A year ago, Iris Blackthorn's sister, Stella, went missing on the night of homecoming. With the police concluding she had voluntarily run away, Iris took the investigation into her own hands - with disastrous consequences. Despite having scared away the only potential lead into her sister's disappearance, Iris does succeed in making a name for herself as someone able - and determined - to uncover truths. When one classmate asks for her help in bringing down a catfish, and another two pitch in their own skills, the sapphic detective agency is born. However, when Iris's ex-girlfriend goes missing - shortly after posting an explosive podcast episode about Stella's disappearance - the agency are faced with their biggest case yet; and the stakes have never been higher.

HtFaMG was a little bit of a slow-burn for me, maybe because it took me a while to figure out who was who between the podcast opener and the agency characters. However, it wasn't long before it gripped me, and then I finished it pretty much in one sitting. This book manages to encapsulate a lot of different themes in a really skillful way. The bulk of the story is the mystery element: Stella's disappearance, Heather's disappearance, and whether the two are related or just a tragic coincidence. There's also a dual sense of tension created through both the time-pressure of Heather's ongoing absence (denoted through the alarms Iris sets) and Iris's upcoming birthday, at which point any of her transgressions can no longer be dismissed as an act of childishness. Alongside this, however, there's Iris's own journey, particularly in navigating her unthinkable griefs and traumas, and her ongoing exploration of how well you can ever know even those closest to you. However, amidst all of this, there's a romance plot and the friendship between the agency that ensure this book has a whole lot of heart, too. I was particularly caught by the red herrings that never failed to set me off down the wrong path in trying to determine what had happened, and by the unlikely team created by the teenage investigative journalist and the teenage detective.

I do think that this book tried to do a LOT and, whilst it mostly succeeded, there were parts that I would have liked to see more of. In particular, the other two members of the agency were somewhat sidelined, which was a shame! In particular, it would have been nice to have found out more about the early days of the agency, when Iris was a relative stranger to the other two. I also think that at times the focus on the various stakes felt a bit misplaced: the risk of physical harm sometimes seemed to defer to the risk of legal harm, for example. As well, I was a bit confused by the references to Lea's six fingers? - in some ways it felt like a nice representation/normalisation of having polydactyl. In other ways, however, it just felt randomly shoehorned in a lot of the time, and a bit unnecessary.

My main conclusion about HtFaMG is that it builds to a sickeningly inevitable conclusion, albeit one with enough twists and depth to keep it interesting. It's definitely a book I'd recommend to others, and I'm hopeful to read more sapphic thrillers by Victoria Wlosok.

Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is such a strong debut, I devoured it. Iris was such a great and strong MC, I rooted for her from the start and resonated with her so much as if that was my sister, I wouldn't have stopped either.

Really strong character development, there was just enough mystery to keep me really intrigued without me guessing everything which I love. I loved the queer representation in this book and it was refreshing to read a sapphic crime novel.

I'm expecting big things from Wlosok and I cannot wait to see what they write next

The only thing that stopped me giving HTFAMG five stars was that I think it could do with a little editing on some of the repetitiveness, when there's a bigger cast of characters it's understandable for things to be repeated so we get a strong grasp on who they are but I think this went to far into the book in some instances so became a little repetitive.

Final Rating: 4.5

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an arc of this book.

i really, really enjoyed reading this. i loved the writing style and the story had me turning page after page all through my night shift. 👀 i loved the diverse set of characters and the twists and turns in the story. i think this is a perfect read for people who loved "a good girls's guide to murder" and "sadie" or anyone who enjoyed a good mystery.

i was also reading the acknowledgements and the author is only 20?! to be able to write such a great book, filled with a rollercoaster of emotions and brilliant plot line at that age is something to definitely be proud off.

thank you to netgalley for this arc!

Iris and her friends run a detectives agency, so when her ex gf goes missing, they decide to investigate. however, she isn’t the first girl in town to go missing, as Iris’s sister disappeared a year ago, and Iris got in legal trouble trying to investigate. can they solve this case before she turns 18 and the consequences get worse?

This book was so hard to put down. i loved the twists in it, how it was hard to guess who really was the killer. i also loved the queer (and particularly sapphic) rep, of which there was a lot.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loved a good girls guide to murder but wished it was gayer!

I wish I could say I loved this one but I… didn’t. It didn’t grip me at any point and I just continued reading for the sake of it. I’m not sure if I’m in a reading slump or if this book just didn’t grip me enough. Who knows!

When cheerleader Stella Blackthorn went missing everyone assumed she had run away. Her younger sister, Iris, was adamant she wouldn’t have run…and gets herself into trouble trying to investigate what happened. Now, a year later, Iris is still searching for answers and another young girl goes missing. This time, it’s Iris’s ex.
From start to finish this is a hard book to put down. For fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder the focus on the two incidents kept me hooked. Iris and her group of detectives are a rather eclectic bunch, but definitely a group of teens you want to listen to.
Mixing the narrative with a podcast, the focus on two crimes really makes for an intriguing read. Iris is prone to reckless decision-making, but it’s difficult not to get swept upon the events described.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.

"How to Find a Missing Girl" by Victoria Wlosok is a gripping and suspenseful young adult mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story revolves around Iris, a determined young woman who is desperate to uncover the truth behind the disappearances of her sister and her ex-girlfriend.

Wlosok expertly weaves a tale filled with intrigue, twists, and complex relationships. As Iris delves deeper into her investigations, the stakes rise, and the tension mounts. The author skilfully captures the urgency and desperation of Iris's race against time, knowing that the consequences of her actions could be severe.

The character development is another highlight of the book, with Iris being a relatable and compelling protagonist. Her determination and resilience make her a captivating lead, while the supporting characters add depth and complexity to the narrative.

Wlosok's writing is fast-paced and engrossing, with well-crafted suspense and a balance of emotional moments. The story tackles themes of family, friendship, love, and the power of determination.

"How to Find a Missing Girl" is a thrilling and immersive read that will appeal to fans of young adult mysteries and those who enjoy compelling characters and intricate plot twists.

This book flowed really well - fast paced, not overly complicated and perfect for a reluctant reader. It would capture a teen’s attention perfectly. What teen wouldn’t love a murder mystery with characters they can relate with? I can see it being a hit.

I have very mixed feelings about this. It is a very fast paced teenage detective story. So, that is a plus. But when I read it, I constantly felt as though I were watching a teens' movie instead of reading a book. It lacks the depth and the details I would prefer to see in a book.