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The Jade Riley Mysteries #4
The Runaway Girl
Three missing girls. One deadly secret.
In Lagos, Nigeria, journalist Jade Riley investigates three girls’ disappearance and uncovers a shadowy underworld of money, power and exploitation.
Far from the city, young Yinka flees a life of hardship, seeking a new start.
Their paths converge as Jade and Yinka are drawn into the same web of danger. Can they unmask the criminal mastermind at the centre of it and bring him to justice?
A gripping mystery set in Africa, THE RUNAWAY GIRL is the fourth book in the Jade Riley series by Andrea Barton.
In Lagos, Nigeria, journalist Jade Riley investigates three girls’ disappearance and uncovers a shadowy underworld of money, power and exploitation.
Far from the city, young Yinka flees a life of hardship, seeking a new start.
Their paths converge as Jade and Yinka are drawn into the same web of danger. Can they unmask the criminal mastermind at the centre of it and bring him to justice?
A gripping mystery set in Africa, THE RUNAWAY GIRL is the fourth book in the Jade Riley series by Andrea Barton.
306 pages, Paperback
Published March 24, 2026
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Barton
6 books14 followersAndrea Barton, award-winning author and fiction editor, writes the Jade Riley Mystery Series. She runs Brightside Story Studio and is Vice President of Mansfield Readers & Writers.
Her other writing credits include The Winding Narrative blog, short stories, two picture books and nine stage productions about contemporary social issues. She has co-authored and edited two anthologies about expatriate life.
An electrical engineer turned career consultant, Andrea spent 12 years enjoying the exhilaration and dislocation of life as an expat in Nigeria, USA, and Qatar with her husband and two children. She has now repatriated to Australia, where she commutes between Melbourne and Mansfield. Along the way, she developed a passion for ballroom and Latin dance, helped to build a school, got bogged in both the Qatari and Australian deserts, and had an accidental hallucinogenic experience in Peru.
Fun fact: she holds her A.Mus.A. in violin, which has inspired a life-long love of music.
Her other writing credits include The Winding Narrative blog, short stories, two picture books and nine stage productions about contemporary social issues. She has co-authored and edited two anthologies about expatriate life.
An electrical engineer turned career consultant, Andrea spent 12 years enjoying the exhilaration and dislocation of life as an expat in Nigeria, USA, and Qatar with her husband and two children. She has now repatriated to Australia, where she commutes between Melbourne and Mansfield. Along the way, she developed a passion for ballroom and Latin dance, helped to build a school, got bogged in both the Qatari and Australian deserts, and had an accidental hallucinogenic experience in Peru.
Fun fact: she holds her A.Mus.A. in violin, which has inspired a life-long love of music.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 21, 2026
The 4th book in the Jade Riley series’ sees our heroine now married and living in Lagos with Brett and her two children Natalie and NED. The move to Nigeria was for Brett’s work and Jade is trying to make the most of it, while still craves her Melbourne home and freedom it afforded her. It has taken a while to adjust to the Lagos culture and customs
Yinka is a young local whose dreams of more seem further out of reach when she is kidnapped.
When news surfaces of three missing young women, Jade starts to investigate in hopes of bringing them home. But what she discovers is a far more sinister underground crime ring that threatens to cause harm to not just her but her family family
I know I have said it before but these books just get better and better! While part of a series you would still very much enjoy this gripping book as a stand alone
The time jumps has added a really great narrative of the family dynamic between Jade, Brett, Ned and Natalie
While Jade has grown as a mother and wife which has changed her approach to solving crimes, her head is still telling her to go deep and find the answers while her heart is reminding her of her husband and children and how her choices directly affect them
Fast paced as the story flows with short sharp chapters. Told from Jade and Yinka’s POV, their almost intertwining story has you on the edge of your seat as each chapter ends
The Runaway Girl explores human trafficking and harrowing experiences. The research that went into this story is next level. Andrea writes a raw and realistic yet respectful story
Highly recommend and can’t wait to see what is next for Jade
Thank you to the author for my gifted e-arc
Yinka is a young local whose dreams of more seem further out of reach when she is kidnapped.
