Member Reviews

Thank you to Denise Grover Swank, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have been a fan of Denise Grover Swank for a long time. I absolutely loved the Rose Gardner mysteries, so as soon as I saw this, I had to request it and I was not disappointed!

This was so good. I loved Harper. She seemed so real to me. If that makes sense.

This is fast-paced, holds your attention, and leaves you wanting more. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this book. I cannot wait for the next one.

Was this review helpful?

"Little Girl Vanished: A small town kidnapping (Harper Adams Mystery Book 1)" by Denise Grover Swank is a compelling mystery novel that takes readers on a journey through a small town's secrets. The book follows a tenacious protagonist as she unravels the truth behind a mysterious disappearance. Swank's writing is filled with intrigue and keeps readers guessing until the final pages. With its well-paced plot and engaging characters, "Little Girl Vanished" is a satisfying read for fans of small-town mysteries.

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting read with relatable characters. Past and present are nicely put together. The suspense was moderate,

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed Little Girl Vanished. It grabbed me right from the start and never let go. I’m looking forward to this being a series. My only critique is how Harper acted around Malcolm. It got a bit annoying. Otherwise her character was very entertaining.

Was this review helpful?

Denise Grover Swank is a master! There is a always a gritty reality to her stories that jerks the heart and minds of readers. 'Little Girl Vanished' is the first in a new series about Harper Adams, a disgraced police detective gone home and trying to solve a kidnapping that is similar to her sister's kidnapping and murder 20 years earlier. The victim is the daughter of her sister's best friend. It is completely gripping, from start to finish. The major bonus is the addition of James Malcolm, one of my favorite literary characters of all time. He is a complete enigma, and a joy to have around. I literally can't wait for more. Read anything by Denise Grover Swank!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

A young girl kidnapped, a father seemingly trying to cover it up. And a reminder left, from two decades before. Can this case be cracked before its all too late.

This really draws you in. The characters and their characteristics, make them almost real. Suffering in a manner that normal people do, without it being glorified.

Whilst some of the plot, may seem rather out of place, with how the characters are depicited. This can be forgiven. The characters are bold enough to carry it.

There’s no denying that this is a really good read. Its easy to read, and realistically speaking, this could happen in normal life, sort of perhaps. Minus a few of the more out there situations.

Managed to complete this in a couple of sittings, so it’s not all doom and gloom. It kept pulling me back for more.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Was this review helpful?

Harper Adams a detective was forced out because she shot and killed a child who she said was shooting at her but no gun was found. A friend’s daughter has disappeared and Harper goes on the hunt. I had not read this author before but really enjoyed this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was an amazing, fast-paced thriller!

If you’re looking for a binge-worthy read- this is it. The end of every chapter left me wanting more!

I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Little Girl Vanished - Denise Grover Swank

I finally read a book this month and it was a great one! I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving me completely captivated from the very first page till the heart-pounding conclusion. 🎢📖

Swank's masterful storytelling skill shines through in this gripping mystery that will keep you at the edge of your seat. 🕵️‍♀️💔 The characters are so vividly portrayed, each with their own unique quirks and secrets, making them feel like old friends you can't help but root for and empathize with. 👥💕

From the first mysterious disappearance to the shocking twists and turns, every chapter leaves you hungry for more, unable to resist turning page after page. 🔄😱 I found myself second-guessing every clue, forming my own theories, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, Swank pulled the rug from under me with a revelation that left me speechless. 🤯🔍

But it's not just the suspense and intrigue that sets this book apart. The depth of emotions and themes explored throughout the story adds an incredible layer of depth. 💭💕 The raw portrayal of grief, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family tugs at your heartstrings and lingers long after you finish the book. 💧😢

Little Girl Vanished is more than just a mystery novel; it's an immersive experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. 🌟🌌

If you're a fan of thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, this book is an absolute must-read! Trust me; you won't be able to put it down. 🙌📖 This book is available for purchase now and the next Harper Adams mystery releases January 2024!! 😍

Was this review helpful?

Little Girl Vanished by Denise Grover Swank

Fast-paced, page-turning and gripping thriller. Denise Grover Swank never disappoints the readers. This proves again by her new thriller.

