The Girl Who Wasn’t There

Secrets of Redemption #6

by Michele Pariza Wacek

While attending a funeral, a woman claims her daughter was kidnapped.

Except … it appears she doesn’t have a daughter after all.

Normally, this would clearly indicate the absence of a crime. Except Becca isn’t so sure. There’s something fishy going on, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it.

But as she peels back the layers of secrets and lies, what she unravels is far bigger than she ever imagined.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2023

About the author

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but now she does spend much of her time writing stories. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and currently lives there after spending nearly 30 years living in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Reviews

[Katy The Sleepy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one those series that you literally cannot put down. For every book I read, I cannot wait to get to the next one to see what is happening or in some cases, it's a prequel that gives some clues as to what has happened or may happen.

In this book we return to Redemption. We are once again visiting Becca, who is living in the Aunt Charlies house that was willed to her. It's a famous haunted house within the town that already has a mysterious past. A local woman named Penny has passed away and her housemate Mia is pretty upset over it. Becca decides to attend the funeral to support her friend. While at the funeral, Mia spots a woman there, Wendy, who is the estranged daughter of Penny.

After the funeral, they go to the reception where Becca has a chance to visit with Wendy. She seems a little strange and, in the conversation, she mentions she has a daughter, Jill. Shortly after their strange encounter, Becca is walking outside the house where the reception is being held and happens to see a young girl around age 10 walking in the woods near the house. When she mentions it to Wendy, she seems upset. Shortly after returning home for the evening, Becca is informed that Wendys daughter has been kidnapped! Except after a search by the police, they discover that there is no daughter, never was. So, what exactly is going on? Becca is convinced that something sinister is going on and starts to investigate. Recently the town has had an uptick in crime, seemingly from gang activity. A strange cult has also moved in, The Church of the Forgotten. But the forgotten what? One very weird thing after another happens and she begins to discover that there are much larger secrets that are being held within the town of Redemption.

The book ends in a cliffhanger, and I literally cannot wait to see what is going to happen next. This is the 6th book in the series, and I am really hoping that one of the biggest mysteries within the series will be answered: what happened to all the adults that mysteriously disappeared in 1888 in Redemption? Overall, this is another fantastic book by this very talented author. The world building here is incredible and I love how the characters continue to develop. You literally cannot go wrong with this series.

[Bridget Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and loved being back with Becca again! While it was great being back in current day, it felt like the events of the previous book focused on Becca was glossed over with very little mention of the bodies that were found. I also felt like the thread of Becca’s haunted house (which had me so spooked during the first book) wasn’t really addressed. Does Mia still seem like she may be tangled with a spirit or two? Either way, it was so fun to be back and am really looking forward to the second half!!

[Michele Wacek]

More Secrets Will Be Revealed

While attending a funeral, a woman claims her daughter had been kidnapped.

Except … it appears she doesn’t have a daughter after all.

Book 6 in the multiple award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. The story continues in Book 7 "The Room at the Top of the Stairs" and is concluded in Book 8 "The Search."

Amazon/Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love both The Redemption series and The Charlie Kingsley series - they will keep you turning the pages late into the night!

[Micah Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

My head is still spinning! I can’t wait until the next book! I have so many questions! Amazing read! Seriously the best yet!

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow....

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this is another book with Becca as the main character, who proceeds to make horrible decisions again this whole book. I have no idea why she continues to date Daniel, who never believes anything she says and has no personality. I am also confused that Becca is supposed to be about 30 and this is set in this current time, but every time she has questions she doesn’t just pull out her phone and google them or text people her questions. She also uses her laptop for everything and a land line. I’m 38 and older than her and I use my phone for everything, but somehow her first instinct isn’t just to google Wendy or Jill and see what pops up? It’s a poor plot device that she spends so much time wondering about things she never looks up answers to.

[Ruth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love these thrillers!

As with all the books in the Redemption series, I really enjoyed this one!
The psychological aspect is wonderful. It had me jumping at sounds in my house!
In this story, there is a funeral of a local woman that Becca has not previously heard of. She attends the funeral with her friends and meets the daughter of the deceased. From there, she finds out that the woman has a child that not even anyone in town knew about. From there, things descend into a deep mystery, and while Becca questions herself, she comes to find out many new truths that no one else around her is willing to believe.
This story is well thought out and presented in a way that even the reader will question Becca's sanity.
I highly recommend this newest addition to the Secrets of Redemption series. PS. While it does end in a cliff hanger, it isn't bad! The resolution is coming up in a new book that I am very much looking forward to reading.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this Secrets of Redemption series from the start and been captivated. Books 1-3 must be read in order, but books 4-5 are like a prologue to the first 3. They were all edge of my seat, couldn't put them down suspense - great reading. But - this is the first one in the series I've felt I couldn't give five stars. It almost seems as though it's a kind of place holder - reminding the reader that the mysterious disappearance of all the adults in Redemption in 1888 and the problems the children went on to have is still impacting their remaining descendants. I think the next book in the series, The Room at the Top of the Stairs will resume the psychological suspense that the rest of the books have had.

[LORRAINE · Rating 4 out of 5]

SoR series has me hooked. This particular Book #6 seemed to be the calm before the storm. Becca second-guessing herself at every turn was getting to me. I skimmed through so much, hoping for a revelation. It came at the end. Well done MPW!! You've managed to pique my interest so high that not much else can compete with finding out the untold. Thank you for creating one of the best series I've read to date. Looking forward to discovering what you have disclosed next.

[Wendi · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a let down. The first three books about Becca had me whipping through them so fast, I splurged on the next three at $23 a piece. This one was a waste of money. Very short considering the price and nothing was resolved. The only thing I got out of this is a profound dislike of Mia and a growing irritation for Becca. Really hope the next two are better. I would say skip this book, even if you are reading the series. Not informative at all.

[Heather Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man that ending...UGH

I had a hard time getting into this one, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I want to know all the thongs Becca wants to know, and it just ends. No answers is killing me, onto the next book I go. Also, can everyone else stop thinking she is a nut job. It's kind of sad that her stepdaughter gets it, and her own boyfriend does not

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca has done it, she cannot stop, even if she loses everyone

Becca is obsessed, she cannot stop herself, even if it means she loses Daniel. What is it that makes her this way, everything is going so wrong. what can she do to change it.

[Piedad Botero · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT SERIES!!!

I’m so glad I discovered Michele! I love reading, I mean, I am incredibly addicted to clean but baffling mystery stories, and now I have a new author to follow around like a puppy ! Thank you, Michele!

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what is this Church of the Forgotten and how is it that their leader has such an effect on Becca? Who is the child Becca keeps seeing in the forest and in her dreams? Is she real, or the ghost of a child long gone? So many questions!

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy

I would be running from this town faster than feet can go. I am sure you will continue enjoying this journey.

[Deborah Garity McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series!

This series just keeps pulling me along! Intriguing characters and mysteries. I enjoy the links between present and past. I’m already starting the next book!

[Sheryl Wolford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Teaser

Not a lot of meat in this book but does set you up for the next book in this series

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good series highly recommend

[Adriana Hoeffner · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think this is the first of this series that i didn’t give a 5. the others i finished so fast…. this one i had to try not to dnf multiple times. idk how the next books are going to go

[Danah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. I'm tempted to go back and relisten to all of the previous books. This one ended on a serious cliffhanger. Glad to get back into book 7 now that I know what's going on. Lol

[Chae Marie♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

irritated when books end on a cliffhanger.. -.-

[Friday Hamiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously my favorite series yet! Can’t get enough! Already started the next book! A definite recommendation to read in 2024!