What do you think?
Rate this book
Missing
Mackenzie da Luca's mother is missing - she's vanished without a trace in the jungles of Panama. Now, 116 days later, Mackenzie and her dad are in those same jungles. Her dad is desperate to find out what's happened to his wife. And Mackenzie is desperate to make sure he doesn't ...
228 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2018
25 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Sue Whiting
53 books44 followersA former primary school teacher with a special interest in literacy education and children’s literature, Sue Whiting has worked in the publishing industry for almost twenty years, both as an author and editor of books for children and young adults.
Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, and is published in Australia and internationally. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones and nonfiction picture book, Platypus were both named CBCA Notable Books, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year. Her latest books include, Missing a mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10+ and the picture book Beware the Deep Dark Forest, illustrated by Annie White.
Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for ten years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from home as a publishing consultant, freelance editor, writing coach and mentor.
Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, and is published in Australia and internationally. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones and nonfiction picture book, Platypus were both named CBCA Notable Books, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year. Her latest books include, Missing a mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10+ and the picture book Beware the Deep Dark Forest, illustrated by Annie White.
Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for ten years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from home as a publishing consultant, freelance editor, writing coach and mentor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 23, 2018
A gripping, albeit heartbreaking story of a young girl living through the tragedy of her mum going missing. A Middle Grade mystery full of heart and suspense.
I really enjoy a good mystery/thriller and even though this book might be aimed at a younger audience, it was most certainly a great book even for a (bit😉)more mature reader. (urgh…do I really need to call myself mature 😖)
I loved how the story was connected together with each chapter of the book alternating between “then” and “now”, this being the case for the majority of the book until the two merged into one. I was super intrigued with what was happening in the “now”, but also equally curious about how it all came about…so structuring the book in this way was absolutely brilliant.
Feels, feels, feels!! I had so many emotions stirring in me while reading this book. The author, Sue Whiting, gave us great insight into how life might possibly unfold for a child in a case where a parent or family member goes missing. Home life, school life and friendships old and new are inevitably affected.
Do you hold on to the slightest hope that that person might still be okay somewhere out there? Or would you rather want to know for certain what happened and have that sense of “closure”?
“Nan says that I should cherish my memories, because that’s all I’ll ever have now.” 😭😭😭
“Memories are hard, especially when they are all you have.”💔
Mackenzie struggles with a lot of different emotions, often times feeling wholly consumed by thoughts that she felt unable to confide in those closest to her, wether it was because she just didn’t want them to think differently of her or wether she felt she was protecting them…it was really heart breaking to see her go through the agony of dealing with a world that has shifted of its axes.
Questions and guessing, confusion, guilt and a fragile sense of hope that all rides on a postcard of a fox bat.
There is also the fact that Kenzie is still a young teen, she’s no longer a small child, but she’s not at all grown up either and how much should she know…
I can’t think of anything more frustrating than feeling that the full truth might be withheld from me in some way, especially on top of the fact that there are already so many uncertain factors.
So Kenzie’s dad drags her of to Panama in a desperate attempt to find his wife, while Kenzie is reluctant to go and unsure of what is going on. Her dad and his actions frustrated me most. Often times he was unaware of what his actions and words made her feel. His words felt like physical blows to me and you “feel” him checking out mentally and just leaving Kenzie isolated…not only in a foreign country but also ALONE and that only ads to this whole tumultuous situasion.
“Where is that tender dad? I fear I’ve lost him forever.”
“Hopelessness inhabits my heart and my mind fills the night with memories of me and Dad and Mum. Random memories that seem to belong to another family, another lifetime.”
“Was this really us? Did any of this really happen? It is all so removed from my life now, I feel like I’ve invented it.”
On a more personal side note… I found the fact that Kenzie is an artist to be such a plus point…that is just something I personally love and it stirs the bit of creative energy in me.
All in all a beautifully written book that speaks deeply to your heart.
I really enjoy a good mystery/thriller and even though this book might be aimed at a younger audience, it was most certainly a great book even for a (bit😉)more mature reader. (urgh…do I really need to call myself mature 😖)
I loved how the story was connected together with each chapter of the book alternating between “then” and “now”, this being the case for the majority of the book until the two merged into one. I was super intrigued with what was happening in the “now”, but also equally curious about how it all came about…so structuring the book in this way was absolutely brilliant.
Feels, feels, feels!! I had so many emotions stirring in me while reading this book. The author, Sue Whiting, gave us great insight into how life might possibly unfold for a child in a case where a parent or family member goes missing. Home life, school life and friendships old and new are inevitably affected.