Harper Adams was suspended from her police duty because she shot a teenager. She thought it was a self-defence but the gun nor bullet from the teenager were not found. The story started with Harper seeing the psychologist, which was a standard procedure for a police after shooting the civilian. Harper understood the rules of the game, so she spit out the standard answer during the consultation.

Now she moved back to her parents place. This was what she hated.

Harper's sister was kidnapped and murdered 20 years ago. The daughter of her sister's childhood friend who was 12 years old also kidnapped? With the similarities of two cases, Harper now was needed by her old boss to help in this case.

The storyplot was grippingly written. I kept turning pages to find what happened next. I was hooked and the twisty ending surprised me. I enjoy Densie Grover Swank's books a lot. No dragging but surprising! I can't wait for her next Harper Adam Mystery!

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

An engaging thriller with intriguing characters and plot. I thought this was mostly well done, and although the ending fell for the usual thriller tropes = rushed and convenient ties of loose ends - I thought it was satisfying. I will definitely be looking for more Harper Adams mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a page turner! The writing was fast-paced and engaging; the gritty parts were off-page and not too gritty. The twist was twisty and the ending was happier than I thought it would be. I’ll definitely be reading more in this series.

Was this review helpful?

Disgraced, ex-detective Harper Adams has hit rock bottom in her life. She moves back to Arkansas-something she swore she would never do.
The child of her friend is missing and with the police investigation leading nowhere she teams up with a former crime boss James Malcolm.
Who will succeed?

Was this review helpful?

First in the new series of Detective Harper Adams.

Harper a disgraced cop battling her demons by self medicating with alcohol is thrown into searching for a missing girl which runs parallel with the case of her own sister many years ago. I

A fast paced gritty read that has left alot of intrigue to not only what has happened in the past but what awaits her in the future too.

Was this review helpful?

Denise Grover Swank can write gripping novels and this is a hell of gripping and twisty story featuring a down on her luck former detective, a missing girl, and a small town.
There's a fast paced and tense story that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Was this review helpful?

AWESOME thriller with lots of excitement throughout. First time reading this author but look forward to many more!! RECOMMEND totally for a gripping read. Thanks to #NetGalley/#Bookouture for #Little Girl Vanished in return for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I have read many of Denise's books over the yens and even met her about 10 years ago. She was lovely and so interesting. I love her writing style, it has a fullness and warmth. Even though the books are set in the US and I live in the UK, I always understand the lives and locations in her novels. Her main characters are strong, feisty and independent women. This is a new character called Harper, but thee is the odd familiar character from her other books as well which I feel gives a greater understanding of the character. I look forward to reading more of her stories.

Was this review helpful?

A kidnap, murder mystery set in what seems to be small town America.

A flawed, slightly alcohol loving, former detective Harper Adams is drawn into an investigation which ,may have connections to her own family murder/kidnap in the past. Harper is able to ask many, and I mean many, questions involving the missing girls' parents, family neighbours etc., apparently without upsetting the local police force?

Slow to start, I really enjoyed her ability to solve the case(s). The other characters were credible although a little more backstory of some of them, for example James, would have helped.

Thanks to Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

Little girl vanished. Another great book by Denise Grover Swank published by DGS. I was so excited to read this one by a new fave author of mine. This book sucked me in and kept me guessing till the end. I’m excited to know this is book one of the Harper Adams story. Oooh I just seen on goodreads book two is coming soon. #excited. This one is available now so please do snag you a copy, you will not be disappointed. Denise Grover Swank is a talented story teller and oh my goodness did she tell a story.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book.

I’m new to DGS, but I think I’m hooked now! I could not put this book down. I really needed to know what happened next and was truly trying to read it at any chance I had.

Harper Adams, a former police detective, finds herself wrapped up in a case of a missing child. This is because her sister was taken at a young age. Although decades apart, are these two cases connected? That is what Harper needs to figure out in order to find the missing child.

I did enjoy Harper’s character for the most part and am excited to see how she grows throughout the series. The ending was a little bit anticlimactic for me in certain aspects but at least it didn’t ruin the book completely for me.

I never got the chance to start a thriller series from the beginning right when it came out and am excited to follow this series!

Was this review helpful?