Search for Her

by Rick Mofina

"Mofina's books are edge-of-your seat thrilling."—Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author"A gifted storyteller."—Library JournalA missing daughter, a family with secrets, a race for the truth…At a truck stop near Las Vegas, fourteen-year-old Riley Jarrett vanishes from her family’s RV, turning their cross-country dream of starting over into a nightmare.Investigators have their work cut out for them. The massive, bustling truck plaza in the desert is the perfect place for someone to disappear—or be taken.Detectives pursue every chilling lead as all eyes fall to the newly blended family with a tragic past. With the clock ticking down on the likelihood that Riley’s alive, suspicions run deep. Everyone—from Riley’s mom to her stepdad to her stepbrother and her ex-boyfriend—has something to hide. And their secrets could prove deadly.Don't miss Rick Mofina's riveting new suspense, Everything She Feared!Look for these other pulse-pounding thrillers by International bestselling author Rick Her Last Goodbye The Last Secret The Lying House

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

349 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2021

About the author

Rick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.

His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.

The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”

Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others

Reviews

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family of four is traveling from California to Pennsylvania by recreational vehicle so they can enjoy the sights along the way. The family is making this trip due to the father getting a better job although mom and 14 year old daughter Riley are not happy about the move especially Riley who had to break up with her boyfriend and leave her best friends behind. The family stops for a break in Nevada at one of the biggest truck stops in the US when Riley disappears. How could this happen to their beloved daughter? When the police come out they place the whole family under suspicion while searching the desert and any camera videos that may have seen the teenager. Friends of the family fly and drive out to the truck stop to help in the search for Riley. As the investigation gets underway detectives find out this family is keeping many secrets and they will leave no stone unturned until they get the full truth from each family member while time continues to pass and leaves the less likelihood that Riley will be found alive. What happened to Riley?

This was another terrific book by Rick Mofina. I really enjoy this author's style of writing and can't wait to read more of his books. This is a fast page-turner with a lot of suspense and mystery. There were so many twists and turns which I loved and I would just catch my breath and Wham, another chilling twist pops up. This was a hard book to put down since there was so much happening from start to finish. There were so many suspects in this story ex boyfriends to peodifiles. The story would lead me one way and then take a quick turn in a different direction where I didn't see the ending happening the way it actually concluded. I love when I don't have a book completely figured out. (Great fun). This is not a light or cheery book by any means.

There were two things that bothered me about the story first: Why do mothers let their fourteen year old daughters date or have boyfriends because this will always be a recipe for trouble. I liked the fact the author wrote that in the book because sadly, it is a fact in real life that many parents let their daughters date way too young. The other part that bothered me was the pandemic was mentioned once or twice but I couldn't figure out if this book was written when the viral crisis was over in the future or just overlooked because there wasn't any mention of masks or social distancing so I felt it should have just been excluded from the story. (Just my own opinion) This did not take away any of the fantastic story! Any mystery, suspense or thriller lover should really give this book a try. You won't be disappointed!

I want to thank the publisher "Joffe" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific domestic thriller and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this fantastic thriller 4 Terrifying 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

SEARCH FOR HER by Rick Mofina is an intense domestic thriller by a new to me author that I am surprised I have not read before now. This is a standalone that will keep you turning the pages well into the night.

As a blended family makes their way in an RV on a cross country move, they decide to stop at the largest truck stop in the US near Las Vegas. Fourteen-year-old Riley is sleeping in the bedroom, so her mother leaves a note they will return shortly. When they check for Riley, she has vanished.

The investigation begins and every member of this family has something to hide. As the clock ticks down, their secrets could prove deadly.

I was in a huge slump with this genre and hating every domestic thriller I started feeling they were all the same and the plots were all based on stupid premises. Mr. Mofina has saved me with realistic characters and a skillfully plotted book that pulled me in from the first page. I believed I was reading a missing and abducted child thriller and then…BAM! The tight timeline and ticking clock were used perfectly to ramp up the tension and angst. All the characters are realistically drawn and have secrets in a plot with twists and turns that I did not see coming at all. I was completely engrossed in the investigation and very satisfied with the conclusion.

