Gone Daddy Gone

Sloane Monroe #7

by Cheryl Bradshaw

From New York Times bestselling author Cheryl Bradshaw.

A single moment is about to change Sloane Monroe's life forever...

On an early winter morning, college student Shelby McCoy walks the quiet, snowy path back home. A tree branch snaps in the distance. Then another. A man is there with her, following close behind, whispering her name. She looks back, sees him gaining on her, and runs. Who is this man, and why is he carrying a gun?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Amazon, Suspense

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2017

About the author

Cheryl Bradshaw is a New York Times and 11-time USA Today bestselling author writing in multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, supernatural suspense, and poetry. She is a Shamus Award finalist for best private eye novel of the year, an eFestival of Words winner for best thriller, and has published over fifty books since 2011.

Raised in Southern California, she now lives in North Texas. When she's not writing, she loves jet-setting to new countries, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her grandbabies.

For a free eBook, click here: http://cherylbradshaw.com/get-a-free-...

Book series in order by Cheryl Bradshaw:

Georgiana Germaine (Mystery Series)

1. Little Girl Lost - USA Today Bestseller
2. Little Lost Secrets
3. Little Broken Things
4. Little White Lies
5. Little Tangled Webs
6. Little Shattered Dreams
7. Little Last Words
8. Little Buried Secrets
9. Little Stolen Memories
10. Little Empty Promises
11. Little Hidden Fears

Sloane Monroe Mystery/Thriller Series

0. Silent As the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller

Sloane Monroe Stories - Mystery Novella Series
(with characters from the main series)

1. Deadly Sins: Sloth
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath
3. Deadly Sins: Lust
4. Deadly Sins: Greed
5. Deadly Sins: Envy
6. Deadly Sins: Pride

Sloane & Maddie Peril Awaits - Mystery Series
(Spinoff Series with Sloane Monroe & her sidekick Maddie)

1. The Silent Boy
2. The Shadow Children
3. The Broken Soul
4. The Widow Maker
5. The Familiar Stranger

Addison Lockhart Ghost Mystery Series

1. Grayson Manor Haunting
2. Rosecliff Manor Haunting
3. Blackthorn Manor Haunting
4. Belle Manor Haunting
5. Crawley Manor Haunting

Stand Alone Mystery/Thriller Novels

1. Eye for Revenge - USA Today Bestseller
2. The Perfect Lie
3. Hickory Dickory Dead - USA Today Bestseller
4. Roadkill - USA Today Bestseller

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shelby McCoy was shot and killed while walking home. She was later found by the side of the path. A playing card was found on her body. And a note ... How does it feel to lose someone?

Following her funeral, Shelby's father, Cade, is shot in the head and somehow survives.

Sloane is all but engaged to Cade and she swears she will find who is responsible. Paired up with Coop, an old frenemy, and Nick, an old boyfriend, she goes where angels fear to tread.

Who is killing the McCoy family? Why are there notes left and the playing cards? How are they all connected?

This is a fast paced book with lots of action. It's the 7th book in the series, and I highly recommend reading them in order. I felt a little lost with some of the happenings because this was the first that I have read. It was interesting enough that I will likely go back and read the entire series.

I liked all the characters, even Coop, who is normally rude and obnoxious toward Sloane, but they do have a history. The secondary characters are likable and lend an air of credibility to the story line.

Many thanks to the author / Kobo Writing Life / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Athena Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fast paced action filled murder mystery! I liked the characters and the mystery of who the killer was, had an interesting twist you didn’t see coming. I enjoyed this book and would be into reading the previous books in this series.
* I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *

[Sandy Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best.

