of your mental!

I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (4.5)/5 stars!! I’m going to have to get this series because I am truly a fan of her writing style. And the narrator? Don’t change the narrator! This is hands down a top-10 narration for me! Definitely top 10. #aKhatreenahRecommendation !!

Thank you again to the Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Missing Couple
Author: Debra Webb
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Megan Tusing
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!
Pages: 220

Charly Nix is a young widow and runs the ‘Bradly Retreat’ with cabins located in the a peaceful area in Guntersville, a small town in Alabama.. Charly goes to check on newlyweds Brian and Martin Willard as they are a day past check-out time. Charly finds their SUV is gone but all their things are still in the cabin, including their cell phones. She checks their phones and finds several unanswered messages.
Charly looks though Briana’s contacts and finds the name Billie Jaggerwh who had left several message.
Turns out Billie is the bride’s brother (We readers know he is also an agent with the Colby Agency. However, Charly isn’t yet aware.)

Sheriff Malone doesn’t seem to be taking the case seriously. Charly tells Billie she has lived in the area and is very familiar with local landmarks. So, Charly and Billie start searching the area for sign of a kidnapping. Charly find footprints. Billie is impressed with her tracking skills and finds her assistance very helpful. She tells him that she idolized her dad Sheriff Brady and he often took her on search outings and taught her how to search for clues.

Charly soon finds out that Billie is an agent and checks out the Colby Agency and is very impressed.
She is also embarrassed but Billie likes working with her, so they continue.

Their search for clues finds this was not a simple disappearance. The more they search they uncover secrets Guntersville has been hiding. It seems there have been seven young blonde females kidnapped in the past Sixteen years. Yes! Since Sheriff Brady Charly’s dad and her mother had been shot and killed in their car on an isolated road. Deputy Malone then took over as Sherrif. Malone figured they were shot by someone Brady had sent to prison.

This is the 7th book in the Colby Agency: it is my fifth- I enjoyed the others I read. Story can be read as a standalone as the characters as well as the Colby private Investigators are not recurring. The only thing that is recurring is the Colby Agency.

BTW: In this series all the agents seem to be handsome guys and a budding romance developed between him and the female protagonist.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for granting me this audiobook.
The Audiobook Publishing Release Date is scheduled for July 28, 2026.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Webb never disappoints when it comes to intrigue and suspense. With plenty of twists and turns, she keeps readers guessing until the very end.

The Missing Couple is the seventh book in the Colby Agency: The Next Generation series, and once again, Debra Webb proves she's in a class of her own when it comes to romantic suspense, murder, and mystery. Is anyone surprised I picked up another romantic suspense book? Probably not!

This installment feels especially personal. Charly Nix owns a retreat in a small Alabama town, and when a couple disappears, the quiet community is thrown into turmoil. The situation becomes even more complicated when Colby Agency investigator Billie Jagger arrives to assist with the case and discovers that one of the missing people is his own sister.

Determined to uncover the truth, Charly and Billie work together to find Billie's sister while also protecting Charly's retreat and reputation. As their investigation unfolds, they discover that this isn't an isolated case—several people have gone missing in the area. The danger escalates quickly, the stakes continue to rise, and the nonstop suspense will have you turning pages—or listening—well into the night.

Megan Tusing delivers an excellent narration that adds even more intensity to the story. She gives each character a distinct voice and does a wonderful job conveying the tension, emotion, and urgency throughout the investigation. Her pacing perfectly complements the suspense, making it easy to become completely immersed in the story. If you're an audiobook fan, this is definitely one worth listening to.

Thank you to Debra Webb, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So a young couple get married… kind of in a rush… (you’ll find out why when you read.)
They go to a small town with remote, rentable cabins for their honeymoon. Check in. Enjoy themselves…
And then, go missing… in Alabama!

The wife’s brother comes looking for her/them.
Meets Charly… the owner of the place…

And they start to look… together.
But the darker it gets,the less they’re going to find out…

They speak with the sheriff, the people in town, and even some of the ‘not so wonderful’ people of the town…

Did I mention that Charly’s Father was the sheriff? That is until he was gunned down and killed.

And her parents always had a dream of opening up a place like this… so, Charly took it on herself.
Except, now there’s a couple missing…

And the more they’re uncover, the more it seems to point to the fact that this is NOT the first time this has happened here!