When news surfaces of three missing young women, Jade starts to investigate in hopes of bringing them home. But what she discovers is a far more sinister underground crime ring that threatens to cause harm to not just her but her family family
I know I have said it before but these books just get better and better! While part of a series you would still very much enjoy this gripping book as a stand alone
The time jumps has added a really great narrative of the family dynamic between Jade, Brett, Ned and Natalie
While Jade has grown as a mother and wife which has changed her approach to solving crimes, her head is still telling her to go deep and find the answers while her heart is reminding her of her husband and children and how her choices directly affect them
Fast paced as the story flows with short sharp chapters. Told from Jade and Yinka’s POV, their almost intertwining story has you on the edge of your seat as each chapter ends
The Runaway Girl explores human trafficking and harrowing experiences. The research that went into this story is next level. Andrea writes a raw and realistic yet respectful story
Highly recommend and can’t wait to see what is next for Jade
Thank you to the author for my gifted e-arc
April 22, 2026
I'm always excited to get another installment of the Jade Riley mysteries. This one is book four and we find ourselves in Lagos, Nigeria where Jade and her partner Brett are based with their two children. The reporter in Jade can never back down so when she's presented with the opportunity to look into the disappearance of three girls, she goes all out, even putting the lives of her family in danger in order to find out the truth.
The fast paced storyline will have you eagerly turning the pages like I did. There is so much suspense and the short chapters make it so easy to keep on reading. I easily binged the second half of the book just to know what was going to happen. Andrea Barton's books are easy to read and easy to love. If you're a thriller fan, you'll want to get your hands on a copy of this one.
The fast paced storyline will have you eagerly turning the pages like I did. There is so much suspense and the short chapters make it so easy to keep on reading. I easily binged the second half of the book just to know what was going to happen. Andrea Barton's books are easy to read and easy to love. If you're a thriller fan, you'll want to get your hands on a copy of this one.
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May 7, 2026I have really enjoyed this series so far. To watch this character grow so much over her life has been so edifying, especially as a former journalist myself. And as a former journalist, I wholeheartedly agree - you can take the journalist out of the job, but you can't take the the job out of their soul! That hunt and that fire - if storytelling, a desire to change the world, the nose for a mystery or a good story was what drew them to the job, no matter how long or how many times they retire they will always be a journalist. I appreciate that aspect of these stories so much.
I also really enjoy how we've been able to explore different areas and cultures through each story as well. While the MC is Australian, only one of the four books has been in her home town and the others have afforded us the opportunity to explore different cultures through the filter of her Aussie lens, which is such an interesting experience.
This story takes us to Nigeria, somewhere I haven't been in my wildest dreams. Though, I did have a casual friend from the country my freshman near of college, that liminal time when we all meet more new people than we likely ever will again. But Nigeria is probably one of the most different areas I've read about in recent times. Though through this lens of an expat from a western country living there, much of the story was viewed through a very Western filter. It sounded almost like a British base or something. But there were definitely parts that ventured into new and uncharted territories, though more in the way of seedy underbellies and naive young girls. I'd love to see even more of the culture in a more pleasant setting!
They story itself brought the type of fast-paced, high octane mystery we've come to love from this series. I enjoyed how this book explored the challenges Jade explored as she is building a family and trying to balance her career and other passions - a real issue for many women!
I also really enjoy how we've been able to explore different areas and cultures through each story as well. While the MC is Australian, only one of the four books has been in her home town and the others have afforded us the opportunity to explore different cultures through the filter of her Aussie lens, which is such an interesting experience.
This story takes us to Nigeria, somewhere I haven't been in my wildest dreams. Though, I did have a casual friend from the country my freshman near of college, that liminal time when we all meet more new people than we likely ever will again. But Nigeria is probably one of the most different areas I've read about in recent times. Though through this lens of an expat from a western country living there, much of the story was viewed through a very Western filter. It sounded almost like a British base or something. But there were definitely parts that ventured into new and uncharted territories, though more in the way of seedy underbellies and naive young girls. I'd love to see even more of the culture in a more pleasant setting!
They story itself brought the type of fast-paced, high octane mystery we've come to love from this series. I enjoyed how this book explored the challenges Jade explored as she is building a family and trying to balance her career and other passions - a real issue for many women!
May 4, 2026
As soon as I finished this, my first thought was: wow, what a ride!!
I’ve always loved the Jade Riley mysteries, but The Runaway Girl truly knocked it out of the park.
We meet Jade again a few years on, now living as an expat in Lagos, Nigeria. When she learns that three girls have disappeared after leaving their village in search of work, she begins to investigate, only to uncover something far darker and more complex than she ever anticipated. What unfolds is a chilling look into an underworld of trafficking, exploitation, and power, where trust is fragile and silence can be bought.
This was, at times, a harrowing and deeply emotional read, especially from a female perspective. We know these realities exist, but this story forces you to really sit with it. The scale, the brutality, the injustice - it’s impossible not to feel anger and heartbreak.
Yinka’s POV chapters were particularly powerful. Following her journey as one of the girls caught in this world added such emotional weight, and watching her story intersect with Jade’s made the narrative even more impactful. My heart genuinely broke for her and for all the real-life girls whose stories echo this one.
There’s a real strength in the way this book balances awareness with storytelling. The research and care behind it are clear, and it challenges the reader to pay attention to an issue that is very much still happening.
Alongside this, the tension never lets up. Jade’s investigation is gripping from start to finish, with high personal stakes and constant uncertainty about who she can trust. It made this completely unputdownable. I devoured it!
Perfectly paced, emotionally powerful, and incredibly thought-provoking. I’m already counting down to the next instalment, 'The Desert Thief'.
I’ve always loved the Jade Riley mysteries, but The Runaway Girl truly knocked it out of the park.
We meet Jade again a few years on, now living as an expat in Lagos, Nigeria. When she learns that three girls have disappeared after leaving their village in search of work, she begins to investigate, only to uncover something far darker and more complex than she ever anticipated. What unfolds is a chilling look into an underworld of trafficking, exploitation, and power, where trust is fragile and silence can be bought.
This was, at times, a harrowing and deeply emotional read, especially from a female perspective. We know these realities exist, but this story forces you to really sit with it. The scale, the brutality, the injustice - it’s impossible not to feel anger and heartbreak.
Yinka’s POV chapters were particularly powerful. Following her journey as one of the girls caught in this world added such emotional weight, and watching her story intersect with Jade’s made the narrative even more impactful. My heart genuinely broke for her and for all the real-life girls whose stories echo this one.
There’s a real strength in the way this book balances awareness with storytelling. The research and care behind it are clear, and it challenges the reader to pay attention to an issue that is very much still happening.
Alongside this, the tension never lets up. Jade’s investigation is gripping from start to finish, with high personal stakes and constant uncertainty about who she can trust. It made this completely unputdownable. I devoured it!
Perfectly paced, emotionally powerful, and incredibly thought-provoking. I’m already counting down to the next instalment, 'The Desert Thief'.
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May 5, 2026Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for gifted copy of this epub
Holy cow. I absolutely love this series and this I think is my favorite one thus far I mean just when I thought the writing couldn’t get any better I was proven so wrong !!!
I loved that this book could be read as a stand alone because it was set seven years ahead from the last one we find Jade married to Brett and they have 2 kids together. I loved this for Jade I really did. She is still a journalist though through and through that’s for sure and I loved the change of scenery and the move they made to Nigeria that would be a cool place to visit not sure I would want to live but would be cool to see.
Jade decides she wants to write a story about 3 missing girls that just vanished without a trace believed to have been trafficked I mean this book holy cow. I didn’t know how to put it down. I really didn’t I mean Jade just gets herself stuck smack dab in the middle too and I wasn’t sure how this was gonna go I truly didn’t. I mean we have 51 chapters and can I just say that towards the end I was ready to bite my nails off and I have fake ones!!!
Ohhh I have to say I loved the POV from the local girl Yinka wow is all I can say heartbreaking but also courageous.
I absolutely love this author and her work. I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with!!
Overall go read this. Be sure to check triggers. But this is such a powerful read!!!
Holy cow. I absolutely love this series and this I think is my favorite one thus far I mean just when I thought the writing couldn’t get any better I was proven so wrong !!!
I loved that this book could be read as a stand alone because it was set seven years ahead from the last one we find Jade married to Brett and they have 2 kids together. I loved this for Jade I really did. She is still a journalist though through and through that’s for sure and I loved the change of scenery and the move they made to Nigeria that would be a cool place to visit not sure I would want to live but would be cool to see.
Jade decides she wants to write a story about 3 missing girls that just vanished without a trace believed to have been trafficked I mean this book holy cow. I didn’t know how to put it down. I really didn’t I mean Jade just gets herself stuck smack dab in the middle too and I wasn’t sure how this was gonna go I truly didn’t. I mean we have 51 chapters and can I just say that towards the end I was ready to bite my nails off and I have fake ones!!!