I highly recommend this new domestic thriller and I will be checking out more works by this author!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then, a reader has the good luck of reading a mystery that completely ticks all the boxes: Search For Her by Rick Mofina is that book. A blended family from San Diego have rented an RV to drive cross-country, on the way to a new job and a new beginning. Dad and his teenage son, Blake and Mom with her teenage daughter, Riley are trying to make a go of their new family. Because of a terrible misunderstanding, Riley is left behind at a giant truck stop, located on the edge of a desert. The family soon realizes their mistake but by then Riley has disappeared. What follows is a massive search involving police from California and Nevada and a large group of friends from San Diego. Then it becomes clear that each and every one of these family members have secrets, huge secrets. Where is Riley? Did someone kidnap her? Did she leave of her own accord? Will she ever be found and will she be alive? What makes this book so captivating is Rick Mofina’s writing style. Each chapter finishes with a cliff-hanger that is not explained until several chapters later. The reader is kept in the dark, imagining all kinds of possibilities. This is a thriller that will not be soon forgotten. Highly recommended. Thank you to Joffe Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Karine · Rating 2 out of 5]

A family that is relocating from San Diego to Pittsburgh stops at a mega service station near Las Vegas with their RV. After a 20 minute break they leave and it is only some time later that they realize that their teen daughter Riley has been left behind. By making a u-turn to return to the service station, they get into an accident. This is the start of a frenetic search for Riley and for the truth.

Let me start by saying that the story would make a very good movie. It is action packed, fast paced with twists and turns all the way through. However, there would be a high need of A class actors to pull it off, as the characters that are depicted in the book are cardboard with little to go on as to their inner workings. Mainly the only voice is that of Grace, Riley's mom and she is - understandably - hysterical, so that sense of alarm is something that carries all through the book.

The twists and turns are many but predictable, as of course the police will search for a pedophile, and maybe she has been kidnapped for trafficking or it is related to drug smuggling. All these lines of inquiry are thoroughly investigated and make out a large portion of the story.

I also found that there were too many characters, to a point that every police officer, security agent, FBI or Missing person unit agent were classified as "authorities" in my mind, not paying attention to the name or function. Same for all the friends and neighbors, same for all the journalists and reporters. This approach worked just fine and allowed me to get into the story without having to memorize dozens of names.

Another thing that irked me were the religious references. Everyone was "praying to God", "Keeping the Faith", and "feeling so Blessed". At some point, it was so abundant I thought it might lead to a new lead: "Kidnapped by mysterious cult". But the biggest let-down was the end, where everything was explained in the last two pages, just in case we - the reader - wouldn't have understood.

So all in all, a good read if you are on a beach and you want something easy and you crave a good fast paced story, without expecting too much.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC.

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

13-year-old Riley was accidentally left at a huge truck stop while her mom and step-father and step-brother were driving a rented RV to what was to be their new home. When they went to check on her in the bedroom of the RV, they discovered that she wasn't there. They did a quick turn to go back but unfortunately they got involved in an accident delaying their return by several hours.

Investigators have their work cut out for them. The massive, bustling truck plaza in the desert is the perfect place for someone to disappear—or be taken.

Everyone—from Riley’s mom to her stepdad to her stepbrother and her ex-boyfriend—has something to hide. And their secrets could prove deadly.

What did happen to Riley? Did she get tired of fighting with her mom and just take off. Did she make arrangements to meet someone? Was she specifically targeted .. or just a random abduction? And what are the family members hiding ... from the cops and each other?

