This is the first book from this author I have read but it won’t be the last, it kept me turning the pages and sitting on the edge of my seat, and I didn’t guess the outcome till nearly then end.

Sally Fairburn started as a police officer and then moved to victims advocate, she is empathetic and very caring but her heart is breaking as well, she lost her thirteen year old daughter but with six young girls missing kidnapped by The Poster Killer Sally is throwing everything she has into helping the families of these girls. Her police officer husband Scott left her and their son the day of their daughter’s funeral and soon Sally decides it is time to retire but she never stops helping the families of the missing girls.

Four years later Sally is contacted by a criminal who is in jail and was a big suspect in The Poster Killer case he says he knows who the killers are but first she must meet with him and help in before he will let her know. Sally contacts the police who are not happy and the case is re-opened and soon Sally is finding out things that will put her and her son Paul in grave danger. She learns a lot more about her narcissistic ex-husband and with pushing from her son rethinks the reasons behind her daughter’s death.

This is fast paced and real edge of your seat suspense as Sally uncovers answers that will shock her, danger is ever present, will she be able to keep her son safe and herself, and what of the missing girls? I do highly recommend this one and am very much looking forward to the next book.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

Great read. Sally’s a former detective and victim advocate that somehow gets involved in wanting to solve a murder she previously worked on. Will the killer be after her next?

Next Girl Missing follows Sally, a retired victims advocate and mother of teenagers Paul and Zelda. In 2010, their town was terrorized by a serial killer known as The Poster Killer. The killer put up posters of the victims' faces before abducting them. Five years later, Sally finds her own face on a poster. We follow Sally as she tries to figure out who The Poster Killer is, what they want with her, and why Zelda committed suicide shortly after the girls were abducted. The story is told in dual timelines in both 2010 and 2015, with some scenes happening pre-2010 discussing Sally and Scott, her abusive ex-husband. I found the mystery super intriguing- the first chapter is from the perspective of one of the victims and are introduced to the posters. I thought this MO was very cool story-wise and allowed for some suspense later in the story.

I didn't love the writing style, especially at the beginning. There was a lot of plot dumping and telling, not showing. As the story picked up, it lessened- maybe it was because we had enough context, or it was less noticeable as the pace quickened. This was so distracting- I almost put down the book several times in the first 100 pages, but the mystery interested me enough to continue reading. I also noticed a pattern of how chapters were laid out, most obviously with many chapters ending in a question. Made-up examples as to not spoil story: "If Susie didn't eat the cookie, then who did?" "If no one saw them at the store, that means they lied about going- why would they lie?" These sentences felt a bit too on the nose, and it felt like the author didn't trust the reader enough to notice those discrepancies.

Next Girl Missing ends by setting up a sequel, and possibly a series. There were two sneek-peek chapters, but as Sally isn't law enforcement anymore, I am skeptical about how she'd just happen to stumble into another murder investigation, but the ending set up more in terms of her family issues that could play out well in the second. Overall, the writing style really took me out of it, but I can't hate an interesting mystery thriller premise.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookourture for the e-arc- I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for my ARC of the book snd a new author for me to explore. The basis of the book is good as is the back story,however I do feel it is laboured over at times. The main story itself is good and did keep me wondering, but I do want the main character to have a bit more passion about her. Good opener overall into a new author and series, already read second book

I guess I’m the outlier, I did not enjoy this book. There was far too much jumping around from Sally’s past, starting on the force, to when the girls were taken, to now when sally was thrown back into the investigation. It was far too too much. Sally was unlikeable and the book was so hard to get into.

What a great 1st book in the series.
This is a new author for me but didn't disappoint I do love a serial killer.
It was a really good read with an unexpected end.
Read this book its good.

Sally is a former victim's services worker who five years earlier worked with the families of victims of the Poster Killer, who was never caught. A convict who is suspected of being the killer contacts her and asks her to visit him in prison so that he can give her information about the case. She ends up being targeted herself by the killer and getting drawn into the reopened investigation. This was okay. I didn't like the backstory of her manipulative ex-husband and the ending was pretty dramatic and over the top. I think I would try a second book in this series, but I'm not convinced. 3 stars.

Such a good read! This thriller kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I flew through this book!