But, who can they trust? And how can they find them?

Terrific storyline. Lots of surprises along the way. And, just a pinch of romance added in too!

4 scary, enlightening, creepy stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TheMissingCouple by @DebraWebb and narrated nicely by @MeganTusing.

This one has not been released yet. Look 👀 for it on July 28, 2026!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @HarlequinAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Vendala Blackburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

This was my first book by Debra Webb, but it definitely won’t be my last! I listened to the audiobook, and if you’re looking for a quick palate cleanser between books, this would be a great choice. It’s a shorter read, easy to follow, and kept me entertained from start to finish!

This is book 7 in The Colby Agency series, but each book can be read as a standalone, so I had no problem jumping in here. 😂 The story takes place in a small town where everyone seems to have secrets, and the mystery centers around a newlywed couple who disappear from a rustic retreat. The question is: who took them, and why? 👀

And honestly, this retreat sounds incredible! I would absolutely stay in the treehouse cabin. 🌲🏡 But as the mystery unfolds, the couple’s disappearance may be connected to decades of other unsolved crimes, making this small town even more suspicious than it first appears.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of, but I couldn’t stop listening because I needed to know what happened. There was one character whose backstory felt like a bit of a plot hole to me because we never really found out why he was so wealthy, but overall, I still really enjoyed the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75/5

And I have to talk about Charly! I absolutely loved her character and really enjoyed following her story. She was such a relatable character, and I would definitely love to read more about her!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read, listen and own this advance copy! 💕 This book releases July 28th, so be sure to add it to your TBR! 📚

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Missing Couple AUDIO by Debra Webb is a short and sweet investigation of a couple who has gone missing from Charly Nix’s cottage get-away. They had been on their honeymoon. The police didn’t seem to be taking it too seriously but since the woman’s phone wasn’t passworded, Charly found her emergency contact and called. Billie answered and said he was on his way. It turns out Billie was an investigator with the Colby Agency and between he and Charly, whose dead father had been sheriff and an excellent teacher, they started to investigate. Plenty going on in this story. The missing couple had been on their honeymoon so they started to put together a timeline. Charley had lived her all her life so people were happy to speak with her. As the days wore one, She and Billie became closer.

Charly is independent and intelligent. That tended to get her in trouble. Her husband had been dead for three years and she had no desire to date anyone local, despite their interest. Working with Billie challenged her. Billie was an excellent investigator with all the resources of the Colby Agency backing him up. It was a short and sweet novel, very enjoyable. Good characters. Good plot.

Megan Tusing is the narrator and does an excellent job with this intriguing story. She seems to read Debra Webb’s novels regularly and so is very comfortable with her style.

I was invited to listen to The Missing Couple by Harlequin Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarlequinAudio #MeganTusing #DebraWebb #TheMissingCouple

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date: 7/28/2026
Thank you so much to Harlequin Audio & Debra Webb for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

~ Summary ~
In a small town, they are about to uncover some shocking secrets.
Charly Nix could lose everything when her rustic Alabama retreat is rocked by a missing-persons scandal. Her newlywed guests have vanished, leaving all their belongings behind except their car. PI Billie Jagger arrives to help Charly search for the couple, one of whom is his missing sister, and he’ll stop at nothing to find her. As the two investigate together, their separate missions turn into a partnership, and feelings neither of them expected. Most alarming of all: the couple’s disappearance may be tied to decades of unsolved crimes in the area. Can they solve the crime in time to save the newlyweds, or are they already too late?
~ Thoughts ~
This was such a great blend of mystery and romance. The beginning pulled me in right away. I found Charly, the main character, especially intriguing. Then the newlyweds go missing, and I was hooked.
I wasn’t even expecting the romance, but once the missing bride’s brother arrives to find out what happened to his sister, the two start investigating together, and, of course, sparks fly. I loved the isolated retreat setting too; it made for the perfect creepy backdrop.
This was a fast-paced read I devoured in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down until I saw how it all played out. I was so sure I’d solved the mystery, and I was so wrong. Another great romantic suspense read!

