Just Another Missing Person: A Novel

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Initially it took me a bit to get invested in the story but once I did, I was hooked. The author lures you in and hits you with twist halfway in and then blindsides you with another twist before the story ends. I definitely see a lot of readers loving this addictive story like I did. A clever and ingeniously plotted thriller with a series of jaw-dropping twists that made this reader gasp out loud. Fresh from the success of last year's bestselling Wrong Place Wrong Time, McAllister has delivered another stunning novel certain to delight Daily Express

My mind is truly and utterly blown (in the best possible way) after closing the cover of Just Another Missing Person. From the winding, deeply intricate plot to the positively earth-shattering, gigantic twists, this novel wholly lived up to Wrong Place Wrong Time, in my opinion. And, if you know, you know, but that’s really saying something. with a name like just another missing person, you likewise anticipate just another mystery novel - gillian mcallister is here to break the mould once again with this irresistible emotional thriller. much more than an investigation into a missing person case, this is an audacious inquisition of motherhood and the lengths to which a mother may go in the hour of her child’s need. Soon after Julia begins the investigation she is forced to make a terrible decision. Julia must NOT find out what happened to Olivia and frame someone else for her murder or if she chooses to find out the truth, she risks her family's future and safety.There are some interesting timeline jumps throughout so make sure you're paying more close attention than I often do when reading a novel or you may need to re-read a bit. In other words, this one you need to think a bit and I love that. A cleverly crafted, emotional and thought-provoking thriller with one of the best twists I’ve read. Superb' CLAIRE DOUGLAS The characters in this book are so well-developed and relatable that you become fully invested in their journeys. Julia, the dedicated detective, has her world turned upside down as she searches for the missing Olivia. Her relentless pursuit of the truth and the dilemmas she faces add layers of complexity to the narrative. Then there's Lewis, the father on a desperate mission to find his daughter, tugging at your heartstrings with his unwavering love and determination. And Emma, the fiercely protective single mom, whose struggles and suspicions add an extra layer of tension to the story.

The chapters are told from 3 POV’s: Julia, Emma and Lewis. I won’t say who they are because that would be a spoiler. As the tension builds, the three paths braid together, and it all starts to make sense.

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Pros: simple mystery that was elevated by strong writing and intricate plotting, solid pace, loved the little reveals throughout, something about her storytelling always catches me unawares when the twists are revealed, interesting moral dilemma that could spark some juicy book club discussions But what sets Gillian McAllister's books apart is her unique descriptions, the banter between characters, and the emphasis she places on the importance of family, especially motherhood, in each of her stories.

year-old Olivia is missing. One day and counting. Last seen on CCTV. Julia, the detective is heading the investigation. She thinks she knows how this will go – but… All in all, I would recommend this to fans of Sharon Bolton, Jo Spain, Louisa Scarr, etc. If the overuse of commas will drive you crazy, might I recommend the audio? If you like the kind of thrillers you find on Kindle Unlimited (no shade, but you know what I mean) then maybe you will find this too slow and boring. And if you do, don't say I didn't warn ya! He tells her that 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 . . . Another ingeniously plotted genre-bender… McAllister succeeds in making us care, and the result is a tour de force.”— The Guardian (UK) on Wrong Place Wrong Time - My only minor critique-the characters inner thoughts were often repeated three times in a row. It would make more sense if that were a personality quirk of one character-but they definitely would not all share that trait!

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She has no idea how personal this is going to get. Because the criminal at the heart of the disappearance is holding all the cards. He has an important secret. Julia’s most important secret. And everything depends on this secret being kept. Julia cannot find out what happened to Olivia – and she must frame someone else for her murder, or her secret will come out. Admittedly, it took me a while to get into the flow of the story, and even though the audiobook version was brilliantly narrated, it probably wasn’t the best format for me, as I missed a few vital clues along the way and was a bit slow to catch on. But once I did, I realised how cleverly plotted this story really was! There was one point in the book where I just stood there, mouth agape, as all the cogs slotted into place – WHAAAAAT???? It was like unwrapping a massive pass-the-parcel and finding you are finally holding that one crucial piece of information that upends all you have believed so far. The plot revolves around Olivia, a 22-year-old who disappeared without a trace, leaving behind many inconsistencies that rub Julia, the detective, the wrong way. During the investigation, she encounters a mysterious man who seems familiar, and soon she finds herself facing a difficult decision: to corrupt evidence to protect her family or risk losing her daughter forever by exposing the truth. And what if this case is connected to her past demons, the other missing women cases she still couldn't solve, all leading to her own destiny?

Just Another Missing Person opens with 22-year-old Olivia’s disappearance. We see the case through the eyes of detective Julia, who has a teenage daughter of her own whom she’d do anything to protect. The more Julia dives into this girl’s life, the more she feels her daughter’s long-buried secrets threatening to implode, and Julia wonders if it’s even possible to defend both her badge and her family—or if one of them will have to be sacrificed. Julia is a detective who investigates missing persons cases. Most recently, she learns that 22 year old Olivia has disappeared. Olivia has no history of running away and was last seen on a CCTV mysteriously entering a dead end alley but never leaving. Julia thinks she knows what to expect with this case but has no idea what’s about to come.Although NEVER bored, this began as a slower paced police procedural with excellent character development and an intricate, believable plot. It is mostly told from Julia’s POV, with a few others filling in some pieces of the puzzle as the story unfolds.