Ohhh I have to say I loved the POV from the local girl Yinka wow is all I can say heartbreaking but also courageous.
I absolutely love this author and her work. I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with!!
Overall go read this. Be sure to check triggers. But this is such a powerful read!!!
May 6, 2026
This is the fourth book in the Jade Riley Mysteries series and once again, I couldn't believe that we didn't have too long a wait in-between books 2, 3 and 4 now.
I was already excited to continue this brilliant series, but just look how exciting this front cover looks too!
And to top it all off, we dive into this head first and see Jade and Brett quite a few years in from where we left them - now moved to Nigeria, married a d with Littles too.
This made me so happy for them.
The setting was therefore quite different from what we've seen before and I loved how descriptive this was and how I could so easily visualise the places, the people and the culture.
Jade hasn't changed too much and is still eager to dive into situations and juts get that story out there.
This really isn't a comfortable read by any means, but this is the whole point isn't it!
Jade brings to the forefront the case of three missing girls and this brings about a tough read - but even so, this is so well written and managed with sensitivity.
This was such an exciting storyline and I was completely immersed from start to finish.
I think this was my favourite read of the series so far and I just raced through this.
I would obviously always recommend reading a series in order, but this book also would work so well as a standalone read too.
I know there's more to come and I cannot wait.
I was already excited to continue this brilliant series, but just look how exciting this front cover looks too!
And to top it all off, we dive into this head first and see Jade and Brett quite a few years in from where we left them - now moved to Nigeria, married a d with Littles too.
This made me so happy for them.
The setting was therefore quite different from what we've seen before and I loved how descriptive this was and how I could so easily visualise the places, the people and the culture.
Jade hasn't changed too much and is still eager to dive into situations and juts get that story out there.
This really isn't a comfortable read by any means, but this is the whole point isn't it!
Jade brings to the forefront the case of three missing girls and this brings about a tough read - but even so, this is so well written and managed with sensitivity.
This was such an exciting storyline and I was completely immersed from start to finish.
I think this was my favourite read of the series so far and I just raced through this.
I would obviously always recommend reading a series in order, but this book also would work so well as a standalone read too.
I know there's more to come and I cannot wait.
May 6, 2026
ARC Review!!
The Runaway Girl
By Andrea Barton
Let me just start with I have not read any of the other books in the series (this is book 4) and you can 110% read this as a stand alone! Andrea does a great job of creating a world that you feel you have always been part of with hints to the past that are nice but dont have to have to understand the Jade Riley world!!
Jade Riley. Wife. Mother. Journalist. Dancer. Friend.
Jade Riley. Determined. Courageous. Smart. Protective. Resourceful. Faithful till the end.
Jade and her family have moved to Nigeria for her husband's job. Jade, her husband and her 2 kids have a very comfortable and safe life. They live on a compound. They have private security and drivers. What more could Jade want? Ahhh to help people. Jade is a Journalist and when asked by a woman to help find 2 missing girls and keep an eye on another getting ready to leave the village Jade is hurled into an underground world of lies and betrayal. The deeper Jade digs the closer to home it gets for her! Will Jade survive? Will the compound fence and private school be enough to keep her kids safe? When her global traveling husband making it home to his family? What does Jade have to risk to save not only these girls but her family as well but the question is who is the real enemy?
The Runaway Girl
By Andrea Barton
Let me just start with I have not read any of the other books in the series (this is book 4) and you can 110% read this as a stand alone! Andrea does a great job of creating a world that you feel you have always been part of with hints to the past that are nice but dont have to have to understand the Jade Riley world!!
Jade Riley. Wife. Mother. Journalist. Dancer. Friend.
Jade Riley. Determined. Courageous. Smart. Protective. Resourceful. Faithful till the end.
Jade and her family have moved to Nigeria for her husband's job. Jade, her husband and her 2 kids have a very comfortable and safe life. They live on a compound. They have private security and drivers. What more could Jade want? Ahhh to help people. Jade is a Journalist and when asked by a woman to help find 2 missing girls and keep an eye on another getting ready to leave the village Jade is hurled into an underground world of lies and betrayal. The deeper Jade digs the closer to home it gets for her! Will Jade survive? Will the compound fence and private school be enough to keep her kids safe? When her global traveling husband making it home to his family? What does Jade have to risk to save not only these girls but her family as well but the question is who is the real enemy?