This is full of action ... angst ... suspense from the get-go. What you might see as a typical blended family was anything but. They each have secrets .... but what would they do to keep those secrets from being held up to the light? As I have found from other books by this author, the characters are deftly drawn. The conclusion came as quite a surprise.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Mofina is one of my go to authors when I want a captivating read and Search For Her is his latest mystery/thriller.
A family's cross country move turns into a journey from hell when the 14 yr old daughter goes missing at a busy truck stop. What follows is a relentless police investigation into a troubled family (resulting in many suspects) and a race against time to find her.
Various storylines are weaved together making it confusing at times. However, it's full of action-packed twists and turns making you wonder what's next. And ultimately it all comes together in the end.
A Riveting Read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Search For Her is the latest standalone thriller by Mr Mofina, set in the neighbouring states of California and Nevada and revolves around a missing daughter, a family with secrets and a race for the truth. Grace Jarrett, a nurse in San Diego, lost her first husband, Riley’s dad, in a car accident. After several painful years, Grace met and married John Marshall, who had lost his first wife and teenage daughter in a sailing accident in San Diego Bay. John’s son, Blake, seventeen, is only a few years older than fourteen year old Riley. Both families were from San Diego, California, where Grace worked at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center. John worked as public relations manager at a clothing chain in San Diego, where things had not been going well for him. So he accepted a new job as communications director with a Fortune 500 retail company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where they will move to. Riley has deep roots and a boyfriend, Caleb, in San Diego and opposed moving from the area in which her dad died. However, her mother, Grace, despite uncertainties, agrees that they should move and create a new chapter in their lives as a blended family. Having only been married a short time, two years, Grace and John thought that a family vacation drive in a rented RV across the country would be a good way to create new memories. After an argument about the move Riley stomps off in a strop to take a nap in the RV's bedroom. At the Silver Sagebrush truck stop near Las Vegas, one of the largest in the US, they stop to buy supplies and ask Blake to check on Riley.

He informs them that she's still asleep so they set off but sometime down the road they realise Blake lied and she was gone, turning their cross-country dream of starting over into a nightmare. Naturally, John turns the RV around immediately believing they accidentally left her behind at Sagebrush. They inform the police and she officially becomes a missing person, but the investigators have their work cut out for them. The massive, bustling truck plaza in the desert is the perfect place for someone to disappear—or be taken. Detectives pursue every chilling lead as all eyes fall to the newly blended family with a tragic past. With the clock ticking down on the likelihood that Riley’s alive, suspicions run deep. Everyone—from Riley’s mom to her stepdad to her stepbrother and her ex-boyfriend—has something to hide. And their secrets could prove deadly. Where's Riley? Who's taken her? The search is on. This is a riveting and compulsive thriller written by one of America's most accomplished crime writers. There was everything you need for a good thrill ride: ample twists, liberal use of misdirection, drama by the bucketload, emotion and a high-stakes situation in which time is of the essence. Nothing and nobody is as they seem and you can't take any of them for their word making this a scintillating and unpredictable tale, and Mofina's career as a journalist who has spent time looking at crime helps create a believability. The number of secrets the characters hold is unparalleled when compared to all the thrillers I've read recently so if you enjoy the unravelling of dark, disturbing family secrets this unmissable. Highly recommended.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Search for Her by Rick Mofina is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank the publisher Joffe Books (and in particular Nina Kicul) , and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Grace and John, with their son Blake, and their daughter Riley, rent an RV to take them across the states to Pittsburgh, where a new job and new life awaits.  This is a second marriage for both of them, and their kids are still adjusting, and Riley in particular is not thrilled to be leaving California.

At a massive truck stop and casino near Las Vegas, 14-year old Riley goes missing.

Detectives have their work cut out for them.  They call in every department they can to aid in the search, but fears are growing.  Did she run off?  Was she taken? Is the family involved? Is this a case of human trafficking?  Or is it simply a case of an upset teenager, who decided to run away? A year ago, another girl went missing from the area, and was found dead.  Everyone is taking this seriously.

The family is feeling the loss, as well as guilt.  For they are each keeping their own secrets.  As one day leads to the next, each one is being torn apart.