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charly runs a small retreat and finds a couple missing when she goes to check them out, only all of their things are still there. She finds a phone and calls the emergency number and Briana's brother Billie answers. He comes down and with Charly's help starts to investigate what happened to his sister and her husband Martin. The sheriff does not seem to be interested in investigating which makes him a little suspect or lazy. Billie gets some help from the Colby agency, where he works, and from the people who are willing to talk to Charly. Together, they find a string of missing persons going back years. It is a mystery of figuring out who is it human trafficking and if so, who is involved. There are many suspects and finding answers without getting killed is harder than expected for Billie and Charly. It is during this high stress and intense time, that they realize they work well together and they want to see if a relationship is possible when it is all over. While some of my guesses were correct on who was guilty and how the ring operated, many were not. It is a really good mix of mystery complete with twists and turns and romance.
I listened to the audio and the narrator was good. She had different voices for the different characters and her tone and inflections were great.
Thank you to HarperCollins for the free copy and the chance to express my opinions.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charly Nix has a dream of keeping her cabin retreat alive. It provides many couples with a quiet place to vacation. The latest couple Briana and Martin checked in last night. Billie Jagger contacts Charly to see if his sister is alright. He believes something is wrong, and when Charly checks on the cabin she discovers they are missing. Billie works for the Colby agency and will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his sister. The two team up to investigate what happened. Being a small town in Alabama, it is a secluded area with townspeople who keep their secrets well. Discovering others who have gone missing Billie knows there is more to his sisters disappearance than meets the eye. Did they get kidnapped? Were they murdered? Are they on the run? Charly and Billie have a connection and a common goal: find the missing couple.
Debra Webb's 7th book in the Colby Agency series did not disappoint. The plot is original and the story keeps you wanting to turn the page. The connection between Charly and Billie is real to the reader. The people they investigate all have something to hide, and how Debra weaves the plot brings a twisted ending you never see coming. Highly recommend as a standalone read. Thanks to the author and Harlequin for the arc of this great story.

[Mvm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Debra Webb! This fast-moving suspense novel is filled with twists, turns, and plenty of possible suspects, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

Charly Nix is a widow who operates a peaceful retreat in the Alabama woods, never imagining that two of her guests will dramatically change her life. When a couple suddenly disappears, the quiet community is thrown into turmoil.

The situation becomes even more complicated when Colby Agency investigator Billie Jagger arrives to assist with the case and discovers that one of the missing people is his own sister. Determined to uncover the truth, Charly and Billie work together to find the missing couple before it is too late.

The danger escalates quickly, the stakes continue to rise, and the nonstop suspense keeps the pages turning. Expertly plotted with multiple layers, intriguing questions, and plenty of speculation, this book delivers another gripping and twist-filled mystery from Debra Webb.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.

[Riley Ellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and easy read! The story is quick-paced, exciting, and not too heavy for a thriller/mystery style read. The characters are enjoyable, risky without being ridiculous, and have a great dynamic. This is the type of thriller I need between the super heavy and dark ones, because there is enough intrigue to keep me interested without me feeling worn out after reading. It wasn't predictable, and it didn't feel just the same as any other story. I definitely enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone who needs a quick, suspenseful romance with a lighter tone! I also found the audio to be really well done. The characters were brought to life, and each one was unique.

This was my first read by Debra Webb, and I'm super impressed by how she writes in a world that has existed for 6 books already, with no confusion or missing pieces. This truly was a standalone read. I'm really looking forward to checking out the rest of the books in this series, and other books written by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

[Onceuponapinske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ALC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I have to admit...I thought I had this one figured out.
I did not.
Then I thought I REALLY had it figured out.
Also no. 😂

This book was a quick, addictive mystery that kept making me change my mind about who the bad guy was. Every time I was sure, I second guessed myself and I love a good 'who dun it'.

This is book seven in the Colby Agency: The Next Generation series, however - this book can def be read/listened to as a standalone.

Now...the one thing that bugged me a little? The rouge investigation of the MMC and FMC...just seemed a bit far fetched (I'm basically a pro with all the crime shows I watch) but I mean, nothing says this book is 100% realistic and accurate.

If you're looking for a fast-paced mystery, twists that actually keep you guessing, and a finale that I PROMISE you won't see coming, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a listen.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Colby Agency is the star once again. I know I am in for a treat when I see the word Colby on the front of a Debra Webb book.

Charly Nix has a small retreat in Alabama. When a newlywed couple goes missing from one of her remote cabins, the investigative instinct that her sheriff father instilled in her goes into overdrive,.

