This book is set in the 70's in Edinburgh and features DS Helen Carter. Although it is book 4 in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. The plot was quite similar to other serial killer tales, with a few twists along the way. I liked the characterisation there was plenty tension, it kept me guessing and I enjoyed the unexpected ending. A good read from the author and one I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thanks to joffe and netgalley for this arc, a new author for me and a new series i also hadnt read the previous 3, but i was not disappointed. 20 years ago helens father a retired detective had put away a serial killer known as the 'button killer'.when there are killings across the city, they claim to be the 'button killer', but he is in prison, isnt he? Or was the wrong person sent to prison? Helen thinks not and starts out to prove it, will it be that easy? The case is pulled in many directions and helen must face some home truths regarding her own past i really enjoyed this, well written, highley recommend

Detective Helen Carter Series Book 4

Detective Helen Carter is back in the thick of things. It's a race against time to catch a serial killer targeting young women. Twenty years ago, Helen's father, Detective Richard Carter, worked himself to the bone to put away a notorious serial killer. Mark Landis earned infamy as the Button Killer. Known for his gruesome habit of stuffing buttons down the throats of his victims. But now it looks like the Button Killer is back. There's a spate of killings in the city, each victim found with his trademark signature - the button.

set around the 1970s in Edinburgh. I was really looking forward to reading this book, but it wasn't what I expected it to be. I like Helen Carter, but this story seemed to follow the same pattern that many other serial killer stories have taken before. I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy this story, because I did. I'm just a bit fed up with the similar plotlines. The characters were well rounded, there's a few twists.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JodieLawrance for my ARC of #TheMissingWomen in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Missing Woman, the fourth novel to feature DS Helen Carter, set in Edinburgh in the late 1970s.

Helen’s father worked relentlessly to catch the serial killer, Mark Landis, known as the Button Killer and succeeded in getting him jailed for life. Now the Button Killer is back and proclaiming Landis innocent. Did her father get it wrong or is it a copycat? Helen isn’t sure but she’s going to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Missing Woman, which is a tense police procedural with a couple of great twists. It is mostly told from Helen’s point of view, with the odd contribution from the unnamed killer to add a frisson to proceedings. I’m not always a fan of hearing from the killer, but it works extremely well here as he keeps his identity and motive well hidden and, apart from a more than passing interest in Helen, it’s all about how he manages his kills. It arouses the reader’s curiosity and keeps the mystery alive, rather than the more usual over sharing.

The novel held my interest from start to finish and there is never a dull moment, whether it’s another murder to investigate or resentment from her male colleagues, that she, a woman, got the coveted promotion. There’s even a budding romance in her life. There are several murders in the novel and a distinct lack of clues, so it’s all about brain power and shoe leather. I like the way the author keeps the reader’s interest by building momentum with a variety of devices and developments, culminating in a tense denouement with several twists. I never saw it coming and was taken totally by surprise.

Helen is front and centre of the novel. Apart from unsuspectingly catching the killer’s attention she leads much of the investigation and is determined to prove her father right and unmask the copycat. I don’t think that this case shows her in her best light as she is rather emotional and too involved, so her impetuosity comes to the fore and leads to some poor decisions.

The Missing Woman is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

The Missing Woman by Jodie Lawrance is quite the addictive crime thriller that kept me guessing. I thought the cover was interesting and really captured my attention. It also sets the theme of the story.

This is book 4 in the Helen Carter series. I believe this is the first book I've read by this author, but it will not be the last. I don't feel I missed too much by not reading the other books. I may go back and read them, though, as I liked how the author unraveled the storyline in this book, and the characters were interesting.

The Missing Woman had some tense moments that had my heart pounding. It was a good mystery with a surprising culprit. I really liked getting to know Helen and McKinely.

I look forward to reading more in this series and more by this author. I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded to 5).

#THEMISSINGWOMAN #NetGalley @JoffeBooks

serial-murder, procedural, law-enforcement, 1970s, misogyny, scotland, investigations

If you have a thing for getting inside the mind of a serial murderer, you'll love this one. Unfortunately for me, I find that trope unpleasant rather than enjoyable. However, DS Carter is a riveting character who really salvages my disinterest in the murderer. She has to deal with the inherent misogyny of the men in her department as well as bad memories of this particular scumbag. A good read for someone else.
I requested and received an EARC from Joffee Books via NetGalley.

I haven’t read any books from this author but this one I’m glad I have read, it had everything, I will be getting her previous books as well this was that good

Found this book difficult to put down. DS Helen Carter was a child when Mark Landis was killing people. Her father - also a policeman - was obsessed with catching the Button Killer and was the person who made the arrest. Now it looks like he's back - and killing again - but Mark Landis, who has always protested his innocence, is still in prison. Can they catch the killer before Landis is released from prison, an innocent man?

Really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books,, the publisher, I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
The setting of Edinburgh is enjoyable and so is the atmosphere of the 1970's. Detective Helen Carter is personable, but the mystery itself only mildly enjoyable. The theme of serial killers has become a bit tired to me, so that I didn't really get that invested in the story.
Overall a decent read, but not something I was dying to get back to.

A creepy plot which I found intriguing and hard to fathom out because of all the twists, turns and surprises. It kept me guessing till the end.
In all an absorbing, interesting and enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this police procedural/serial killer book. The heroine and her police colleagues ring very true with their banter and petty grievances. Great plot too, I suspected everyone until nearly the end. Will be looking out for the next book by this author.

Keeps you guessing and addictive.
D Helen Carter Book Four.

The housing estate in Edinburgh and Ella Whites rented flat after a report of a murder happening Carter and Randall are called and finding evidence but no sign of Ella, Helen is still having flashbacks and night terrors of the button killer and start to find out about Ella's past that involved a lot of calls for claims of intruders and stalkers and Helen is not convinced and does some searching.

This book certainly kept me guessing all the way through leaving me on the edge and gasping for more and more, a haunting story to be enjoyed by readers, I love this series so bring on book five please.

The Missing Woman is the 4th book in Jodie Lawrance's Detective Helen Carter series, set in 1970's Edinburgh, which I've read from the beginning.
Helen's late Father was also a Detective ,and one whose reputation was tainted by allegations of corruption. His greatest success was bringing Mark Landis, serial murderer known as the Button killer to justice, a case that his obsession with destroyed his family life. Landis consistently pleads his innocence from behind bars and when a spate of killings start that leave evidence matching that of the nearly 2 decades old Button Killings there are those thinking he may be right, Helen most definitely not amongst them.
With her Father's credibility only one of the aspects of her investigation affecting Helen personally ,she finds herself confused and potentially at risk.
This is a fast-moving and entertaining story,albeit one that does stretch credulity more than a bit at times. Some of Helen's decisions aren't very professional,more than once potentially costing lives,but she seems able to shrug them off and carry on while juggling more than one love interest and eating vast amounts of fish and chips.

A story that kept me intrigued. The writing was good. I like this character and enjoyed the book alot

One day, read it in one day! Addictive and complex mystery with solid characters you feel you know. One of the best police procedural series out there, and can stand alone. Quite the kickers in this one, especially if you follow the series!!!

I liked this book with realistic characters and an intriguing story. The author is gifted at telling a tale that is fiction but reads like nonfiction. Missing women…a kidnapper…murder…red herrings…mystery and intrigue…the elements of a thrilling novel. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, Serial killers, mystery, A great who done it, and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!