Do you hold on to the slightest hope that that person might still be okay somewhere out there? Or would you rather want to know for certain what happened and have that sense of “closure”?
“Nan says that I should cherish my memories, because that’s all I’ll ever have now.” 😭😭😭
“Memories are hard, especially when they are all you have.”💔
Mackenzie struggles with a lot of different emotions, often times feeling wholly consumed by thoughts that she felt unable to confide in those closest to her, wether it was because she just didn’t want them to think differently of her or wether she felt she was protecting them…it was really heart breaking to see her go through the agony of dealing with a world that has shifted of its axes.
Questions and guessing, confusion, guilt and a fragile sense of hope that all rides on a postcard of a fox bat.
There is also the fact that Kenzie is still a young teen, she’s no longer a small child, but she’s not at all grown up either and how much should she know…
I can’t think of anything more frustrating than feeling that the full truth might be withheld from me in some way, especially on top of the fact that there are already so many uncertain factors.
So Kenzie’s dad drags her of to Panama in a desperate attempt to find his wife, while Kenzie is reluctant to go and unsure of what is going on. Her dad and his actions frustrated me most. Often times he was unaware of what his actions and words made her feel. His words felt like physical blows to me and you “feel” him checking out mentally and just leaving Kenzie isolated…not only in a foreign country but also ALONE and that only ads to this whole tumultuous situasion.
“Where is that tender dad? I fear I’ve lost him forever.”
“Hopelessness inhabits my heart and my mind fills the night with memories of me and Dad and Mum. Random memories that seem to belong to another family, another lifetime.”
“Was this really us? Did any of this really happen? It is all so removed from my life now, I feel like I’ve invented it.”
On a more personal side note… I found the fact that Kenzie is an artist to be such a plus point…that is just something I personally love and it stirs the bit of creative energy in me.
All in all a beautifully written book that speaks deeply to your heart.
October 2, 2020
I started reading this to the kids at school and we were all captivated. Great story!
September 23, 2018
Gripping thriller with likeable main character and believable plot twists. Interesting look at the stories we tell ourselves and our need for narrative closure in response to trauma.
June 4, 2018
Surprisingly this book was good. Finished in one seating. The pace was fast and gripping. Initially I was annoyed with sentences being repeated thrice in the first few chapters - thought the author just wanted to have spacers! But as the story unfolds, those thrice repeated questions/sentences somehow emotionalized the characters. Mackenzie, a 16 year old girl, is in Panama, looking for her mother who has been missing for almost 4 months. She was dragged from Sydney, her home by her dad, who insisted that his wife is not dead, just missing and waiting to be rescued, a man in denial, David, a man in guilt for he may be the cause of why, Maggie, his wife, went missing. Kenzie knows why her mom is MIA but cannot reveal it to anyone for she fears the safety of her mom. She now sees her mom saying subtle good-byes prior to her trip to Panama. While in Panama, David became sick when truth sets in that Maggie is nowhere to be found. When new leads appeared, Kenzie took charge. She has to hide the truth so Maggie will stay safe, no matter what. But what actually happened was not what Kenzie had thought. The hurt, the betrayal and the anguish of a young girl for her mom is well-played here. I feel like smacking the dad for being so weak and giving in to his own selfish emotions instead of taking charge but I guess, that was how the character was intended to be as. All in all, this book has a surprising ending after all that build-up. A few hours well spent reading this book.
April 25, 2021
It wasn't interesting at all, I didn't even finish the book because of how boring it was. I really wanted to know what happened to the mum, so I tried to read more, but I just gave up.
March 17, 2018
A heart wrenching, page turning young adult novel by Sue Whiting , missing is one to read.
You’ll be immersed on the awful emotional journey a young girl named Mackenzie must take as she learns her mother has gone missing.
Her mother is a scientist with a specialty in bats. She travels the world speaking at conferences and out in the field discovering new bats and disease seen in them.
Mackenzie’s mother hasn’t returned from her recent trip to Boquete in Panama – and hasn’t been in contact in any form. No one has seen her and as to her whereabouts- there are mixed messages.
No one is telling her anything and the police can’t find her
She clings onto anything she can to feel like her mother is still alive and it isn’t until she does some of her own detective work that she comes to learn what really happens.
You won’t be expecting the ending and you’ll be drawn in by the strength displayed by Mackenzie, a year 6 girl, on the cusp of high school.
So many people go missing every year in Australia and although many are found, many are not.
Take a read of this to see how those who are left behind feel throughout the searching process.
