Nine Missing Girls

by Steena Holmes

From two-million-selling author Steena Holmes, nine dark and gripping stories featuring Detective Meri Amber.

Nine missing girls. Nine cases the world wants to forget. One detective who never will.

Each file is someone’s daughter. Someone’s sister. And if Meri Amber can’t bring them home, she’ll make sure their stories end with justice.

As the FBI’s leading child abduction specialist, Meri has spent her career chasing the vanished – from Minnesota to Montana, from abandoned barns to dark cellars that still echo with screams. But every case cuts deeper than the last.

“I’m Detective Meri Amber. I’ve been searching for my sister for twenty years. Every missing girl is a mirror. Every scream behind a wall could be hers.

I’ll never stop looking. These are the stories of the girls I’ve found, the truths I’ve uncovered, and the cracks in my own past I can’t seem to seal.”

From the horrifying secrets of the House of Dolls, to a macabre twelfth birthday party, to the sinister truths buried in the Widow’s Barn: delve into nine intriguing mysteries which will chill you to the bone.

NINE NAIL-BITING STORIES FULL OF SHOCKING TWISTS BY A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, John Marrs, A.L. Torre, Shari Lapena, T.M. Logan and Clare Mackintosh.

Expected publication March 19, 2026

About the author

Steena Holmes is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with nearly 3 million copies of her titles sold worldwide, including The Patient, The Forgotten Ones, and Sister Under the Stairs.

Named in the Top 20 Women Author to Read by Good Housekeeping, she won the National Indie Excellence Award for her breakout novel Finding Emma and the USA Book News Award for The Word Game. Steena has been featured in various newspapers and magazines, websites such as Goodreads, BookBub, RedBook, Glamour, Coastal Living and Goodhousekeeping.

One of Steena's passions is to travel with her readers, so she created her Sweet Tours, where she shares her love for the sweet life with her readers, whether in Paris, Italy, or exploring Christmas Markets.
To learn more about her books and join her on the next Sweet Tour, visit her website at http://www.steenaholmes.com.
You can also find Steena on the web at:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorsteenaholmes
Facebook: SteenaHolmes.author

LIST OF HER NOVELS STARTING FROM MOST RECENT:

SHE TOOK MY BABY

THE GIRLS IN THE BASEMENT (follow up to The Sister Under the Stairs)

THE TWIN

ENGAGED TO A SERIAL KILLER

THE SISTER UNDER THE STAIRS

THE PATIENT

THE FORGOTTEN ONES

SAVING ABBY & ABBY'S JOURNEY

THE WORD GAME

Stillwater Bay Series:
Stillwater Shores
Stillwater Rising
Stillwater Tides
Stillwater Deep

The Memory Child & The Memory Journal

FINDING EMMA series:
Finding Emma
Dear Jack
Emma's Secret
Dottie's Memories
Megan's Hope

Reviews

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine Missing Girls is a haunting, beautifully written collection of interconnected stories that showcases Steena Holmes at her absolute best. These nine cases are chilling, heartbreaking, and impossible to forget — but what truly elevates the collection is Detective Meri Amber herself.

Meri is a remarkable protagonist: sharp, relentless, and deeply human. As the FBI’s leading child‑abduction specialist, she’s no stranger to darkness — yet every missing girl takes another piece of her, because every case echoes the sister she lost twenty years ago. The book allows us deep into her emotional world, and that vulnerability adds a richness and weight to each story that lingers long after finishing.

What I loved most is how each case feels distinct in tone and setting — from abandoned barns and echoing cellars to sinister birthday parties and the horrifying secrets of the House of Dolls — yet all are tied together by Meri’s fierce determination and quiet grief. Holmes balances tension and compassion beautifully, never sensationalising the subject matter but instead grounding each mystery in humanity and heartbreak.

