Challenge Corner discussion

From the author of the Reese’s Book Club Pick and the New York Times bestseller Wrong Place Wrong Time comes a new heart-stopping thriller in which a missing-person case unravels deeper, darker secrets that lead a detective to an impossible moral choice.

22-year-old Olivia has been missing for one day…and counting. She was last seen on CCTV, entering a dead-end alley. And not coming back out again.

Julia, the detective heading up the search for Olivia, thinks she knows what to expect. A desperate family, a ticking clock, and long hours away from her husband and daughter. But she has no idea just how close to home this case is going to get.

Because the criminal at the heart of the disappearance has something she never expected. His weapon isn’t a gun, or a knife: it’s a secret. Her worst one. And her family's safety depends on one thing: Julia must NOT find out what happened to Olivia - and must frame somebody else for her murder.

If you find her, you will lose everything. What would you do?

This clever and endlessly surprising thriller is laced with a smart look at family and motherhood, and cements Gillian McAllister as a major talent in the world of suspense and a master of creating ethical dilemmas that show just how murky the distinction between right and wrong can be.

Starting this one today I think.

End of Second Day Missing

(view spoiler)[Is the mother too obvious? I don't think it's the father but you never know. I just know she seems sketchy. The boyfriend also seems questionable but I don't think that's it. He seems controlling though. Given his behaviour, I find it odd that the mother is kind of dismissing how he treats her daughter.

It's interesting that we have so many POV's. I'm listening to this one, so sometimes it takes a minute at the start to remember who is who. I don't find much difference in each female voice, allowing me to automatically discern who it is.

I've enjoyed this one so far! Quite the twist of having her plant evidence and placing the blame on someone else. I'm excited to see how all of this will play out! (hide spoiler)]

I started the audiobook on my commute! but barely into it at the moment

End of Part 1 - All of the random thoughts I had while reading this part.

(view spoiler)[I don't know why, but I started this book assuming that the missing person was dead, but that's not necessarily the case. I truly have no idea where this story is going and how it's going to end, which is always fun!

SOOOO surprised when Olivia walked into the station! What? And then her dad says he made up the whole social media account and basically catfished Andrew, who is now Matthew, because Sadie is his ex but also Lewis's daughter??!!!

So, did Lewis make up having another daughter, Olivia, hoping that this would help them find his actual daughter, Sadie?

Mindblown and confused!

I'm so curious to see where this book goes.

I find Olivia's mother really interesting. I'm not sure how to feel about her.

We're getting so many POVs that I'm finding it a little overwhelming, but it's getting easier the further I get into the book. (hide spoiler)]

End of Part 2

(view spoiler)[Ok. So this is taking twists I didn't see coming. It's such a fun read.

The poor mother trying to figure out her son! Seems Andrew has clothing for two girls. I was originally thinking the second could be Prudence but the name is Gail I think.

So when Emma confronted Andrew it really felt like he was gaslighting her. When she was getting ready to call Julia, he said something along the lines of, "This is why I can't tell you".

I'm glad Julia and Lewis are working together now.

I'm thinking the crazy guy is the one who kidnapped Julia at the end of this part?! (hide spoiler)]

End of Part 3 - Finished

(view spoiler)[WOW. That was a ride. Friggin Jonathan!

Well, that was a fun read! I wasn't sure how everything would wrap up. I had a feeling it wasn't the boyfriend.

This was a great mystery read, making me second guess everyone and everything and leaving me surprised more than once! (hide spoiler)]

Brittni wrote: "End of Second Day Missing

Is t.."

(view spoiler)[ not the biggest fan of this one so far, but hoping it'll grow on me. I'm not sure why I feel lost, maybe like you mentioned I can't tell who is speaking half the time...

seems to easy to say it's the boyfriend, but don't want to cross him off yet.

I almost think it's the husband, because she continuously repeats how "he doesn't know anything" maybe this secret is what factored into the marriage not going well? (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "Brittni wrote: "End of Second Day Missing ..."

(view spoiler)[This was definitely a hard one to follow at first. I found it got better and I ended up enjoying it quite a bit, but it certainly took a minute to get used to the voice and there being very little difference in the female voices.

My thoughts, who it was, and what was happening changed so many times throughout this one!

I hope it gets better for you too! (hide spoiler)]

I think I have a better understanding on who is who now, so I'm hopeful it'll start to make me more curious on how it'll go. :)

Brittni wrote: "End of Part 1 - All of the random thoughts I had while reading this part.
...."

all I have to say is thank goodness for your updates along, because it helps me keep track of what I'm putting together.
(view spoiler)[
what in the heck is going on lol, the different POVs are continuing to throw me off, but not terribly so.

I didn't expect Lewis to be the one who made up Olivia? but I could see since he's still grieving the loss of Sadie who was never found. it's bound t pull at heart strings for Julia from one parent to another..

not sure where this will go, does julia give up Lewis? I doubt it since her daughter is on the line to end up in jail...

where does Matthew/Andrew fall into this (hide spoiler)]

Brittni wrote: "End of Part 2

Ok. So this is taking twists I didn't see coming. It's such a fun read.

The poor mother trying to figure out her son! Seems Andrew has clothing for two girls. I was originally thin..."

(view spoiler)[ I wish I was finding this as much fun as you were! I'm not sure I just can't seem to get into the storyline like other mystery books I've read. ugh...

I blame keeping up with the names and who is who... Andrew's mom is really trying her best to protect him but also consider he might be responsible! I couldn't imagine what I'd do in her situation (hide spoiler)] seems that this author's books resonate with parents and what they'd do to save their kids

finished (view spoiler)[ honestly happy this one is finally over, not sure what happened with this one. maybe if I read the physical book I would have been more involved but who knows.

the ending was a nice wrap up, I didn't expect Jonathon but it makes sense being him as a corrupt cop trying to get more. It was mentioned at the very beginning how many cops are doing illegal activity, but I didn't consider her long time friend to be behind it (probably the point).

the boyfriend is always TOO obvious and cliche.. (hide spoiler)]

I'm planning to read this one this week.

sounds good!! looking forward to seeing what you think about it!