You’ll be immersed on the awful emotional journey a young girl named Mackenzie must take as she learns her mother has gone missing.
Her mother is a scientist with a specialty in bats. She travels the world speaking at conferences and out in the field discovering new bats and disease seen in them.
Mackenzie’s mother hasn’t returned from her recent trip to Boquete in Panama – and hasn’t been in contact in any form. No one has seen her and as to her whereabouts- there are mixed messages.
No one is telling her anything and the police can’t find her
She clings onto anything she can to feel like her mother is still alive and it isn’t until she does some of her own detective work that she comes to learn what really happens.
You won’t be expecting the ending and you’ll be drawn in by the strength displayed by Mackenzie, a year 6 girl, on the cusp of high school.
So many people go missing every year in Australia and although many are found, many are not.
Take a read of this to see how those who are left behind feel throughout the searching process.
September 18, 2018
Hmmm - I am a bit conflicted over this one. It's well written - the writing is assured and the pace gallops along, with plenty of tension, action and drama. I was gripped by the central premise: Mackenzie's bat expert mum has gone missing while on a trip in Central America. As the days pass, all the clues Mackenzie gathers point to one possible explanation as to where her mum might be, but her dad is acting weird and is Nan keeping secrets? When her father drags her off to Panama in the middle of the night to search for her mum Mackenzie is set on a wild path to discovering the truth.
With the story told from Mackenzie's viewpoint we are limited to 'her' understanding, which gives insight into the reactions and rationalisations of a thirteen year old in these kinds of circumstances, but as the story progressed I found her behaviour increasingly annoying. While I can understand her thought processes as a means of emotional self preservation, I just didn't quite buy her impulsive and reckless reactions at every turning point in the plot, especially as a teen in an unfamiliar foreign country.
Ultimately I think the book is mostly successful in exploring the potential realities of what it means to a family when one of them goes missing but I wasn't quite as enamoured by the story as I hoped to be by the time I reached the end.
With the story told from Mackenzie's viewpoint we are limited to 'her' understanding, which gives insight into the reactions and rationalisations of a thirteen year old in these kinds of circumstances, but as the story progressed I found her behaviour increasingly annoying. While I can understand her thought processes as a means of emotional self preservation, I just didn't quite buy her impulsive and reckless reactions at every turning point in the plot, especially as a teen in an unfamiliar foreign country.
Ultimately I think the book is mostly successful in exploring the potential realities of what it means to a family when one of them goes missing but I wasn't quite as enamoured by the story as I hoped to be by the time I reached the end.
April 14, 2018
http://jessjustreads.com
Missing by Sue Whiting is a debut children’s novel about a young girl’s search for her missing mother. It explores family, friendship and love. The book also shows readers what it’s like when a family is searching for answers — when people are struggling to cope with the unknown and they feel forced to take matters into their own hands.
“My face is burning up. Memories are too hard. I try to shove it out of my head — it’s safe that way — but it won’t budge and I’m already back at the gallery and thinking about how we strolled around and my scientific mother tried her best to look intrigued.”
This is an incredibly emotional debut. It’s told from the perspective of Mackenzie after her mother has been missing for a number of weeks. Her and her father venture to Panama after local authorities fail to locate Mackenzie’s mother.
This is a confronting read. Over the course of the novel, we are thrust back into the past so we can come to understand how strong Mackenzie’s connection was with her mother, and just how special she was in their lives. The disappearance of Mackenzie’s mother has a monumental effect on her life, and it’s pretty heartbreaking to read this.
Missing is warm and touching, but it’s also heartbreaking. You follow Mackenzie and her father as they try to find this missing piece of them, and a sense of dread forms in the pit of your stomach. Deep down, you know what’s going to happen at the end of the novel.
Mackenzie’s father is broken, and I liked how Sue portrayed his mental health. He’s depressed and has been struggling ever since his wife went missing, and he doesn’t shy away from that around Mackenzie. Yes, at some points he tries to hide how he’s really feeling, but he is a really emotional character and Mackenzie can see how much he’s hurting. Their relationship is quite complicated and fraught at times, but given the situation they’re in, I think Sue illustrated this really effectively.
“Dad’s the same, because as the day wears on and the breeze gets stronger and the clouds hang lower and lower, threatening to pour, he becomes edgier and edgier. Why is he torturing himself like this? It’s hard to watch.”
The storyline is quite confronting for children to read, but the writing is strong and rich with emotion. The dialogue is believable and the characters relatable. I loved the connection that Mackenzie shared with her grandmother — she relies on her grandmother a lot since her mother went missing and it is sweet to see the bond they share.
