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Her Missing Daughter
A mother murdered.
A daughter missing.
A family with secrets.
On a hot August day, Abbie’s best friend is murdered and her goddaughter, Sienna, disappears.
Abbie is desperate to find and protect Sienna, but unanswered questions haunt her every move. Has Sienna run away? Or has someone taken her?
Just when Abbie thinks she’s on the right track, there’s a twist that changes everything.
Who killed Nicole? Where is Sienna? And who is still hiding secrets?
A daughter missing.
A family with secrets.
On a hot August day, Abbie’s best friend is murdered and her goddaughter, Sienna, disappears.
Abbie is desperate to find and protect Sienna, but unanswered questions haunt her every move. Has Sienna run away? Or has someone taken her?
Just when Abbie thinks she’s on the right track, there’s a twist that changes everything.
Who killed Nicole? Where is Sienna? And who is still hiding secrets?
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2018
1127 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
D.S. Butler
35 books902 followersAuthor of the Karen Hart series. Ex-biochemist turned crime-writer. Huge Queen fan. Loves to read crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 9, 2021
A standalone psychological thriller by author D.S. Butler. This was a strange one for me a D.S. Butler book I didn’t love. Not really sure why but I struggled to connect with it and it seemed like a long read.
Everything looked rosy for Nicole Carlson when she met Steve, wealthy, successful and charming and adored her daughter. Her best friend Abbie Morris was thrilled for her but everything changed when five years later, Abbie receives a shocking late night phone call. Nicole is dead and her daughter is missing.
I was glad to finish this one.
Everything looked rosy for Nicole Carlson when she met Steve, wealthy, successful and charming and adored her daughter. Her best friend Abbie Morris was thrilled for her but everything changed when five years later, Abbie receives a shocking late night phone call. Nicole is dead and her daughter is missing.
I was glad to finish this one.
September 13, 2018
I would like to thank the author and the Booksprout site for this partnership.
I was immediately attracted by the blanket, you can see Abbie there in the middle of the forest.
We find Abbie who is delighted for her friend Nicole who met her soul mate: Steve. They're moving into a house. Except that five years later, Abbie received a terrible call: Nicole died and her daughter disappeared.
A captivating, moving thriller filled with suspense and twists and turns. I love the author's pen, too eager to read another one of her books.
I was immediately attracted by the blanket, you can see Abbie there in the middle of the forest.
We find Abbie who is delighted for her friend Nicole who met her soul mate: Steve. They're moving into a house. Except that five years later, Abbie received a terrible call: Nicole died and her daughter disappeared.
A captivating, moving thriller filled with suspense and twists and turns. I love the author's pen, too eager to read another one of her books.
September 14, 2018
Deadly Obsession #1 - This is not my first story by this author but I see where this series could be as good as the Harper Grant series written under Danica Britton. This story is well written with a good plot and some interesting characters. There's enough twist to the story that you have two suspects automatically. The story moved rather quickly and didn't take long to read. It will be interesting to see how the policemen will grow through out the series since this is a good but basic introduction to these two men and this series.
The author wrote this book several years ago and her writing style has improved since then (going by the Grant series). There's a preview of the story, which I appreciate knowing what a story is about before I read it. I found this book on Booksprout.co. 3*
Her Missing Daughter - This isn't my favorite story by this author. It needed to move at a faster pace, even when setting up the foundation of the storyline. There is too much trivial details that act as filler instead of enhancing the story and should have been edited out. The characters aren't well developed, along with some of their dialog. The main character bored me with her continuous yammering and thinking everyone owed her answers. I know the murdered woman was her childhood friend but they weren't that close, even with their Friday Skype chats since Yappy moved to India five years earlier. I didn't find any suspense with this story and the psychological part escaped me.
There's a preview of the story, which I appreciate knowing what a story is about before I read it. I found this book on Booksprout.co, which is why I read this. 2*
The author wrote this book several years ago and her writing style has improved since then (going by the Grant series). There's a preview of the story, which I appreciate knowing what a story is about before I read it. I found this book on Booksprout.co. 3*
Her Missing Daughter - This isn't my favorite story by this author. It needed to move at a faster pace, even when setting up the foundation of the storyline. There is too much trivial details that act as filler instead of enhancing the story and should have been edited out. The characters aren't well developed, along with some of their dialog. The main character bored me with her continuous yammering and thinking everyone owed her answers. I know the murdered woman was her childhood friend but they weren't that close, even with their Friday Skype chats since Yappy moved to India five years earlier. I didn't find any suspense with this story and the psychological part escaped me.
