ONE DAY AGO… Following a car accident, Preston Stewart goes in for surgery on his face. But when the bandages are removed, his wife Ellie knows something is wrong. It’s not her husband. 16 YEARS AGO… Zauna Roy’s older brother Marco went missing when she was ten. Years later she begins looking into his disappearance with documentary makers, Anna and Sydney. A month later, the three women have vanished into thin air.... NOW… When missing persons investigator David Raker looks into the case of Preston Stewart, he links it to the three missing women. Soon, a more sinister connection emerges that will reunite him with someone from his past...
Tim Weaver is the Sunday Times Top 3 bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series, the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces, and the novella collection, The Shadow at the Door. His novels have been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club four times, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. He is currently developing an original TV drama with the team behind Line of Duty. He lives near Bath in the UK. Find out more about Tim and his writing at www.timweaverbooks.com.
What a cracker of a read The Lost Women is! Yes, it can be read as a standalone but I would really advise reading the Raker series in order as it just gives us that little more insight, background to the story. And this is one has ties to Raker's past. This will bring back to the front that one case that Raker couldn't solve and that still haunts him. It's so well written, so gripping. I loved it and I gasped when it ended and I need more as soon as please!
Following a road accident, Preston Stewart has face surgery in a private clinic called The Crest. However, when his dressings are removed, it turns out to be another patient. Stewart’s wife, a well-known television actress, hires David Raker to discover what happened and locate her missing husband. It soon becomes apparent that this current disappearance is related to case which has haunted Raker since his journalist days eighteen years previously: that of the Lost Women of Porthtreno. Three women filming a documentary about a missing student on a deserted island off the Cornish Coast who then themselves disappear without trace. Another, even more sinister connection is then made. One which connects Raker and his business partner Colm Healy right back to when they first encountered each other in the second novel of the series “The Dead Tracks”. They soon realise they are in a race against time to save everything and everyone they both care about. This is a brilliantly plotted novel which manages to weave together a whole series of mysteries. Even though this is the sixteenth novel in the series and has something of a cliffhanger ending, it’s going just as strong as ever.
A solid book that had me on the edge until the very last page. It’s thrilling, gripping, at times claustrophobic - it has all the ingredients to be a banger and ends on a banger. The plot, the pacing is spot on, everything is right on this book. You couldn’t have asked for more, there’s no stone left unturned, all questions answered. My only bone to pick is the start, I found it hard to get into as you have to buy in to the book, it feels like three separate stores, no links, no connections - very random and it’s not really until you get to halfway- the foundations have been set for the plot to excel and grow into a banger. It’s been a while since I’ve read a great book, it’s an excellent read and will recommend those that want to be part of the journey.
Before coming a missing person investigator David Raker used to be a journalist and there’s still one story that haunts him to this day - it’s about the lost woman. Eighteen years ago, on the Cornish coast - three women were filming a documentary about a missing student, only to vanish themselves. There was no bodies, and no leads making their disappearance unsolved to this day. But currently Raker is involved in finding a live missing persons who is Preston Stewart who has a minor car accident and went into surgery to fix his face. But when his dressings are removed, his wife realises something is very wrong. The man under the bandages is not her husband. Raker teams up with Colm Healy former met detective digging into Preston’s disappearance - only to discover a link to the Lost Woman case. Times running out and Raker and Healy only have 48 hours before everything and everyone they know is in danger.
Overall, it’s a solid book. There’s almost little to no flaws. Executed very well, written very well and delivered well. I was saying up at night reading this book at ungodly hours, that’s how much this book had a hold on me! Go find this book and read it.
This was utterly painful for all the wrong reasons. Which is a pity because the book had so so much potential but it could have been said all if in less than a third of the pages used in this book.