My Opinions:   
Well, I think I will move Rick Mofina back to the top of my authors to be read pile.  I forgot how great a story he tells.  This was a great mystery/thriller.

The plot, the characters, the pace.  Everything meshed.  The twists were good, and although I had my suspicions, I was still surprised when some of them came true.  There were a lot of scenarios that could have worked, so it was interesting how things turned out.  Those different red herrings kept me interested and kept me turning those pages to find out which one was going to be disproved next.  Some of them took a long time to sort out.

This book was just a tad long, although I'm really not sure where it could have been shortened.  Mofina is a talented writer, and this book was just one of many that could be made into a movie.

Recommend to anyone that needs a good mystery with lots of suspects.



For a more complete review of this book and others (including my reason for choosing to read this, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[OutlawPoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may be my first book by Rick Mofina.

There was a ton of authenticity about the writing. After reading, I read a little about Mofina and the authenticity makes sense – he writes from his experience in the field and it shows.

The book is mostly a heartstopper. I was so concerned about our girl, heartbroken for her family, and highly suspicious of everyone! The book moves so quickly, but actually spans very few days. So much happens!

I’ll confess that the author’s style did take me a little to get used to. It’s here that we see the author’s journalistic style. I did eventually warm to his style and thought it worked well to tell the story.

I’ll read the author again. The book has a mix of heart and the truth that everyone has secrets.

I liked it.

*ARC via Net Galley

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has so many twists and turns there is no way to predict what will happen next. Grace Jarret was widowed but is now remarried and creating a blended family with John Marshall. John gets a great job offer so the family packs up and rents an RV for their cross-country move from California to Pennsylvania. Along the way, the family stops at a mega truck stop near Las Vegas and fourteen-year-old Riley disappears. Multiple members of law enforcement are on the case, but they can’t help but feel they are being lied to.

It is soon clear that the whole family as well as some of their close friends are all keeping huge, potentially dangerous secrets. As the investigation progresses, there is no shortage of explanations for what happened to Riley and who could be responsible. This book is a page-turner that I didn’t want to put down. There is one plot twist after the other throughout this fast-paced book. Because of the clues given in the story, I was able to figure out part of the solution to Riley’s disappearance, but the journey was a wild ride that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book for fans of Mofina’s other books or for fans of Harlan Coben or Linwood Barclay. 4.5 stars

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Joffe Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[CaraDico · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Mofina and Jaffe Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Search for Her by Rick Mofina catches the reader from the very first page with unique prose, interesting characters, and quick action.

Grace Jarrett and John Marshall are moving across the country with Grace’s 14-year-old daughter, Riley, and John’s 17-year-old son, Blake. Theirs is a blended family, both having lost spouses in tragic accidents five years ago. John has accepted a better-paying job in Pittsburgh and is moving the family from San Diego. But what represents a new start for the family has Riley angry and upset, forced to say goodbye to her friends and break up with her much older boyfriend, Caleb. Blake, at seventeen, seems indifferent. But their trip starts off with arguing as Grace confiscates both teens’ phones so they can look at scenery.

The Silver Sagebrush is a huge truck stop, with a casino, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Thousands go in and out by the hour. When the family stops there to use the bathrooms, Grace allows Riley to keep sleeping, leaving a note as the family goes inside. When they return to the RV, they ask Blake to check on Riley, which he doesn’t do but assures Grace she is fine. When Grace checks on her after they have driven about an hour, she realizes Riley is not there. Chaos ensues.

As John frantically tries to find a place to turn the RV around, Grace frantically calls the Silver Sagebrush to have Riley paged. Unfortunately, an irate driver, cut off by the huge RV, tries to get in front of them and it forces them off the road into a terrible accident which totals the rental vehicle. The fast pace of this mystery leaves the reader wanting more, as secrets reveal themselves and red herrings appear.

