Girl Missing

Detective Kaitlyn Carr #1

by Kate Gable

Don’t lie to me…

When her 13-year-old sister vanishes on her way back from a friend’s house, Detective Kaitlyn Carr must confront demons from her own past in order to bring her sister home.

The small mountain town of Big Bear Lake is only three hours away but a world away from her life in Los Angeles. It’s the place she grew up and the place that’s plagued her with lies, death and secrets.


As Kaitlyn digs deeper into the murder that she is investigating and her sister's disappearance, she finds out that appearances are misleading and few things are what they seem.


A murderer is lurking in the shadows and the more of the mystery that Kaitlyn unspools the closer she gets to danger herself.

Can Kaitlyn find the killer and solve the mystery of her sister’s disappearance before it’s too late?

What happens when someone else is taken?

This is a suspenseful thriller perfect for fans of James Patterson, Leslie Wolfe, Lisa Regan, L. T. Vargus and Karin Slaughter. It has mystery, angst, a bit of romance and family drama.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Novels

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2021

About the author

Kate Gable loves a good mystery that is full of suspense. She grew up devouring psychological thrillers and crime novels as well as movies, tv shows and true crime.

Her favorite stories are the ones that are centered on families with lots of secrets and lies as well as many twists and turns. Her novels have elements of psychological suspense, thriller, mystery and romance.

Kate Gable lives in Southern California with her husband, son, a dog and a cat. She has spent more than twenty years in this area and finds inspiration from its cities, canyons, deserts, and small mountain towns.

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Reviews

[Joyce Louks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t read this unless you want to buy 4 more books

To say this ends in a cliffhanger, doesn’t do it justice. It ends, and book 2 starts up within a couple of days. The writing isn’t bad, but in my option, these five books could have been made into one. It needs some serious editing. Lots of places where things were skipped and didn’t make sense. Anyway, the mystery of her missing sister isn’t solved until the last few pages of book 5. Yes,I read all 5. I don’t know why.

[Roxie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Underwhelming to say the least...but you know I'm going to say the most. The quality of the book suffers from a number of weird punctuation errors, lots of telling rather than showing, and a general lack of polish. I would assume that the writing was geared toward a much younger audience if not for the mature themes. The plot is composed of two different criminal investigations, one that's professionally assigned to the main character and another that's personal, which probably would have been an interesting premise in the hands of a more capable author (and editor!). Unfortunately, that balancing act didn't pan out well at all. The LAPD murder case felt like an afterthought to both the author and the protagonist, little more than hastily inserted bookends to frame the missing sister storyline. The ending was wildly abrupt, as is just about everything regarding the narrative voice. I don't mind an ongoing arc between books in a series, but there were far too many loose threads here to make this first installment feel anywhere near complete.

Guess I'll just have to live with all sorts of unresolved plot points hanging over my head, because this is definitely where I'm parting ways with Detective Carr.

[Kersten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Badly edited with little to no proofreading evident. A major character called one name, then another, by the character they’re married to. Conversations that don’t flow or make sense. Poor grammar and use of syntax. I’m glad this was a freebie and I won’t waste my money on the other books in the series, especially as the characters and police procedure etc. are not engaging or believable. This is the first time I’ve ever rated a book below 3 stars, but unless this is given a complete rewrite and properly edited, don’t waste your time.

[Eles Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not understanding how anyone gave this book any more than 2 stars. The writing was awful and was unfortunately never edited for content. There were plot holes, character holes and disjointed actions by all involved.

[Beth Lechman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a new author for me and honestly I won't be reading another one. The blurb sounded intriqueing but I found it to ramble in my opinion. The story is supposed to be about Dt. Kaitlyn Carr's sister going missing but I found it to be more about her than anything. Was very disappointed.

[Tori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to enjoy the book but found it had a lot of unimportant filler that didn’t add to the story and some sentences seemed unstructured and confusing. I found the main characters choices cringy since she was doing things she knew she legally should not be doing.