Billie Jagger is the brother of the missing newlywed bride, and he also works for the Colby Agency. He comes to town to find his sister and investigate her disappearance.

It becomes readily apparent that there is a lot more to this story than first appears. As Charly and Billie start digging, they find some disturbing things.

In true Debra Webb fashion, she takes you on an adrenaline laced ride with danger, mystery and suspense that grows with each chapter. This was an engaging and immersive story with very likable main characters. It is a another blue ribbon winner for Debra Webb and the Colby Agency series.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Webb never disappoints with the intrigue and suspense. Usually The Colby Investigation Agency is hired but this time it is personal. Chary Bradly is concerned she a newlywed couple who rented a cabin from her in Guntersville Alabama, suddenly disappeared, and the only thing she knew to do is look through the contacts on the wife’s phone that had been left behind. The contact ends up being Colby Agent Billie Jagger and the brother of the woman. Traveling from Chicago to Alabama was his only option and he wouldn’t leave until her found his sister and new Brother In Law. When they say history repeats itself, it sometimes means that past cases of missing women might be related to his sister. Together Charley and Billie races against time to find the missing couple, before it is too late, and before the person or persons responsible realizes that Charley could also be beneficial to their operation. Fast moving action with plenty of questions and plenty of speculation. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charly owns cabins that people rent a recent couple seems to have gone missing. Brianna and Martin got married and rented a cabin but end up missing. Billie is Brianna's brother and part of the Colby Agency. Now time is ticking to find some clues and hopefully find them before something happens that can't be undone. The team of Charly and Billie are working closely together and find there might be something brewing. The two become close while investigating & what they uncover is mind boggling, seems like 9 blond haired, blue eyed women have gone missing in the last 16 years. The underlying themes brings to attention some serious matters that need more attention. Looking at the big picture and finding patterns will assist in uncovering some clues. The team work well together and I like the vibe. Quick read but definitely and you won't be able to put it down. Many thanks the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

[Maureen Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Missing Couple by Debra Webb, and narrated by Megan Tussing, was a really nice 4 star mystery/thriller romance hybrid. The title caught my attention, and I had previously enjoyed another Debra Webb, so I figured I would give this one a try.

The Missing Couple is part of a series, but I had not read any other books from that series, and it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I thought the characters were very likable, with genuine interactions. Billy and Charley were both motivated by very different things, but together they made a really great team. I was first surprised when the human trafficking angle was brought up, and also surprised by the ending.

This was a really steady listen. The narration was excellent, and the pacing of the story line was smooth. While a mystery with darker tones, it as also kind of a feel good story of opening up after loss.

Definitely would recommend as a great one for the beach for all my mystery fans!

[Travel Books and Movies · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a married couple vanishes without a trace in a small town, the owner of the cabin where they're staying (random) and the wife's brother (who is a private investigator, so that makes sense) begin uncovering secrets that suggest their disappearance may be connected to something far more sinister than anyone initially suspected.

This one was just a little too formulaic for my tastes. I kept waiting for a major twist or unexpected development, but everything unfolded in a fairly predictable way (and I really just think it's odd for the cabin owner to start investigating--there was't enough explanation as to why she did).

I also didn't realize until I started reading that this is part of a series. I'm a little curious about what ties the books together, but honestly not curious enough to seek out the earlier installments. Overall, it was a perfectly readable thriller, but not one I'll remember for very long.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book: The Missing Couple
Author: Debra Webb
Genre: Thriller
Places Featured: Small town Alabama, United States
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Martha Avans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the newest Colby Agency: The Next Generation book, *The Missing Couple* by Debra Webb. If you've seen my reviews before, you've probably noticed a pattern—I really enjoy Alabama authors, and Debra Webb is one of my favorites.

This time, a newlywed couple disappears during their honeymoon in Guntersville, Alabama. The owner of the retreat and the bride's brother, who happens to be a member of the Colby Agency, team up to figure out what happened. The story has a solid mystery at its core, with just the right amount of romance mixed in, which is something I've always enjoyed about Debra Webb's books.

One thing I really like about this series is that you don't have to read every book to enjoy it. While returning characters make it even more fun, *The Missing Couple* works well as a standalone.

If you enjoy romantic suspense or you're looking to try an Alabama author, I definitely recommend giving Debra Webb's books a chance.