Search for Her is both a mystery, as it draws the reader into the secrets this family holds while searching frantically for Riley. The constant action and introduction of new characters and new twists kept this reader on her seat, finishing the novel in one day. As the Silver Sagebrush is one of the largest rest stops in the country, the investigators know that anything could have happened to Riley, including kidnapping, trafficking, or murder. From the very beginning, the family is suspect, and it leads the reader to believe they may be involved in her disappearance.

Search for Her is fantastic. Sure, all the characters are well developed and interesting, but really it is the non-stop action that makes this book unputdownable.

Previously posted at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/se...

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A school of red herrings

I have read quite a few of author Mofina's books and I usually really enjoy his twisty, turny thrillers. But, in this case, it was over the top. There were so many red herrings I thought I was looking at a revised recipe for cioppino.

There were just too many twists and turns dropped into the story that didn't lead anywhere. I wish some of that writing energy had been used in character development. I didn't feel particularly close to any of the characters in the story.

I liked the premise of the story and the locations involved, just not the execution. This one weaker story from Mofina will not keep me from reading Mofina's books in the future.

I received this book from MIRA Books through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another day. Another "abduction book" by Rick Mofina.

For some reason, Rick Mofina's books fail to resonate with me, and SEARCH FOR HER was no exception. Apparently, "abduction books" must sell, because Rick Mofina is a prolific writer and he keeps on pumping them out and I, of course, keep on reading them.

My major criticism of the book was that it dragged and lacked the "suspense factor" that I was seeking and hoping for. The book was a 12-hour audiobook and that was much, much too long for the story told.

I listened to the book's audio version and the narration was good but not great.

I selected this book because it received stellar reviews. Hopefully, next time I will not make the same mistake but since I usually enjoy abduction thrillers, I can't be sure.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Mofina never fails to satisfy. I've read a few of his books and they always deliver on suspense, believable characters and fast-moving plots. This one was very good and I was only mildly irritated by the mother at times haha. But hey, her daughter was missing so she was allowed to be a bit annoying.

The narrator for the audiobook did a great job, considering all the characters she had to portray.

[Manda Nem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this read. Beginning was a bit slower setting the stage. But the last half was one thing after another.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared, Search For Her is not your typical missing person thriller. It tricks you into thinking it could go in that direction and then it takes a curve so fast your jaw drops! I am stilling thinking "Well that sure was a surprise!" It's not too often I am surprised by an ending. Grace, John, and their two teenage children Blake and Riley were moving from California to Pennsylvania. They rented an RV to make this trip a family adventure. On the drive Grace, the mother, had an argument with her daughter Riley .Riley didn't want to move away from her school and friends and especially her older boyfriend Caleb whom Grace strongly disapproved of. The family stopped at a huge rest stop that included a hotel, gas station, food court, restaurants and retail stores. Riley was pouting in the back bedroom of the RV saying she was taking a nap. When the family stopped Grace decided to let Riley sleep since she was in a very bad mood and didn't want to deal with her. The family went into the rest stop and got what they needed and returned to the RV. Grace told Blake to check on his sister and ask her if she wanted to eat. Blake said he asked her and said she was fine. So the family left the rest stop and continued on their journey. Grace again told Blake to wake his sister so she could eat. She wasn't there they left her at the rest stop. They went back and she was nowhere to be found. The search for her was frenzied and also uncovered many deep family secrets. Will they find Riley in time? Take the wild ride to find out you wont be disappointed.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!! Rick Mofina is one of my favorite authors and I always get excited when he has a new book out. This one definitely didn't disappoint. Great mystery/thriller. I enjoyed that what actually happened to Riley wasn't revealed until almost the end of the book, which kept me constantly guessing. There were so many people who could have been behind her disappearance, including her family. All of them were keeping secrets. Teenage girls can be little demons and Riley was no exception. She had an attitude, was glued to her phone and was in a bad mood because her family was moving across the country and her mom made her break up with her older boyfriend. I can understand why Grace let Riley stay in the RV, nobody wanted to deal with a mood, sulky fourteen year old. It wasn't until the second shoe was found that I had a sneaky suspicion of who had to be behind everything. I just couldn't figure out why. After finishing the book, I'm going with CRAZY. There were so many twists and turns. The book kept me in suspense until the very end. I didn't want to put it down, because I couldn't wait to find out what really happened to Riley.