I think you have to stretch your imagination with the storyline though. Mackenzie’s father pulls her out of school to go to Panama so they can both search for her mother? And they leave Mackenzie’s grandmother at home worried? It would’ve been more realistic if her father left her behind with the grandmother while he went searching for the mother, but then that would mean there wouldn’t be a story to tell. Still, I found the plot to be a bit unbelievable.
I recommend this to young teens, and children who are in the upper end of primary school. It’s middle grade novel, so I think primarily it’s aimed at children 10-14. I think adult readers might be intrigued by the mystery of Mackenzie’s mother, but I don’t think that Missing will necessarily appeal to adult readers. The protagonist reads quite young, and this book is cemented in the children’s literature space.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Missing by Sue Whiting is a debut children’s novel about a young girl’s search for her missing mother. It explores family, friendship and love. The book also shows readers what it’s like when a family is searching for answers — when people are struggling to cope with the unknown and they feel forced to take matters into their own hands.
“My face is burning up. Memories are too hard. I try to shove it out of my head — it’s safe that way — but it won’t budge and I’m already back at the gallery and thinking about how we strolled around and my scientific mother tried her best to look intrigued.”
This is an incredibly emotional debut. It’s told from the perspective of Mackenzie after her mother has been missing for a number of weeks. Her and her father venture to Panama after local authorities fail to locate Mackenzie’s mother.
This is a confronting read. Over the course of the novel, we are thrust back into the past so we can come to understand how strong Mackenzie’s connection was with her mother, and just how special she was in their lives. The disappearance of Mackenzie’s mother has a monumental effect on her life, and it’s pretty heartbreaking to read this.
Missing is warm and touching, but it’s also heartbreaking. You follow Mackenzie and her father as they try to find this missing piece of them, and a sense of dread forms in the pit of your stomach. Deep down, you know what’s going to happen at the end of the novel.
Mackenzie’s father is broken, and I liked how Sue portrayed his mental health. He’s depressed and has been struggling ever since his wife went missing, and he doesn’t shy away from that around Mackenzie. Yes, at some points he tries to hide how he’s really feeling, but he is a really emotional character and Mackenzie can see how much he’s hurting. Their relationship is quite complicated and fraught at times, but given the situation they’re in, I think Sue illustrated this really effectively.
“Dad’s the same, because as the day wears on and the breeze gets stronger and the clouds hang lower and lower, threatening to pour, he becomes edgier and edgier. Why is he torturing himself like this? It’s hard to watch.”
The storyline is quite confronting for children to read, but the writing is strong and rich with emotion. The dialogue is believable and the characters relatable. I loved the connection that Mackenzie shared with her grandmother — she relies on her grandmother a lot since her mother went missing and it is sweet to see the bond they share.
I think you have to stretch your imagination with the storyline though. Mackenzie’s father pulls her out of school to go to Panama so they can both search for her mother? And they leave Mackenzie’s grandmother at home worried? It would’ve been more realistic if her father left her behind with the grandmother while he went searching for the mother, but then that would mean there wouldn’t be a story to tell. Still, I found the plot to be a bit unbelievable.
I recommend this to young teens, and children who are in the upper end of primary school. It’s middle grade novel, so I think primarily it’s aimed at children 10-14. I think adult readers might be intrigued by the mystery of Mackenzie’s mother, but I don’t think that Missing will necessarily appeal to adult readers. The protagonist reads quite young, and this book is cemented in the children’s literature space.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2018
‘Missing’ is a frank, emotionally heartfelt teen novel that explores the impact of a mother’s disappearance wreaks on a family. Mackenzie da Luca’s is preparing for her Year 6 graduation, looking forward to her mother, a bat biologist returning from a trip to Boquete in Panama in time to buy her a special dress. Each chapter begins with a portent, a moment in time for Mackenzie, changing from past to present, a place and a countdown.
Now
25 March, Boquete, Panama
Missing 117 days
Whiting’s passionate story is driven by an intensity that drives each character. Mackenzie’s father still reeling from his wife’s uncertain fate, drags his daughter from her bed in the early morning secretly takes them to the airport for a long and arduous journey. Her Nan is equally determined, she wants closure, a memorial service to honour her daughter Maggie and for her granddaughter and son-in-law to move forward in their lives. Theirs is the tragic reality of the unknown, Dad become dangerously ill with typhoid and Mackenzie and her new friend Carlo are forced to continue to canvas the townsfolk, searching for anyone who has sighted the missing biologist. A postcard supposedly sent by her mother and the last messages and photos from a parade in Boquete help Mackenzie struggle with her despair. She desperately hangs onto anything to believe that her mother is still alive; then resourcefully and courageously journeys up into the mountains and into the dense rainforest in search of answers.