I was disappointed in this story...it started so well and, in my opinion, ended a bit contrived. The police and our heroine while supposedly considering all angles, managed to overlook the most obvious. Then it felt the ending - the surprising revelation - was slapped together to come up with the who and the why. Just a sloppy end to an excellent beginning. Then the errors in chapter 29....."balled like a baby"....really? The other glaring mistake would take too long to explain here, but for an author that claims so much attention to being accurate, this book made me wonder.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the mystery.
The story starts with a murder. Shelby is murdered as she is walking home and there is a playing card lying on her body. There is an attempt on Shelby's father's life as well. But he survives it and he employs Sloane to find out who is attacking the members of his family.
I enjoyed the mystery. The characters were particularly enjoyable. Even the minor characters like Coop who has to work together with Sloane on the case and his annoyance was enjoyable to read. Overall, the plot was good and the characters together made the story memorable.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sloane Monroe book #7

I have been reading this series out of sync and never felt lost not knowing what had happened previously, each story stands on its own and can be enjoy for its values.

This is a crime suspense story that opens with a bang, college student Shelby McCoy is shot and killed.” My dad will find you. You’ll pay”, were her final words.

Shelby is the daughter of Sloane’s’ boyfriend, Cade. He is in law enforcement and she is a P.I. they both have a slew of enemies that may want revenge. Who could have done this? Adding to the drama the family soon discovered that Shelby has a secret life.....

This is a pretty good story one can zipped through it in no time. The obstacles these two are facing looking for the responsible without falling victims themselves made one exciting read. We have more victims falling prey to the killer but why are they targeted and for what reasons are their relatives and friends on the killer hit list. The answer is only revealed through hints towards the end. I found it hard to guess the whodunit and was surprised when the answer came.

Although some may find how the story progresses to be somewhat absurd I think it is a fun read. The narrative is simple and dialogue clean. The story is not overly complicated rather smooth sailing from start to finish. The characters played out the role as expected and are loveable enough.

Next time I want to spend a leisurely time with a book I may choose one of Cheryl Bradshaw novels once more.

[David Freas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book feels scattered, as if Bradshaw just threw a bunch of ideas together. It’s been almost 3 years since I read the previous book in this series, so it may be that I’m not recalling some things – like Sloane’s relationship with Cade. I see in the lists of books in this series at the end of this book that there was a novella before this book. Perhaps that’s where the odd bits here that don’t make sense were set up.

Random chapters in the antagonist’s POV threw the flow of the story off rhythm. And Bradshaw keeps any idea of his identity or motive hidden (not even a hint) until we’re through 85% of the book, and then she dumps all of it in our laps in a burst, and it’s an old standard of a plot device. Bradshaw also throws a major twist in Sloane’s past in the mix late in the book that was never hinted at earlier in this book or any of the earlier ones.

And again, Amazon displays its unique ability to tell me how many pages are in a Kindle book but not page-number the book itself. Good job Amazon.

I won’t hunt down more books in this series but will read them if they cross my path.

[Deb R · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins with Shelby McCoy walking home on a snowy winter morning. She hears a tree branch crack...and then another. She realizes that there is a man following her, whispering her name..

Sloane Monroe is a character who has appeared in six previous books by Cheryl Bradshaw. I have never read any of the other books, but after reading this one, I want to start at the beginning of the series and read them all. This is definitely a book I would recommend, but I think it would have been even better if I had read the complete series in order.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

How have I not heard of this author? Gone Daddy Gone was an exciting fast paced mystery/suspense filled with plenty twists and turns. I read the blurb and had to read this story as well as the rest of the series from the start (which I want to catch up on). Sloane is an exciting heroine who has to investigate the murder of her lover's college aged daughter. Soon, she also has to step up the investigation when Cade is shot as well. The story grabbed me from the start and I wish I had known about this series sooner!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid murder mystery. No chance of guessing the murderer until near the end, when the author decides it should be revealed. Good suspense and likable characters. Recommend this one.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The seventh book of Cheryl Bradshaw's series about P.I. Sloane Monroe finds her about to have a life changing event with her boyfriend Cade when they learn that his daughter is dead. From there, Ms. Bradshaw does what she does best - take the reader on an incredible journey that is emotional, suspenseful and thrilling all at the same time.

The characters that fans of the series such as myself love..Sloane, Cade, Maddie.. they all have new secrets about their lives revealed in each successive story and this one is no exception. These help keep the characters fresh and exciting as a reader will be excited to find out what else can he or she learn about them.

