Missing For Good is the second in the Hanlon series of books, but despite not having read the first in the series this read perfectly well as a standalone - however, I do have to warn you that if you read this one first, you'll definitely go back and read the first in the series - Silenced for Good - I certainly did and am now impatiently awaiting number three - get a move on Alex- Hanlon fan waiting book fix!

As a character I found Hanlon inspired - she's a bit of a violence junkie, yet Coombs manages to imbue her with a softer side that makes her on rare occasions almost motherly. I have to say that from the very first page I was hooked. Hanlon's character lured me forward and the pages just kept on turning.

Fearless, indomitable and with so many hidden depths I was with Hanlon from the start. Her ability to relate to a range of people, her internal running monologue with her thoughts about the people she meets and of course the secrets she refuses to share with her closest friends makes you want to know more about her. She is damaged, yet fighting back and not only surviving, but thriving. Her moral code and sense of responsibility smooth her rougher edges a little, exposing her vulnerability on occasion.

Then of course, we have the plot - a missing girl, a pervy father and layers upon layers of subterfuge, wonderfully drawn characters and a walk through parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow that the average tourist might miss - Loved it! The interweaving storyline exposes the disparity in lifestyles between the rich and poor in the two major cities and how these are exploited. With a range of characters with their own stories to tell, this is an addictive read and i highly recommend it.
All the stars from me!

Missing For Good is the new instalment in the Private Investigator Hanlon series and is a cracking addition to this set of books. Former Detective Hanlon has now found work as a PI so is still employing and utilising the many tips and tricks she used when working as a cop. When Aurora, the 23-year-old daughter of a prominent local art dealer, vanishes off the face of the earth, her father, Hamish Cameron, enlists Hanlon’s expertise in order to locate her. After some careful investigation, Hanlon comes to the realisation that both father and daughter have skeletons in their closet just waiting for their time to emerge. There is the possibility that Aurora disappeared to escape from her father's clutches but it's difficult to get anything solid on the matter. Elsewhere, drug kingpin Graeme Miller and his goons are trying to find Jaime Macdonald and it ends up in fisticuffs. Hanlon believes there to be a connection between the drug gangs and Aurora’s sudden absence.

This is a captivating, exciting and intriguing crime thriller and it took no time at all for the plot to grab me and have me flying through the pages. It's gritty, suspenseful and full of drama and protagonist and central character Hanlon is a smart, tenacious investigator who trusts her instincts to be spot on during a case, but I hope in future we learn a little more about her as a person too. It pulls no punches in that it’s really quite brutal, profane and, at times, graphic so is by no means suitable for those who enjoy their thrillers tame as it’s not for the faint-hearted. This is a series that certainly shows promise and I indeed hope that Ms Coombs continues it and that it continues to progress and go from strength to strength. I look forward to the next instalment being even better. An addictive, fast-paced and well-plotted page-turner. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Gritty mystery with a private investigator hunting a missing girl. Lots of twists,dark, the only lightness was the dog.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I just recently tried to read Alex's first book and had a hard time getting into it. Sadly, the same happened with this book. I feel like parts were drawn out and just couldn't hold my attention.

Hanlon, an ex-cop and introvert, is now a PI. Her first case entails the missing 23 year old daughter (Aurora) of an affluent art dealer - Hamish Cameron. As Hanlon digs deeper into the case, she finds some not so pretty details about Aurora. Also, Hanlon finds evidence that Cameron is not quite the stand-up guy he shows to the "world".

Hanlon muses as to whether Aurora is alive. If so, did she disappear to get away from her father?

Meanwhile, Graeme Millar, the head of the drug scene in this area (and his thugs) are searching for a Jaime McDonald. They are not gentle about this in any way!

When the story began, Aurora was abducted by Jaime and a a guy named Jordan. Yet Aurora seemed to know Jaime well. (And did not fear him?)

What is the connection among all of the pieces of this puzzle? What will Hanlon find - or not?

Suspense - a good read

Many Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a good story.

It took me over half the book to get interested in the story line of “Missing For Good”. I did figure out the twists and turns before they were revealed. This book wasn’t for me but I am not really into stories revolving around drugs and violence.

A famous art dealer’s daughter disappears. He wants private eye Hanlon to find Aurora. Father and daughter didn’t get along, and Hanlon thinks he’s a creep. Hanlon is on the case. She’s staying in Edinburgh, interviewing people who knows Aurora, and ending up with a black eye and nearly been killed several times. Not such an easy case after all, Shes being chased by a drug kingpin and his minions. Nothing is as it seems though.

It took me awhile to get into this book. I don’t know if it was the gloomy gray weather or the underworld of Edinburgh, but it felt so hopeless and gory in the beginning. Once I got into the story I was hooked. It was hard to find likable people in the book, which overwhelmed me. Everyone has a very dark side. To be honest, I believe that’s the way it goes in these circles, but it is the same with people at the university.

It is however a good story, with a very likable dog! It has many twists and turns taking the reader by surprise. I like it how the author spins the story in a way that nothing is what you believe it to be. A lot of drugs and death in the book, I guess they often go hand in hand. Hanlon grew on me, and after the book ended I wanted to get to know her better, and follow her on her next case. She’s an unpolished diamond.

PI Hanlon has been hired to find the missing daughter of a renowned Scottish art dealer. Aurora, the missing girl has led a troubled life and what Hanlon first thought would be an easy job, turns out to be very complex. Hanlon begins to wonder if the girl is even still alive. I would have enjoyed this book more if Hanlon was a little more developed as a character