April 29, 2026
The Runaway Girl is a compelling and deeply moving novel that delivers both a mystery and a strong emotional core. From the first page, the story pulls you in with its sense of urgency and atmosphere, and it never lets go.
The pacing is spot-on: fast enough to keep the suspense high, yet thoughtful enough to allow the characters and their experiences to breathe. The stakes feel real throughout, and the story’s darker themes are handled with sensitivity and care.
The main character, Jade, is intelligent and determined with a strong morale compass that drives the story. The emotional journey is portrayed in an authentic way, making it easy to believe this story could be true and in doing so, as I reader, I found myself wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens in the end. The author has a real talent for showing how personal choices intersect with larger social issues, giving the novel a resonance that goes beyond the mystery itself.
The setting is vividly drawn and adds an extra layer of tension and realism. You can feel the heat, the chaos, and the underlying danger, all of which heighten the sense of urgency as the plot unfolds.
It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful, a standout read for fans of intelligent, socially aware crime fiction.
The pacing is spot-on: fast enough to keep the suspense high, yet thoughtful enough to allow the characters and their experiences to breathe. The stakes feel real throughout, and the story’s darker themes are handled with sensitivity and care.
The main character, Jade, is intelligent and determined with a strong morale compass that drives the story. The emotional journey is portrayed in an authentic way, making it easy to believe this story could be true and in doing so, as I reader, I found myself wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens in the end. The author has a real talent for showing how personal choices intersect with larger social issues, giving the novel a resonance that goes beyond the mystery itself.
The setting is vividly drawn and adds an extra layer of tension and realism. You can feel the heat, the chaos, and the underlying danger, all of which heighten the sense of urgency as the plot unfolds.
It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful, a standout read for fans of intelligent, socially aware crime fiction.
April 17, 2026
The Runaway Girl is the fourth book in the Jade Riley series featuring journalist Jade who often gets caught up solving crimes. This one features a time jump and can definitely be read as a stand alone. Set seven years after her last novel, Jade is now married to Brett and they have two kids. I enjoyed how this change added to the storyline. They have recently moved to Nigeria for Brett’s work. Andrea always brings her settings to life and I loved learning more about Lagos and both it and ex-pat culture, even if the corruption frustrated me at times. Barton’s usually features some of the arts and in this one it was nice to see Jade return to dance, which featured heavily in the first book.
Told over a dual timeline and points of view alternating between Jade’s story of moving to Lagos and then investigating three missing girls with the story of Yinka, a local girl who gets kidnapped. Both storylines and the short, sharp chapter had me turning the pages. Whilst the mystery element wasn’t as twisty as some of her other novels it was a lot more action packed. This novel explores human trafficking and the research Andrea did was evident, she really captured what it was like for the girls and the culture around it and did get sensitivity readers and NAPTIP- National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to provide feedback. Each book in the series just gets better and better and I can’t wait to see where Jade gets to next.
Told over a dual timeline and points of view alternating between Jade’s story of moving to Lagos and then investigating three missing girls with the story of Yinka, a local girl who gets kidnapped. Both storylines and the short, sharp chapter had me turning the pages. Whilst the mystery element wasn’t as twisty as some of her other novels it was a lot more action packed. This novel explores human trafficking and the research Andrea did was evident, she really captured what it was like for the girls and the culture around it and did get sensitivity readers and NAPTIP- National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to provide feedback. Each book in the series just gets better and better and I can’t wait to see where Jade gets to next.
April 7, 2026
The Runaway Girl is the fourth book in the Jade Riley series. It is set in Lagos, Nigeria where Jade’s husband has taken a job with an international company. Eager to be useful and occupied, she agrees to an apparently simple request which turns into a nail-biting, high-stakes quest. The pace is unrelenting as Jade, her family and friends face the horror of human trafficking and deadly threats with Lagos offering a heady mix of vibrancy and danger. As well as Jade’s POV, some chapters are written through the eyes of a local girl, Yinka, whose arc is both courageous and heartbreaking. I was fully immersed in this story and the local scenes which build to a dramatic final showdown. A fantastic read. Highly recommended.
May 7, 2026
Another Jade Riley Mystery, another part of the world covered. In this book, Jade and her husband are stationed in Lagos for his job. Andrea’s author’s note at the beginning of the book tells us why she chose to write about Lagos and what it means to her. Quickly following that note are the trigger warnings, please be sure to read them, this is a tough read.
