Missing in the Cascades: A Luke McCain Novel

by Rob Phillips

When seventeen-year-old Emma Thomas uploads a new song to Spotify and it explodes into a viral sensation, she becomes an overnight enigma the nation can’t stop talking about. But Emma is nowhere to be found—she’s thousands of miles from home, hiking the rugged Pacific Crest Trail with family and friends, chasing solitude and inspiration.

Unbeknownst to her, a lovesick admirer has followed her across the country, determined to find her on the trail. Unprepared and out of his depth, he disappears into the vast wilderness. As media attention intensifies and Emma fails to check in, rumors begin to the rising star has gone missing in the Cascades.

Washington State game warden Luke McCain knows these mountains—and their dangers—better than anyone. With his loyal yellow Lab, Jack, at his side, Luke takes a break from investigating a bighorn sheep poacher and possible murderer to search for Emma before the wilderness claims her music career before it even begins.

A gripping tale of fame, obsession, and survival—where the line between rescue and tragedy is razor thin.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Tommy Jacobs]

I love these Luke McCain books! The mysteries are always compelling without being too bloody/violent, the landscape descriptions and wonderful, the mix of characters is exceptional, and the dog is great! 🐕

I also enjoy that the books are set semi-locally in the Cascades.

5/5 stars

[Doug Phillips]

Once again, my brother Rob Phillips, hits one out of the proverbial park with Missing in the Cascades, the latest Luke McCain novel.

If you're like me, you enjoy stepping back in to the world of Luke, his Golden Lab Jack, wife Sara, and the other characters. Of course, each book stands alone very nicely, so if you want to pick this one up and start, it is a perfectly good place to jump in on these outdoor mystery thrillers.

Being the tenth book in the series, the author continues to create Central Washington locales and scenarios that are plausible and infused with situations that are based upon research. As I have mentioned many times in past reviews of Phillips' books in this series, he keeps the action related to the daily life of a game warden in Washington state, and he never takes his protagonist to other geographies for the sake of fitting to a story line.

As you'd suspect, I recommend the book. To paraphrase Sy Sperling, I'm not just the author's brother, I'm a reader.

[Leek]

This was good. Not quite as good as some of his others, tho. Two parallel plots as in some of his previous stories. My problem is that the Emma/Brayden story seems to be the main plot, the poached rams secondary. Luke was mainly involved with the rams and really only appeared in the Emma/Brayden plot at the very end. Luke is close to being just one of the guys, only saved from this by his brief, albeit very important, involvement in the Emma/Brayden story. I’m also sorry about Jack. Dogs,and people, get old and lose some enthusiasm for the chase. Jack also made an important appearance at the very end but I enjoyed his more constant involvement of previous books.

[Mary D Goss]

Another great read!!

I enjoy reading this author so much. Good mysteries and Luke McCain's dialog is fun to follow, some humor and his thought processes as he solves the murder, keeps me reading past bedtime. He doesn't set out to solve murders he just is in the right places as he follows up on his duties as a fish and wildlife officer. My only complaint is Rob Phi!!ips doesn't write his books fast enough! Can hardly wait to join Luke McCain on anther adventure! There will be another book, right????

[Emelrose]

Excellent story

I really enjoy this series. I grew up and explored most of the country Rob Phillips writes about. My dad loved driving everywhere and taking the backroads and I went with him. Its like taking a walk in my childhood and my 20s.

What I really enjoy about the books are the interesting things Luke does in his job.

This story was very good incorporating Emma and Brayden, two teenagers I really enjoyed reading about.

[Marguerite Goodwin]

A middle of the night must read

I was halfway through the book and it was bedtime,and I didn’t want to put it down, but I did. Then when I woke up at about midnight, I couldn’t go back to sleep because my mind was still in the story. I had to get up and finish. It took me hook, line, and sinker. Absolutely a great story, I highly recommend it. Please write more, I am a huge fan.

[Daphne Martin]

Another great read Rob. Leaves me anticipating your next.

Rob's series featuring The Riffleman and his faithful dog, Jack is entertaining and informant. As a long time resident of the Yakima Valley it's interesting to note the familiar locations.

[Jerry Nallon]

Excellent

Love Luke, Jack, and Sara. Rob Phillips has a way of making you feel like you’re reading about real life characters as they navigate through explosive situations. As usual, I had trouble putting this book down. To me it was very good.

[tjdeatley]

Missing in cascades

Wonderful story well told and addictive. Great insight into Pacific coast trail should be required reading for anyone planning to hike the Pacific coast trail or any wilderness trail for that matter

[Margaret Ridings]

Good story

A great story to just sit and enjoy. I've always liked stories about Luke and his yellow dog. Highly recommend this new adventure with Luke and Jack.

[joyce pritchard]

Must read

Wow this is the best yet. You can't put it down it just draws you in more and more Great read.

[Lorraine Linder]

Quick read with familiar landmarks such as PCT, Ashland wildlife forensics lab, Burgerville and more

[Meg]

Another “local author” book I bought when visiting family in Yakima. Going to have to read more from this author, enjoyed the characters and local flavor of Yakima valley.