There's a preview of the story, which I appreciate knowing what a story is about before I read it. I found this book on Booksprout.co, which is why I read this. 2*
August 21, 2019
This book started out really slowly, and I found that it did not hold my interest very well. For lack of a better way to phrase it, it was not a page-turner. Then near the end, everything felt rush and jumbled, as if making up for lost time from the rest of the book. That being said, the story was good overall, just not great.
I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for my honest review.
July 5, 2018
Couldn't connect.
I just couldn't connect with any of the characters in this book, especially Abbie. As a person she felt flat, one dimensional. The story itself was lacking that psychological feel I was hoping for.
I just couldn't connect with any of the characters in this book, especially Abbie. As a person she felt flat, one dimensional. The story itself was lacking that psychological feel I was hoping for.
May 24, 2020
Took ages to read as found it boring and slow going! The last 30 pages were the most exciting. Read as familiar with the area it is set in....other wise I would have given up!
March 29, 2021
I really enjoy this author's DS Karen Hart series, so I thought I would give this standalone mystery a try. I like the series a little more because of the procedural element, but liked this book a lot. The main character, Abbie, returns to England when she learns her best friend has been murdered. The news gets worse when she arrives and learns her friend's teenage daughter, Sienna, is missing. Abbie vows to be there to support Nicole's family, find Sienna, and get justice for Nicole.
To me, this book was more of a mystery than a thriller, but it was still very good. Abbie asks questions, tracks down leads, and reports findings to the family liaison officer assigned to the case. She isn't sure who she can trust, but is determined to find out who killed Nicole. The book was suspenseful and kept my interest from the very beginning. The ending is action-packed and dramatic with an expected person saving the day. The epilogue is lengthy enough to tie up all the loose ends of the story. D.S. Butler is becoming a favorite author of mine and I plan to read more of her work.
To me, this book was more of a mystery than a thriller, but it was still very good. Abbie asks questions, tracks down leads, and reports findings to the family liaison officer assigned to the case. She isn't sure who she can trust, but is determined to find out who killed Nicole. The book was suspenseful and kept my interest from the very beginning. The ending is action-packed and dramatic with an expected person saving the day. The epilogue is lengthy enough to tie up all the loose ends of the story. D.S. Butler is becoming a favorite author of mine and I plan to read more of her work.
September 16, 2018
I became engrossed in this story and I could not put it down. I love British mysteries and this book had me guessing all of the way to end. I loved this story and could identify with the main character, Abbie. She has a heart of gold and I would hope to have her as a friend should anything ever happen to me. Great story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2019
Nicole thought she meet her perfect man, Steve Carlson. Rich, successful, and charming a real keeper. Just what dreams are made of....that is until the nightmare started. Five years later, Abbie, Nicole's friend gets a call.....Nicole is dead and her daughter is missing! What happened to this fairytale couple? Abbie is determined to find out. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
March 5, 2022
To find out that your best friend had suddenly died, under suspicious circumstances, is a shocker!
Her friend’s daughter is heart broken. How will the family cope now?
There was a lot more to this story, and
Fantastic ending.
March 20, 2023
Not as good as the previous stand along book but still okay. Glad I read it.
May 5, 2019
Can't help but think the high reviews are due to the reviewers receiving free copies in exchange for giving at least four stars. This story fell flat for me. The protagonist, Abbie, never gave me a reason to like her. The character the author serves up as the lead suspect feels like a red herring from the moment they appear. In general, there's nothing interesting or different about the characters, nor is there anything surprising about the motive. The author provides plenty of redundant sentences, yet does not deliver the character development that would've made this book more interesting. Considering this and the strange grammatical errors in the final copy, the book could've used a much better editor.
All in all I finished it just to be sure I was correct about the villain.
All in all I finished it just to be sure I was correct about the villain.
September 12, 2018
No one calls late at night with good news. Abbie answers to find that her best friend Nicole is dead and her daughter is missing. Taking the first flight she can get, Abbie arrives to find that her best friend has been murdered and no one has seen her daughter since. Why did the killer target Nicole? Did her daughter see her being murder? Is she now on the run or has she been kidnapped?
In this very well written mystery, I found that the characters were extremely developed (especially Abbie). It was suspenseful, filled with unexpected twists and turns, characters that were dimensional, and a surprising storyline & ending.
Once I started reading, it was really hard to put the book down and for once I didn’t know the murderer until the very end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this very well written mystery, I found that the characters were extremely developed (especially Abbie). It was suspenseful, filled with unexpected twists and turns, characters that were dimensional, and a surprising storyline & ending.