Definitely recommend it. It was a great mystery and thriller. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Joffe Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEARCH FOR HER by Rick Mofina. From the first page Mr. Mofina throws the reader headlong into an fast paced, twisty turny, tension filled family drama. Grace, John, Blake and Riley have a multitude of secrets that are uncovered during the investigation into Riley's disappearance. I didn't expect the outcome as the story came to a close. A gripping and entertaining read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

[Lisa Shower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

I absolutely love the authors books, having read all of them, but this one took my breath away. The pace of this story was so fast, with multiple suspects, diverging directions, and plot twists galore. I actually had suspicions of the perpetrator early on in the book but set them aside. My hat is off to you once more Mr. Mofina!

[Greta Halliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy untangling webs of mystery and intrigue then this is the book to read. Action at each turn of the page building to a fascinating finale. Congratulations to the author on a fantastic and gripping read. Thanks also to Joffe books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow as part of the Blog Tour

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Search for Her by Rick Mofina is a highly recommended twisty thriller

Grace Jarrett and John Marshall along with her daughter Riley and his son Blake are a blended family who are making a move across the country, from San Diego to Pennsylvania. Grace and John married two years previously after they both lost their first spouses and John a daughter due to tragedies. This move represents a big job advancement for John and a new start for the family, but 14 year-old Riley is upset about the move and being told to break up with her boyfriend, Caleb. Blake, seventeen, seems indifferent. As they start the trip in a rented RV, Grace confiscates Blake and Riley's phones so they will see the scenery rather than being glued to their screens resulting in Riley angrily stomps off to take a nap in the back.

As they enter Nevada, they decide to stop at the Silver Sagebrush, a huge truck stop complex. Grace makes the decision to allow Riley to keep sleeping and leaves her a note as the family goes inside. They return to the RV half-an-hour later and continue the trip. Grace asks Blake to check on Riley, which he pretends to do and then says she's sleeping. When Grace check a bit later, She realizes Riley's gone. John frantically tries to find a place to turn the RV around to return while Grace frantically calls the Silver Sagebrush to start the search for Riley. They are heading back when an accident totals the RV. All of this sets into motion a frantic search for Riley who can't be found at the truck stop as well as the exposure of secrets all the family members have been keeping.

Once the plot has been set into motion, the novel turns to part investigation and part family drama. There is no doubt that the intense drama and heart-stopping twists are all encompassing and will keep you glued to the pages. There are a few instances where you have to set disbelief aside, which you will easily do in order to follow the investigation. As a 14 year old missing from one of the largest truck stops in the country, she could be a prime target for all manner of nefarious deeds, so the main drama is the search for Riley. But you will also want to find out exactly what secrets the family is keeping since the existence of these huge secrets is teased all the way through the novel. The investigators question and look closely at the family members as suspects in Riley's disappearance.

The character development is secondary to the action and suspense. They are developed, but it is all at a measured pace and based on keeping the drama, tension, and suspense moving along at a fast pace. Mofina knows how to deliver the drama and suspense and that is what will keep you frantically reading to the end.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of MIRA Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tense and taut thriller that brings to shocking life every parent’s worst nightmare, Rick Mofina’s Search for Her is a highly charged chiller that will take your breath away.

Grace and her husband John are moving across the country to start a brand new life with their blended family. The last couple of years have not been easy for either of them as both have experienced their fair share of loss, heartache and tragedy, but this move represents a second chance and an opportunity to leave the past behind to make new memories as a family. Having packed up their lives – despite their children’s reluctance – Grace and John and the kids start the long journey to their new home. Stopping at a truck stop for a break, Grace and John leave daughter Riley in their rented van for a couple of minutes while they freshen up – only when they get back to their van for the second leg of their journey, they get the shock of their lives as Riley is nowhere to be found…

Where has Riley gone? She had made it very clear that she didn’t want to move across the country and leave her friends behind. Could she have made her way back to their old town? Did she hitchhike her way back home? Or is there something far more sinister and terrifying going on here? Grace and John are desperate for answers and they vow to leave no stone unturned until they find their daughter safe and sound. But is Riley lost to them forever? Will all their frantic searches for their daughter prove groundless? Will Grace and John find Riley? And who is responsible for her disappearance? A perfect stranger? Or someone who is very close to home?

Rick Mofina’s Search For Her is a fantastic page-turner guaranteed to send shiver after shiver racing down your spine. A talented writer who certainly knows how to keep his readers glued to the pages of his books, in Search For Her Rick Mofina has penned an intense, electrifying and nerve-twisting read that will send your heart rate soaring through the roof.

Clear your schedule, switch off your phone and get ready to devour in one sitting Rick Mofina’s brilliant thriller, Search for Her.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a free copy from Netgalley for honest review

Grace Jarrett has a new blended family that consists of her biological daughter Riley, 14, her new husband of two years John Marshall and John's 17 year old son Blake. They are relocating from San Diego to Pittsburg because John is starting a new job and they decide to go by RV across the country to spend time as a family. Not everyone is happy about the decision to move, Riley is angry at her mother that her whole life is being uprooted, she is missing her friends and doesn't like the fact that she had to break up with her boyfriend Caleb. After an argument with her parents Riley stomps off to take a nap in the bedroom on the RV. The family stops at the Silver Sagebrush, a huge truck stop complex in Nevada to buy supplies and they exit the RV with riley still sleeping in the back. After returning Grace asks her son to check on Riley and he says she is still sleeping so the family continues on their journey. After a few miles Grace decides to check on her daughter and finds that she is not there, Blake had lied about checking on her and they realize that she must have been left behind at the truck stop so John turns the RV around to go back and look for Riley while Grace gets on the phone to call ahead to start the search. As they race back they are in an accident and flip the RV so when police arrive they are confronted with the frantic family. Back at the Sagebrush there is no sign of Riley and she officially becomes a missing person. As police search for what really happened to Riley the family is forced to deal with past tragedies as well as the secrets that they are all keeping.

This was a fast paced, high adrenaline read where you can really feel the families sense of urgency throughout the book. There are enough twist and turns to keep it interesting and the story is full tension and family drama. I highly recommend this book to all fans of Rick Mofina as it does not disappoint. A great read.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Cell phones and texting have altered interactions between individuals in the family. Grace finally grabs the cell phones and locks them in the glove compartment on the cross country trip east. Both her daughter and step-son Blake are left without a way to communicate with their friends. Riley goes to the bed in the back of a rented motorhome and decides to take a nap rather than stay with her family.

Stopping at a roadside truck stop they go in to get a few items for the trip and use the restrooms. They let Riley nap on the back bed and are gone for twenty minutes. When they return to the vehicle, they are assured that Riley is still in the back by her step-brother. But he has lied. Twenty minutes later they realize that Riley was left at the truck stop.

Rick Mofina begins a tale of a frantic search and a number of plot twists. As you read his tale you feel fairly certain that you know who the culprit is. The problem is that neither Riley, nor her body, have been found.

This narrative would be a very good read for anyone studying criminal justice. Following your gut on who the culprit is leads to false conclusions. Evidence is the only answer in solving the disappearance. Can Riley be found in time? Why did she disappear so quickly? Was she abducted? You will have to read the book to get to the conclusion. The way the authors ends the tale is a stunner you won’t believe. Enjoy! 5 stars - CE Williams

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from publisher through NetGalley. These are my unbiased opinions.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

349 pages

4 stars

A blended family – father, mother, son and daughter – are moving to Pittsburgh from their sunny home in California. The daughter is Riley who is fourteen and nearly destroyed by leaving her boyfriend and other friends. She is very upset and angry. The teenage boy has secrets.

