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Peter Andrassy #1
Missing From Budapest: A suspenseful psychological thriller
Two graduate students fall in love; one goes missing.…
In the year 2000, Peter Andrassy is heartbroken by the murder of his wife. Widowed for a year and hoping to mend his broken heart, the former NYC detective has returned to his home country of Hungary to work as a private investigator when he’s contacted by an American graduate student who is desperate to find his missing British girlfriend.
A gifted interrogator, Peter senses the boyfriend is intentionally withholding information. Could it be related to sex trafficking? Young women, often foreign, disappear daily in the capital city, never to be seen again. The clock is ticking, and the case is growing cold.
Can Peter find Samantha before it’s too late?
Love from advanced readers of Missing From Budapest
“Tense, twisty, and thoroughly gripping—five stars for this clever international mystery!”
“The book has many twists and turns and is super exciting. I wanted to keep reading even when I had other things to do to find out how everything played out. I did not expect one of the final twists!”
“The narrative is filled with strong action scenes that capture and hold the reader's attention.”
“I was trying so hard to piece the mystery together, but that plot twist blew my mind. So unpredictable! I never saw that coming.”
“With twists I did not see coming, I truly enjoyed this book!”
“The story sucks you in pretty much from the beginning and is a real easy read.”
“My favorite part of Peter’s story is how he never gives up on humanity - even when humanity knocks him down again and again and again.”
“The writer takes you on a journey that is not only exclusive and suspenseful, it’s a puzzle that doesn’t show as a puzzle.”
In the year 2000, Peter Andrassy is heartbroken by the murder of his wife. Widowed for a year and hoping to mend his broken heart, the former NYC detective has returned to his home country of Hungary to work as a private investigator when he’s contacted by an American graduate student who is desperate to find his missing British girlfriend.
A gifted interrogator, Peter senses the boyfriend is intentionally withholding information. Could it be related to sex trafficking? Young women, often foreign, disappear daily in the capital city, never to be seen again. The clock is ticking, and the case is growing cold.
Can Peter find Samantha before it’s too late?
Love from advanced readers of Missing From Budapest
“Tense, twisty, and thoroughly gripping—five stars for this clever international mystery!”
“The book has many twists and turns and is super exciting. I wanted to keep reading even when I had other things to do to find out how everything played out. I did not expect one of the final twists!”
“The narrative is filled with strong action scenes that capture and hold the reader's attention.”
“I was trying so hard to piece the mystery together, but that plot twist blew my mind. So unpredictable! I never saw that coming.”
“With twists I did not see coming, I truly enjoyed this book!”
“The story sucks you in pretty much from the beginning and is a real easy read.”
“My favorite part of Peter’s story is how he never gives up on humanity - even when humanity knocks him down again and again and again.”
“The writer takes you on a journey that is not only exclusive and suspenseful, it’s a puzzle that doesn’t show as a puzzle.”
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Review of advance copy
Y’all, Missing from Budapest turns a romantic European escape into a chilling game of hide-and-seek—with danger doing the hiding! 🇭🇺🔎
When an American graduate student’s girlfriend vanishes, retired NYPD detective Peter Andrassy reluctantly takes the case. But her disappearance connects to another disturbing incident, and honey, that rabbit hole has teeth.
Peter is sharp, stubborn, and wonderfully human, while Budapest’s shadowy streets create an atmosphere thick with secrets. D.J. Maughan’s crisp, cinematic writing keeps the mystery moving faster than gossip through a small town.
Tense, twisty, and thoroughly gripping—five stars for this clever international mystery!
When an American graduate student’s girlfriend vanishes, retired NYPD detective Peter Andrassy reluctantly takes the case. But her disappearance connects to another disturbing incident, and honey, that rabbit hole has teeth.
Peter is sharp, stubborn, and wonderfully human, while Budapest’s shadowy streets create an atmosphere thick with secrets. D.J. Maughan’s crisp, cinematic writing keeps the mystery moving faster than gossip through a small town.
Tense, twisty, and thoroughly gripping—five stars for this clever international mystery!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️ This is a rewriting of the author’s debut novel, “Vanished from Budapest.” I thoroughly enjoyed following Peter, a former NYPD detective turned PI living in Budapest, as he works to solve two very different cases. One is an affair, the other is a missing college girl that appears to have vanished as if she was never in Budapest to begin with. I have read other novels by DJ Maughan before and always appreciate his writing style. This novel was easily digestible and kept my interest from the first few pages of the prologue. I loved how well descriptive imagery was throughout the book. Budapest was painted in a way that became vivid in my mind’s eye as though I was traveling there myself. I also found the lectures from a professor very interesting and learned a couple of things. I had several guesses as to how the book would end, none of them were even close! This was the first I had read of Peter Andrassy novels, but afterwards I purchased the ebook box set eager to learn the answers to my lingering questions and follow his story.
TLDR- easy to follow, PI mystery that had me hooked the whole time. I recommend!
TLDR- easy to follow, PI mystery that had me hooked the whole time. I recommend!
October 1, 2026
Missing From Budapest is a reworked version of Maughan's first novel Vanished From Budapest. It introduces us to Peter, our detective turned PI who is back in Hungary. He has two cases that fall in his lap at the same time. One, a missing person case, and the other, his speciality of spouse infedility, however, as he's investigating, he becomes concerned that the two cases are intertwined.
The book has many twists and turns and is super exciting. I wanted to keep reading even when I had other things to do to find out how everything played out. I did not expect one of the final twists!
I look forward to reading other books in this series as well as Maughan's other titles. His books never fail to disappoint. The amount of effort he puts in to setting the scenes, and making sure the imagery is correct makes the books so much more interesting to read. He pulls from his own background and places that he has been or lived which helps set the different scenes in his books. If you're looking for a new book to read, pick this one, or any of his others. You won't be disappointed!
The book has many twists and turns and is super exciting. I wanted to keep reading even when I had other things to do to find out how everything played out. I did not expect one of the final twists!
I look forward to reading other books in this series as well as Maughan's other titles. His books never fail to disappoint. The amount of effort he puts in to setting the scenes, and making sure the imagery is correct makes the books so much more interesting to read. He pulls from his own background and places that he has been or lived which helps set the different scenes in his books. If you're looking for a new book to read, pick this one, or any of his others. You won't be disappointed!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Peter Andrassy is back in his birthplace, Hungary, after working for about 30 years as a private detective in New York City. He wants to turn over a new leaf or wipe the slate clean after the tragic death of his beloved wife.
Peter is approached by a female client who wants to have her husband investigated secretly for possible infidelity. The case blossoms into a sordid phase and, in the process, Andrassy unearths an illegal scheme that involves disappearing women. He also helps Stephen, an American student in Budapest, to search for a missing friend.
The narrative is filled with strong action scenes that capture and hold the reader's attention. The author offers a rare glimpse into Peter's childhood, which deepens our understanding of his personality. The novel also includes a brief, detailed description of Hungary's history and surrounding attractions. Overall, the story is both enjoyable and engaging!
Peter is approached by a female client who wants to have her husband investigated secretly for possible infidelity. The case blossoms into a sordid phase and, in the process, Andrassy unearths an illegal scheme that involves disappearing women. He also helps Stephen, an American student in Budapest, to search for a missing friend.
The narrative is filled with strong action scenes that capture and hold the reader's attention. The author offers a rare glimpse into Peter's childhood, which deepens our understanding of his personality. The novel also includes a brief, detailed description of Hungary's history and surrounding attractions. Overall, the story is both enjoyable and engaging!
Read
September 15, 2026Peter has returned to his native Hungary after being away for 30 years. He had been living in New York, working as a police detective. He is now living in Budapest, looking to start fresh after a terrible personal tragedy. While working as a private detective, he accepts a case about a missing young woman, as well as a case about a possible cheating husband. As he pursues leads for his clients, he starts to uncover a much bigger case, and starts to unravel the many threads of a nasty underground business that surprises him, his clients, and the police. This story is the beginning of the Peter Andrassy novels, and is a great introduction to a character who is someone you will want to visit again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve read a few books where Peter makes an appearance, and loved him. So when I heard the first book in the series was rewritten, I just had to read it!!
Thank you so much to the author for letting me read this one early!
Peter is such a likable character! He moves on through life, still helping others, even after the most horrific tragedy.
I love that this story is full of action, it kept my attention the whole time, I always wanted to know what would happen next.
I was trying so hard to piece the mystery together, but that plot twist 🤯 So unpredictable. I never saw that coming!!
This is a must read!! Honestly, every book I’ve read by this author has been amazing!
Thank you so much to the author for letting me read this one early!
Peter is such a likable character! He moves on through life, still helping others, even after the most horrific tragedy.
I love that this story is full of action, it kept my attention the whole time, I always wanted to know what would happen next.
I was trying so hard to piece the mystery together, but that plot twist 🤯 So unpredictable. I never saw that coming!!
This is a must read!! Honestly, every book I’ve read by this author has been amazing!
September 11, 2026
3.85
I got this as an ARC from the author.
I knew this was going to be a clean thriller but I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. It took me a little bit to get into but once the mystery started, I had a hard time putting the book down. I also haven’t read anything set in Hungary so it was fun to read about that part of the world.
There is no swearing, some violence (but nothing gratuitous) and no sex scenes. There is obviously talk about hard and serious subjects.
If you like clean mystery thrillers, you’ll like this.
I got this as an ARC from the author.
I knew this was going to be a clean thriller but I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. It took me a little bit to get into but once the mystery started, I had a hard time putting the book down. I also haven’t read anything set in Hungary so it was fun to read about that part of the world.
There is no swearing, some violence (but nothing gratuitous) and no sex scenes. There is obviously talk about hard and serious subjects.
If you like clean mystery thrillers, you’ll like this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had read several other of D.J. Maughan's books, including a standalone that is set in the Peter Andrassy series, but when I saw that this, his first book ever published, was being rewritten and re-released, I decided it was a great time to dive into this series as well.
MMC Peter is a PI, and is just a normal, down-to-earth, good guy. His character is someone you feel like you could know in real life. He has set boundaries based on his past and chooses to keep his career and cases he takes on within those boundaries.
D.J. Maughan's writing is immersive without bogging you down in the details. This book jn particular is suspenseful and twisty through multiple storylines.
MMC Peter is a PI, and is just a normal, down-to-earth, good guy. His character is someone you feel like you could know in real life. He has set boundaries based on his past and chooses to keep his career and cases he takes on within those boundaries.
D.J. Maughan's writing is immersive without bogging you down in the details. This book jn particular is suspenseful and twisty through multiple storylines.
September 19, 2026
Really enjoyed this book
I was privileged to be able to read before publication or re publication
Peter is an ex NYPD detective who returns to his home country of Hungry and becomes a private investigator
He takes on 2 jobs that are not as simple as they seem
The story sucks you in pretty much from the beginning and is a real easy read
I liked the way all the main characters got there own say in the book made you able to relate to them all and not hearing it from the one side
I am sure most people would enjoy this book it is a book you want to find out what they are up to
I was privileged to be able to read before publication or re publication
Peter is an ex NYPD detective who returns to his home country of Hungry and becomes a private investigator
He takes on 2 jobs that are not as simple as they seem
The story sucks you in pretty much from the beginning and is a real easy read
I liked the way all the main characters got there own say in the book made you able to relate to them all and not hearing it from the one side
I am sure most people would enjoy this book it is a book you want to find out what they are up to
September 24, 2026
As always, thank you to D.J. for trusting me to pre-read his work - it’s an honor.
Missing from Budapest was great, and I loved getting to know more about Peter’s past. This book is set in Hungary and follows our PI Peter Andrassy as he solves not one, not two, but three cases. My favorite part of Peter’s story is how he never gives up on humanity - even when humanity knocks him down again and again and again.
Missing from Budapest was great, and I loved getting to know more about Peter’s past. This book is set in Hungary and follows our PI Peter Andrassy as he solves not one, not two, but three cases. My favorite part of Peter’s story is how he never gives up on humanity - even when humanity knocks him down again and again and again.
Review of advance copy
Peters new cases are very unusual. The psychology behind the cases and the story itself is astonishing! The writer takes you on a journey that is not only exclusive and suspenseful, it’s a puzzle that doesn’t show as a puzzle. When Peter follows one lead further it accidentally brings him one for the other, but not as anyone would have expected!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC, and I loved it! D.J. Maughan does a great job again, and I couldn't put it down! The atmosphere makes it a perfect background for the story! Love some Peter Andrassy, and I can't wait to grab the rest of the books and follow along with him! This is a must, especially if you love some international thrillers and mysteries!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ex American detective Peter Andrassy moved back to Budapest after his wife died where he used to live as a child.
Now a private investigator he takes on a case of a suspected unfaithful husband which spirals out of control.
A good read with a few twists.
Now a private investigator he takes on a case of a suspected unfaithful husband which spirals out of control.
A good read with a few twists.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great start to a book, missing girls in a European country, lots of suspense and private investigator in the middle of it. Peter Andrassy has his own back story to get himself back to his native Hungary and into 2 cases to investigate that brings danger. This was a great story, a quick read thatt gets you from the start. Can't wait to read the rest of the Peter Andrassy books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this series. This version on the first book was great. The characters were likable (or hateable). The subject is dark (sex trafficking) but I would not really call the book dark. The descriptions of Budapest gave me a feel of the place. I recommend it highly.
September 18, 2026
I received an ARC for this book & let me tell you how amazing it was! Fast paced, kept you on your toes & we love Peter because who just doesn’t!!! Definitely recommend reading this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow this book was thrilling I loved it, the plot the characters and the buildup to the story. Just had to keep reading and the story flowed so well, easy reading that keeps you also guessing which to me is a well written story. Thank you for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the first book that I have read by this Author and it will not be the last. His writing style is very engaging and he gives just the right amount of detail to keep one engaged. I enjoyed reading the story through the perspectives of the main characters and I was invested in the storyline. I was surprised by the ending which made it all the better. Highly recommend.....
August 18, 2026
I got the privilege of beta reading this one before it’s republished. I really enjoyed it- it’s a Peter Andrassy novel set in Budapest, which follows a missing university student and a human trafficking investigation. Fast paced and thrilling, I struggled to put it down when it was time for bed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Peter Andrassy has moved back to Budapest after a personal tragedy in the US. He's enjoying the life as a private investigator taking low level cases. But women are going missing and Peter ends up in the middle of it before he fully realizes the magnitude of the case. Things are not always as they seem and lives are put in danger including Peter's. With twists I did not see coming I truly enjoyed this book!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I read the original version of this story and it was good but this version is great! Whether you've read it before or not, you are definitely going to want to read this one!
DJ is among my favorites and I have read all of his books. I highly recommend them all!
DJ is among my favorites and I have read all of his books. I highly recommend them all!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was such a good read! It is like Im reading 2 mystery/thrillers in 1 book, from a missing girlfriend to an unfaithful husband...loved the twists and turns also loved reading a little history of Budapest. Absolutely recommend! Can't wait for the next read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can highly recommend Missing From Budapest, an exciting suspenseful psychological thriller (Peter Andrassy thriller book 1) also rewritten and published as Vanished from Budapest by D.J. Maughan. This is my first time reading a book by D.J. Maughan.
Peter Andrassy a former NYC detective is a widower whose wife was murdered and to-date her murderer has not been found. He relocated to Budapest, as a private investigator, as there were too many painful memories for him to stay. It is the end of communism and westerners feel safe to visit Budapest.
Stephen, an American student studying in Budapest, gets in touch with Peter because his girlfriend, also a student, has disappeared in the city and Stephen suspects their professor.
Peter is also involved in an infidelity case concerning Kata's husband Andrasa, whom she suspects of having affairs. Both cases will intermingle later on as everything escalates as foreign women are disappearing and sex trafficking may well be the cause.
Peter and Kata's life will be in danger and anybody else who are close to them. There is more to Stephen than meets the eye as Peter delves deeper into Stephen's background.
This is a menacing thriller with lots of shocks along the way and the twist at the end blew me away.
I also love how the author describes the landmarks in Budapest, natural forces, communism and economy.
I also loved the link to the short prequel to Missing in Budapest called The Villains Mask, which explains more about the character of Andrasa. When Andrasa visits his bank manager in order to get a loan. His bank manager's office is very sparse and a picture is hanging on the wall of a guy hanging off a cliff and the words beneath the picture, "The only people who survive are the ones who don't give up." This line is going to be the deciding factor that Andrasa will put into a box for later.
Peter Andrassy a former NYC detective is a widower whose wife was murdered and to-date her murderer has not been found. He relocated to Budapest, as a private investigator, as there were too many painful memories for him to stay. It is the end of communism and westerners feel safe to visit Budapest.
Stephen, an American student studying in Budapest, gets in touch with Peter because his girlfriend, also a student, has disappeared in the city and Stephen suspects their professor.
Peter is also involved in an infidelity case concerning Kata's husband Andrasa, whom she suspects of having affairs. Both cases will intermingle later on as everything escalates as foreign women are disappearing and sex trafficking may well be the cause.
Peter and Kata's life will be in danger and anybody else who are close to them. There is more to Stephen than meets the eye as Peter delves deeper into Stephen's background.
This is a menacing thriller with lots of shocks along the way and the twist at the end blew me away.
I also love how the author describes the landmarks in Budapest, natural forces, communism and economy.
I also loved the link to the short prequel to Missing in Budapest called The Villains Mask, which explains more about the character of Andrasa. When Andrasa visits his bank manager in order to get a loan. His bank manager's office is very sparse and a picture is hanging on the wall of a guy hanging off a cliff and the words beneath the picture, "The only people who survive are the ones who don't give up." This line is going to be the deciding factor that Andrasa will put into a box for later.
October 11, 2026
Missing From Budapest by D.J. Maughan is a rewriting of his first book Vanished in Budapest. The story is a fast paced police procedural that takes place in Hungary. Retired NY detective Peter Andrassy has returned to his home country after the death of his wife. He has taken up cases as a private investigator, investigating martial infidelities mostly, when he gets hired by Stephen to investigate a missing girl. At the same time, he is investigating a local businessman, whose wife suspects him of cheating. When the cases appear to intertwine, Peter starts to wonder what he has gotten himself into.
This is a quick fast paced read set in a beautiful described Budapest. Peter Andrassy is your typical P.I. type character, smart, troubled, and resourceful. Reading this as his origin story, helps to explain his character in the next books in the series.
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story as it was twisty and made you question what was really happening. I like the scenic atmosphere and the character development. Missing From Budapest is a good P.I. detective story and worth a read.
Thanks to D. J. Maughan for the advanced copy.
This is a quick fast paced read set in a beautiful described Budapest. Peter Andrassy is your typical P.I. type character, smart, troubled, and resourceful. Reading this as his origin story, helps to explain his character in the next books in the series.
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story as it was twisty and made you question what was really happening. I like the scenic atmosphere and the character development. Missing From Budapest is a good P.I. detective story and worth a read.
Thanks to D. J. Maughan for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reading this brought up a plethora of emotions in me, not all positive. You want a book to make you feel things, at least I do.. I could feel the bile rising up in the back of my throat,, and it stayed with me throughout the read. Trafficking is my kryptonite. It instantly draws up negative connotations of evil, greedy, vile people. Peter grudgingly investigates a missing school mate. The more he investigates the darker things are coming to the front. Peter investigates a man whose wife thinks he's cheating, and the same man is investigated for darker endeavors .
Get ready for twists I didn't think of. Steve was a hidden nugget.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book and am giving an honest review.
Get ready for twists I didn't think of. Steve was a hidden nugget.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book and am giving an honest review.
October 4, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loved this book! I finished it in under 24 hours and did not see the ending coming.
In Missing from Budapest, we meet Peter Andrassy, a former NYC Dectective who lost his wife and decided to return to Hungary, where he lived until age 16. While he is no longer a detective, he dabbles in PI work, mainly investigating cheating spouses.
He is hired to find an American student's girlfriend who has gone missing. At the same time he is also hired by the wife of a restaurateur who she suspects he is cheating. Unexplained similarities in the two cases emerge, leading Peter down unexpected paths while seeking answers. Where is Samantha and is she one of many girls missing from Budapest?
If you want a fast paced thriller that grips you from the first chapter, this is a must read!
Loved this book! I finished it in under 24 hours and did not see the ending coming.
In Missing from Budapest, we meet Peter Andrassy, a former NYC Dectective who lost his wife and decided to return to Hungary, where he lived until age 16. While he is no longer a detective, he dabbles in PI work, mainly investigating cheating spouses.
He is hired to find an American student's girlfriend who has gone missing. At the same time he is also hired by the wife of a restaurateur who she suspects he is cheating. Unexplained similarities in the two cases emerge, leading Peter down unexpected paths while seeking answers. Where is Samantha and is she one of many girls missing from Budapest?
If you want a fast paced thriller that grips you from the first chapter, this is a must read!
October 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ This book was full of suspense, mystery, action… and a HUGE twist! I seriously did not see that ending coming, and it completely made the book for me. There was always something happening that kept me interested and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I also really liked the details about Hungary’s history and the different sights throughout the story. It added a little something extra and made the setting feel more real. Definitely a book that kept me guessing until the very end!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the original version of this book, Vanished from Budapest, D.J. Maughan's debut novel. And I loved this re-write of the same book! Having only read the e-books, I can't go back to see what is different (as the original is no longer available on KU)...but so much was familiar but also a little felt different! Reading this was like visiting with old friends again, but knowing the twists along the way this time! Loved it all over again!
October 2, 2026
I absolutylived this book! The history alone was amazing for me but then he wraps a whole book around it! It is a great mystery poor Stephen meets a girl and she disappears just as they start a relationship. Enter Peter Andrassy to solve the case, it just so happens it might be involved in another case he’s looking into. A simple cheating husband that might be bigger than it seems. This is such a great book. I read it in one sitting! Loved it!
October 7, 2026
It was a good whodunit, but it wrapped things up into a happy ending for everyone which is kind of annoying.
The core premise and opening of the book follow retired NYPD/NYC detective Peter Andrassy in Budapest in October 2000:
"Two graduate students fall in love; one goes missing.… After an American graduate student asks for help finding his girlfriend, who disappeared in Budapest, retired NYPD detective Peter Andrassy reluctantly takes up the case."
The core premise and opening of the book follow retired NYPD/NYC detective Peter Andrassy in Budapest in October 2000:
"Two graduate students fall in love; one goes missing.… After an American graduate student asks for help finding his girlfriend, who disappeared in Budapest, retired NYPD detective Peter Andrassy reluctantly takes up the case."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews