Thanks once again to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review "First Girl Gone", the first book in the Charlotte Winters series of mysteries.

This is the first book that I've read by LT Vargus and Tim McBain, but it has put them on my radar for future reads.

Charlotte Winters has returned to her home town to work at her uncle's detective agency while he undergoes chemotherapy. Still reeling from the unsolved disappearance and presumed murder of her twin sister, Allie, many years ago, Charlie is plunged into the mysterious disappearance of another girl, under similar circumstances, when a friend from her past asks her to find out what happened.

Getting no support from law enforcement, Charlie sets out to try and find out the fate of Kara Dawkins, shadowed by her constant companion - the voice of her sister! Clues abound, but Charlie is getting nowhere; then the mother of another girl - Amber Spadafore - comes to her with the story of HER missing daughter.

Now there are two missing girls, and finally the local police force are giving the disappearances some credence, but Charlie is still mostly on her own.

I enjoyed the writing for the most part - there was a little too much introspection from the main character, and her emotional life comes to the forefront with great regularity. The only really quibble I have with the authors is their naming a possible murderer after one of my favorite TV characters - Leroy Gibbs (NCIS)! It hurt my feelings every time the character was mentioned and described as a psychopathic killer.

In the end, Charlie DOES discover the identity of the kidnapper (and killer) - but not of her sister, whose personality disappeared in the emotional climax to the mysteries.

I will patiently await the next book in this series and highly recommend for anyone enjoying a good mystery.

Charlotte Winters, Charlie to everyone, has returned home to Salem Island, MI working on the family business. A1 Investigations set up by her uncle Frank decades ago. Working with her is her sister Allie, her twin, her best friend who never shuts up. The only problem with this is Allie died when they were teenagers. Allie was kidnapped and murdered. Now two other girls have been kidnapped. This time Charlie has been hired to find who find the kidnapper is. Can she find out who it is before it's too late and these you girls die like Allie.

First Girl Gone is the first book in a new series by L.T. Vargus and Tim McMBain. Charlie Winters is a new character in this series. I really like that Charlie's 'partner's is her dead sister. Allie brings a depth that a living person couldn't. Plus some some always enjoyed comic relief.

First Girl Gone is the perfect start to this new series. You'll be glad you picked up a copy.

I'd like to thank L.T. Vargus, Tim McBain and Bookouture for a copy of this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of First Girl Gone,
The first novel to feature Michigan based PI Charlotte “Charlie” Winters.

Charlie is back on Salem Island looking after her uncle’s PI business. It is a place she hoped never to return to after her sister’s murder there as a teenager. Now she is being asked to find a missing teenager, Kara Dawkins, who, like her sister, Allison, has disappeared without a trace.

I enjoyed First Girl Gone as it has a very readable style and plenty of developments to hold the interest. It is told from Charlie’s point of view in the third person which has the advantage of allowing the reader to get immersed and guess along with her but doesn’t get too intimate which is probably just as well because Charlie’s an oddball. Apart from her questionable decision making and loner personality she spends much of her time talking to her dead sister. Admittedly Allie has all the best lines but still, it’s not my thing.

The plot bowls along at a fast clip with Charlie making discoveries on a regular basis, some of which are relevant and others not so much. It does seem, however, that results follow Charlie and her trickle of clues. I’m not disparaging this, just noting it as part of the formula that makes the novel an easy, entertaining read.

Excellent start of a new series. I’m already a huge fan of these authors and their Darger/Loshak series and was excited for this first book of a new series to come out. Loved all the characters and am VERY excited for the next book.

An enjoyable read and a great start to a new series.
Charlie returns to her home town to take over her ailing uncle's PI business. When a young girl goes missing Charlie is determined to find her so another family doesn't suffer the same fate as hers did when her twin sister was abducted.
The story moved at a decent pace with an ending I didn't see coming, and the characters were interesting. Many of the conversations between Charlie and her dead sister were very witty. I look forward to seeing how these characters develop as the series continues.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

This was a pretty decent thriller - I loved the plot and the back story - but it was totally ruined by her sister speaking to her the whole time! It was just not my cup of tea.

I am so sad, because I could not finish this book. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy via NetGalley and Bookouture and I am so grateful for that opportunity! However, this book fell flat for me. I have been trying to read it for a couple weeks and I just cannot get into it enough.

I am a huge Violet Darger fan and I think that I was disappointed because I was expecting Charlotte Winters to be fast-paced. The summary mentions a body being found...I made it to 62% before a body showed up! I was confused as to why it was even mentioned in the summary when I was that far along. It felt misleading because that is one of the reasons that I wanted to read this book.

It also was a bit difficult for me to connect with Charlie. I thought her relationship with Frank was sweet, but I felt that there could have been more development before Charlie started making out with her old high school crush. The banter between Charlie and Allie was fun, but I just had a difficult time (I'm sorry!!).

The thing I loved about the book (what I read): It's funny. I found myself laughing out loud throughout most of it. I think for me, I was just expecting the plot to move faster.

I'm giving 4 stars because I love these authors and I love their writing style. The story isn't bad, I just feel like if you go into it expecting Darger or Loshak, you might be disappointed in Charlie.

Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity.

Charlotte Winter is the newest addition to L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain;s new book. Charlotte Winters comes into the story searching for Kara, who's been missing, but authorities won't act on it because she's run away multiple times. The incident brings back memories of her sister, Allie, who went missing many years ago.

There were many moments when Charlie wondered if she was losing her mind because, during the course of the investigation, she ran into roadblocks along the way. AND, that's when the action began to intensify. My plan was to figure out who the culprit was. Let's just say I was so wrong! This woman can fight with the best of them! Her instincts were on point (sometimes) and she made mistakes. To mention them would be called a "spoiler" because it's those mistakes that made her formidable. The ending will shock you! The ending will sadden you!

