Local Gone Missing

I received a digital advance copy of Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton via NetGalley. Local Gone Missing is scheduled for release on June 14, 2022.

Local Gone Missing focuses on Detective Elise King, an experienced detective in small town Ebbing, who has been sidelined by medical issues. She is now recovering, and almost ready to return to work. A newcomer to town puts on a music festival, which brings in strangers (and drugs), resulting in two teens overdosing and an older man disappearing. Elise finds herself pulled into the cases, first unofficially, then officially when her medical leave is cut short.

In addition to her medical issues, Elise is carrying the baggage of a broken relationship, the pressure to have children, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Around her is a cast of characters, most of whom having secrets they would do almost anything to keep hidden. As we learn more about the Elise and the people around her, we find their stories are interconnected in ways none of the characters is aware of.

The plot of the story itself hinges on two simultaneous mysteries— the two overdosed teens, and the missing man. Barton manages to continuously reveal information and clues regarding these mysteries while at the same time adding new layers with each reveal. As a reader, I was able to figure things out at the same time as Elise, and ask questions right along with her.

While I found the characters and plot to be very well written and well developed, the setting did give me a bit of trouble. The events take place in a small town, often centered around one large house and the surrounding land. I sometimes found it difficult to follow the layout of the house and the characters as they moved through it. Fortunately, the characters and plot were strong enough to pull me through those difficulties and enjoy the ride of the story.

Overall, Local Gone Missing is a layered, tightly woven, mystery/suspense that explores the connections between a complicated cast of characters. This novel is complete on its own, but I would welcome more stories following Elise as she investigates crimes.