Jade’s husband may want her to leave her crime journalism in the past, but that’s clearly not Jade’s way. Determined to find a few of missing girls from the area in Lagos they’re staying in, she easily falls back into her investigative reporting.
I was very invested in this story. As hard as it was to read about sex trafficking and what many young girls/women have to deal with, I wanted to know if Jade would be able to save any of them.
Thank You Love Book Tours for my copy of this book.
Jade’s husband may want her to leave her crime journalism in the past, but that’s clearly not Jade’s way. Determined to find a few of missing girls from the area in Lagos they’re staying in, she easily falls back into her investigative reporting.
I was very invested in this story. As hard as it was to read about sex trafficking and what many young girls/women have to deal with, I wanted to know if Jade would be able to save any of them.
Thank You Love Book Tours for my copy of this book.
May 9, 2026
This book seriously pulled me in way faster than I expected. The pacing was intense pretty much the whole time and every chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading. I kept telling myself I’d stop after one more chapter and then suddenly it was way too late at night.
The atmosphere of the story was probably one of my favorite parts. It felt dark, stressful, and kinda emotional all at once, which made everything feel more real. I also liked that the characters actually felt believable instead of overly dramatic or perfect.
A few moments were predictable, but honestly I was still fully invested because the story itself was so entertaining. Definitely a solid thriller read if you like fast paced books that keep your attention the whole way through.
The atmosphere of the story was probably one of my favorite parts. It felt dark, stressful, and kinda emotional all at once, which made everything feel more real. I also liked that the characters actually felt believable instead of overly dramatic or perfect.
A few moments were predictable, but honestly I was still fully invested because the story itself was so entertaining. Definitely a solid thriller read if you like fast paced books that keep your attention the whole way through.
April 29, 2026
the runaway girl is fast paced but still full of suspense. I read as a standalone as had not read the books before and found it was not required to have read the rest of the series. I enjoyed having the multiple POV. This was a fab book and as a person that doesn’t usually read this genre (thriller/mystery) i found the investigative style kept me invested and wanting to solve the mystery. The crime ring discovery added extra excitement to this read. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a book that makes you think and has one that has depth
May 5, 2026
Whew! What a wild ride! The Runaway Girl is another awesome installment of the Jade Riley series. In this one, Jade is investigating a case that involves a very sad and very real topic, human trafficking, specifically child trafficking. She tackles this case with the same tenacity, intelligence, courage, and compassion she does with all her cases. I am a huge fan of Jade Riley, and I don’t know how many books in this series there will ultimately be, but I’m here for all of them. 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Highly recommend!
May 1, 2026
The Runaway Girl is book 4 in the Jade Riley series by Andrea Barton. I haven’t read the previous books, and it’s safe to say this can definitely be read as a standalone.
Jade’s family of four relocates to Nigeria because of her husband’s job. Jade is a journalist, so when she hears about the disappearance of a few girls in the town, she begins to investigate. This quickly becomes dangerous for her family and those around her as she tries to uncover what happened to the missing girls. Can the secured compound where she lives protect her and the people she loves?
This was a page turning suspense. I learned some Nigerian words and phrases like 419 (Nigerian penal code for fraud), Ekaaro (good morning), Kobo (Nigerian currency, not the e-reader 😂), and Ode (fool). It was a gripping way to shed light on human and sex trafficking in countries where police corruption runs deep and the odds are already stacked against you. I also learned about NAPTIP, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Andrea does a beautiful job highlighting this issue and bringing awareness to how it affects very real individuals and families through her storytelling.
Thank you to Love Book Tours and Andrea Barton for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jade’s family of four relocates to Nigeria because of her husband’s job. Jade is a journalist, so when she hears about the disappearance of a few girls in the town, she begins to investigate. This quickly becomes dangerous for her family and those around her as she tries to uncover what happened to the missing girls. Can the secured compound where she lives protect her and the people she loves?
This was a page turning suspense. I learned some Nigerian words and phrases like 419 (Nigerian penal code for fraud), Ekaaro (good morning), Kobo (Nigerian currency, not the e-reader 😂), and Ode (fool). It was a gripping way to shed light on human and sex trafficking in countries where police corruption runs deep and the odds are already stacked against you. I also learned about NAPTIP, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Andrea does a beautiful job highlighting this issue and bringing awareness to how it affects very real individuals and families through her storytelling.