Riley is sulking in the bedroom of their rented motor home when the family stops at a huge truck stop in the desert. She doesn't want to go into the convenience store. Back on the road, the family discovers Riley is missing and they frantically head back to the truck stop and cause a horrible pile up on the way. Although bruised, they report the missing girl to the police and the search begins.

The truck stop has cameras everywhere, so it is easy for the police to spot Riley. She fends off a creepy guy and the cops spend time looking for him, but Riley is not there. They follow other leads, but Riley is not there.

In a desperate conclusion, with lots of action the issue is finally resolved. Not necessarily to everyone's satisfaction. The family has many secrets that are uncovered by the investigation and feelings are hurt. Surprises are brought to light.

This is a well written and plotted novel. I, too, was reminded of a true crime novel when I read this book. The reader is following in real time the investigation. While I didn't care much for the characters in the story, I did enjoy reading it.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy on this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Taylor Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book caught me by surprise. I had not heard of it, but loved the cover & the premise intrigued me. This story comes to life in the first few pages and is INSTANT action. You’re immediately drawn into the drama and trying to puzzle out what could have happened. The book is extremely authentic, reading like you might expect a true crime piece and covering every angle of the investigation and each lead they encounter. However, this means there are a TON of characters and it gets difficult to keep track of whos who. With so many characters, you never really get drawn in to love any particular character as you really stay on the surface of each until it draws nearer to the end of the book. By the time you finally start to get in to understand the characters, you don’t want to hear it and want to skip right to the action! With a story so quick paced, you’re left guessing right up to the end of where the girl could be and what the truth is behind the family.

Pros:
-quick pace
-leaves you guessing til the very end
-clean ending that ties up every question
-authentic feel like true crime

Cons:
-so many characters to keep track of

*based on temporary digital ARC courtesy of NetGalley & publisher in exchange for honest review

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 4.5*
A family is moving from San Diego to Pittsburgh via Las Vegas in their rented RV with the mother and daughter at war with each other and an unhappy stepson too. When they finally stop at services, they leave Riley - the daughter - in the RV only to discover when they have set off again that she's no longer in the van as her step brother had said she was. Back at the services, there is no sign of her and so a search begins.
I have myself driven this road with fighting siblings so it very much resonated how easily it would be to 'leave' one in a room if I had had an RV! That aside, Rick has very cleverly woven additional stories into the main one and that makes the reader almost doubt everyone of them at some point and the intrigue of what they are all hiding is tantalising. There are lots of red herrings although they are relevant to the story. Very enjoyable and addictive read.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC to review.

[EILEEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEARCH FOR HER starts out with one small error in judgment that escalates into the possibility of a horrific tragedy of monumental proportions. In a race against time and the unknown, hair-raising suspense skyrockets. With hints of duplicitous hidden agendas, the terrifying mystery intensifies. Could any of this subterfuge cause an agonizing catastrophe? Tension, terror and trepidation permeate the atmosphere across two states. The bewildering conundrum dead ends at every turn ramping up the nail-biting dread and foreboding. This harrowing, heart-breaking nightmare is akin to a petrifying, horrendous rollercoaster ride through hell culminating in a dynamite, explosive finish with astounding revelations.

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pages turn themselves in Search For Her.

Riley 14, has gone missing from a truck station.

The police are brought in right away.

Riley is from a blended family : her Mom Claire, her stepdad John and stepbrother Blake are devastated and frantic.

Each of them has their own secret. Secrets have a way of coming back to haunt you. At least these type of secrets will.

The search is thorough and the anticipation is there in every page.

What happened to Riley and who can you actually trust.

Getting to read a new Rick Mofina book is like a birthday present. I love all his books and Search for Her is no exception.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books, Mystery and Thrillers for a fantastic read!