I think I would have enjoyed it if I was 17 or 18 years old.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl Missing is about a female detective and her relationships with those around her. Great start to a series by a new author to me. I can’t wait read next book Girl Lost by Kate Gable.
*I was given a copy and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

GIRL MISSING is the first instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult DETECTIVE KAITLYN CARR murder/mystery/suspense series focusing on LAPD Detective Kaitlyn Carr.

NOTE: There is a prequel novella GIRL HIDDEN that introduces some of the characters and players in the series. GIRL MISSING advances the series approximately one year.

Told from first person perspective (Kaitlyn) GIRL MISSING follows two pathways as LAPD Detective Kaitlyn Carr gets a frantic call from her mother that Kaitlyn’s thirteen year old sister Violet is missing. Although Big Bear Lake is out of Kaitlyn’s jurisdiction, our heroine begins an investigation of her own that pushes the buttons of some well connected people. Meanwhile, back in LA, Kaitlyn is called to investigate the murder of a young girl found hanging from a neighborhood tree but the investigation goes nowhere fast until a visit to the family home reveals some disturbing news about the recently deceased.

GIRL MISSING is a fast paced, character driven and tragic story of mental illness, the power of social media, family, secrets, lies and loss. The premise is dramatic, sensitive and intense; the characters are energetic and emotional. We are introduced to FBI Agent Luke Galvinson, and the return of Kaitlyn’s now ex Thomas Abrams-there is a story regarding Thomas that has yet to be revealed.

Www.thereadingcafe.com

[Petra Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a free book, and (unfortunately) I bought the second at the same time, since I often get drawn into a series. Wish I hadn't. There are two strands to this story, as Detective Carr works on a murder at the same time that her sister goes missing. She is now flitting between her work place in LA, and her home town in the mountains, 2 or 3 hours drive away. She does this for 2 days with virtually no sleep and little personal hygiene, and still manages to squeeze in a night of passion with a guy she just met. Oh, and a bank robbery, too. It's all a bit disjointed. The book could have done with some good editing and proofreading. Punctuation, jumbled sentences, strange gaps in the narrative (How does Luke all of a sudden pop up in her office?) and plot errors (the murder victims father is first called "Bill", but then becomes "Tim"). And are 13-year olds in America really like this? Make-up, "sky high heels" and sex, on-and-off girlfriend for "a couple of years" already? I mean, thirteen???? But what do I know about American kids these days.
The LA murder case is actually quite interesting although a bit beyond credibility, but unfortunately we get left with a very unsatisfying cliffhanger in Carr's personal case. Sigh. Not happy.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.50 stars. Just meh, I felt like I was almost done and still wondering when it would get started.

[Nancy Burnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story and very easy reading. Looking forward to #2 in the series.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novella set this book up perfectly and even though it’s a bit different then I typically read it’s still something I’m enjoying and will definitely read the next one too

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl Missing is Book one in detective Kaitlyn Carr by Kate Gable. When a young girl went missing in the small mountain town of Big Bear Lake brought up the memories of Detective Kaitlyn Carr's 13-year-old sister's disappearance. Detective Kaitlyn Carr decided to open her sister's case again, and the more she investigated both cases, the more she found things did not add up. The readers of Girl Missing will continue to follow Detective Kaitlyn Carr's investigation to discover what happens.

Girl Missing is an enjoyable book, and I did engage with this book's characters and plot from the start. Girl Missing is the first book I have read by Kate Gable, and I love Kate Gable's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Girl Missing is well-written and researched by Kate Gable. I like Kate Gable's description of the settings of Girl Missing, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Girl Missing will learn about the issues that families face when a family member commits suicide. Also, the readers of Girl Missing will know the problems law enforcement officers have when they have no backup.

I recommend this book.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

GIRL MISSING is the first instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult DETECTIVE KAITLYN CARR murder/mystery/suspense series focusing on LAPD Detective Kaitlyn Carr.