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have Violet and Loshak team up with Charlie? Wow! Brilliant idea! I loved it!

I'm applauding L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain in surprising me with First Girl Gone. Talk about a major twist at the end. In my opinion they did a great job of keeping you guessing who the murderer is. I felt like a victim in a trap, being lead down one trail and seeing it was wrong. In my opinion this was a great first book of the Charlotte Winters Series. I found Charlie very interesting, the secondary characters are very entertaining. This book is full of mystery, misleading clues and some humor. The best thing about Charlie is she is loyal, doesn't give up and wants the truth. I really can't wait to see what L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain do with Charlie and her comrades Frank, Zoe, Will and Allie. What I found the most fun was the conversations between Charlie and Allie. This book kept me on the edge of my seat turning the pages, just to find out I was wrong. My biggest complaint was it was slow moving in parts. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.

Charlie Winters has returned to Salem Island to carry on her Uncle Frank's business, A1 Investigations, while he is getting treatment for his cancer.

Still suffering from the grief and loss of her sister Allie some years earlier Charlie is asked by an old friend to investigate the disappearance of her teenage daughter but as the case progresses Charlie cannot fail to miss the disturbing similarities to those of her late sister.

What a fantastic start to this new series. Believable characters, great pacing and a plot with some clever twists and turns it certainly kept me totally absorbed from page one to the unexpected and surprising ending I certainly didn't see coming.

Loved it and look forward to the next in the series. Q
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an arc for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC. I loved Charlie and her uncle. I did not like Allie and her mouth so that bugged me for the whole book. But, the story was good and most of it moved along at a good clip. This is the first book in a series, so I like how the characters were introduced and look forward to seeing how they develop.

The first book in a new series. The story, plot, twist and suspense is good but the narrative felt dragging at times. There seem to be too much of descriptions at places. With a few pages cut short it would be a fast paced thriller.

What a thrilling ride, this book gave, lots of twists, gripping intrigue, intense larlre night reading. I have been a huge fan of the author for years, never been a book written by the team that I did not devour. If you are looking for a great crime procedural to read, you have found the one. Now to sit impatiently for the nest installment to arrive of this riveting series!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley
#firstgirlgal

i so enjoyed this book .Charlie left her home town as soon as she could .her twin sister Allie went missing and never found Charlie comes back to run her uncles private investigator business and take him to hospital for his treatment . an old school friend Misty walks in to her office asking for her help to find her daughter Kara how this story unfolds is brilliant its a must read

Ooh this book really has given me all the feels. I sat down with the intention of reading a chapter or two but have stayed up far too late devouring this absolutely gripping and unputdownable crime thriller. 
I have to say a huge thank you to Bookouture, these are new authors for me. I absolutely cannot wait to read more. I'm also ensure how my review will do this book justice. 
This is definitely a superb crime thriller, I've been kept on the edge of my seat. I've been guessing throughout the book where this one was going and there's absolutely no way I could've predicted where this was going. 
This is extremely well written and fast paced. I have definitely been gripped by this book. I have loved how it has been written, I have found the words have flown and I have been completely addicted to this book. 
This is a great read and a wonderful start to the new series. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book. This has definitely set a standard for the rest of the series to come. 
A definite five star read.

Public review to follow on blog tour

I loved this thriller. When PI Charlie Winters is hired to investigate the missing Daughter of an old school friend she is drawn into a dark web of lies and secrets and a link to a very seedy lifestyle. When another girl goes missing Charlie struggles to work our the connections along with trying to help look after her Uncle and business partner Frank who is currently undergoing cancer treatment and dealing with the constant chatter in her head from her missing sister. Will finding the truth about these missing girls answer some questions about her sister and is Charlie going down a route that puts herself into danger. I found this book totally absorbing and can’t wait for book two in this series. The characters felt honest and I really love the lead of Charlie and her Uncle Frank and best friend Zoe. A great read.

First I’ve read by these authors. Great start to a new suspense series.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

Charlie Winters has returned home to Salem Island. She left after losing her twin sister to a murderer and has returned home just in time to find another girl missing, similar to that of her sister Allie. While Charlie renews a few old friendships and acquaintances, she faces losing her uncle to cancer while seeking a murderer, hoping against hope that the girl will be found alive. How far will Charlie go to find the killer, while hoping not to become the next victim.

A great start to a new series. It is a true page turner and I was truly blind sided by the reveal of whodunit at the end. Lots of potential and promise in this series as it moves forward.

Private investigator Charlie never thought she comes back to Salem island a small town where her twin sister Allie was abducted she return because her uncle Frank fallen ill.

While there an old friend Misty begs Charlie to find her missing daughter Kara who hasn’t been seen for last two days. While she tries find clues she realize Kara has been keeping secrets and one of them is a matchbook from a nightclub when she goes there she hits a dead end.

While she tries to find Kara another mother tells her daughter is missing and when a body of a young girl found at the same place her sister was taken she wonders are they connected and will finally find out what happen to sister.

I like dialogue it was well paced the characters were great Allie Misty Kate Zoe Will and others supporting characters. Look forward to next book in this series. The only thing I wish Charlie was gay because one of her friends is and I wanted them get together.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Wow.. what a start for I hope a new series. This is so much better than the majority of crime books out there. Suspenseful, engrossing and just wanting to find out who it is and will she get there in time. All of the characters are believable without it feeling too forced or even too simple. What I cannot agree with is the ending a bit off and just a bit hypocritical on her part. That bit just didn’t sit well with me. But all in all I want to read the next one please pretty please.