It's difficult to write anything else about this story without spoilers so let me close out this review by saying that this is one of the few fictional series of stories in which I am impatient to wait for the next one... and I am now officially in that state for #8.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first I have read in the Sloane Monroe series and while starting in book 7 might not be the best idea this author knows how to pull reader in right away.

This is not a stand alone novel but readers just starting off can get a pretty good idea who everyone is with a little time.

The characters are very interesting even though they are many to keep track of and one to many C names. What I liked best about Cheryl Bradshaw even the secondary characters have a reason and a purpose to the story.

The author keeps readers guess who the killer is and she won't give anything away until the author is reveals the person.

Starting in book 7 wasn't the best idea but the author is able to pull this reader in with a fast pace mystery that has me wanting to go back and read the 1-6.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Kobo Writing Life for the advance copy of Gone Daddy Gone by Cheryl Bradshaw

[Shelagh Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line is weak compared to the others previous books. Shelby's work questionable given her father's profession and her connection to Cade.
What happened to Grannies' neighbor shot in his shoulder????
Disappointing ending to otherwise interesting stories and character dvelopment.

[Ilyaz]

A single moment is about to change Sloane Monroe's life forever...

On an early winter morning, college student Shelby McCoy walks the quiet, snowy path back home. A tree branch snaps in the distance. Then another. A man is there with her, following close behin

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/23/2019)! 🎁

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery thriller

This was the most intriguing read for my 4th of July reading! So many loops and turns to keep one on a page turner. Haven't read the previous but now I'm eager. Highly suggested read ,it will keep you guessing.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good murder mystery that kept my attention from beginning to end. I liked the characters and even though this was my first time reading a book in this series I didn't feel as though I was missing anything. I thank Netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review.

[Hon. Peter J. Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Twisting Plot But A Tad Tedious & Redundant.

A good twisting and turning plot but a tad tedious and redundant. However, good character development and sense of place. Signing up for her website - a tedious task as well.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of the Sloane Monroe books in the series and I love the way they just continue but you can also read them as a stand alone but why not just read every book and enjoy them more. This was was exceptional as were the others. They are right up my alley as it is a thriller/mystery, my favorite type of book. Author Cheryl Bradshaw does a great job of developing all the characters and keeping them real. They are like real, true-to-life people that you want to read and know more about. Monroe has a lot of issues which just makes you relate to the story even more.

In this book, a young student, Shelby McCoy, is killed while walking to college. This is not just anyone, it’s Sloane Monroe’s boyfriend’s daughter. So she needs to find the killer and wonder why the killer is killing people close to her. I don’t want to say too much in order not to give away the twist and turns of the story and how great it is. The entire series is a must read for anyone who loves thriller/mystery books.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm over double figures now in the number of Cheryl Bradshaw books I've read and this series is still my favourite by her. Hoping it isn't too long till we get a new instalment. In book 6 it was an easy 5* from me because the editing had greatly improved but this one has quite a few errors I think should've been picked up so they cost 1 star this time, which is a pity as the story yet again is first class.
There were a few funny little remarks in this one that I highlighted as they made me grin. It was so nice to get back together with Sloane once more. I was puzzled as to how somebody was questioned about their female boss as I'd seen no mention of a female....then later on we learnt that a witness had taken a potshot at a prowler but this injury was never referred to again !! I didn't understand why Sloane swapped phones with Maddie at one point, either.
Those odd errors, though. "Downstairs I heard Coop and Cade talking downstairs" being pretty self-explanatory and the sentence "....and owning of a fat, gray cat" is just bad English. It didn't need of or ownership should've been used instead. And the way Americans write "I wondered what all was included" is again horrible English and I've never understood why they sling in 'all' into sentences as they do, in speech as well. "And why abduct Gran in ?" is yet another nonsensical sentence.
She also wrote queued and not cued and lost apostrophes in a couple of places, then Nick put a phone on speaker at one point when we'd already been told it was on........
So these mistakes should've been spotted, in my opinion.....if I were paying proofreaders I'd be requesting a refund ! However, I'll still be reading her great stories.

