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Nine Missing Girls
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.
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.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
About the author
Steena Holmes
61 books1,602 followersSteena 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 4, 2026
Every page left you wanting more.
Reading in to the night made me jumpy.
Definitely recommend 👌
Reading in to the night made me jumpy.
Definitely recommend 👌
March 23, 2026
Nine Missing Girls is a collection of nine short stories following Detective Meri Amber as she searches for the titular children who have disappeared in various circumstances and settings, with the narrative style of a first-person, hardboiled detective noir and the atmosphere of a psychological and/or paranormal horror story.
Although, it also isn’t nine distinct short stories, as the stories link together like beads on a bracelet to form a disjointed but connected bigger story arc. The underlying issues of child trafficking and the systems of power in place to allow and conceal it are chilling and particularly timely in the current news cycle.
The cases Meri investigates here feel very horror-coded, with many of the victims appearing as ghostly waifs or broken dolls, underground observation bunkers, cursed birthday parties, hidden rooms/tunnels and haunted attics and cellars. That is not to say that there is anything paranormal going on in any of the stories, just that the settings and clues constantly pointed at classic film, book and videogame horror tropes in a way that added to the dark and unsettling atmosphere of the story.
In a similar vein, there is something nightmarish in the questions left hanging here and the way every clue Meri finds seems to unravel into an endless ribbon of further clues, disappearing off into the darkness. It feels like following a woman’s descent into madness, as Meri is led (or leads herself) from breadcrumb to breadcrumb, through one looking glass after another. And every clue, every moment is portentous and deeply significant, so the tension keeps ratcheting constantly, with no lighter moments or let up between discoveries. It’s very nerve-wracking and had me wondering whether Meri was going to turn out to be a wholly reliable narrator (Shutter Island style)!
I did feel like this book should slot into a bigger story – one that explains the preceding cases like the House of Dolls references but also answers some of the questions around the disappearance of Meri’s sister, the ever-present delivery driver and the shadowy figures who seem to be controlling the whole narrative behind the scenes. The book as a whole feels like one of the alien-conspiracy mytharc episodes of the X-Files, where you know there is a mystery around Mulder’s sister having vanished and what he believes happened to her but without the context of characters like the Smoking Man, Deep Throat or X, you might find yourself floundering more than if you were simply watching one of the ‘monster of the week’ episodes.
In other words, this is an atmospheric and suspenseful, dark, slow-burn of a mystery story that made me want to read on and find out how it all fits together, whether certain figures get their comeuppance and whether Meri ever gets the answers she is seeking.
Although, it also isn’t nine distinct short stories, as the stories link together like beads on a bracelet to form a disjointed but connected bigger story arc. The underlying issues of child trafficking and the systems of power in place to allow and conceal it are chilling and particularly timely in the current news cycle.
The cases Meri investigates here feel very horror-coded, with many of the victims appearing as ghostly waifs or broken dolls, underground observation bunkers, cursed birthday parties, hidden rooms/tunnels and haunted attics and cellars. That is not to say that there is anything paranormal going on in any of the stories, just that the settings and clues constantly pointed at classic film, book and videogame horror tropes in a way that added to the dark and unsettling atmosphere of the story.
In a similar vein, there is something nightmarish in the questions left hanging here and the way every clue Meri finds seems to unravel into an endless ribbon of further clues, disappearing off into the darkness. It feels like following a woman’s descent into madness, as Meri is led (or leads herself) from breadcrumb to breadcrumb, through one looking glass after another. And every clue, every moment is portentous and deeply significant, so the tension keeps ratcheting constantly, with no lighter moments or let up between discoveries. It’s very nerve-wracking and had me wondering whether Meri was going to turn out to be a wholly reliable narrator (Shutter Island style)!
I did feel like this book should slot into a bigger story – one that explains the preceding cases like the House of Dolls references but also answers some of the questions around the disappearance of Meri’s sister, the ever-present delivery driver and the shadowy figures who seem to be controlling the whole narrative behind the scenes. The book as a whole feels like one of the alien-conspiracy mytharc episodes of the X-Files, where you know there is a mystery around Mulder’s sister having vanished and what he believes happened to her but without the context of characters like the Smoking Man, Deep Throat or X, you might find yourself floundering more than if you were simply watching one of the ‘monster of the week’ episodes.
In other words, this is an atmospheric and suspenseful, dark, slow-burn of a mystery story that made me want to read on and find out how it all fits together, whether certain figures get their comeuppance and whether Meri ever gets the answers she is seeking.
March 23, 2026
Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes
🌟🌟🌟
Following Detective Meri Amber, who's sister went missing years ago. The book is broken down into 9 different stories, about 9 missing girls. All linked together.
A gritty, dark read. I liked the short stories, but didn’t understand why they are kept separate
I didn't particularly warm to Amber, although if you need a woman to help, she would be my 1st call!
Each story overlaps into each other, bringing us to Ambers sister. Not a book I would usually read, but glad I did
If you like dark secrets, chilling thrillers, then this is the book for you
🌟🌟🌟
Following Detective Meri Amber, who's sister went missing years ago. The book is broken down into 9 different stories, about 9 missing girls. All linked together.
A gritty, dark read. I liked the short stories, but didn’t understand why they are kept separate
I didn't particularly warm to Amber, although if you need a woman to help, she would be my 1st call!
Each story overlaps into each other, bringing us to Ambers sister. Not a book I would usually read, but glad I did
If you like dark secrets, chilling thrillers, then this is the book for you
March 25, 2026
I enjoyed each of the nine short stories just as much as the last. They were all gripping, tense & haunting in their own ways. I flew through this in just a few hours because it was so hard to put down.
This was my first Steena Holmes read & I’m already adding everything else to my TBR because I loved her writing style so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Steena Holmes read & I’m already adding everything else to my TBR because I loved her writing style so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
As a long-time fan of Steena Holmes, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into Nine Missing Girls. Holmes has a wonderful way of blending emotional depth with gripping suspense, and this book delivered exactly what I was hoping for. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you turning the pages late into the night ,definitely one of those “just one more chapter” reads.
At the heart of the novel is Detective Meri Amber, the FBI’s leading child abduction specialist. Meri has dedicated her entire career to finding missing girls, but her mission is deeply personal. Twenty years ago, her own sister vanished, and that loss fuels every case she takes on. For Meri, each missing girl is a reminder of the sister she never stopped searching for. It adds a powerful emotional layer to the story, making every investigation feel incredibly real and urgent.
What makes Nine Missing Girls stand out is its structure. The book follows nine separate cases , nine girls whose disappearances the world might prefer to forget. From the chilling secrets of the House of Dolls to the eerie mystery surrounding a twisted twelfth birthday party, each story is unsettling and gripping in its own way. Yet despite the separate cases, the narrative flows together beautifully. Steena Holmes cleverly connects everything through Meri’s perspective and the emotional threads that tie these stories together.
I really enjoyed this storytelling style. It reminded me a lot of the 20 Minutes series by Daniel Hurst, where different perspectives and stories gradually weave together to create a larger, cohesive narrative. Each chapter felt like its own mini mystery, but by the end, you can clearly see how everything fits into the bigger picture.
While some of the cases are quite chilling (definitely goosebump-inducing at times!), the story never felt overly graphic. Instead, Steena Holmes focuses on the emotional impact and the determination of someone who refuses to let these girls be forgotten.
Overall, Nine Missing Girls was a compelling and unique thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. With its intriguing structure, memorable protagonist, and haunting cases, it’s a book that mystery and crime fans will definitely want to add to their reading list.
If you enjoy investigative thrillers with strong emotional depth and interconnected mysteries, this one is well worth picking up perhaps with a cosy cuppa nearby for those spine-tingling moments.
At the heart of the novel is Detective Meri Amber, the FBI’s leading child abduction specialist. Meri has dedicated her entire career to finding missing girls, but her mission is deeply personal. Twenty years ago, her own sister vanished, and that loss fuels every case she takes on. For Meri, each missing girl is a reminder of the sister she never stopped searching for. It adds a powerful emotional layer to the story, making every investigation feel incredibly real and urgent.
What makes Nine Missing Girls stand out is its structure. The book follows nine separate cases , nine girls whose disappearances the world might prefer to forget. From the chilling secrets of the House of Dolls to the eerie mystery surrounding a twisted twelfth birthday party, each story is unsettling and gripping in its own way. Yet despite the separate cases, the narrative flows together beautifully. Steena Holmes cleverly connects everything through Meri’s perspective and the emotional threads that tie these stories together.
I really enjoyed this storytelling style. It reminded me a lot of the 20 Minutes series by Daniel Hurst, where different perspectives and stories gradually weave together to create a larger, cohesive narrative. Each chapter felt like its own mini mystery, but by the end, you can clearly see how everything fits into the bigger picture.
While some of the cases are quite chilling (definitely goosebump-inducing at times!), the story never felt overly graphic. Instead, Steena Holmes focuses on the emotional impact and the determination of someone who refuses to let these girls be forgotten.
Overall, Nine Missing Girls was a compelling and unique thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. With its intriguing structure, memorable protagonist, and haunting cases, it’s a book that mystery and crime fans will definitely want to add to their reading list.
If you enjoy investigative thrillers with strong emotional depth and interconnected mysteries, this one is well worth picking up perhaps with a cosy cuppa nearby for those spine-tingling moments.
March 19, 2026
I absolutely loved these nine incredible short stories about missing girls! They were dark, gripping and I absolutely loved how everything was connected.
I honestly couldn't recommend this collection enough to thriller lovers! ♡
🎀 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐬 🎀
What a perfect an eerie story to start this gripping psychological thriller collection! I got completely mesmerized by Steena's writing style. The way she captured the darkness made it impossible to stop reading this tale. And I knew — this is only the beginning!
🎂 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 🎂
You won't ever think of birthdays the same way after reading this twisted tale! I absolutely loved how creepy it was.
🪞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 🪞
This case was so gripping, I couldn't stop reading this surprising and twisty thriller!
I especially love how the collection is built. Each story starting with a rule that hints at the upcoming case.
💌 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐰'𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 💌
"𝚁𝚞𝚕𝚎 𝟺: 𝙸𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚘𝚏𝚏, 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜. 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛."
🏞️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐤 🏞️
"𝙰𝚗𝚢 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚛. 𝙸𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜."
What a mysterious few chapters it was, the reveal gave me the chills!
👧🏻 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 👧🏻
"𝚁𝚞𝚕𝚎 𝟼: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚎. 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜."