What a driven narrative, Whiting keeps the tension at a high level throughout, adding past reminiscences, lighter moments, Carlo’s secret tortilla business, to balance the sadder notes.
Richly descriptive, Whiting bring the town of Boquete, the sights, sounds, animals and experiences of the jungle and landscape to life. As we are drawn to the ultimate revelation, there is both a sensitivity and a reality shown in Mackenzie’s emotional experiences. She has a dogged belief her mum is in the witness protection program, then explodes with fury when faced with the truth. ‘Missing’ is a powerful story, demanding, confronting at times, one that will resonate long after the reader has finished.
July 21, 2018
www.littlebigreads.com
A brilliant book for me is one that keeps me reading from beginning to end without stopping, and Missing is one that wouldn’t let me put it down. Sue’s book is engrossing, raw and emotional, especially when you think you know how it is going to end and it isn’t how you thought it would be.
The story begins with Mackenzie and her father running away. Well not running away as such, but it feels like it when her dad wakes her to leave quickly to pack her bags and leave in the early hours of the morning; 114 days since her mum being missing. When she finally gets her dad to share what is happening, he tells her that they are going to Panama to search for her mum themselves. Their journey begins and takes you on a emotional journey where a young girls courage and strength is inspiring.
I had no preconceived ideas about this book because I picked it up after meeting the lovely Sue and wanted to take a look at what she had published. It was really nice to go into a book not having read anything about it and just going along for the ride. I liked that the chapters were short because their length didn’t make me feel like the book was achievable. Each chapter’s identity is formed through a Then and Now situation which also lists the date and how many days Mackenzie's mum had been missing; this makes the time line easy to follow.
The ending…what can I say; it certainly wasn’t as I expected but I think as a whole it was satisfying because there was a decisive conclusion. The dramatic tension towards the end saw the growth of characters and how their experiences changed them and gave them a new identity.
Overall, I highly recommend this teen read for anyone who is a fan of YA fiction. Sue’s style of writing is easy to read and you won’t want to put this book down once you get started.
A brilliant book for me is one that keeps me reading from beginning to end without stopping, and Missing is one that wouldn’t let me put it down. Sue’s book is engrossing, raw and emotional, especially when you think you know how it is going to end and it isn’t how you thought it would be.
The story begins with Mackenzie and her father running away. Well not running away as such, but it feels like it when her dad wakes her to leave quickly to pack her bags and leave in the early hours of the morning; 114 days since her mum being missing. When she finally gets her dad to share what is happening, he tells her that they are going to Panama to search for her mum themselves. Their journey begins and takes you on a emotional journey where a young girls courage and strength is inspiring.
I had no preconceived ideas about this book because I picked it up after meeting the lovely Sue and wanted to take a look at what she had published. It was really nice to go into a book not having read anything about it and just going along for the ride. I liked that the chapters were short because their length didn’t make me feel like the book was achievable. Each chapter’s identity is formed through a Then and Now situation which also lists the date and how many days Mackenzie's mum had been missing; this makes the time line easy to follow.
The ending…what can I say; it certainly wasn’t as I expected but I think as a whole it was satisfying because there was a decisive conclusion. The dramatic tension towards the end saw the growth of characters and how their experiences changed them and gave them a new identity.
Overall, I highly recommend this teen read for anyone who is a fan of YA fiction. Sue’s style of writing is easy to read and you won’t want to put this book down once you get started.
March 16, 2018
This is one of those stories whose emotional magnetic pull refuses to abate until the painful end. The awful reality of not knowing and having to mentally compensate for the abnormal and irrational situation of a person suddenly absent from our lives is knotted convincingly together in this haunting narrative by Whiting.
Chapters representing before and after snapshots of Mackenzie da Luca's life following the disappearance of her mother fire with an intensity that keeps you page turning and guessing at outcomes. It also fills you with a certain hope which I can only guess is a fraction of the emotional torment of those left behind never knowing what's become of their missing loved ones must experience.
Humour, abject despair and hopelessness balances frank tween conjecture as Mackenzie attempts to make sense of the wretched situation she, her father and nan are enduring. Whiting maintains pressure on the tension pedal until the last desperate chapters where the then and now collide, finally providing Mackenzie with the answers she was searching for. Affecting, poignant and awfully engrossing, this book will sadden and assuage simultaneously.
Chapters representing before and after snapshots of Mackenzie da Luca's life following the disappearance of her mother fire with an intensity that keeps you page turning and guessing at outcomes. It also fills you with a certain hope which I can only guess is a fraction of the emotional torment of those left behind never knowing what's become of their missing loved ones must experience.
Humour, abject despair and hopelessness balances frank tween conjecture as Mackenzie attempts to make sense of the wretched situation she, her father and nan are enduring. Whiting maintains pressure on the tension pedal until the last desperate chapters where the then and now collide, finally providing Mackenzie with the answers she was searching for. Affecting, poignant and awfully engrossing, this book will sadden and assuage simultaneously.
April 18, 2018
'Missing' is a window into grief and its multiplicity of out workings, written with great sensitively and understanding. Set within an unputdownable and gripping mystery/adventure novel spanning the corridors of school in Australia and the wild, untamed rainforests of Panama. It answers the question: is it better to know, even if the truth seems unbearable?
There is alchemy in the writing of this novel as Whiting not only delivers a lusciously rich setting despite never having travelled to Panama, she also distils emotional and relationship complexity into a form accessible for children as young as 11 years old.
For readers who love getting lost in the story and like a good cry.
There is alchemy in the writing of this novel as Whiting not only delivers a lusciously rich setting despite never having travelled to Panama, she also distils emotional and relationship complexity into a form accessible for children as young as 11 years old.
For readers who love getting lost in the story and like a good cry.
February 19, 2018
This is an incredibly interestingly woven story. While reading this my whole body felt tense and full of uncertainty. The characters are harshly real and the settings beautifully written, however the ending left everything feeling a little to real. Which is why I would say 12+ even though my ARC copy of this says 10+.
July 3, 2018
A gripping story of a teenage girl and her father as they head to Panama to search for their missing mother/wife. Chapters alternate between ‘then’, when Mackenzie’s mother has first gone missing, and ‘now’, when Mackenzie and her father are in Panama. Despite being a sad story, it’s a compelling, hopeful story that keeps the reader turning each page with anticipation.
January 26, 2018
Missing is a beautifully written novel full of nail-biting tension. Mackenzie is a sympathetic character with a clever, inquisitive nature and her story is poignant, hopeful and sad. A most compelling tale.
March 14, 2018
A clever and gripping page turner, with a powerful young protagonist fighting to solve (or conceal) the mystery of her mums disappearance whilst searching Panama with her authentically flawed father.
June 12, 2018
Enjoyed this, it’s the story of how the disappearance of Mum Maggie, unravels the family left behind. Each family member, Mackenzie, her Dad and Nan all deal very differently to Maggie not returning from her Panama work trip on schedule. The last couple of chapters were especially powerful.
June 7, 2020
4 stars
I really enjoyed the story of this; it was thrilling, fast paced and fun. But the book had an AWFUL father character who not to be rude or anything was dumb, I do think Mackenzie was a strong character though.
I really enjoyed the story of this; it was thrilling, fast paced and fun. But the book had an AWFUL father character who not to be rude or anything was dumb, I do think Mackenzie was a strong character though.
April 16, 2018
Heartbreaking, but such a great read, with a fascinating setting.
June 10, 2023
This book touched my heart. I just loved it !!!!!
January 28, 2019
Missing is the type of book that you block out your afternoon to read and finish it in one sitting.
Upon reading the synopsis, I knew it was going to be an amazing read, and you get hooked from the very first chapter.
Mackenzie is a 16 year old girl who was dragged from her bed in the middle of the night by her father in search of her mother, who at this stage has been missing for four months. While her dad is adamant between mental break downs that his wife and Mackenzie’s mother is still alive, Mackenzie has her doubts. This can be seen when she starts to recall the subtle good-byes her mother whispered before she left.
David, her father, has a mental break down when he starts to believe that his wife will no longer be found, leaving Mackenzie trying to piece together all the puzzle pieces of where her mum is and what happened to her. To be honest, her dad pissed me off. Yes I get it you are torn up about your missing wife but ummm HELLO you have a daughter that still needs your love and support, so pick yourself up off your damn arse and start looking after her. And though I should have been proud of Mackenzie handling herself life an adult in this situation, instead it drove me mad that she was out there searching by herself with no support from anyone. And to top it off, they are in a foreign country and Mackenzie is off exploring by herself.
Through this heart wrenching story, I did find myself irritated by the writing of it. From the first few chapters you notice that certain phrases or words being repeated three times and this continues throughout the book. Honestly to me, it made no impact on my opinion of the characters nor the plot, just made me disappointed in the writing.
Overall, the storyline and the characters were great but the writing and the repetition of sentence and words really let me down, like a sulking child.
Upon reading the synopsis, I knew it was going to be an amazing read, and you get hooked from the very first chapter.
Mackenzie is a 16 year old girl who was dragged from her bed in the middle of the night by her father in search of her mother, who at this stage has been missing for four months. While her dad is adamant between mental break downs that his wife and Mackenzie’s mother is still alive, Mackenzie has her doubts. This can be seen when she starts to recall the subtle good-byes her mother whispered before she left.
David, her father, has a mental break down when he starts to believe that his wife will no longer be found, leaving Mackenzie trying to piece together all the puzzle pieces of where her mum is and what happened to her. To be honest, her dad pissed me off. Yes I get it you are torn up about your missing wife but ummm HELLO you have a daughter that still needs your love and support, so pick yourself up off your damn arse and start looking after her. And though I should have been proud of Mackenzie handling herself life an adult in this situation, instead it drove me mad that she was out there searching by herself with no support from anyone. And to top it off, they are in a foreign country and Mackenzie is off exploring by herself.
Through this heart wrenching story, I did find myself irritated by the writing of it. From the first few chapters you notice that certain phrases or words being repeated three times and this continues throughout the book. Honestly to me, it made no impact on my opinion of the characters nor the plot, just made me disappointed in the writing.
Overall, the storyline and the characters were great but the writing and the repetition of sentence and words really let me down, like a sulking child.
December 14, 2018
Age – 10+
Mackenzie’s Mum is missing. She is a bat biologist and was last seen in Panama where she was working. Now living with her Dad and Nan, life is difficult.
Dad swings from days in bed, refusing to talk to anyone, to being determined to find her. But Mackenzie’s Uncle and Aunt have been to Panama and never found a trace.
Early one morning Mackenzie is woken by her Dad and told to stuff clothes in a pack. They are going to look for her Mum – without telling Nan. Sleepy and stunned, Mackenzie trails after her father, but soon finds herself alone as he falls back into his depression. Or is it? And what about the strange postcard she’s received? Was it from Mum or not?
Told in alternating chapters of before the disappearance and after, the tension steadily builds through this story. Mackenzie’s pain and confusion at her mother’s disappearance, her father’s depression and her Nan’s cryptic answers are well portrayed and the ending well constructed. When I first saw this book I thought it would be another girl missing story, but the mother missing was an intriguing difference.
Mackenzie’s Mum is missing. She is a bat biologist and was last seen in Panama where she was working. Now living with her Dad and Nan, life is difficult.
Dad swings from days in bed, refusing to talk to anyone, to being determined to find her. But Mackenzie’s Uncle and Aunt have been to Panama and never found a trace.
Early one morning Mackenzie is woken by her Dad and told to stuff clothes in a pack. They are going to look for her Mum – without telling Nan. Sleepy and stunned, Mackenzie trails after her father, but soon finds herself alone as he falls back into his depression. Or is it? And what about the strange postcard she’s received? Was it from Mum or not?
Told in alternating chapters of before the disappearance and after, the tension steadily builds through this story. Mackenzie’s pain and confusion at her mother’s disappearance, her father’s depression and her Nan’s cryptic answers are well portrayed and the ending well constructed. When I first saw this book I thought it would be another girl missing story, but the mother missing was an intriguing difference.
November 20, 2021
Missing by Sue Whiting is an extraordinary book for readers who love mystery as well as a twisted theme. The book is about a girl who's mother dies, causing her family to break apart mentally, but physically they're still together. The family get's pitied and the main character, Mackenzie hates pity. Her mum is a chiropterologist, she studies bats. So when her mum doesn't come back home for a bit, nobody seems to think much of it, until they do. She and her dad go to the place her mum was last seen, Panama. The twist in the story is that Mackenzie knows, and can feel that her mum is no more, but her dad can't accept it - "Her dad is desperate to find out what's happened to his wife. And Mackenzie's desperate to make sure he doesn't.". Overall this book held my attention all throughout the book and I would definitely read it again, the author makes you feel a connection to the book, and it's hard to put the book down because you want to know what happens next.
January 8, 2019
While I thought ‘Missing’ was a good and valuable story, I was confused about the age of Kenzie. The story talks about her year 6 graduation that her mother misses, and then moving into year 7 (so I figure 11-12 years old), but what she does in the story does not fit with this age group - chasing information about her mother in the jungles of Panama. (Though maybe in Panama, she could get away with being young and invisible?)