By the time I reached the halfway mark, I was absolutely tired with the repetition of the same stuff chapter after Chapter. Also, the book is trying to create cliffhangers, but at one point it works against it because you gotta give the reader something. If it takes a person for chapters to walk 20 steps, or to reach the top of a little hill and absolutely nothing happens. That is not a cliffhanger that's a page filler. And lastly, we have the trauma that it feels like it's been milked for the past 14 books or whatever with the detective that hit his daughter killed by a person who is now tricking them again. Then we have the policemen which, of course in this book are described as idiots, obnoxious, spiteful, and vindictive. The ending was so far-fetched and so unrealistic and... sorry to say it but so dumb... i don't get the hype about this author. Clearly, this is the end of the road for me with him.
WOW just WOW! Let me get my breath back after an epic rollercoaster ride courtesy of the fabulous Tim Weaver. Fourteen books in and this is an author at the very top of his game. Weaver has always been a master storyteller but he has surpassed himself with The Lost Women. The multi layered, complex storyline is plotted to perfection with some draw dropping twists and an ending that left me gasping. Raker and Healy are sublime as they do battle with a monster from the past. It's dark with an almost haunting eerie feel that kept me absolutely riveted - 437 pages of pure perfection. An outstanding and flawless five star read
I don't even know where to start with this book, It's been 15 years of Raker & Healy. They helped me through school, exams, tough jobs, a marriage breakdown & being a mother. These are more than just books to me and David & Healy are more than just characters in a story.
I love how we went back to the early days with this one, it was so much bigger than 3 missing women and the story was woven so delicately yet made such an intense impact.
The character development of Healy over the years has been incredible, and you can see him grow throughout this books.
lots of tears, gasps, and swear words.
A HUGE character returns in this book, if your a huge Raker fan...buckle up buttercup ur about to get hurt 😅
The twists get me every. damn. time! I loved it! The David Raker series is one of my absolute favourites and this latest edition is another goldmine in a long list of amazing missing person mysteries.
This has to be Tim Weaver's best book to date. The cliffhanger continued till the end and some more. Can't wait for Jan 27.
Whilst the author says you can read each of his David Raker series as standalones, personally, I think to fully get why David Raker is the human that he is, you need to read them in chronological order.
Sorry that you now have to read the fantastic back catalogue of 13 books until you get to this masterpiece. If you want a shortcut, read Dead Tracks first, then Missing Pieces.
Tim Weaver is in superb form with this fourteenth in the 'David Raker' series. 'The Lost Women' gripped me right from the start, and I found it very hard to put down. The story is compelling, and you don't need to have read any of the previous thirteen books - the characters and their histories are easy to pick up on. I raced through it, and I highly recommend it.
Five stars, and a best in year. Would I read it again? Definitely, and I can't wait for the next one...
I’ve loved Tim Weaver’s work for years, so I went into The Lost Women with high expectations — and at first, it absolutely delivered. The opening pulled me in immediately, and I found myself reading late into the night, which is exactly what I want from a Raker novel. But as the story unfolded, I started to feel a shift. A twist I predicted early on took away some of the usual surprise, and the return of a previous storyline felt more repetitive than organic. I’m not a fan of revisiting old ground unless it adds something new, and here it didn’t quite land for me. The police interview scenes also became aggravating and slowed the pace. What disappointed me most was how little the “Lost Women” case actually featured. It felt overshadowed by the current investigation and the revived arc, leaving the title mystery strangely underdeveloped. Still, Weaver’s writing is strong, and Raker remains a character I care about deeply. The ending suggests the series isn’t finished, which leaves me hopeful rather than discouraged. Lets hope it is better than this but as long as he has to keep using Glass it feels like it's over for me A good book, but not the standout I expected —
Before he was a missing persons investigator, David Raker was a journalist – and there's one story that still haunts him - The Lost Women. Eighteen years ago, on the Cornish coast, three women were filming a documentary about a missing student…until they vanished too, their disappearances remain unsolved. Today, Raker is hired to crack an impossible mystery when following a car accident, Preston Stewart has surgery on his face. But then Preston’s wife says the man is not her husband. Raker and former detective Colm Healy, begin digging into Preston’s disappearance – and discover a horrifying connection to the lost women but they only have 48 hours to solve both cases – or everything that matters to them and everyone they love is in danger…
After discovering Tim’s books after reading The Missing Family, I have been reading the series from the beginning. Having only got to book 7 I still have a while to go but I couldn’t resist skipping ahead to read this latest title in the series.