I believe all of us experienced this. Smiled when all we wanted to do was scream... I am definitely not great with sharing my feelings in real life. From loosing my Daddy at eight... I swallowed down so much pain from that and imagined conversations in my head that never left my mouth. All I ever wanted was to talk about him, about how much I miss him, more and more with each passing day... But instead I just smiled put on a mask of happiness and only talked about my feelings with my fur babies who were always my safety. And Lili, my almost 15 year old Yorkie met my Daddy. It's always a comfort to know she also knew him.
This story was definitely the closest to my heart with all the memories it broke open inside me.
🚪 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 🚪
Mysterious noises from the apartment above. It reminded me of the Korean Netflix movie called "Wall to Wall". ♡
🩸 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐭 🩸
"𝚆𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚝. 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚜. 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛. 𝙽𝙾 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙶𝙴𝚃𝚂 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝚄𝙽𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝚆𝙴 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝙳𝙾."
💚 𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 💚
This was the perfect story to close this beautiful and memorable collection. I loved every second of it!
Highly recommend checking out this thriller, to everyone who loves dark tales!
I honestly couldn't recommend this collection enough to thriller lovers! ♡
🎀 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐬 🎀
What a perfect an eerie story to start this gripping psychological thriller collection! I got completely mesmerized by Steena's writing style. The way she captured the darkness made it impossible to stop reading this tale. And I knew — this is only the beginning!
🎂 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 🎂
You won't ever think of birthdays the same way after reading this twisted tale! I absolutely loved how creepy it was.
🪞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 🪞
This case was so gripping, I couldn't stop reading this surprising and twisty thriller!
I especially love how the collection is built. Each story starting with a rule that hints at the upcoming case.
💌 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐰'𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 💌
"𝚁𝚞𝚕𝚎 𝟺: 𝙸𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚘𝚏𝚏, 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜. 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛."
🏞️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐤 🏞️
"𝙰𝚗𝚢 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚛. 𝙸𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜."
What a mysterious few chapters it was, the reveal gave me the chills!
👧🏻 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 👧🏻
"𝚁𝚞𝚕𝚎 𝟼: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚎. 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜."
I believe all of us experienced this. Smiled when all we wanted to do was scream... I am definitely not great with sharing my feelings in real life. From loosing my Daddy at eight... I swallowed down so much pain from that and imagined conversations in my head that never left my mouth. All I ever wanted was to talk about him, about how much I miss him, more and more with each passing day... But instead I just smiled put on a mask of happiness and only talked about my feelings with my fur babies who were always my safety. And Lili, my almost 15 year old Yorkie met my Daddy. It's always a comfort to know she also knew him.
This story was definitely the closest to my heart with all the memories it broke open inside me.
🚪 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 🚪
Mysterious noises from the apartment above. It reminded me of the Korean Netflix movie called "Wall to Wall". ♡
🩸 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐭 🩸
"𝚆𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚝. 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚜. 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛. 𝙽𝙾 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙶𝙴𝚃𝚂 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝚄𝙽𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝚆𝙴 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝙳𝙾."
💚 𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 💚
This was the perfect story to close this beautiful and memorable collection. I loved every second of it!
Highly recommend checking out this thriller, to everyone who loves dark tales!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Interesting Storytelling Mechanism Could Be Difficult For Some Readers Yet Works Perfectly For Story Here. Ok, so the title of this review really is exactly what you need to know about it. It is going to be challenging for some readers in the way that it presents the story, as a sequence of nine short stories - complete with their own internal chapters and only a few bare "notes" between them - that seem disjointed but let's just say to stick with it and all will be revealed. In the particular case of how the larger story is built here, this format actually works quite well indeed for the overall story while also giving readers who may not have as much time to sit down and devour a 350 ish page book in one setting much smaller divisions that can be read in tighter bunches. To the level that in theory Holmes is actually leaving money on the table, as I've seen other authors break these out into individual publications at first publishing and only combine them into one volume years later. (I can't speak to how successful that would be as a sales strategy, but at least from the reader perspective with each being a contained story, there would be nothing really to objectively fault there.)
Despite not being listed as a series, and in fact with some elements of these exact tales seeming to be prequels of the tales with this central character that were published before this book, this actually is the third book to feature this character, no matter how the author and publisher list it on book review or sales sites.
This is one of those tales that goes *dark*. Truly disturbingly dark for most of us... but then, both books before it went to similar levels. So if you're still here, there isn't really too much darker to go, and fortunately some of the darkest stuff is left well off screen. For those that can handle the darkness, it is a truly compelling story. For those who can't, spare yourself - for your own mental health. Please.
Overall this was truly one of the more interesting books I've read thus far in 2026 specifically because of the storytelling format Holmes went with here, and it also sets up at least one more tale quite spectacularly.
Very much recommended.
Despite not being listed as a series, and in fact with some elements of these exact tales seeming to be prequels of the tales with this central character that were published before this book, this actually is the third book to feature this character, no matter how the author and publisher list it on book review or sales sites.
This is one of those tales that goes *dark*. Truly disturbingly dark for most of us... but then, both books before it went to similar levels. So if you're still here, there isn't really too much darker to go, and fortunately some of the darkest stuff is left well off screen. For those that can handle the darkness, it is a truly compelling story. For those who can't, spare yourself - for your own mental health. Please.
Overall this was truly one of the more interesting books I've read thus far in 2026 specifically because of the storytelling format Holmes went with here, and it also sets up at least one more tale quite spectacularly.