Once I started reading, it was really hard to put the book down and for once I didn’t know the murderer until the very end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2018
interesting for this story is that the story is mostly told from the perspective of a dear friend of the murder victim, rather than from the perspective of law enforcement, as in the other books I read by this author.
since the main speaker, a nurse, has been working out of country for a few years, she finds she may not know critical info about several of the involved parties - though it seems those who spent most of their time with them may lack info that cost lives already, as well as love and innocence
if you enjoy challenging mystery and suspense stories, this Brit drama might be a real eye opener for you.
I could hardly put it down once I started.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
since the main speaker, a nurse, has been working out of country for a few years, she finds she may not know critical info about several of the involved parties - though it seems those who spent most of their time with them may lack info that cost lives already, as well as love and innocence
if you enjoy challenging mystery and suspense stories, this Brit drama might be a real eye opener for you.
I could hardly put it down once I started.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2018
Her Missing daughter by DS Butler.
Abbie Morris gets a phone call at one am in the morning. Nicole Carlson her best friend since school has died. Why? Angie Macgregor who works for Mr and Mrs Carlson is the one who phoned her. Abbie asks when the funeral will be but Angie says she should come right away then she whispers she cant now and hangs up. Why?
Abbie was just in a coffee shop and saw Nicole’s picture on the television… Angie didn’t tell her how she died. Will she find out what happened to Nicole?
This was a very enjoyable read. I liked Abbie and sienne. I had my theory who it was. I was part right and part wrong. I liked the ending too. 5*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Abbie Morris gets a phone call at one am in the morning. Nicole Carlson her best friend since school has died. Why? Angie Macgregor who works for Mr and Mrs Carlson is the one who phoned her. Abbie asks when the funeral will be but Angie says she should come right away then she whispers she cant now and hangs up. Why?
Abbie was just in a coffee shop and saw Nicole’s picture on the television… Angie didn’t tell her how she died. Will she find out what happened to Nicole?
This was a very enjoyable read. I liked Abbie and sienne. I had my theory who it was. I was part right and part wrong. I liked the ending too. 5*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2019
I liked the book, but I feel like the title could use changing considering how little it has to do with the overall story.
So we start with Abbie in India working for a nonprofit when she gets the call that her longtime friend Nicole is dead and Nicole’s daughter is missing. She flies home in quite a state and continually extends her stay to help her goddaughter and friend’s husband weather the tough time and investigation into her friend’s murder.
It was believable, interesting, and kept me reading an hour past my usual bedtime. The final reveal felt very out of left field, but then again, I acknowledge I could have missed early setup of the reveal.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So we start with Abbie in India working for a nonprofit when she gets the call that her longtime friend Nicole is dead and Nicole’s daughter is missing. She flies home in quite a state and continually extends her stay to help her goddaughter and friend’s husband weather the tough time and investigation into her friend’s murder.
It was believable, interesting, and kept me reading an hour past my usual bedtime. The final reveal felt very out of left field, but then again, I acknowledge I could have missed early setup of the reveal.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2019
I received an Advanced Reader Copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review. Abbie is away in India setting up a clinic. She gets a late night phone call that her best friend, Nicole, has died. She rushes back home to the UK for the funeral. What she finds out when she arrives is that Nicole was murdered and her 15 year old daughter is missing. Abbie begins a hunt for her goddaughter which leads to a lot more questions. This is a good book to curl up with on a cold winters night. The suspect doesn't jump out at you and the twists keep you guessing.
April 23, 2019
Good plotline!
I think the bones of this story were really good. Who murdered Nicole? Who was following her daughter Sienna? Several people to send your focus here and there, though really it was easy to figure out who did what. The reason for three stars is because it just had way too much extra description of everything; rooms, gardens, weather, etc. I call this useless fodder to fill up space. It was worth the read no matter.
I think the bones of this story were really good. Who murdered Nicole? Who was following her daughter Sienna? Several people to send your focus here and there, though really it was easy to figure out who did what. The reason for three stars is because it just had way too much extra description of everything; rooms, gardens, weather, etc. I call this useless fodder to fill up space. It was worth the read no matter.
September 16, 2018
She was glad when her friend found a man who loves her as well as her daughter. He was a rich man but then one day five years after they had cotton married she gets a phone call. Her friend is dead and the daughter is missing. She is going to find the daughter and what really happened. She owes it to them
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2018
This mystery book was a good read with more twists than the country lanes it's set in, keeping the reader guessing until the end 'whodunnit' and why. An excellent book and highly recommended for all mystery lovers.