The story does, however, capture the desperation of teen years, and the frustrations of not being treated like an adult when it really counts. Kenzie’s perceptions of the world colour her actions, and make you wonder who she really should trust. In her situation, who would YOU turn to?
The story does, however, capture the desperation of teen years, and the frustrations of not being treated like an adult when it really counts. Kenzie’s perceptions of the world colour her actions, and make you wonder who she really should trust. In her situation, who would YOU turn to?
June 5, 2020
A sad story about a girl who's mother has gone missing; her father struggling to cope drags her on a desperate last chance search. I like the way Mackenzie's brain developed ways for her to cope. Her lack of understanding and efforts to make sense of the whole situation were handled well. In the beginning I struggled to connect fully with her as a character, and her disregard for others at points, but this improved as it went. As I got to know her better and see her actions in wider contexts and situations, she became more than the selfish child she started out seeming to be.
The story jumping between the past and the present helped to set the scene and show the characters progression and regression.
Overall, this was a solid story that nearly had me in tears.
The story jumping between the past and the present helped to set the scene and show the characters progression and regression.
Overall, this was a solid story that nearly had me in tears.
April 21, 2021
(Written by my 10 year old)
This book is the best book I have ever read!!!! There is so much suspense, the start hooks you! As an almost 11 year old girl, I recommend this to EVERY girl around my age! I told my friend to read it, and she absolutely loved it too! I love the drama, the setting (especially since it is in a whole other country than Australia), The secretiveness, the plot is sensational! As my mother being an Author herself, Me and HER think this book is exceptionally fantastic! ( maybe i was exaggerating a LITTLE bit!😃) It is is a brilliant, SUCH an unique plot! The main character Mackenzie is put in such a hard position! The end is simple, but so unexpected! 'Missing' is so unpredictable!! Which is amazing. I rate this 5 stars! It is true, I could not put my book down!
This book is the best book I have ever read!!!! There is so much suspense, the start hooks you! As an almost 11 year old girl, I recommend this to EVERY girl around my age! I told my friend to read it, and she absolutely loved it too! I love the drama, the setting (especially since it is in a whole other country than Australia), The secretiveness, the plot is sensational! As my mother being an Author herself, Me and HER think this book is exceptionally fantastic! ( maybe i was exaggerating a LITTLE bit!😃) It is is a brilliant, SUCH an unique plot! The main character Mackenzie is put in such a hard position! The end is simple, but so unexpected! 'Missing' is so unpredictable!! Which is amazing. I rate this 5 stars! It is true, I could not put my book down!
November 20, 2022
This plot really woven into my recent obsession with True crime, especially with Kendall Rae's videos. She covers a lot of missing people's cases. Whiting mentioned since so many people go missing in Australia, she wonders how the missing person's family cope - especially children. I think this book really bring me into the world of the girl - Mackenzie. She is puzzled, confused, feeling helpless as a children around adults. She not only have to deal with her own emotions but the adults surrounding her. I also get to dive into the ways how a child could cope - just to make sense of any of the non-sense. Despite knowing Mackenzie is a ficticious character, I know there are children dealing with something similar. My heart really goes out to them. May these children find peace & love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2021
A thrilling, fast paced story about a 'real life' situation that no family wants to deal with. Mackenzie's anxiety, overthinking and creating her own version of reality was a genuine and typical response of a teenager trying to cope under highly stressful circumstances and it made the story ring true. Having a good deal of the story set in Panama made the plot even more interesting. I think this is a great novel for students who are starting to grow out of middle grade fiction and head towards young adult fiction. It includes teenage angst without some of the more edgy issues that sometimes pervade YA novels.
July 2, 2023
This is a bit of a page turner, told in short, sharp chapters, which keeps the story moving along.
Mackenzie da Luca's mum is missing in the jungles of Panama and both she, her dad and her nan are suffering in their own ways.
At breaking point, Kenzie's dad whisks her off to Panama to see if he can find his wife. But when he falls ill, Kenzie has to dig deep to see if she can find some answers about what might have happened to her mum - and with the help of a local boy, Carlo, Kenzie heads into the jungle where her mum was last seen...
This will appeal to those who like a fast-paced, tense read.
Mackenzie da Luca's mum is missing in the jungles of Panama and both she, her dad and her nan are suffering in their own ways.
At breaking point, Kenzie's dad whisks her off to Panama to see if he can find his wife. But when he falls ill, Kenzie has to dig deep to see if she can find some answers about what might have happened to her mum - and with the help of a local boy, Carlo, Kenzie heads into the jungle where her mum was last seen...
This will appeal to those who like a fast-paced, tense read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews