My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Daughter, Missing’ written by Jill Childs in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Kate and Simon Grosvenor and their young daughters Bella and Clara welcome Jonathan to their home, the son of Simon and his previous wife Monica. Jonathan is an obnoxious hateful ten-year-old who wants to destroy Kate and his half-sisters for taking the inheritance he believes is rightfully his and makes plans in retaliation.

‘Daughter, Missing’ is an intriguing psychological thriller of malevolence, lies and deceit, as the main male character chillingly plans in advance how to destroy those he believes have crossed him. The story is extremely well-written with a complicated and suspenseful plot, breathtaking action and believable characters, together with twists and turns that keep the tension mounting. I’ve been hooked from page one and unable to stop reading, becoming a nervous wreck at what the protagonist was planning to do. This thriller is proof of the author’s ability to write a jaw-dropping novel that’s kept me on the edge of my seat until I reached the last pages and the shocking conclusion that’s totally unexpected but oh so perfect. Well done, Jill, I’ve loved it!

This book takes place over a decade, give or take. We first meet Kate, along with her husband Simon, their two young daughters and their dog Coco. They have a lovely home, the perfect life. Until Johnathon arrives. He is Simon's son from his previous relationship. Raised by an alcoholic mother who chooses drugs and men over him, Johnathan arrives to meet them for the first time, sullen and cold. After witnessing his behaviour, Kate decides she doesn't like him and refuses to have him in her home. The events that happen during this part, leave a lasting impression on Johnathon, who grows angrier over the years, seeking to punish Kate.
The story jumps forward to different points in their lives, so we see the aftermath of Simon's death, Johnathon's mothers death, Bella leaving to go to uni and eventually Clara leaving to go travelling. We get to witness just how damaged Johnathan became and how far he will go to punish those he deems responsible for his life not turning out the way he wanted.
This was a great read. I find that some books spanning years can often feel choppy, but this one didn't. It was really well-written and kept me hooked. I did guess a few of the twists, but others left me gasping. I genuinely felt so sorry for Kate, being punished for nothing more than following her husbands wishes in his will.
This was my first from this author, and I look forward to reading more from her.

This psychological thriller gripped me from the jump and never let go! The tension was real and the pacing relentless.
Being a mother myself, it was impossible not to feeling to gripping fear and anxiety Kate was experiencing.
The ending wrapped up cleanly—but just a bit too neatly for a total chaos-lover like me! 😜
A satisfying psychological ride that left me thinking long after the last word. Perfect for anyone craving domestic suspense with international stakes—and a twisty family web. Highly recommend!

I thought this was a good read, both fast-paced and engaging. It centers on Kate, whose teenaged daughter Clara is taking some space after multiple tragedies strike their family. Kate is beside herself and just knows in her gut that something is going to go wrong, when she receives a call from another mother saying that their daughters have been living together and she is unable to reach hers. From there, Kate goes on a journey across multiple countries to track her down.

This was an exceptionally interesting storyline because the reader pretty much knows the entire way through who the culprit is, but the characters don't. I think that is a unique style and I liked watching Kate (as well as the other mother) figure things out along the way. The author also was not afraid to kill off characters so the entire read was tense because I didn't know who, if anyone, was going to make it out alive. Kate is a likable character and even when she was a bit over the top, I was able to understand the lengths she went to in order to keep her child safe. The ending felt a little rushed to me- almost like it was too easy to get to where it ended up after how many things happened previously. I was glad it ended the way it did, though the last couple lines really make you think.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I had trouble putting down. I'd recommend to those who enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kate’s surviving daughter is away travelling after the death of her sister and does not want contact with her mother. Kate gets a phone call from a woman in America who claims that her daughter who was living with Kate’s daughter in Europe has gone missing as has Kate’s daughters and needs her help. Kate lost her other daughter and her husband so her daughter is all she has left so she goes to see if she can find her daughter, it takes her to both Europe and America and she uncovers links to her past. Will she find her daughter or is it already too late?

I really enjoyed this book, kept me guessing until the end. My first book by this author, it won’t be the last.

A gripping, thrilling and emotional read. Several times throughout the book I was desperately hoping the plot wasnt go to go the way I thought it would. . I've read a few books featuring this topic and Daughter, Missing is well worth reading.

Daughter Missing
Jill Childs
Read and Reviewed: June 2025
Publication Date: 6th July 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks a million to the author Jill Childs and Boldwood Books publishing for an ARC of this book due to be published July 6th 2025 in exchange for my honest review.

This was a brilliant read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I will defo be reading more of this authors work going forward.

The plot of this one was just so well thought out and well crafted and the author executed the storyline so well throughout that I was immersed in it and couldnt turn the pages quick enough to find out some answers.

**Small Spoilers Below**
DO NOT READ IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS!!!!

The story opens with us being introduced to a family - married couple Simon and Kate Grosvenor and their two young daughters Bella and Clara and their little dog Coco.

Simon was married before he married Kate. This marriage didnt last and they divorced soon after but Simon has another child as a result, a son, Jonathon - He done right by his son and kept paying maintenance and financially providing for him despite his ex wife not allowing him regular access or visitation.

On a rare allowed visit with Jonathon, Simon takes him to the family home but the visit was strained as Jonathon (the son) was mean his two little half sisters Clara and Bella and the dog Coco. Kate found him to be a bit of a strange boy and she tells Simon she doesnt want him coming round again. Simon is still welcome to see him of course but Kate doesnt want him in the house again.

Not long after, the boy starts at a boarding school.

Some more time passes and tragedy strikes the family leaving Kate a young widow when Simon dies of a heart attack on his way to work one morning.

Another year passes, Bella is now 18 and Clara a couple of years younger when tragedy strikes the family a second time and Bella dies of a drug overdose. (I won't say too much else for fear of spoiling the whole storyline!)

This leaves only Kate and her one remaining daughter Clara.

Clara wants to travel after her school exams and take a gap year.

Kate is nervous but doesnt stand in her daughters way as she knows it would only push them further apart.

Clara heads to Amsterdam and some months afterwards, Kates worst nightmare becomes a reality when she receives a call from another mother, the mother of Claras room mate in Amsterdam, worried because she cant reach her own daughter Amy and wants to see can Kate find out any info on her whereabouts from Clara.

Kate understands the fellow mothers worries and tries and tries to reach Clara - she emails and rings but gets no response or call back.

It seems both of their daughters have gone missing in Amsterdam.

The two mothers book flights over there to search for them and try to find out where they are or what has happened.

Thats all I'm saying storyline wise as I dont want to spoil to whole plot for you guys but this was a fantastic read from start to finish guys!

I was hooked!!!!

I read it in one sitting!

I loved Jills writing style and the whole story was just so well structured. I couldnt turn the pages fast enough I was so eager to get to the bottom of what happened. Always a sign of a good book!

Everything was answered by the end and it all tied together so well and left nothing unanswered.

This one was dark, it was twisty and full of drama and suspense.

The story of two daughters, two mothers and one link that links them together!!!

Suspense, lies, deceit, twists and turns .... this story has everything you would want from a domestic thriller.

I definately recommend this one!

4 easy stars from me
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one of the best mystery/thriller I have read in a long time. The author had me from page one and the story evolves, twists and turns constantly. The characters are very believable and I could feel Kate's horror and panic at what could be happening to her daughter. An excellent read and will search for more books by this writer.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

Simon Grosvenor's son comes to visit, and he hasn't seen him since his divorce. Things do not go as he had hoped, and then Johnathan doesn't seem to get along with his wife and her two daughters. He is eventually sent back home to his mother. A few years later, his father dies from a heart attack on the train, leaving most of his assets to his wife and two daughters, leaving Johnathan with a smaller portion. Fast forward years later, we find out how he feels about that slight.

This book is both action-packed and disturbing. The author shows us how your childhood can affect you and even lead you to psychosis. While you know who the villain is, you wonder what he will do to get his revenge on the people he feels have wronged him. I look forward to more by this author

What would you do for your daughter? That was the question that kept running through my mind as I read this thriller. The author did an excellent job of keeping me on the edge of my seat, nervous and anxious as I watched this psycho do his bidding. My worst fears were all present in this novel, and I couldn’t put it down. The plot was well-crafted and executed, keeping me glued to it. I will definitely read more of this author’s work.
Thanks, Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

I've read several of Jill Childs books but this was quite different to her earlier work. The story was dark and disturbing and the psychopath was incredibly evil. There was one quite graphic scene involving him and one of his victims that was truly horrible and I wasn't sure whether to continue if there were to be more of the same but I did continue to the end. I thought the middle part of the book dragged a bit but then it picked up towards the end which was a real edge-of-the-seat finale. All in all this was a good domestic thriller with some great twists that I didn't see coming. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. My review is voluntarily given.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was the juiciest thriller I’ve read in quite a while. I absolutely loved the twists. I couldn’t read it fast enough and I was on edge the entire time worried about every parents absolute worst nightmare and how it could possibly resolve. This is an amazing summer read especially on the beach when you want something to keep your attention for the whole day.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Daughter, Missing by Jill Childs is an absolute standout- one of the best books I’ve read this year. The plot is brilliant and so well written that it had me hooked from the very first page. It’s not just a gripping mystery; it’s also a moving, emotional story that really resonated with me.

What stood out most was how the story captures a mother’s instincts- that fierce, unwavering love and determination. No matter what challenges life throws, the heart of a mother never gives up. That theme gave the story a real warmth amidst the suspense.

Jill Childs masterfully weaves in twists and turns that kept me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Just when you think you know what’s coming, she surprises you.

Daughter, Missing
By: Jill Childs

5 Stars

This is a story of extreme psychological warfare. A young man thinks he is done wrong, so revenge is on the menu. When Kate gets the call from another mother that a young woman is missing, a young woman living with her daughter, she fears the worst. A trip to Amsterdam will forever change them. Will they find their daughters? A surprising link between them will change these two moms and set them on a path full of danger.

This was a crazy wild book. It was full of drama and danger. It was definitely a psychological read. Two mothers, two daughters, one undeniable deadly link. This book was captivating start to finish and oh man, what a finish! Parenting is hard. This book shows the mental toll that can be played on the mind. It also shows the twisty, macabre, and coldness of a psycho.



*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

This is the first book I’ve read by Jill Child’s and it definitely won’t be my last ! I raced through it, I loved the short twisty chapters which ended up by me reading just one more, long after bedtime.

As a mother myself I felt for Kate.and Mandy . They had so many tragedies in their families , but a mother’s love is like no other and I was willing them both to find out the truth about Kate’s disturbed evil stepson .

The pace of the novel was first class, as each chapter revealed another twist which had me guessing and holding my breath at the same time. I felt the storyline was original, sometimes psychological thrillers can be similar but this one definitely wasn’t.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would not hesitate to recommend it.

Daughter, Missing is a story of a mother's nightmare! Kate lost her daughter to an overdose. Not too long after that, her only remaining daughter goes missing. Kate then goes on a hunt that takes her across the globe trying to find her daughter.

This book is pretty dark and twisty. The stepson that we are introduced to in the beginning gives creepy vibes right off the bat and that never changes. The way that he is able to manipulate the people around him is terrifying. He is able to worm his way in, do things that will destroy their lives and he leaves no trace. This story keeps you guessing and things are never what you think. I was a tad let down by the ending but overall, a very enjoyable read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a dark read. Very good, but I did guess both big twists immediately. A very interesting picture of a psychopath and a family though so that was thoroughly entertaining. Also a good look as to how some people ca manipulate or be manipulated so easily.

Wow! A psychological thriller that would be screen worthy. It revolves around a disturbed vindictive young man and is set in the UK. Plenty of surprises along the way in this one. I was given a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

if you haven't read any of Jill's other books then make that your next thing to do. because this author knows how to write. i get giddy with excitement when i get another one of her books crossing my path. and it takes all i can do not to push other books aside. so when this one came to my shelf i was ready, more than ready. and once again wow. Jill has done it again.this is a book i had to read, then read more, tell myself just one more page, ignore myself and read more. thats kind of how it went all the way through.
there was so much more clever links and going on in this book than i ever thought possible. like really clever! seriously how do thriller authors make these arcs and clever bit fit together.
i dont know how one of our mother characters is still carrying on. she suffered so much loss. first she lost her husband and then her daughter. both in shocking ways. and then, and then her daughter goes off travelling and she gets the call every mother would dread. her daughter and her travel buddy has gone missing.
well the one thing you need to ever know is a mother is a mother is a mother. and she will be the mother of all mothers where her children are concerned. and thank goodness for them all, lol.
i also loved how we had a separate part of the book where we learn of a earlier time in their lives. where the family are all together, just moved house and living the dream. that is until a son from a previous marriage of her husband turns up. and lets just say this boy doesn't make things easy. and in the end they ALL realised this to the point his own dad disinherited him. well we might all figure how this would land. and it might just be something to keep an eye on....
Maddy the other mum in this tale has her own hardship to bear. and she will also stop at nothing to see her daughter safe. what i love about this book is how we can have so much going on but it never once feels too much. and all feels like vital points we want and need to know. and then even better is when it all peels away to reveal the truths. the story. the answers. all done perfectly.