[Robert Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fairly zipped through this novel, which either means it’s a quick read or I couldn’t put it down. It’s probably both as once again things get personal for Sloane Monroe. This time it’s Shelby, daughter of her boyfriend, Cade, who happens to be Chief of Police in Jackson, Wyoming.

When Shelby’s attacked and killed, the effect on Cade and Sloane is devastating. Naturally, there’s worse to come as she begins to dig below the surface to discover that Shelby was a high class escort, which takes our private eye in a new direction.

She’s forced to work with old adversary, Coop, who’s also a Chief of Police, and a former lover, to solve the murder. Then, as the attacks continue Sloane realises just how personal the killings have become.

As I’ve come to expect from Cheryl Bradshaw, it’s an emotional roller coaster of a ride with Sloane’s customary cool shaken to the core. Even with the help of those she loves, she’s struggling to hold it together at times, forced to reveal her vulnerabilities like never before.

And what a climax to an absorbing story that twists and turns with each attack, until the final revelation that means life will never be the same again for Sloane.

This series simply gets better with each book. While you can read this as a standalone, you’ll miss out so much unless you start at the beginning and follow Sloane’s difficult and achingly emotional journey through some brilliant and original investigations.

Highly recommended.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone Daddy Gone (Sloane Monroe #7) by author Cheryl Bradshaw opens with a heartbreaking twist! For an author to open a book with the scene of a murder is not unusual, but when the murdered character is a close part of Sloane Monroe's family, well...that is different! I am a fan of the Sloane Monroe PI character and it feels like reading a letter from a friend each time a new book is released.
I don't want to post spoilers, but the reader will find more than one twist and a secret of Sloane's past is revealed. The closer you are to Sloane, the more likely you will be targeted for murder in this book. Oh, My Goodness! It hurt my heart each time the killer pulled the trigger aimed at Sloane's family and friends! If you are a fan, Gone Daddy Gone is not to be missed!
This book did seem a bit shorter than the other books, but maybe it was because I was reading so fast to find out What On Earth Was Going To Happen!?!?
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the seventh book in the Sloane Monroe series. Shelby McCoy, the only daughter of Cade McCoy, spent Christmas break with Cade and Sloane, who is seeing Cade. Right before Shelby left, she had an argument with her father and didn't leave on good terms.

Shelby returns to Salt Lake City, where she knows she didn't tell her father or Sloane the entire truth and has some hidden secrets. As Shelby is walking along a snowy path in a park, she hears her name called. She is chased by an unknown assailant, and given one last time to call her father, which goes to voice mail.

After a young girl shows up, requesting to speak to Sloane, and divulges some information. Sloane starts to investigate looking for someone in Cade's past set on revenge. The truth may be much closer than thought, and a long buried secret will be revealed.

A fast paced, enjoyable thriller!

[Stillgrowing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was actually the last of a series but the first one in the series I read. The characters were complex and likeable. The story went along at a good pace and had me guessing. There was only one place where I didn’t know what they were talking about regarding past events because I hadn’t read the whole series.

All in all a good read and I would definitely read something by this author again. My favourite part of the book was at the end.

“All of Cheryl Bradshaw’s novels are heavily researched, proofed, edited, and professionally formatted by a skilled team of professionals. Should you find any errors, please contact the author directly. Her assistant will forward the issue(s) to the publisher. It’s our goal to present you with the best possible reading experience, and we appreciate your help in making that happen.” Then there’s a link to contact the author through her website. HOW AWESOME IS THAT! 😍

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My ... dad ... will find you. You'll pay ..."
There has been a killing, and it couldn't have come at a more inappropriate time. Chief of police, Cade, and Sloane, his P.I. girlfriend, rush to the scene to find themselves caught in a confusing and terrifying period in their lives

This is a simply written, quick and easy to read book, with good characterisations and fast paced action. Although part of a series, it is not necessary to have read any of the previous books, although I'm sure that having a familiarity with the protagonists' past could enhance the enjoyment. It might also account for the irritation this reader felt towards the main character, Sloane, who came over as pushy, unreasonable and annoyingly self obsessed. However, despite the brevity and too quickly tied up ending, it was a good, light read.