The writing is atmospheric and immersive, and the format works brilliantly: concise, tightly constructed stories that still deliver full arcs, satisfying reveals, and sharp, unsettling twists. Despite being short, each case feels layered and complete — and collectively, they paint a powerful portrait of a detective fighting both the monsters in the world and the wounds in herself.
The emotional through-line about Meri’s sister adds an extra ache to the collection, giving the stories both urgency and depth. As Meri says, “Every missing girl is a mirror.” Holmes leans into that idea with sensitivity and skill.

For readers who enjoy dark, psychologically grounded crime fiction, this is a standout. Compelling, disturbing in all the right ways, and filled with unforgettable moments, Nine Missing Girls is a gripping blend of mystery, emotion, and suspense.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, John Marrs, Shari Lapena, and anyone who loves crime fiction with heart as well as grit.

With thanks to Steena Holmes, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[justonemorechapter2025 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes is a compelling psychological thriller that immediately pulls you into a chilling mystery. The story centres on a woman whose life is turned upside down when her sister goes missing — the latest in a troubling pattern of young women disappearing from their small town. Determined to find the truth, she begins to dig deeper, uncovering long-buried secrets that the community would rather keep hidden.
Holmes does an excellent job of building tension and dread from the very beginning. The sense of urgency and fear is common, and the narrative steadily escalates as more clues — and red herrings — emerge. The pacing is sharp and engaging, with short chapters that make it hard to put the book down once you’re invested.
The atmosphere in this novel is one of creeping unease. Holmes captures both the emotional fallout of a family in crisis and the growing suspicion that someone within the community might be responsible. Themes of trust, grief, and perseverance resonate strongly, making the stakes feel deeply personal rather than purely plot-driven.
Character development is also a highlight. The way Holmes balances emotional core with suspenseful pacing helps ground the thriller in human experience, rather than relying solely on shock value.
However, there are a couple of points that might not work for everyone. At times, the number of characters and subplots can feel a bit crowded, which may dilute focus from the central mystery. A few twists may also be predictable for seasoned thriller readers, though they’re executed in ways that still maintain tension.
Despite these minor quibbles, Nine Missing Girls delivers a gripping, emotionally charged read that blends mystery, suspense, and heart. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with eerie atmospheres and compelling stakes, this book will keep you turning pages until the very end.

[JAY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine haunting stories, each one worse than the one before.

Ugh I don’t even know where to begin. This was a heart wrenching, gripping, tragic read. This is my first time reading anything by this author and I loved every page I read.

I understand that these are 9 short stories that somehow interconnected as it went on, but I wish there were more to it! The first story alone, I was SCARED and on the edge of my seat. I wanted to know how, when, where, why it happened? I wanted so badly to know where Amber was heading with that particular story. The other stories were satisfying even though it didn’t have a real ending to it. I really, really enjoyed Detective Mari Amber, her resilience and dedication to missing girls is beyond exceptional. I hope I get to read more of her down the line! I will definitely be picking up Steena’s other thrillers!


Thank you NetGalley, Joffe Books, and Steena Holmes for this ARC 🫶🏽

[Kelly Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I love Steena's books and this one was fabulous! This book about Detective Meri Amber. We've met Meri in The Girls In The Basement and in The Sister Under The Stairs. 9 missing girls is a complication of 9 short stories that have a common bond. Meri has 9 rules when it comes to detective work. Each story highlights a different rule that she uses to solve the case. One such rule is always listen to the quiet ones. Meri has a burden for missing people and especially young girls. Part of this burden is because her sister disappeared as a teenager and has never been found. Meri uses these cases to continue her hunt for her sister. I didn't want each story to end. I really think and hope Steena could take each of these 9 stories and make them into 9 incredible books! Check out 9 missing girls and you won't be disappointed!

[Karen Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Detective Meri Amber spends her time searching for "lost" girls. This is mainly due to the fact that her sister disappeared without a trace when the girls were teenagers. Meri has never given up trying to find her sister and she has suspicions regarding a truck driver from the area.

Nine Missings Girls is a collection of short stories in which Meri solves nine separate missing girl cases. Meri soon discovers that the similarities in these cases is overwhelming. The truck driver's name keeps popping up. All the cases seem to be connected in some way. Following Meri through each case was intense, but she never gives up.

Steena never disappoints. I hope Meri gets her happy ending in an upcoming book from Steena Holmes. Until then, I suggest you read any of Steena's other books. They are all fantastic!

[Leilani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC of “Nine Missing Girl” by Steena Holmes.

I wish I could say I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the case files, but instead, I felt as if I was going in circles the entire time and couldn’t keep up on what was happening and/or what had happened. The past, present, and it seems like even the future were tied in together too much, and it was hard to separate. The cases described never had an ending and then there were cases that were mixed up with other cases, which caused the reading to be confusing.

I almost did not finish the book, but chose to go ahead and finish it, even though I felt the writing approach was not up to my expectations.

[Beth Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Steena Holmes books and this one is no different. I really enjoyed all 9 stories of girls missing. All I can say is WOW! 9 very intense reads! These stories are very intense and gripping at your heart strings. Very emotional and heartbreaking. This book about Detective Meri Amber. We've met Meri in The Girls In The Basement and in The Sister Under The Stairs. We learned that Meri also lost her sister as a teenager and has never been found. Meri is hoping that one day to find her sister.
Steena never disappoints. Definitely recommend! Thank you Steena Holmes and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

[Shannon bagnall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been a 5 star book if it wasn’t for the ending, I also didn’t realise it was a sequel however you can read it as a stand alone as I did.

It’s a very unique way of writing, it’s mini stories of a detective inside a book, I did like how fast paced it was but the stories didn’t feel rushed, it was like watching a crime tv series ( which i do think this book would make an incredible one)

Overall a good book.

* full disclosure i was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but it felt like it build a momentum and then it stopped.
When I was reading the story and it actually got good,it ended and I didn't like that very much.
I also feel like I miss something because I haven't read the other books with this character.
Now onto the good things. I like how this book was written,the stories were creepy and very mysterious which made me feel a little freaked out and I loved that.
I want to thank the author,Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review.

[Gisela Marengo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me as an ARC by NetGalley here is my honest and voluntarily review..

This books so good is an intense, emotional, and completely addictive thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. As you keep reading the past begins to resurface, secrets unravel, and danger creeps closer, the tension keeps growing and growing it keeps getting darker you can’t put the book down . I will go and read the books I need to read the other books . The way she sees her sister in all of this missing girls , her promise to her is bigger than anything.. Just read this book is a must .

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sort of enjoyed this book, having read The Girls in the Basement. But I can't understand why it was made into short stories, as they are all connected?
The first story seemed to be quite cryptic. Some of the stories are chilling. Very dark.

But on the whole it was good.
Meri is relentless in her search for her sister. She made a promise when she was 15 and she has kept to it.

3/5 stars from me

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an intense read! Nine Missing Girls allows you to immerse yourself into 9 of Detective Meri Amer’s child abduction cases. This was such a gripping and emotional read. It is heartbreaking, enraging, and stressful all balled up into one interesting and thrilling book. You almost start to feel like you are part of the investigation. Definitely recommend! Thank you Steena Holmes and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series—it's so heart-tugging and gripping. Detective Meri Amber has never forgotten her sister and is still searching. Then someone begins sending her clues about missing girls and cases, and she won’t stop until she uncovers the truth and finds the perpetrator. Just when you think she’s close, she hits a dead end. It’s such an addictive read, and I can’t wait for the next installment.

[Suzan Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meri Amber is relentless and she is going to find out what happens in each of these short stories. She does not let up in these very suspenseful sometimes quite creepy always gripping stories of loss and horror. Young girls are disposable and Meri is going to make sure someone pays. 9 stories that turn into an amazing book that you will not be able to put down! Maybe hard to read at some points, but well worth your time.I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this book!