Thank you to Love Book Tours and Andrea Barton for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 10, 2026
This book has it all … mystery, suspense, exotic location, plot twists and a heart-stopping ending. A winner!
May 1, 2026
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 306
Publisher: Next Chapter
Rating: 5 stars
Holy moly! This is the best fictional creation I have read to date about a real life world wide situation. Jade is an investigative reporter who decides to write a story about 3 girls who disappeared without a trace, believed to have been trafficked. This investigation opens doors that were unpredictable to Jade and she finds herself stuck right in the middle of a human trafficking ring. But who is calling the shots? She follows all the leads and the reveal is jaw dropping. This book has 51 chapters. At chapter 48, a bombshell is dropped and I thought to myself, HOW IS THIS GOING TO END WITH JUST 3 CHAPTERS LEFT?! But I got the ending I was grasping for. Humans trafficking is an actual problem in todays society and I am glad to see more and more authors bringing awareness to this devastating situation. The author does give trigger warnings for trafficking and SA, so please be mindful if you are affected by these triggers. I think I can speak for us all in saying I wish we had a real life Jade Riley to expose and eliminate this problem from the world. Definitely recommend as long as you are okay with the triggers.
Pages: 306
Publisher: Next Chapter
Rating: 5 stars
Holy moly! This is the best fictional creation I have read to date about a real life world wide situation. Jade is an investigative reporter who decides to write a story about 3 girls who disappeared without a trace, believed to have been trafficked. This investigation opens doors that were unpredictable to Jade and she finds herself stuck right in the middle of a human trafficking ring. But who is calling the shots? She follows all the leads and the reveal is jaw dropping. This book has 51 chapters. At chapter 48, a bombshell is dropped and I thought to myself, HOW IS THIS GOING TO END WITH JUST 3 CHAPTERS LEFT?! But I got the ending I was grasping for. Humans trafficking is an actual problem in todays society and I am glad to see more and more authors bringing awareness to this devastating situation. The author does give trigger warnings for trafficking and SA, so please be mindful if you are affected by these triggers. I think I can speak for us all in saying I wish we had a real life Jade Riley to expose and eliminate this problem from the world. Definitely recommend as long as you are okay with the triggers.
May 8, 2026
This is an enjoyable addition to the Jade Riley mystery series. While this is the fourth book in the series it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. The author incorporates pieces and people from her time in Lagos which adds authenticity and heart to the story.
Jade is back and living the expat life in Lagos, Nigeria. To help a friend and girls that had been in her care Jade puts herself and her family in danger. The situations Jade encounters are all too real and I understand why she could not let it go. The closer she got to the truth the more danger she encountered and I was turning the pages faster and faster.
I enjoyed the inclusion of dance as a nod to book one in the series and as a form of relaxation for Jade.Catching up with Jade Riley is always a treat and I hope that there is another book in the series.
I recommend this book and this series to readers that enjoy mysteries with a strong, determined woman as the main character.
Thanks to Love Book Tours for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jade is back and living the expat life in Lagos, Nigeria. To help a friend and girls that had been in her care Jade puts herself and her family in danger. The situations Jade encounters are all too real and I understand why she could not let it go. The closer she got to the truth the more danger she encountered and I was turning the pages faster and faster.
I enjoyed the inclusion of dance as a nod to book one in the series and as a form of relaxation for Jade.Catching up with Jade Riley is always a treat and I hope that there is another book in the series.
I recommend this book and this series to readers that enjoy mysteries with a strong, determined woman as the main character.
Thanks to Love Book Tours for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 9, 2026
Another excellent book from this author. I love Jade Riley and her sleuthing. I also loved the setting for this one - I haven't been to Nigeria, but I could almost feel the heat and humidity, the dust in the air, the long, hot afternoons. The pacing is excellent, the characters well rounded and the twisty plot kept me riveted and guessing. These books keep getting better and better.”
April 17, 2026
The Runaway Girl is a tight, high-energy thriller that maintains momentum and high stakes from the opening pages. The dual threads—Jade’s investigation in Lagos and Yinka’s attempt to escape a harsh reality—work effectively together, steadily tightening the sense of danger as the story progresses.
A fast-paced, engaging read.
A fast-paced, engaging read.
April 9, 2026
Andrea Barton has nailed it again. Her protagonist, Jade Riley, is a compelling kick arse journalist, and every book in this series has been riveting. I loved The Runaway Girl. Intense. A rollicking page turner! Go Jade. (And Andrea.)
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