Very much recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
March 21, 2026
First, I want to thank Sheena Holmes, Joffe Books and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
Sheena Holmes caught my attention with Nick Castle’s incredible eye-catching cover and her title Nine Missing Girls! If you follow my reviews you know that I am a sucker for a missing person case novel!! It is actually one of my go to genre’s! Sheena states in the beginning of this book that this is a book of short stories that follow Detective Meri Amber. This character has already been in The Sister Under The Stairs and The Girls in the Basement (However, I have not but you can read this without knowing her backstory).
Out of all the short stories in Nine Missing Girls there were some that captured my interest and fascinated me more than the others. The Birthday Room was one of them was a creatively twisted written scenario that my heart just ached for these kids. I wanted to jump into the story and say it is ok if you can tell the truth! I don’t think I have ever read a crazier story than this! Mrs. Lillian was a madwoman at what she was doing!! Seriously, you have never ever been to a Birthday like this before in your life!!
What I like about her character is her search for the missing girls isn’t just about her profession, it is a vow to bring her one step closer to understanding what happened to her own sister and to who took her.
There was another story that mentioned a character by the last name Benton. I had a chuckle because my brother in law’s name is that and I have never seen his name anywhere else written before. So, whenever I saw the character’s name I thought of him! Thanks Sheena for making me smile with that one.
Sheena Holmes caught my attention with Nick Castle’s incredible eye-catching cover and her title Nine Missing Girls! If you follow my reviews you know that I am a sucker for a missing person case novel!! It is actually one of my go to genre’s! Sheena states in the beginning of this book that this is a book of short stories that follow Detective Meri Amber. This character has already been in The Sister Under The Stairs and The Girls in the Basement (However, I have not but you can read this without knowing her backstory).
Out of all the short stories in Nine Missing Girls there were some that captured my interest and fascinated me more than the others. The Birthday Room was one of them was a creatively twisted written scenario that my heart just ached for these kids. I wanted to jump into the story and say it is ok if you can tell the truth! I don’t think I have ever read a crazier story than this! Mrs. Lillian was a madwoman at what she was doing!! Seriously, you have never ever been to a Birthday like this before in your life!!
What I like about her character is her search for the missing girls isn’t just about her profession, it is a vow to bring her one step closer to understanding what happened to her own sister and to who took her.
There was another story that mentioned a character by the last name Benton. I had a chuckle because my brother in law’s name is that and I have never seen his name anywhere else written before. So, whenever I saw the character’s name I thought of him! Thanks Sheena for making me smile with that one.
March 19, 2026
This book is a fascinating collection of short stories that follow Detective Meri Amber and the cases that have shaped her career.
Each story focuses on a different missing persons case and gradually reveals what drives Meri and where her dedication to solving these cases comes from. Throughout the book, we also learn about the ten rules Meri lives by, with each story giving insight into why those rules matter so much to her and how they have been shaped by her experiences.
Every case is unique and highlights the wide range of circumstances surrounding missing person investigations. Some of the stories are shocking and heartbreaking, while others take unexpected or unusual turns. Together, they show just how complex and emotional these cases can be.
What makes the book particularly interesting is the way we see how Detective Meri Amber approaches each investigation. Her determination, instincts, and compassion all play a role as she works to uncover the truth behind each disappearance. The stories also explore the emotional impact that these situations have not only on the victims and their families, but on the people trying to solve the cases.
I really enjoyed reading each of the stories and seeing how they contributed to a deeper understanding of Meri as a character. The concept of structuring the book around Meri’s ten personal rules is a brilliant idea and adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative.
Overall, this was an engaging and thoughtful read that I would highly recommend—especially to readers who have enjoyed other books by Steena Holmes.
Each story focuses on a different missing persons case and gradually reveals what drives Meri and where her dedication to solving these cases comes from. Throughout the book, we also learn about the ten rules Meri lives by, with each story giving insight into why those rules matter so much to her and how they have been shaped by her experiences.
Every case is unique and highlights the wide range of circumstances surrounding missing person investigations. Some of the stories are shocking and heartbreaking, while others take unexpected or unusual turns. Together, they show just how complex and emotional these cases can be.
What makes the book particularly interesting is the way we see how Detective Meri Amber approaches each investigation. Her determination, instincts, and compassion all play a role as she works to uncover the truth behind each disappearance. The stories also explore the emotional impact that these situations have not only on the victims and their families, but on the people trying to solve the cases.
I really enjoyed reading each of the stories and seeing how they contributed to a deeper understanding of Meri as a character. The concept of structuring the book around Meri’s ten personal rules is a brilliant idea and adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative.
Overall, this was an engaging and thoughtful read that I would highly recommend—especially to readers who have enjoyed other books by Steena Holmes.
March 27, 2026
#AD: PR
Thanks to @zooloo @steenaholmes and @joffebooks for the gifted eARC for review of #NineMissingGirls which published yesterday!
Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Blurb 📚
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.
⭐️ My Review ⭐️
This was my first book by Steena Holmes, but I'd heard great things and it didnt disappoint. I love a psychological thriller and this one kept me turning the page until the end. I really liked the structure of the story being threaded together via nine different stories and this felt very unique and rare. The tales of each missing girls built an atmosphere of suspense, as I tried to link them and the bigger picture and Detective Meri Amber works well as the central characters at the heart of these stories. I also loved how Holmes used the emotional turmoil of grief as a quiet way to deal woth the books darker element, rather than being overly graphic. I'd definitely recommend if you a fan of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden.
Thanks to @zooloo @steenaholmes and @joffebooks for the gifted eARC for review of #NineMissingGirls which published yesterday!
Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Blurb 📚
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.
⭐️ My Review ⭐️
This was my first book by Steena Holmes, but I'd heard great things and it didnt disappoint. I love a psychological thriller and this one kept me turning the page until the end. I really liked the structure of the story being threaded together via nine different stories and this felt very unique and rare. The tales of each missing girls built an atmosphere of suspense, as I tried to link them and the bigger picture and Detective Meri Amber works well as the central characters at the heart of these stories. I also loved how Holmes used the emotional turmoil of grief as a quiet way to deal woth the books darker element, rather than being overly graphic. I'd definitely recommend if you a fan of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden.
March 26, 2026
I've read a couple of books by this author now and having loved my previous reads, I was quite sure that I was going to love diving into this new release.
This was really not what I was expecting from this read at all however.
This was a collection of 9 short stories all focussing on a missing girl or girls and the ensuing cases to find them, led by Detective Meri Amber.
Being short stories was a really unusual format - and I absolutely loved it!
So different to what I'm used to in this genre really - and I loved that we had that continuity with the same lead character, so the stories flowed around each other nicely.
I really liked Meri and her total focus on each case. This didn't feel like a job to her, this felt like something much more personal.
Given her own past, she fought for each girl and wouldn't stop until she'd found the justice they deserved.
Each story held its own impact and felt complete all on its own.
I spent the first few days taking a story a day and reading one each lunchtime - but by the third day, I just couldn't, and went on the finish the book the next day.
This meant I could feel the imlactbof the individual reads as well as seeing them as a whole too.
This was such a great read and I really hope that we'll see more like this in the future - either way, I love this author's writing and the way I'm pulled in from the start and carried away, immersed to the very last page.
This was really not what I was expecting from this read at all however.
This was a collection of 9 short stories all focussing on a missing girl or girls and the ensuing cases to find them, led by Detective Meri Amber.
Being short stories was a really unusual format - and I absolutely loved it!
So different to what I'm used to in this genre really - and I loved that we had that continuity with the same lead character, so the stories flowed around each other nicely.
I really liked Meri and her total focus on each case. This didn't feel like a job to her, this felt like something much more personal.
Given her own past, she fought for each girl and wouldn't stop until she'd found the justice they deserved.
Each story held its own impact and felt complete all on its own.
I spent the first few days taking a story a day and reading one each lunchtime - but by the third day, I just couldn't, and went on the finish the book the next day.
This meant I could feel the imlactbof the individual reads as well as seeing them as a whole too.
This was such a great read and I really hope that we'll see more like this in the future - either way, I love this author's writing and the way I'm pulled in from the start and carried away, immersed to the very last page.
March 20, 2026
Nine Missing Girls is a very unique book, nine short stories each centred around a missing girl or girls & Detective Meri Amber's determination & dedication to find them, fight for them & ensure they are never forgotten.
They may be short stories but they all pack one hell of a punch; dark, haunting, powerful & heartbreaking. The author has created a compelling & addictive atmosphere, you can't help but be pulled into the stories & feel a connection to each & every girl. The writing is haunting, I felt like I was walking each journey with Meri, every time she sensed she was being watched I felt the urge to look over my shoulder, I needed to get to the truth just as much as Meri did.
Meri is a powerful character, strong, determined & incredibly caring, every case & girl is personal to her & she will leave no stone unturned while fighting to find them & get them justice.
I loved how despite being individual short stories they flowed together seamlessly yet also stand perfectly well alone, not an easy feat. Each story was unique, telling a very different story yet were the same at the core, each tells a story of loss, violence, injustice, corruption, hurt, evil deeds & the fight for justice for the victims most have forgotten.
A truly brilliant set of stories that I throughouly enjoyed & highly recommend.
They may be short stories but they all pack one hell of a punch; dark, haunting, powerful & heartbreaking. The author has created a compelling & addictive atmosphere, you can't help but be pulled into the stories & feel a connection to each & every girl. The writing is haunting, I felt like I was walking each journey with Meri, every time she sensed she was being watched I felt the urge to look over my shoulder, I needed to get to the truth just as much as Meri did.
Meri is a powerful character, strong, determined & incredibly caring, every case & girl is personal to her & she will leave no stone unturned while fighting to find them & get them justice.
I loved how despite being individual short stories they flowed together seamlessly yet also stand perfectly well alone, not an easy feat. Each story was unique, telling a very different story yet were the same at the core, each tells a story of loss, violence, injustice, corruption, hurt, evil deeds & the fight for justice for the victims most have forgotten.
A truly brilliant set of stories that I throughouly enjoyed & highly recommend.
March 21, 2026
Nine missing girls…
Nine investigations that refuse to stay buried…
‘Nine Missing Girls’ is a dark, gripping collection of short stories following nine haunting cases of missing girls - each one more chilling than the last. Detective Meri Amber has dedicated her entire career to uncovering the truth behind these disappearances and delivering long-overdue justice. 👩🏼💼
From the eerie secrets of the house of dolls to the deeply unsettling events surrounding a twisted 12th birthday party hidden in a basement, every story drags you deeper into a web of fear, mystery, and suspense. Each case is disturbing, intense, and impossible to ignore. 😱
But these aren’t just cases for Meri - they’re personal. Her own sister vanished 20 years ago and was never seen again. That loss lingers in every investigation, adding a raw emotional depth that hits just as hard as the mysteries themselves. 🕵🏼
I started this in the early hours of the morning and absolutely flew through it, finishing it in just a few hours. 👩🏼🏫
If you love complex, fast-paced thrillers packed with twists, overlapping mysteries, and dark secrets, this might be right up your street. 🙌🏼
Thank you to Steena and Zooloos Book Tour for letting me take part in the tour in exchange for my honest review. ❤️
Nine investigations that refuse to stay buried…
‘Nine Missing Girls’ is a dark, gripping collection of short stories following nine haunting cases of missing girls - each one more chilling than the last. Detective Meri Amber has dedicated her entire career to uncovering the truth behind these disappearances and delivering long-overdue justice. 👩🏼💼
From the eerie secrets of the house of dolls to the deeply unsettling events surrounding a twisted 12th birthday party hidden in a basement, every story drags you deeper into a web of fear, mystery, and suspense. Each case is disturbing, intense, and impossible to ignore. 😱
But these aren’t just cases for Meri - they’re personal. Her own sister vanished 20 years ago and was never seen again. That loss lingers in every investigation, adding a raw emotional depth that hits just as hard as the mysteries themselves. 🕵🏼
I started this in the early hours of the morning and absolutely flew through it, finishing it in just a few hours. 👩🏼🏫
If you love complex, fast-paced thrillers packed with twists, overlapping mysteries, and dark secrets, this might be right up your street. 🙌🏼
Thank you to Steena and Zooloos Book Tour for letting me take part in the tour in exchange for my honest review. ❤️
March 22, 2026
Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes is a fast-paced and uniquely structured crime read that immediately stands out for its format. Told through nine short stories, each chapter reveals a piece of the puzzle; both the cases themselves and the emotional backstory of Detective Meri Amber.
The novel centres around Det. Meri Amber, a specialist in missing persons cases, whose own past is deeply tied to loss and trauma. As each girl goes missing, the cases begin to echo something far more personal, gradually uncovering the layers of Meri’s history and what drives her relentless pursuit of the truth.
What really intrigued me was the unusual storytelling style. Rather than a traditional linear narrative, Holmes uses interconnected short stories to build tension and character depth. It’s a format I haven’t come across often in crime fiction, and it kept the pacing sharp and engaging throughout.
Each story adds a new perspective, and while they are quick to read, they collectively create a bigger, more emotional picture, especially as we begin to understand Meri’s connection to the theme of missing girls.
A compelling and different take on the genre—perfect if you enjoy crime fiction with a twist in structure and a strong, emotionally driven detective at its core.
The novel centres around Det. Meri Amber, a specialist in missing persons cases, whose own past is deeply tied to loss and trauma. As each girl goes missing, the cases begin to echo something far more personal, gradually uncovering the layers of Meri’s history and what drives her relentless pursuit of the truth.
What really intrigued me was the unusual storytelling style. Rather than a traditional linear narrative, Holmes uses interconnected short stories to build tension and character depth. It’s a format I haven’t come across often in crime fiction, and it kept the pacing sharp and engaging throughout.
Each story adds a new perspective, and while they are quick to read, they collectively create a bigger, more emotional picture, especially as we begin to understand Meri’s connection to the theme of missing girls.
A compelling and different take on the genre—perfect if you enjoy crime fiction with a twist in structure and a strong, emotionally driven detective at its core.
March 24, 2026
Detective Meri Amber, an FBI specialist in child abduction cases, is called to investigate a series of chilling disappearances involving nine missing girls. As she works to uncover the truth, the cases begin to mirror her own past- she has spent the last twenty years searching for her sister, who vanished without a trace.
💜
I found Nine Missing Girls to be a gripping read, particularly in the way it explores the darker realities behind missing persons cases. The use of Meri’s Rules to discuss each case was fantastically clever and well written …..
Detective Meri Ambers personal link to the investigations added an extra layer of depth and made each case feel more impactful rather than just there for shock value. The tone was tense and unsettling throughout, and the shorter, fast-paced cases kept me engaged.
I actually enjoyed the structure of multiple interconnected cases, although I can see why it might not work for everyone. Some parts did feel a little rushed, and there were moments where I wanted more detail but it didn’t take away too much from my overall reading experience.
It’s a powerful thriller that kept me hooked, and one I’d definitely recommend if you enjoy darker, fast-paced crime stories.
💜
I found Nine Missing Girls to be a gripping read, particularly in the way it explores the darker realities behind missing persons cases. The use of Meri’s Rules to discuss each case was fantastically clever and well written …..
Detective Meri Ambers personal link to the investigations added an extra layer of depth and made each case feel more impactful rather than just there for shock value. The tone was tense and unsettling throughout, and the shorter, fast-paced cases kept me engaged.
I actually enjoyed the structure of multiple interconnected cases, although I can see why it might not work for everyone. Some parts did feel a little rushed, and there were moments where I wanted more detail but it didn’t take away too much from my overall reading experience.
It’s a powerful thriller that kept me hooked, and one I’d definitely recommend if you enjoy darker, fast-paced crime stories.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes is a haunting, compelling read that stayed with me long after the final page.
The story follows Detective Meri Amber, a missing persons specialist, as she is pulled into a series of disappearances that feel personal, raw, and deeply unsettling. Each case carries weight, and the emotional toll is clear. Meri stands out as a strong, complex lead. She is driven and sharp, and shaped by her own past, which adds depth to every decision she makes.
The structure keeps the tension high. The cases connect in ways that build urgency and momentum, and every clue reveals something darker beneath the surface. This story is not just about solving crimes. It is about the impact on families, the silence left behind, and the cost of not knowing.
The pacing is tight, and the writing pulls you in fast and does not let go. The twists hit hard and feel earned. I kept turning pages, needing answers, while still taking in the emotional depth.
This is a powerful, chilling thriller with real substance. If you enjoy character-driven stories with strong emotional impact, this one delivers.
The story follows Detective Meri Amber, a missing persons specialist, as she is pulled into a series of disappearances that feel personal, raw, and deeply unsettling. Each case carries weight, and the emotional toll is clear. Meri stands out as a strong, complex lead. She is driven and sharp, and shaped by her own past, which adds depth to every decision she makes.
The structure keeps the tension high. The cases connect in ways that build urgency and momentum, and every clue reveals something darker beneath the surface. This story is not just about solving crimes. It is about the impact on families, the silence left behind, and the cost of not knowing.
The pacing is tight, and the writing pulls you in fast and does not let go. The twists hit hard and feel earned. I kept turning pages, needing answers, while still taking in the emotional depth.
This is a powerful, chilling thriller with real substance. If you enjoy character-driven stories with strong emotional impact, this one delivers.
March 19, 2026
Meri Amber, a much-loved character in some of Steena's previous books, is back. And back with a vengeance! Meri is a detective, specializing in missing girl cases. She has been on this quest since her sister went missing years ago. Maybe someday her sister will be found and her abductor will be charged. In the meantime, she investigates all missing cases she comes across.
Nine Missing Girls contains the stories of nine girls—nine horrific stories of abduction and torture, each one worse than the one before. Meri investigates each one hoping to bring closure for the girls and peace for their families. Honestly, some of the stories were kind of hard to read but I know that these, and even worse, cases are out there everyday. The determination of Meri to take care of these girls is admirable.
I love the tenacity of Meri to see these case through to the end and love that Steena shared this collection of Meri's cases with her readership. These are stories you don't want to miss. I highly recommend Nine Missing Girls.
Nine Missing Girls contains the stories of nine girls—nine horrific stories of abduction and torture, each one worse than the one before. Meri investigates each one hoping to bring closure for the girls and peace for their families. Honestly, some of the stories were kind of hard to read but I know that these, and even worse, cases are out there everyday. The determination of Meri to take care of these girls is admirable.
I love the tenacity of Meri to see these case through to the end and love that Steena shared this collection of Meri's cases with her readership. These are stories you don't want to miss. I highly recommend Nine Missing Girls.
February 12, 2026
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 🫶🏽
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 🫶🏽
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3 stars for me.
Detective Meri Amber will not let the cases of missing girls be forgotten and buried.Nine girls for some it may be to late,but the guilty ones are still free,and she's getting closer and closer to find out the truth.
What happened to those girls?
It was a crime filled read with disturbing twist.With each case we get closer to find out what was going on,and it was really painful to read adult treatment of the children who should be protected not hurt.While it was a gripping read,the format of the nine cases,made me feel like I was reading a short stories.Each separate but interconnected case bring us to the end that may or may not be resolved.Not my favorite format.That being said the mystery was interesting and I was rooting for Detective Meri Amber to reasolve all this mess that others ignored.
Thank you Joffe Books publishing for my arc,my review iis honest and my own.
Detective Meri Amber will not let the cases of missing girls be forgotten and buried.Nine girls for some it may be to late,but the guilty ones are still free,and she's getting closer and closer to find out the truth.
What happened to those girls?
It was a crime filled read with disturbing twist.With each case we get closer to find out what was going on,and it was really painful to read adult treatment of the children who should be protected not hurt.While it was a gripping read,the format of the nine cases,made me feel like I was reading a short stories.Each separate but interconnected case bring us to the end that may or may not be resolved.Not my favorite format.That being said the mystery was interesting and I was rooting for Detective Meri Amber to reasolve all this mess that others ignored.
Thank you Joffe Books publishing for my arc,my review iis honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
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!
March 20, 2026
A collection of nine heartbreaking stories, all centred around one detective who can fully relate.
Since her sister disappeared, Detective Meri Amber has been desperate to find her, while helping to find other missing girls along the way. Each story is interconnected in one way or another, be it through use of mirrors, a specific location, or the same names popping up time and time again.
I do think it could have been written as one novel, rather than a collection of short stories due to how the similar the storylines actually are, and I feel a little disappointed that I was left with more questions than answers by the end. All of the people that Amber interviewed were vague with their answers which became quite repetitive and frustrating.
That being said, it has been written in a unique way and was quite a fast paced read once I got past the repetition.
Since her sister disappeared, Detective Meri Amber has been desperate to find her, while helping to find other missing girls along the way. Each story is interconnected in one way or another, be it through use of mirrors, a specific location, or the same names popping up time and time again.
I do think it could have been written as one novel, rather than a collection of short stories due to how the similar the storylines actually are, and I feel a little disappointed that I was left with more questions than answers by the end. All of the people that Amber interviewed were vague with their answers which became quite repetitive and frustrating.
That being said, it has been written in a unique way and was quite a fast paced read once I got past the repetition.
March 23, 2026
I haven’t read anything by this author before, and after reading Nine Missings by Steena Holmes, I know that rectifying this is a massive must-do for me.
Each of the nine tales, although individual stories, have a link running through them as Detective Meri Amber fights on behalf of the missing girls, listening to words which aren’t spoken, and making discoveries which are no longer secret. And with every story I found myself heavily invested, feeling so much pity for the girls and anger at those who sought to conceal the truth. But although they have satisfying endings, I found myself wanting to know more, especially when I finished The Girl in the Glass. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but because there is a history with Meri, I do want to know what happened in her and her own missing girl, her sister River.
Each of the nine tales, although individual stories, have a link running through them as Detective Meri Amber fights on behalf of the missing girls, listening to words which aren’t spoken, and making discoveries which are no longer secret. And with every story I found myself heavily invested, feeling so much pity for the girls and anger at those who sought to conceal the truth. But although they have satisfying endings, I found myself wanting to know more, especially when I finished The Girl in the Glass. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but because there is a history with Meri, I do want to know what happened in her and her own missing girl, her sister River.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Shattering, Sincere and Simply Unforgettable.
'Nine Missing Girls' is an exceptional read that builds atmospheric suspense, seamlessly weaving together nine heartbreaking cases that showcase Steena Holmes at her peak.
The stories are chilling and diverse, ranging from eerie cellars to the unsettling House of Dolls, but the true heart of the collection is Detective Meri Amber. As an FBI specialist haunted by her own sister’s disappearance, Meri’s vulnerability adds a profound, human layer to the darkness.
Holmes avoids cheap thrills, instead grounding each mystery in quiet grief and fierce determination.
It is a haunting, beautifully written interconnected journey that lingers long after the final page is turned.
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
'Nine Missing Girls' is an exceptional read that builds atmospheric suspense, seamlessly weaving together nine heartbreaking cases that showcase Steena Holmes at her peak.
The stories are chilling and diverse, ranging from eerie cellars to the unsettling House of Dolls, but the true heart of the collection is Detective Meri Amber. As an FBI specialist haunted by her own sister’s disappearance, Meri’s vulnerability adds a profound, human layer to the darkness.
Holmes avoids cheap thrills, instead grounding each mystery in quiet grief and fierce determination.
It is a haunting, beautifully written interconnected journey that lingers long after the final page is turned.
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
March 19, 2026
An intriguing and compulsive novel. This one is different and a definite read!
The front cover frontspiece blurb says that this is a series of short nine stories. However the tales are so cleverly intertwined that it reads as a complete story. Probably Steena
Holmes best yet.
Detective Meri Amber has been searching for her missing sister for twenty years and will not give up. In her quest she discovers evidence of more abductions in the Minnesota area all of them shelved as unsolved. As each story unravels with twists and turns the plot becomes weirder and spookier. Dark cellars, cobwebs, creaky floorboards and strange apparitions, this is no ghost story but its creepy and compelling. Not to be
missed!
The front cover frontspiece blurb says that this is a series of short nine stories. However the tales are so cleverly intertwined that it reads as a complete story. Probably Steena
Holmes best yet.
Detective Meri Amber has been searching for her missing sister for twenty years and will not give up. In her quest she discovers evidence of more abductions in the Minnesota area all of them shelved as unsolved. As each story unravels with twists and turns the plot becomes weirder and spookier. Dark cellars, cobwebs, creaky floorboards and strange apparitions, this is no ghost story but its creepy and compelling. Not to be
missed!
March 20, 2026
Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes is a collection short stories, each involving missing girls. It is a standalone book, but was written to properly introduce Detective Meri Amber, a character present in two of Holmes' previous books. These short stories are cases that Amber was involved in prior to those in The Girls in the Basement and The Sister Under the Stairs.
Each of the stories tell a short tale of Amber and her team discovering what happened to the missing girls, but cleverly, most of them tie in to each other, and to the one case that has haunted Amber since she was 15 years old - her missing sister.
The format of the book wasn't something that I usually go for, but I enjoyed it overall.
Each of the stories tell a short tale of Amber and her team discovering what happened to the missing girls, but cleverly, most of them tie in to each other, and to the one case that has haunted Amber since she was 15 years old - her missing sister.
The format of the book wasn't something that I usually go for, but I enjoyed it overall.
March 23, 2026
I love the structure of this collection. Nine short stories of cases handled by Detective Meri Amber. Meri is a character seen previously in two of Holmes' books- The Sister Under the Stairs and The Girls in the Basement. I have not read either of those books, and I don't think it would have been necessary in order to enjoy this collection, though I will absolutely be adding them to my TBR.
These stories are dark and haunting, with some excellent twists. If you like your mysteries twisty, dark and consuming, definitely check this one out.
💜Thank you to Steena Holmes and Zooloo's Book Tours for including me on this book tour and for the gifted digital review copy! All thoughts expressed are my own.💜
These stories are dark and haunting, with some excellent twists. If you like your mysteries twisty, dark and consuming, definitely check this one out.
💜Thank you to Steena Holmes and Zooloo's Book Tours for including me on this book tour and for the gifted digital review copy! All thoughts expressed are my own.💜
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