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
October 31, 2020
Abbie returns from India after leaning that her best friend, Nicole has been shot dead and the killer still hasn’t been found.
Her daughter, Sienna, 15 was having an affair with her step dads partner Toby and having his baby.
Toby has a break down and is found trying to murder Sienna & her teacher Jason Owens.
Her daughter, Sienna, 15 was having an affair with her step dads partner Toby and having his baby.
Toby has a break down and is found trying to murder Sienna & her teacher Jason Owens.
November 29, 2020
I have read several books by D.S. Butler and this one didn't disapoint. In face I have given it 5 stars.
How well do we ever really know our friends?
Abbie was thrilled for her friend Nicole when she met her perfect match in Steve Carlson. Rich, successful and charming, he seemed too good to be true.
When Nicole moves into an immaculate designer home with her attentive new husband who adores her daughter, she seems to have it all. Her life is perfect.
Too perfect.
Five years later, Abbie receives a shocking late night phone call. Nicole is dead and her daughter is missing.
How well do we ever really know our friends?
Abbie was thrilled for her friend Nicole when she met her perfect match in Steve Carlson. Rich, successful and charming, he seemed too good to be true.
When Nicole moves into an immaculate designer home with her attentive new husband who adores her daughter, she seems to have it all. Her life is perfect.
Too perfect.
Five years later, Abbie receives a shocking late night phone call. Nicole is dead and her daughter is missing.
January 3, 2021
Her Missing Daughter ... A great read!
As with all the books by this author that I have read, I, again, was captured by this story .... trying to solve the mystery that was unfolding as I read. I was kept interested - totally - through until the last page.
A great story and an intriguing read.
As with all the books by this author that I have read, I, again, was captured by this story .... trying to solve the mystery that was unfolding as I read. I was kept interested - totally - through until the last page.
A great story and an intriguing read.
January 25, 2021
This is the first book by D S Butler that I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last, the plot moved a decent pace and the story was believable. Won’t divulge the nuances of the plot but suffice to say I like the writing style that seems to exclude padding.
On to the next one and if it matches up to my expectations I shall be a happy person.
On to the next one and if it matches up to my expectations I shall be a happy person.
July 5, 2021
I really wanted to like this one as the start was very good. But once it got going, it was overwritten and very repetitive. Abbie, the main character, is extremely irritating and I had every sympathy with bitch-queen Janet who couldn't stand her, LOL! It needed a thorough edit and would have been better at half the length.
May 2, 2022
I was expecting more cohesiveness from this writer. Butler was a little off her game. ( Perhaps the editors were tired or fired....don't know.) Janet,the unlikable character becomes the hero? The muderer/child moleser/ embezzler needed to be more developed. And, Annie needed to be stronger. However, I did like the housekeeper.
October 4, 2023
A definite 5* book this one. Instead of being in either of the author's two crime series, this is a standalone psychological mystery. Very much an unputdownable read. Mind you it really helped for me because it is set only five miles from where I live. Wokingham, Eversley, Finchampstead all on the border of Hampshire & Berkshire. Very fast paced.
October 18, 2023
This was one of my free Kindle books from Stuff your Kindle day. I've read others of D S Butler. Namely, her Karen Hart series. Enjoyed this book. Hooked me from the start. Enjoyed the different perspectives on some of the chapters. Kept me guessing right up until the end as to the outcome and the "perp". Would definitely recommend.
October 21, 2023
It was ok
For some reason I wasn't as keen on this one. I just couldn't get to grips with the characters I didn't find any of them likeable or relatable and I think that's why I didn't like it as much. The protagonist character seemed like she lost her head all the time and was constantly ranting. It did have some elements of suspense but I felt it lacking.
For some reason I wasn't as keen on this one. I just couldn't get to grips with the characters I didn't find any of them likeable or relatable and I think that's why I didn't like it as much. The protagonist character seemed like she lost her head all the time and was constantly ranting. It did have some elements of suspense but I felt it lacking.
July 8, 2018
Readable
I have read every book written by this author, however this one was not the best to be honest. If you want to read a book that you don't really have to think about then this is a book for you. I will continue with her books though as I normally thoroughly enjoy them
I have read every book written by this author, however this one was not the best to be honest. If you want to read a book that you don't really have to think about then this is a book for you. I will continue with her books though as I normally thoroughly enjoy them
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews