The Missing Wives

Detective Alexandra Marshall

by Morgan Greene, Elise Roth (Narrator)

9 hours, 32 minutes

Missing women. Desperate husbands. Buried secrets.

Detective Alexandra Marshall is a fighter. Abducted, tortured and left for dead thirteen years ago, she battles every day to put murderers behind bars, haunted by the memory of the girls who didn’t survive.

Then a woman is found murdered in an abandoned barn, her baby girl left screaming in a nearby car, and another woman goes missing the next day. Determined, Alex meets with their terrified husbands. They seem like family men, until she picks apart the business they buying up land, destroying lives, pushing people out of town. Could these innocent wives be paying for their husbands’ sins?

All other leads proving fruitless, Alex digs deeper in the town archives, uncovering a long-buried secret that sets her investigation on a terrifying new path. But then a message from the killer stops her in her tracks. He knows who abducted her all those years ago. He’ll share the truth, if she lets him finish what he started…

An utterly heart-pounding crime thriller from the bestselling author of Angel Maker , fans of Lisa Regan, Elle Gray and A.J. Rivers will not be able to stop listening!

Audible Audio

Expected publication October 29, 2026

About the author

Morgan Greene grew up in Wales, and works a copywriter, editor, and author. Morgan studied Creative Writing and English Literature at Swansea University with a focus on narrative structure and theory, and published the first crime novel in the Jamie Johansson series in 2020. Since its release, the series has gone on to reach bestseller status, with Detective Jamie Johansson quickly becoming a reader favourite.

The series blends classic Scandi-noir elements with modern and cinematic thriller writing to create a unique style that adds to the emerging Brit-noir genre. Jamie has many novels ahead of her, but Morgan is also working on a variety of other projects across crime, thriller, and mystery and plans to publish plenty more in 2022 and beyond.

Reviews

[Marcie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔪 𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘁!

The murders are darker, the husbands are infuriating, the local police are questionable, and I suspected practically everyone. 😂 I followed the clues but couldn't piece everything together, and that motive was FAR juicier than I could have imagined!

Alexandra Marshall is back, and I'm absolutely here for it. Elise Roth is phenomenal on audio, and the ending? Beautiful!

Even better than the first book. Morgan Greene, I need more Alex!

Thank you to Morgan Greene, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Alex Marshall is called in to assist - or take over - an investigation in a small town.
A woman was found drowned in a remote barn, and her toddler was left screaming in the car.

How Alex continues with life in general is a total mystery. She is beaten and thrown and manhandled, and injured, and still goes on.

This is a real page turner. I couldn't wait to find out who the murderer was, and in the reveal, it was a huge shock.

Revenge, bullying tactics, money and total disregard for other people is the basis of this crime thriller. Believe me, it is a thriller.
Alex has a man down in her team, and is thwarted at every turn. She finally finds the reason for the murders of the wives, and it wasn't a surprise, given what she found out.
I just feel that the victims were women and 'weaker' than if the men had been attacked.

The charactersin Dunning weren't exactly likeable. Their underhand tactics were despicable.

I like Alex as a main character, but by golly!! She goes through a lot of physical pain!!

Definitely a book to look out for. Read it. In fact, start the series from book 1.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

[Lynn Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Missing Wives is the second book in the Alexandra Marshall series. It could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the first book in the series!

I read this in one day and was hooked from the start. It’s fast-paced and gripping, with an intriguing plot. At some point I did get quite annoyed with Alex and the decisions she made, they just didn’t make a lot of sense. I hope we get to see Alex in a setting where’s she’s not sleep-deprived and living off adrenaline, it’s getting a bit old after two books.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Missing Wives by Morgan Greene is a very highly recommended investigative thriller. This is the second novel in the series featuring Detective Alexandra (Alex) Marshall from the Washington state special investigations department. While this could be read as a standalone novel, I would recommend reading the first novel in the series, The Girl Who Lived, for the background information on Alex.

On her way home from an investigation Detective Alex Marshall is called by Captain Thomas (Tom) Doyle to the small town of Dunning, Washington to investigate a murder. Kevin Hsu and Dana Garcia are on their way, but Alex will be the first to arrive. What she discovers is a woman, Rebecca Cook, has been found strapped down to a chair and drowned in a stock tank in an abandoned barn. The chair contraption was built to dunk her repeatedly and clearly the murder was premeditated. The Sheriff, Lacey Mitchell is on site, but the situation is completely out of her depth and she has no control over the crime scene or her deputies.

Then an envelope is sent to the police with the name April Gallagher on it, clearly indicating she is the next target. When Alex and Lacey go to the house to suggest that April accompany them to the police department for her safety, what they find is a group of belligerent, angry men: Grant Walker, Scott Cook, Brian Gallagher and David Harper. Even when they get April to the police department, a lawyer is sent to take her back home. Then she is missing the next day. What Kevin discovers is that they are all business partners who run a property development company called Dunning Real Estate Company (DREC) and they control the town. Their ethically questionable practices have included buying up land, closing water sources, pushing people out of town, and destroying lives.

The writing is excellent as it creates an sinister, suspicious, and dangerous atmosphere while keeping the tension high. It will be clear to readers early that the death of the women is due to the actions of their husbands. The perpetrator definitely has an agenda and is seeking retribution. As the action moves at a fast pace, the novel quickly becomes un-put-downable. It is clearly up to Alex to discover the reason for the murders and her investigation proceeds in a logical manner with clues followed up on and plausible discoveries made.

Alex is an intelligent, insightful investigator and a fighter for justice, but she is also a very troubled, damaged woman, both physically and mentally. Her character receives more development in this second novel. She is running on very little sleep and she takes another beating. Lacey, the ineffectual sheriff, is a very frustrating character, along with her deputies who are out of control. Kevin and Dana are taken out of the action in the plot and have a reduced role. 4.5 rounded up

The Missing Wives is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys murder investigations and especially those who read the first novel in the series, The Girl Who Lived. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a LONG time since I've finished a book that made me want to flip back to page 1 and reread it now knowing the ending!!! That reveal was literally killer! I had my jaw on the floor in public, flummoxed, trying to put the pieces that I thought I knew back together.

Detective Alexandra (Alex) Marshall, fresh off a closed case, exhausted, still physically healing from a previous injury and working on her PTSD, is called to go back to a small town and help process a new crime scene. As an employee of the state, she has more resources and experience than their local PD, but what she finds is that Dunning had zero hope of solving this case without her.

The crime scene is shocking: a local mom is found drowned, strapped to a chair, in the middle of a field. Her young daughter was left safe, albeit half frozen in the back of their vehicle. This murder is clearly intentionally planned. Meticulously organized. Timed down to the minute. Psychologically evil. Suffering metered out and extended. The murder waited for the drugs they administered to wear off so she was conscious, aware she was about to die, just waiting to drown. Vicious. Diabolical. Twisted. And yet the child lived - why was she spared?

"Rebecca Kirk might be the first, but Alex doubted she would be the last."

A second wife's name is delivered to the police department and they fear she's next. The husbands band together, refusing to allow her to remain in police custody, even for her own protection. They band together, creating an us vs them dynamic that pits authorities against the families being targeted. People are drugged, kidnapped, murdered, deputies are going down and on secret payrolls, and Alex's team is attacked. What the heck is going on in Dunning and who can be trusted? With zero rest between her last case and this new, ticking time bomb, Alex has to muddle through her own bodily limits and the lies this small town keeps presenting.

But then Alex gets a message, taped to her motel door, from the killer. How does the murderer have this inside information about her? Y'all, I was confused and started to wonder if Greene made a mistake... He did not. It's WILD. I thought I knew who the killer was and I was SO WRONG! How many clues did I miss!?! I cannot wait to reread this one and see all of the fantastic easter eggs Greene gave us! Did anyone see this twist coming?!?

Tropes: gritty murder mystery, troubled detective, bumbling local PD, small town secrets, ticking clock, cryptic warning, omniscient villain, big reveal, shocking twist, faked death
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 3/5 🩸
Language: 2/5 👀
Triggers: drunk driving with a child, drowning death, murder, drugging, kidnapping, shooting

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Jeff · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

“The Missing Wives” is the second book in the Alexandra Marshall series by author Morgan Greene. It follows just three short months after the debut of this character in the novel “The Girl Who Lived”. I loved the first book but didn’t always think the narration fit the emotions in the audiobook.

That isn’t the case with “The Missing Wives”. I felt Elise Roth found the voice of the character. But therein lies the problem with this second book. The character comes across as a whiny, obnoxious jerk.

Gone is the sympathy for the trauma of her youth. Instead, we catch up with her on her way back from the first case. Detective Marshall is understandably tired and emotionally spent. However, that doesn’t excuse her behavior in this book.

She treats everyone as if they are her little pawns and they better get in line or she is going to treat them with snark and condescension. Why? Because they are from a small town and she’s better than them. That’s it.

The mystery part is actually good. However, it felt like we spent 3/4ths of the book hearing Marshall whine or talking down to people. Most of the time to their face. Other times, in her thoughts. I wanted someone to punch her in the face, especially the Sheriff.

Maybe, again, this fell on the narrator. And if so, my apologies to the author. But I had to keep taking a break from the audiobook because of my growing hatred of the main character. Not that some of the characters she was dealing with were all that great.

Every star I am giving this audiobook has to do with the mystery side.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Lumi · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Book Review

Missing women. Desperate husbands. Buried secrets. This story had me hooked from the very beginning!

What made this thriller stand out for me was how realistic everything felt. The surroundings, the events unfolding throughout the investigation, and the people involved made the entire story feel unsettlingly believable. There were moments when I found myself questioning my own moral compass. Did I feel guilty for siding with the killer? Honestly, no. Perhaps it was because the so-called victims never faced the punishment they deserved, and their lack of consequences only seemed to fuel their egos and encourage them to commit even more crimes.

I genuinely admired Alex as a police officer, but I kept wondering how she managed to keep going when she was so exhausted and emotionally drained. She had been through so much herself, yet she continued fighting for justice and refusing to give up. Her determination made her a compelling character.

And that climax! I absolutely loved how everything came together. It was such a satisfying way to bring the story to a close, leaving me thinking about justice, consequences, and how easily the lines between right and wrong can become blurred.

A gripping, unsettling thriller that kept me invested until the very end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one over all and felt that the narrator did a good job with the story, this does have trigger warnings so check yours before reading/listening. I did figure out who the suspect was earlier on in the book but it was interesting to find out the why and with these types of books you never know if it's going to twist again so there were points in time where it could have been anyone with all the people out to get these ruthless land developers.

I did find myself getting irritated with Alex for going places by herself, not waiting for back up and getting herself in situations that could have been avoided, and Lacey... get it together girl she was so timid and afraid to speak up for herself and tell the officers under her what to do.

If you enjoy a crime mystery/thriller with lies, cover ups, hidden secrets/buried truths and a detective who won't quit check this one out.

Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*Netgalley ALC *Crime fiction *Mystery *Thriller *Small Town drama *investigation

*trigger warnings check *💀

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first chapter. The tension is palpable almost immediately, and listening to the ALC made the experience even more immersive. The narration really complemented the suspense, pulling me into Alex’s investigation and making it very difficult to stop listening.
Detective Alexandra Marshall is experienced, determined and wonderfully flawed, making her the perfect character to investigate the disappearance of the wives connected to a powerful group of men.
On the surface, these men appear to have brought prosperity and development to their town. Look a little closer, though, and a far darker picture emerges: secrets, damaged waterways, local farmers suffering the consequences and a past that refuses to stay buried.
The deeper Alex digs, the more compelling it becomes, with unbelievable truths gradually coming to the surface. The combination of the escalating tension and engaging narration made this exactly the kind of audiobook that has you reaching for your headphones whenever you get the chance.
Twisty, atmospheric and completely absorbing. A fantastic five-star listen!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this ALC.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description
Missing women. Desperate husbands. Buried secrets.

One missing wife would be a mystery, but when multiple wives disappear, it’s clear that something far darker is unfolding!
Some truths refuse to stay buried, and in The Missing Wives, they surface when you least expect them. I was pulled in by the unanswered questions surrounding the missing women. The tension builds steadily, keeping you alert as each clue sharpens the picture and raises the stakes. The suspense steadily builds as secrets emerge, and the twists had me constantly questioning whom I could trust.

I really enjoyed The story and the characters. This is the second book in the Detective Alexandra Marshall series. But can be read as a standalone.

Elise Roth did a wonderful job bringing this story to life! Her narration kept me engaged and added to the suspense, making it easy to get caught up in the mystery.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review. Expected release date October 29

#Netgalley #BookoutureAudio #TheMissingWives

[Farah G · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Detective Alex Marshall has a troubled past that she must reckon with every day of her life, but she wants to spare others the kind of trauma she herself experienced after being abducted as a teenager.

Now she has a case where several men have reported missing wives, and Alex is determined to get to the bottom of what is really going on here. But things are more complicated than they appear, and Alex will have to investigate carefully to get to the truth.

This was an entertaining story and the audio book narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters alive. But for someone who has survived disaster, Alex seems to be a bit careless with her safety. And Lacey was too timid, which was annoying. Overall, a solid 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Fran · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

As the second book in the series, this was a tense and gripping read set in a small town. With three murders to investigate, the story kept me guessing right up until the end, and I certainly didn’t predict who the killer was.

However, I still find Alex a little unlikeable, and I struggled to warm to many of the other characters too. This made it harder to become fully invested in the story. The plot was certainly suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns, although some of the events felt a little far-fetched.

Overall, this was an intriguing and tense crime thriller that kept me turning the pages, even if I didn’t particularly connect with the characters.

Advance copy received from Netgalley

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex has a tough case on her hands in this twisty, page-turning thriller that’s hard to put down! She’s had a difficult life, but she makes the best of it and proves herself to be a fantastic detective. I didn’t guess who the killer was, which made the story even more enjoyable. I absolutely loved this book and really hope there will be more instalments soon! I’m also curious to learn more about Alex’s past and what happened to her. I’d love to see her story explored further in future books. I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone who enjoys a gripping crime thriller with plenty of twists and turns!
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Bookouture and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[ANGELA L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

After reading the first Detective Alex Marshall book, I was thrilled to get the chance to read the second book in the series. Alex is once again sent to a small town to help in the hunt for a killer, and this town is filled with secrets and some seriously frustrating characters!

I found myself really disliking most of the people in town, from the victims’ husband to the sheriff and deputies. My frustration with them seemed to grow right along with Alex’s! This was a very twisty, fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can’t wait to see what Alex gets herself into next!

[KDRBCK]

The Missing Wives by Morgan Greene is the second book in the Detective Alexandra Marshall Series. The books are published by Bookouture. The previous book is The Girl Who Lived. I recommend to read the books in order.
Rebecca is a slightly drunk on the road with her 2 year old on the backseat. She stumbles on an accident and was found unalived. A new case for Detective Alexandra Marshall. And Rebecca isn't the only victim. Soon they pile up kinda.
Another breathtaking crime thriller, complx, complicated inn the best way, I loved the writing and the story, loved the grime crime. Recommend the book, 5 stars.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent, well written thriller from the author and featuring Detective Alexandra Marshall. The characterisation is very good but Alex really suffers for her job! She is a tough cookie who endures so much pain that I don't know how she is still standing. The residents of Dunning are not really very likeable and that's just the Sheriffs but the characterisation works well. There is plenty of tension throughout the book, with an undertone of menace, secrets and greed leading up to a satisfying, surprising ending. I recommend reading the previous book for background information. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Rary · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC: NetGallery & Bookouture
Pub Date Oct 29 2026

Book 2 of Detective Alexandra Marshall

A town called Dunning and Dunning Real Estate are at war with each other and suddenly the husbands of the company’s wives start getting murdered one by one.
The Dunning sheriff is totally useless so Detective Marshall storms in with her tough attitude to hunt down the killer and unveil everyone’s secrets while she gets pretty banged up along the way.
It’s a gripping plot with a surprising ending. I can’t wait for book three!

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Missing Wives by Morgan Greene
I am so invested in this series. Alex is growing on me. She was much easier to like in this book, despite all the challenges she faced.

This was so fast-paced and intense. I devoured this book, and the way things unraveled was addictive. I did not see the twist.

Alex is such an enigma. And I am looking forward to learning even more about her past. This book hinted at a lot, which makes me even more desperate for the next book.

Morgan has started something that is so deep and dark, but also so entertaining. These characters will stay with you, and these plots will haunt you.

Prepare yourself- you might survive.

Publication date: October 29, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just did not hit for me. I can’t put my finger on why but it just didn’t come together. I felt like the things happening, she just would have had more support. And don’t get me started on that sheriff. I think I’ll read the next to see if Alex gets it together. I don’t mind a flawed character but…

[Britney Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story very much. I thought the investigation was very well written and enjoyed the MFC. I was highly satisfied with this from the beginning to the end and will be recommending this to friends and family. Highly suggest this read. Great investigative thriller book!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping murder mystery. Alexandra gets called in when there is a gruesome murder and the locals can't handle it. She has barely arrived and gotten started when another woman gets abducted. Before they can find her, she is also murdered again in a horrific manner. These women were the wives of the most powerful men in town. These men try to take over the investigation. This is a fast-paced, action thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out who the killer is. Alex figures out who the killer is, but confronting him may just cost her everything.