NOTE: There is a prequel novella GIRL HIDDEN that introduces some of the characters and players in the series.

Told from first person perspective (Kaitlyn) GIRL MISSING follows two pathways as LAPD Detective Kaitlyn Carr gets a frantic call from her mother that Kaitlyn’s thirteen year old sister Violet is missing. Although Big Bear Lake is out of Kaitlyn’s jurisdiction, our heroine begins an investigation of her own that pushes the buttons of some well connected people. Meanwhile, back in LA, Kaitlyn is called to investigate the murder of a young girl found hanging from a neighborhood tree but the investigation goes nowhere fast until a visit to the family home reveals some disturbing news about the recently deceased.

GIRL MISSING is a fast paced, character driven and tragic story of mental illness, the power of social media, family, secrets, lies and loss. The premise is dramatic, sensitive and intense; the characters are energetic and emotional. We are introduced to FBI Agent Luke Galvinson, and the return of Kaitlyn’s now ex Thomas Abrams-there is a story regarding Thomas that has yet to be revealed.

Www.thereadingcafe.com

[Jarilynn C. Francis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did this book get so many stars? Cannot believe I stuck with it just to find out there is no ending but that I have to read the next book for closure. Ridiculous!! Will never read this author again. I should have realized from the beginning the book was a dud. The main character keeps on working another case in spite of the fact that her only sister is missing. Who does that?

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Called to the scene of a hanging, LAPD detective Kaitlyn Carr is shocked to find that the victim is a thirteen-year-old girl. Almost before she can even begin to process the murder, she's again rocked - this time her young sister is missing. Torn between the two investigations, Kaitlyn must do what she can to bring a killer to justice...and her sister home.

Part of this book contains an arcing storyline that spans several novels (five, in fact) and really is not for those people who like their books tied up at the end. Normally, I fall into that category, but this mystery was compelling enough for me to get past my compulsions and enjoy the story as it is written.

The main character was difficult to like, I found. She's almost antisocial and definitely anti-relationships. The phrase "married to the job" applies to Kaitlyn quite handily and, while her drive is commendable, it really doesn't win her any prizes in the popularity department. Luckily, she has a close friend who helps to soften her character. When we meet Kaitlyn's mother, it becomes clear from whom she has inherited her lack of social aptitude. I did find that I warmed to Kaitlyn eventually and was rooting for her by the end of the book.

With respect to the actual detection, Kaitlyn was naturally distracted - distraught, perhaps and didn't seem to do as well as one might expect. Her attention to the murder and its suspects was sporadic while her attempts to find her sister were egregious. I'm not entirely sure that splitting the focus of the story worked as well as the author had hoped though I do have the second book cued up to see where the plot goes from here.

(3.75 stars, rounded up)

[Jared Castiglione · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read of the enjoyable junk food type of a book. Nothing spectacular and written like it was composed in Outlook as a really really long email. Lots of clichés. Several times, the author is asking the reader to bring their own knowledge or ideas or descriptions rather than write it out in full detail. I read a lot of crime, detective, and mystery type books, so I could fill in the gaps without much issue. But in doing so, the story exposes itself as flimsy and the book a simple straight line.

The book is also a bit of a tease as the more important plot, the larger story arc, does not resolve. Instead, the “case” the main character is “working” is resolved, requiring a heavy dose of the reader’s “suspension of disbelief.”

The next book in the series also has a case alongside the larger, and growing, more important storyline. Is this the gimmick to keep readers coming back for more?

I’m not so sure I’ll be adding my name to that list.

[Tom Forrester · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid debut, with an inherently likeable heroine, and an intriguing mystery at its heart.

Some writing errors made this a struggle to read at times, but the mystery of what’s happened to Kaitlyn’s sister is enough to keep you reading on.

Unfortunately, the other mystery in this story was far-fetched, rushed, and merely served as a distraction to what our protagonist should be dealing with.

I would certainly read other instalments, but at this stage it would mostly be to discover Violet’s fate (we don’t get this at the end of book one). However, there certainly is a lot of promise here, and hopefully the writer can build in the future.

[Lin Perrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaitlyn Carr is investigating a murder after a 13 year old girl is found hanging in a canyon in the middle of the night. Then her own 13 year old sister vanishes on her way home from a friend's house. Kaitlyn splits her time between both cases. Can she save her sister before it is too late?

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Detective Carr is searching for her own missing thirteen year old sister she solves a horrendous murder case involving another young girl. Tense, suspenseful moments abound in this mystery.

[Alyssa Skahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

Well written, page turner. I finished this book fairly quickly and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Nancy Dressel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, but frustrating. There are 2 mysteries here. One gets solved, the other is left hanging--presumably to get you to read the whole series. I read this in 1 day, keeping me glued to the book. If you're looking for a break from serious and heavy subject books, or just need a stress relief, this is a good escape.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to find this author! Kate Gable's GIRL MISSING is well-written and suspenseful, with great character development. Detective Kaitlyn Carr is a new favorite! Read Gable's novella first as it is a fast-paced wonderful intro to the characters. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl Missing is a readable mystery where Detective Kaitlyn Carr attempts to find her missing teenage sister (who is missing from Big Bear, California, where Kaitlyn grew up) and also another missing teenager in Los Angeles (where Kaitlyn works as a detective).

The LA mystery kept me guessing. A 13 year old girl is found murdered far from home and no one can figure out how she got to where she was found. There were some red herrings, but this case was solved and I did not like the outcome, but who would in a story like that?

Kaitlyn does not have a good relationship with her mother at all. Her mother seems a little off. Kaitlyn has good partners and a best friend and runs into an old boyfriend which may have some potential. We do not find out what happened to her sister......this is a series and we have to keep reading to find out. There seems to be some sketchy teenage stuff going on, which is most times a surprise as most parents think their kids are pretty regular. I will read the next book as the year goes on as it is easy reading and I think the writing is good. A solid 3.5 stars!

[Amber Braga · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the fence...wanted to love it but found it tough to get in to

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good mystery, but there are two storylines and they only resolve one so that you have to read the next novel.

[Lynessa Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and complex at once. Really enjoyed this book. Has a Murder by Numbers mood to it that sucked me in so deep, I didn't pause to review when I finished and instead went straight into the second book. I love that you're taking on cases with Kaitlyn while dealing with a longer running one at the same time. Reads like you're there in the action with her. I really like Detective Carr.

[Line Robichaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real Page Turner

I read this in one day. It is very engaging and fast paced. I was hoping we would get answers to all the mysteries in this book , but it looks like I will have to read book 2 to get more answers!

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author to me, I was pleasantly by how gripped I was.
I felt it was well written and flowed well.
There is more goining on here than a missing girl and I Feel invested enough to go onto the next book to follow on with the story.
Im not a huge fan of cliffhangers in this genre, but feel there could be alot more to unravel in the following 4 books, and I look forward to reading them.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book until I got closer to the ending. I personally don't like books that don't answer the number one question or mystery in the book - and from other reviews you do not get an answer to your mystery until book five.

The book covers a mature theme, but the writing shows that this is aimed more towards a young adult audience in my opinion. The book follows two investigations, one is personal (takes place in her hometown,) and the other (takes place in LA) seems to become personal with how aligned they are with each other. The balance between the two is a little off balance for me, and there are a lot of places that I just don't think I would have switched back and forth so often with the little detail that the author gave for each case throughout the book.

The investigation in LA didn't receive AS much attention as the investigation in her hometown - which is understandable since the main character was definitely more heavily invested in the hometown case. What bothered me was whether or not they should have included an investigation from LA since it wouldn't receive as much attention.

I was not a fan of the ending whatsoever - and I agree with other reviews that this would have made more sense if all 5 books were in one? Eventually I may read through the rest of the remaining 4 books - but I'm not sure it is worth it at this time, knowing how long it will be until answers from the first book are finally solved.