[Michelle Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Debra Webb. I can't wait for Debra to come out with her next book. She has several series and I have read every book she's written. She is in a class by herself with suspense, murder and intrigue. This is the 7th book int eh Colby Agency: The Next Generation and this time it's personal for sure. Charly Nix has a retreat in a small town in Alabama and when a couple goes missing a small town scandal is imminent. Billie Jagger from the Colby agency arrives in town to help he finds out that it's actually his sister who has gone missing. Both Charly and Billie are determined to get to the bottom of this and find Billie's sister and save Charly's retreat and reputation. As the search and investigation continues it seems there are several missing persons from the area. Things heat up quickly and the suspense will keep you reading well into the night.

[Beth Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Debra Webb. Debra never disappoints. The Missing Couple pulls you in from the first chapter and just keeps you reading. There are a lot of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. Charly Nix is the owner of a retreat cabins. Martin and Brianna, newlyweds, rented one of her cabins. When they don't checkout Charly figured they just left without checking out. Charly goes to the cabin and when they don't answer she goes in and finds all of their things and their phones are still there. Charly is able to open Brianna's phone to find the emergency contact in her phone. Charly calls Billie Jagger to see if he has heard from them. Billie arrives at the retreat and they began the search. This is so well written and enjoyable. I was not able to put it down. Thank you Debra Webb for the ARC. I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Justice Timblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, Debra Webb has earned my automatic download status. Every book of hers I've picked up has delivered, and The Missing Couple was no different. She just knows how to write a thriller that keeps me glued to the pages.

I flew through this one because I had to know what was really going on. The suspense kept building, and every time I thought I had things figured out, something else made me question it. That's exactly what I want from a thriller.

My only reason for knocking off half a star is the ending. It wasn't bad—it just felt like it slammed on the brakes. After everything that happened, I wanted another chapter or two to let it all breathe before saying goodbye.

Still, this was another win for Debra Webb. If you've enjoyed her other books, you'll probably tear through this one just like I did.

[Larae Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Webb delivers another gripping, suspense-filled thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The Missing Couple is packed with twists, buried secrets, and plenty of suspects, making it nearly impossible to guess what was really happening. The tension builds steadily, and every chapter adds another layer to the mystery.
The characters are well-developed, and I found myself invested in uncovering the truth alongside them. Webb does a great job balancing emotional moments with fast-paced suspense, creating a story that's both engaging and unpredictable.
The reason I gave it 4.5 stars instead of a full 5 is that a few plot points felt slightly rushed toward the end, and I would have loved a bit more closure for some of the secondary characters. Even so, the ending was satisfying and delivered the shocking reveals I was hoping for.

[Cindy Reifel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charly owns a rustic resort in Alabama that has helped her deal with the loss of her husband three years ago.. She is finally happy with everything until she realizes the newlywed couple in one of the buildings has disappeared.
Billie Jagger is a P.I. with the Colby Agency who comes to the resort to find his sister & new brother-in-law. He and Charly have to do some serious investigating in this small town in order to find his sister. Problem is that a small town can make things easier or much more difficult!
There are quite a few possible people who could have taken this couple, and quite a few people who could be hiding something horrible while not wanting anyone to figure it out!
Yet another unputdownable story from Ms.Webb!

[Hannah Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an ALC of this book!

I love this series by Debra Webb! The Colby Agency thrillers are full of twists and turns with some shocking moments! This one will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing who the perpetrator is until the very end! This was an easy story to follow with how clear Megan Tusing was at changing her inflections per character in this story. I loved how quick this story moved and gave the reader the perfect amount of information to keep you engaged. Anytime there is a storyline that relies on a time crunch of a missing person(s) you can feel the intensity as the characters race against the clock. The characters in this story were believable and easy to connect with!

[Bookloverinhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charly owns a rustic retreat in Alabama. When newlyweds Briana and Martin go missing, Charly knows this could ruin her business. Billie is a private investigator and he will stop at nothing to find his sister Briana. Charly and Billie work together and you know there is intense chemistry between them. As they investigate they uncover the connection to previous cold cases.

The perfect balance of mystery, action and romance. An enjoyable read that keeps you hooked from the first page.

The ones comes out on July 28, 2026 – mark your calendars and get your copy!

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Thank you #Netgalley for the complimentary copy of #TheMissingCouple in exchange for an honest review. The you #HarlequinAudio for approving my request.