Bonnie Hunter is on the case to find Juliet, a suspected murder and DV victim. Our detective may be a little too close to the case as her last domestic abuse case did not end well. The narration of the audiobook by Eva Seymour was great, I really enjoyed her pacing and the different voices performed, especially the differences between Bonnie and Juliet.

This new series picks up from DI Charlie Cooper's and although I was not familiar with it, I still managed to connect with the characters and not feel like a chunk of the story was missing. I enjoyed the alternating timelines as we flash back to Juliet's POV and see what DS Hunter is discovering. I also really enjoyed the setting, being familiar with Castle Hill in Sydney, Australia. It was refreshing to have a cop mystery set in Australia!

Thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook; all opinions are my own.

This was a great listen for me. The characters interesting and relatable and the pace was excellent right up,to the last. A clever lot and a good narrator so no negatives from me.

Missing by Catherine Lee is an incredibly powerful read. Centered around the police investigation into the disappearance of Juliet, the story dives deep into the devastating impacts of coercive control and domestic violence. It’s clear that Lee has put immense research into this novel — the portrayal of Juliet’s emotions, fear, and turmoil felt heartbreakingly real.

This wasn’t always an easy read, but that’s part of what made it so compelling. The slow build of tension and the uncertainty surrounding Juliet’s fate kept me completely absorbed. I found the narration authentic and realistic, capturing both the procedural side of the investigation and the very human experiences behind it.

I’m really impressed by Catherine Lee’s writing and will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a crime thriller that’s both gripping and emotionally resonant.

3.5

Catherine Lee’s Missing promises to be a thought provoking crime series. Set in Australia, the story follows Detectives as they investigate the disappearance/murder? of a young woman. With a tight plot, and a great focus on the victim over the perpetrator, Missing hits many of the right beats for fans of police procedurals following female victims.

Lee does a great job building suspense though I was fairly certain about the ending quite early on. The mystery and the Australian setting adds a nice atmospheric touch that makes it stand out from the usual crime books I pick up.

However, the character development feels a bit thin at times. Especially for the detectives. some of the emotional beats—especially surrounding the victims and their families—don’t quite land as powerfully as they could have. Some characters seem very much plot devices than fully fleshed-out nuanced people.

That said, Lee’s writing is clean and accessible, making this a quick and engaging read. It’s not quite a breakout thriller, but it lays strong groundwork for future installments. If you’re in the mood for a smart, victim focused detective story with a distinctly Aussie flavor, Missing is worth checking out.

3.5 stars — A solid, suspenseful crime novel with room to grow in depth and character nuance.

Thanks for the arc @netgalley and @bolinda

I haven't previously read anything by Catherine Lee but I understand this is the first in a new series of crime books focusing around Detective Bonnie Hunter who, after a difficult experience in another police department, has been persuaded by a colleague to join the homicide team.
The book operates across two different timelines as we gain insight into the married life of a missing woman and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
I really enjoyed the good balance between the actual crime investigation story and the strong character development throughout.
An entertaining page turner which deals with the challenging issue of domestic violence / coercive control extremely well. I will look forward to the next instalment in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this well narrated audiobook.