I’m a fan of Fiona Barton and have read everything she’s written. Needless to say when a new book of hers comes out I’m excited to dive right in. Local Gone Missing was yet another of hers that was a wonderful escape into other people’s lives.
Ebbing is one of those small seaside towns where the locals and weekenders mix but grudgingly and this is quite apparent when a festival comes to town. Elise King is a detective and a darn good one but she’s been sidelined by breast cancer and currently recovering. However that doesn’t seem to stop her from investigating a man’s disappearance from town as well as two teenagers being drugged at the festival.
The story focuses a lot on Charlie, the older fellow who has gone missing. As we learn more details about him more people are brought into the story who have interacted with him. One is Dee, a housecleaner, who seems to have her thumb on everyone and their business without them ever knowing it. They give her keys to their homes and talk like she’s not even there but she is and she’s listening. Charlie seems to have led an interesting life and he’s just a sweet old guy. Who would want to hurt him ? Why all this craziness in this little town?
I listened to the audio which was narrated by a few narrators and it’s just great. Gabrielle Glaister, Jayne Entwistle, and Nicholas Guy Smith are our narrators and they do a wonderful job of making a person feel like they are right there living in this small seaside town getting to know everyone and wondering just who is causing all the trouble. The only one I’ve listened to before is Nicholas Guy Smith but I thought they all did a great job with portraying the characters and the story.
Another good book from Fiona Barton. This one may have had a few too many characters making it a tad hard to follow at times but that didn’t take a way from the good storyline. This little town hides a lot of secrets and some of the twists and turns the book took definitely kept this listener hooked!
Review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are solely my own.
