“Missing Man" by Susan Specht Oram is a mystery about dealing with the loss of a loved one who has disappeared. The story focuses on how this affects the people left behind, exploring their feelings and memories. Oram writes in a way that makes the characters relatable, showing their struggles and how they cope with grief. It’s a heartfelt story that captures the pain of loss and the search for closure.

Irena Fishbone is a determined single mother who juggles her time between repairing boat engines and caring for her teenage daughter. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her ex-husband mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a chaotic situation that she must navigate. Overwhelmed by the mess he left, Irena suspects foul play involving a close friend but struggles to find concrete evidence to support her suspicions.

“Missing Man” is a fast-paced psychological thriller that promises surprising plot twists and an engaging narrative centered around a resilient heroine determined to seek justice and clarity in the midst of chaos.

I went into this somewhat blindly, not having read the description beforehand. It really wasn't my cup of tea. I am not really a fan of family and domestic drama and this book is packed with it. Immature adults and wise children. If that is your jam, this book is for you. It's an easy read and would be great for vacation or the beach.

I highly recommend if you're looking to get lost in some mindless drama and enjoy domestic thrillers.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Susan Specht Oram’s “Missing Man” is a fast-paced psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. As the second book in the Beyond the Bridge series, it stands strong on its own, delivering a riveting story filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and deeply human characters.

The novel centers around the life of a determined heroine whose world is turned upside down when her ex-husband mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a trail of chaos and unanswered questions. Overwhelmed by the mess he left, she suspects foul play involving a close friend but struggles to find proof. Her journey to uncover the truth is fraught with danger and emotional turmoil, making for a compelling read.

Oram’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the protagonist’s inner and outer worlds. The small-town setting adds a layer of claustrophobia and tension, where every neighbor could be a potential suspect, and secrets are buried just beneath the surface. The author’s ability to create a sense of place is remarkable, making the town itself feel like a character in the story.

The plot is meticulously crafted, with each chapter peeling back another layer of mystery. Oram excels at building suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with well-timed revelations and red herrings. The pacing is relentless, ensuring that there is never a dull moment as the protagonist races against time to protect her daughter and uncover the truth.

A group of friends and one goes missing.
I didn't find this thrilling at all and continued reading in the hope of a great twist, sadly there wasn't one.
Sorry for the poor review but this was not my cup of tea.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

This book was okay! i had high hopes for an exciting and maybe grand ending that would help reveal some more info, but that never happened. This story is about a group of 4 friends and 1 of them has gone missing and the other three are trying to sort everything out including a massive debt. It was pretty predictable unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This is the story of 4 friends, Jack, Irena, Buzz and Abby, and the things that happen when one of them disappears. Jack, heavily in debt to the wrong people vanishes and Irena, Buzz and Abby are left to deal with his debt and his sneaker addiction. It’s an almost humorous thriller that kept turning the pages waiting for the twist at the end. But, there was no twist. It left me hanging on a cliff with the desire to read the rest of the series.