Knowledge from the previous books does come in useful BUT you can absolutely read this as a standalone, as with all of the books in the series. I would however definitely recommend reading The Dead Tracks just to give a little more background to fully absorb just how significant the impact of this book is.
David Raker continues to be the brave and courageous investigator who won’t be deterred from his mission to uncover the secrets of a missing person case. Reunited with Healy, a relationship that just works so well together, the pace is fast with the tension and suspense maintained throughout thanks to short, snappy chapters, full of intrigue and leading us nicely to an absolutely astounding cliffhanger ending.(Tim you cannot leave it like this!!!)
It’s hard to say too much more without spoilers but it’s safe to say this is Raker on top form and a very suitable way to celebrate 15 years of this fabulous character. For fans of the series, you won’t be disappointed and for anyone yet to discover Tim’s writing, I can’t recommend enough. However, the worst thing about now having read the latest book in the series? Knowing that I’m going to have to wait another year to find out what happens next!!!
I think it's crazy that Tim Weaver's books aren't published in the United States yet! I preorder them from the UK and then read them straight through as soon as they arrive! This one was no different! Eighteen years ago David Raker was a journalist. The story that he never forgot was the disappearance of three women filming a documentary about a missing student. With no bodies, the disappearances remain unsolved. Now, in present time, Raker is hired to find a missing man who had surgery on his face. When his bandages are removed, his wife discovers that it's not her husband. Raker takes on the case and brings in his friend, Colm Healy a former Met detective and discover this case has a horrible connection to the Lost Women. I was so invested in this book, when it ended I was horrified and immediately private messaged the author to make sure he was finished with the next book which I need right now! Luckily, he is finished and editing his next book due out in 2027. I will just have to wait. So highly recommended!!! All of his books!!!
This was an incredible book and a super fun experience. This is the 15th book in the David Raker series, but, although it was obvious that the book was part of a series due to the many references to previous cases and characters backstories, it was very easy to follow and can be read as a standalone. However, as I'm now invested in the characters too much and I have 14 books to add to my tbr because I want to go back and read everything about them!
The story here is very tense and gripping. It is also very complex, with a few subplots that initially spring unconnected, but soon become all part of the same investigation. I was in awe at how they all came together so "easily", testament to the author's ability to plot everything perfectly.
I seriously can't wait to go back to the beginning and get to know the characters properly 🤩
This is my second book by Tim Weaver, I started reading this series with the previous book, and I'm so glad I picked it up. The Lost Women follows on from the previous book, but only in some of the overarching storylines. It also refers back to an older book in the Raker series, but it does a great job of catching you up. In this instalment, Raker is pulled into an investigation that brings him face to face with an old nemesis, and Healy is dragged along with him. This starts off on the slower side, but soon ramps up pace to the point I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. There was tension and dead ends galore as I tried to work out what happened/ who the baddie was. That ending though gah!
Classic David Raker, I’ve read them all and this is up there with the best. Probably best read with the rest of the series to fully understand the history between the characters. Don’t know how Tim Weaver comes up with such complex plots that keep you guessing right until the end. And talk about a good ending!
I have read every Raker book and it saddens me to give the latest one just 3 stars. The reintroduction of Glass just doesn’t work for me. Previous Raker books that are truly stand alone and original are head and shoulders above this one. Please put Glass to bed now …. but I guess there are opportunities for him to pop back up again. If that happens I think I will be out after 16 years.
This book looked full of promise but I found it quite confusing to have so many characters, and that the story changed between the present day, hours or days earlier and several years earlier. The investigation into lost women in the title seemed to quickly take second place to the current investigation. I'm not sure if it would have helped to have read other books in this series but it was made clear that Glass was a major character in previous books. I didn't like that certain chapters ended on a cliffhanger. It felt forced and the book ends on a cliffhanger.
First time reading a book by this author and what a fantasric book. Could not put it down as had to know what was happening next. Can't wait for the follow up book. And will have to reading his previous books to.
Yessss!! This book is it!! It’s so good being back with both Raker and Healy (who completely has my heart) and to have references to previous cases (it’s made me want to binge the series from the start again).
This has the usual fast paced scenarios that we expect with Raker, I love seeing his thought process through out the case, especially around the hospital room switch.
The ending was first class, I love a cliff hanger and this is one of the best, the only negative thing about this book is the strain my patience will be experiencing having to wait for the next one.
I read this as part of a Mystery Readalong with Insta Book Tours. All we knew was that it was written by a best-selling thriller author. Names had been changed, and details had been redacted...
This was such a fun experience, especially as I have never read a book by Tim before, so he's definitely found a new fan (along with every single other person in the group chat - I don't think a single person didn't enjoy this one!).
The trouble is... This is book 14 in the David Raker series, which means I have to add 13 more books to my TBR now!
BUT! This most definitely can be read as a standalone. Although there are some links to a previous book (The Dead Tracks), you didn't need to know anything to enjoy this one, and apparently, all books can be read in any order, which is great to hear!
I love a detective series and I look forward to reading more in this one. The characters were brilliant, the crimes were dark, and there was a lot to keep you gripped to the page. It was a immensely enjoyable read!
Another fabulous page turner from this prolific author. I have read and loved all his books and this is no exception.
It absolutely can be read as a stand alone, but, you are so fortunate if you have the entire series to read first.
This has everything; David Raker at his best and reunited with Colm Healy they battle both personal demons and grief, whilst joining forces to find a missing person and this mystery turns into a kaleidoscope of suspense and thrills.
Tim Weavers David Raker series honestly has my heart ❤️ and this book did not disappoint. I’ve done a full video on my booktok account but oh my god this book was soooooo good. Short chapters, each chapter ends on a cliff hanger which makes you want to just keep reading. There’s so many twists and turns and things you just don’t see coming. I don’t see many people reading these books but honestly I would a million percent recommend.
I knew from the minute I read the first chapter that I was going to absolutely love this book. I devoured it, couldn't put it down. It was sooooo good as you'd expect from the brilliant Tim Weaver.
Who are you going to call when inexplicably a husband goes missing from hospital? David Raker, of course. Missing Persons Investigator extrordinaire. We follow Raker and his ally Colm Healy as they discover a horrifying connection to a mysterious case of 3 lost women, and a crime from 30 years ago. But, they only have 48 hours to solve the cases before everythng and everyone they care about is in danger…
The Lost Women is the latest in the Raker series, but works perfectly well as a standalone. I've read all of the books in the series and this felt a bit different, a different approach and I really enjoyed that. I also loved the tick tick tick of the chapter titles, clocking down the 48 hours. It felt dramatic, claustrophobic and ramped up the tension to an even higher scale.
Tim Weaver really is the king of cliffhangers. I love that we get to a tense and dramatic cliffhanger at the end of a chapter, but then get thrown to a backstory, and it may be several chapters later before we find out what on earth is going on. The wonderful writing masterfully fuses a haunting cold case with the present day of Raker's investigation. The story is dark, gripping, dramatic, and urgent. The short, sharp chapters made every page feel like time is slipping away, like the hands of time. The apprehension is palpable. I felt nervous with each turn of the page.
Raker is such a brilliant, well drawn character. I really like that Healy also played a large part in this story. Raker and Healy are a really fabulous duo.
The antagonist is pure evil and gruesome. The settings are amazing, almost like a character in the book. Check out Tim's post about the inspiration behind this.
The twists are clever and unpredictable, and the complexity of the plot is woven together so skilfully. The shocks and revelations run throughout the book, right through to the incredible ending. And that ending? What a cliffhanger!