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about starting out with a bang! The opening chapter of Gone Daddy Gone certainly grabs the attention of the reader and sets up the whodunit for this tale. This is my first read in this series and it is obvious that Sloane has a past, but I had no trouble following the story line. The book is well-written, the characters are interesting, and the pacing keeps the story moving quickly. We also get snippets from the bad guy that are a bit creepy and a nice addition to the story.
While it doesn't take long to figure out the direction of the tale, the details were a surprise - at least to me. I can't speak for those that are familiar with the series. Overall, this mystery pulled me in and held my interest throughout, and the characters are sufficiently interesting to have me looking up earlier books in the series.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book on my phone and read a few chapters here and there. It was an ok story but not riveting enough to get me to finish the book quickly. I found it was very put downable if there is such a word.

The beginning of the story really caught my attention...a lone girl walking along a snowy path and she knows someone is following her. I could almost smell her fear. So the girl gers murdered and in enters her father who just happens to be a sherriff and his partner who also just happens to be a detective.

So the female detective investigates the girls death. There are a few twists and the ending was good. I found a lot of the detective work though was run of the mill stuff. The characters were believable but for me there wasnt enough anticipation and excitement. As I said, it was an ok story and one that I will quickly forget.

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just say, I don't love all the death in this book, though I do love the secret past coming to bite Sloane in the butt. Makes for an interesting and thrilling story, though so full of grief. That's one thing I do like about her character, the fact that she's continually facing down her demons and trying to figure things out, despite her OCD and stubborn streak. Bradshaw definitely follows Stephen King's advice on "killing your darlings" but for the story to work in its entirety, certain things have to happen. I loved Sloane with Giovanni, and I don't hate Cade, though the two are worlds apart. Nick, her ex, also makes a comeback in this story. In fact, the entire history of Sloane's dating roster is in this story.

Favorite Line ~ "I Think breakups give us an opportunity to be better, and sometimes that means better for someone else."

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is the first book I have read by the author, it is the seventh in a successful series featuring a P.I. called Sloane Monroe.
It begins with an attempted abduction resulting in murder and with a playing card left with the body. More attempted murders follow and, in each case, another playing card is left at the scene.
Maybe one needed to have read the earlier books to appreciate this one. I found it hard to engage with the characters or the story and it took me ages to read it. The opening chapter was quite promising but thereafter the plot failed to grip me with any kind of urgency or real interest. The style also seemed more suited to the romantic genre and it was not unfortunately to my taste.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby McCoy is walking home between classes when she is shot and killed. A short time later her father, Cade, is shot in the head. Cade's girlfriend of a few years, Sloane Monroe, P.Í., along with the local police, are fast on the scene to try and catch the shooter before any more of Cade's family or friends are killed or injured.

As I was reading Gone Daddy Gone, I was truly kept in suspense. What really got me was the twist at the end. As a matter of fact, I hadn’t read more than three or four pages before I realized that I wanted to read the entire series. So I took a little time and did just that before continuing. I’m glad that I did, because I was able to fully connect with all of the characters in this series. I definitely look forward to reading more Sloane Monroe Mysteries.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A P.I.'s past comes back to haunt her by hurting the ones she loves. In so doing secrets will be revealed and her life will be changed.

this is a fast-paced thriller. The action is non-stop even if not especially believable. I can't say I was especially invested in any of the characters but it still was a fun read. I have not read any of the other entries in this series but did not feel lost. I do wish that authors would resist the urge to have all lawmen from the west speak like extras in spaghetti Westerns. Most law enforcement officers speak without sloppy speech patterns and slang. Also, the behaviour and treatment of Cade by Coop a fellow chief of police was unbelievable. Otherwise, fast and fun.