Book 1 in the Sally Fairburn series.

Four years ago, six young girls were snatched from the streets of quiet, suburban Pioneer Heights—chilling, fake “missing” posters of each victim hung around town just before they were taken. Ex-police officer Sally Fairburn has always been haunted by the case and their inability to bring the girls home. Having lost her own daughter, she knows only too well the pain it brings…

Four years on, the wide brown eyes and neat braids of twelve-year-old Anna Moorhouse—the last girl to disappear—still plague Sally’s dreams. She has never stopped fighting to bring the devastated families back together, but all leads have gone cold. Until Sally receives a chilling call out of the blue: their former main suspect, in prison for another crime, wants to talk to her… alone.

This book starts slowly and builds on drama and tension to reach a fast paced conclusion. There are twists galore to keep you hooked until the very end. I loved this book and look forward to reading the next one.

I do enjoy a good thriller and this has all the elements I like. We'll written and interesting. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Next Girl Missing' by L.A Larkin.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for L.A Larkin, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 16th June 2023.

This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Widow's Island' and 'The Safe Place' which I would also highly recommend. It is also the first book in 'A Sally Fairburn Crime Thriller' series.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Lisa Regan, Greg Olsen and Melinda Leigh will love this gripping new crime thriller series. Prepare to stay up all night!' I am a MASSIVE fan of all of three of these amazing authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of L.A Larkin and if this is half as good as 'Widow's Island' and 'The Safe Place' it is guaranteed to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 59 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is set in Franklin, Tennessee, USA 🇺🇸.


This book is written in third perspective and the main protagonist is Sally Fairburn. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

'Next Girl Missing' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book L.A Larkin discusses/includes domestic abuse, death of a child and suicide.

Wow!!! What a fast paced, shocking and page turning heart racer!!!

This book is extremely well written with extremely vivid descriptions that leaves you feeling the heat and leaves you with sweat dripping down your face. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

The storyline is action packed and very fast paced. Although I enjoyed 'Widow's Island' and loved 'The Safe Place' also by LA Larkin I must say this one absolutely hooked me and the improvement in LA Larkin's writing technique is evident throughout. In this suspense packed crime book we meet Sally Fairburn who is an ex police officer. She has always been haunted by a case from four years ago when six young girls were snatched from Pioneer Heights. Just before each of them were taken fake missing posters of them were posted around the streets. Sally lost her own daughter so know the pain the families are going through and has never stopped trying to reunite the families but all leads have gone cold. However, this changes when Sally receives a call out of the blue from an inmate who just happened to be their previous main suspect. Sally is determined to interview him but when she discovers an identical poster to the ones from the case four years ago but with her face on it this time things take a turn for the worse. With Sally receiving threats will she back down or put herself in danger? Will she ever get the answers she is looking for? Grab this explosive book to get the answer to these questions and many more. I just couldn't put this gritty and suspense packed page turner down and each and every time I promised myself one more chapter each one ended so I just had to know what happened next. Well it would have been just rude to have put it down so I read one more, then another until I had completely devoured it in one sitting!!!! The storyline is multilayered with several plots going on and each one just as addictive and explosive as the next. Larkin weaved them all together perfectly and the ending was an explosive twist I would have never seen coming!!! It is getting alot harder to shock me but Larkin blew my mind with this one so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS is in order!!!The storyline is filled with tension, family, heartbreak, fear, stress, suspense, twists and everything that will keep your heart pounding. I am please that this book highlights domestic abuse and suicide. Both of these are sadly regular occasions and the devastation that both events leaves have tragic consequences. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next book in this series which is called 'Her Deadly Truth' and which I am off too read next!!!

Another HUGE success by this amazing author!!! Clear your schedules as you will not be able to put this fantastic page turner down!!!

It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with not only the lead protagonists but also any characters that may make repeat appearances during the series too.

There was a wide range of strong, realistic and unique characters. I absolutely loved Sally and became completely invested in her. She has had an awful past having suffered from abuse and lost her daughter but instead of wallowing in pity she is determined to fight for families to get their answers, as well as her own. She has gone from an abused wife to police officer to an advocate for victims. She stands up for herself along with those others who are victims. I love how empathetic she is as well as being such a fantastic and strong female lead. I loved when there are strong female leads in books being female myself I always seem to connect more to female leads. Sally is a mum like myself and even though she lost her daughter through suicide she still has her son Paul even though their relationship is frictional!!! I can definitely relate to this being a mum of three boys myself!! Sally's ex Scott who is also a police officer is a complete plick who is a manipulative and lying bully who I could not stand!!! I loved watching Sally grow in strength and just adored her personality. I really cannot wait to see her continuing to go from strength to strength and learn more about her on the next book in this promising series. I won't say any more as I don't want to give too much away but regardless of how you feel about each of the characters they all came together perfectly to make this a gripping and addictive page turner!!!


Yet another absolutely fantastic read LA Larkin!!! Congratulations on another huge success and here's to your next one 🥂 This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors!!!

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first two chapters of Larkin's ''Her Deadly Truth' which promises to be just as addictive as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!

Overall a heart racing, fast paced, non stop action packed psychological thriller that will keep you up late turning the pages

Genres covered in this book include Serial Killers, Women Sleuths, Police Procedural, Murder Thriller, Mystery, Thriller, Women's Literary Fiction, Women's Crime Fiction, Serial Killer Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Thriller & Mystery Adventures, Murder Thrillers and Crime Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl', 'Behind Closed Doors', 'The Housemaid', 'The Night She Disappeared', 'The Perfect Couple', 'The Family Across The Street ', 'The Family Upstairs', Shari Lapena, Karin Slaughter, Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliot, Lisa Regan, Greg Olsen, Paula Hawkins, Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, Freida McFadden, Rachel Abbot and anyone who loves an explosive ending!!!


336 pages


This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 for the paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!



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Six years ago the unthinkable happened. Six little girls were snatched from their quiet neighborhoods in Pioneer Heights and disappeared without a trace. There were fake missing posters of them found all around town right before they disappeared. Sally, who is an ex police officer has always wondered what happened to those girls and why they couldn't ever find them. Years pass and Sally receives a phone call from prison as the guy they always suspected is in jail on another charge and wants to speak to her alone. As Sally is going to interview him she sees another "fake" missing child poster. Sally is terrified. Can she stop this child going missing and finally find out what happened to the others?

I really enjoyed this read. It kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. I liked that the story travels back in time to help the reader get a complete story. If you enjoy crime and thrillers then this book is for you. It kept me guessing the whole time and I did not figure out who the killer was until it was revealed to audience. I will definitely pick up book two in this series.

Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

An interesting start of a new detective series it did not bring anything new to the genre but hopefully will in the future instalments

Thank you Netgalley for an copy for an honest review

After a couple of thriller style adventures and a few stand alones (Widow’s Island and The Safe Place), LA Larkin returns with Next Girl Missing, the first book in a more procedural-style series. Her last two books were set in fictitious American settings and in Next Girl Missing, she sets the action in a kind of generic middle American suburbia.
When Next Girl Missing opens it is five years since the Poster Killer last took a schoolgirl victim. The perpetrator earned the name for the fake “Missing” posters that went up before each victim went missing, only one body was ever found. Sally Fairburn, an ex police officer still works with the families of the missing girls. She is dragged back into the case when a dangerous criminal, and the man suspected of being the Poster Killer, offers her information about the real perpetrator in return for her getting him out of jail. But Sally has more on her mind, trying to raise her fourteen-year-old son Paul on her own after her gaslighting and controlling husband (who was also a policeman) left her and seemingly in the crosshairs of the killer when a poster with her own face appears at a local bus stop.
Fairburn may strictly be an amateur detective but she comes with plenty of experience dealing with crime, including being a crack shot, and has retained her connections with the local force. Her Achilles heel is her mental state, trying to overcome the years of belittling and emotional abuse from her ex-husband, detailed in a series of flashback scenes.
There is a lot going on in Next Girl Missing but it also has all of the ingredients of a page turning thriller. A damaged but resourceful heroine, a cold case that becomes hot again, plenty of suspects and danger and some well deployed twists. It all builds to a tense finale when the circumstances become clear and both Sally and Paul find themselves in danger.
Next Girl Missing is the first in a series with a second book Her Deadly Truth released at the same time and a third on the way. In Sally Fairburn, Larkin has developed a character who can carry a series like this – working outside the police force but with the skills to help those who cannot find help elsewhere. And she has left some threads dangling at the end of this first book that will no doubt come home to roost in volumes to come.

What a concept. A killer puts up a “missing” poster before they take a girl. Ex police officer Sally Fairburn sees herself in one of these posters and is convinced a serial killer is back. I was in from the start. I love when a crime novel is personal to those working to solve it. It really ups the stakes. And then up it a little more with a serial killer. Maybe this is in style this year or I’m just picking a lot of books about serial killers to read. Either way, this one kept me on the edge of my seat.

If all that isn’t enough, there is a dual timeline that includes her controlling husband and the suicide of Sally’s daughter. The story is intense and fast paced and sets quite the description of Sally. One of the great things about dropping in on a new series, is we get to know the main character. I’ve just started book 2, Her Deadly Truth, and we continue to watch Sally grow. She is a little beat up over her husband but is also willing to jump head first into a situation to solve the crime. That is until she realizes she is not only endangering herself but her son Paul.

I always say I’d never keep hanging around these people that keep ending up in these situations, but I will willingly keep reading these stories. I really like Sally and am looking forward to seeing her character grow. You can see all the potential. And I like these slight twists on a crime procedural. Instead of a police officer or amateur sleuth, Sally is an ex police officer turned advocate. It gives you a little different perspective as you read.

I really think crime series lovers will like this one and need to join in the start of this new series.

Four years ago six little girls went missing. Things like that don't happen in the quiet town of Pioneer Heights. The killer added to the pain of their relatives by putting up fake 'Missing' posters. Sally Fairburn was a cop & moved into Victim Support. Anna Moorhouse was the last one taken & her mother has still not given up hope of getting her daughter back. The trail has gone cold, but when Sally gets a message from the man imprisoned for their abductions & what he tells her makes her rethink what they new. However this may well put her & her son in danger.

This was a fast paced thriller. I liked Sally & thought she came across as a character the reader could identify with. There were lots of twists in the tale & I was up late unable to stop reading till I found out the answers. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Young victims.
Next Girl Missing by L.A. Larkin centers on the abduction of six preteen or teen girls in Franklin, a quiet USA town, and the failure of the police force to apprehend the perpetrator. A suspect has been in prison, but now the modus operandi of a poster of the victim appearing in a bus stop is recurring. Sally Fairburn wants to know why; and wants to stop the Poster Killer

The novel switches between the present day of 2015 and the past, around 20 years prior. A whodunnit from the POV of 40-something protagonist, Sally Fairburn, former police officer turned victim support advocate, Next Girl Missing is in turns grim and painted in violence.

Sally is divorced from police officer, Scott, who was an emotionally abusive, gaslighting husband, and terrible father.

Having fairly recently lost her teenage daughter, Zelda, Sally is fiercely protective of her 14 y.o. son, Paul.

When the convicted prisoner calls Sally, offering a plea bargain for witness protection in exchange for information about the real perpetrators of the crime, Sally wants to solve the crime, and prevent further young victims from dying.

On her jog, Sally is stunned to see her face on a 'missing' poster, which mean the Poster Killer is loose. But she's decades older then 'his type'.

The technique of backward and forward in time can be trying, unless both segments are equally fast moving. In this case, the past , involving Sally's marriage, is slow and repetitive. The second half of the book has more propulsive narrative.

The crimes need a trigger warning, involving crimes on young female children. I'd like to read further books by L.A. Larkin. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bookouture, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This was such a great read. It was a fabulous crime thriller and it was so well done. I already downloaded book 2 as I honestly fell in love with Sally and I need more. The pacing of this book started off low and just kept going higher and higher until the final act.

It was honestly the perfect blend of police procedural (which to be honest I don't love), but Larkin did a fantastic job of weaving it so perfectly with the thrilling aspects, that it made it so enjoyable. The thriller aspects were spot on, suspenseful, scary, unnerving and all through it I was on the edge of my seat.

As I mentioned I fell in love with Sally she's such a fierce, strong main character after all she's been through and endured. You will love her too. She does do some things that are questionable regarding her safety, but once you read about her you'll know why she does it. The hardships this family has been through only ups the amount of fear they have due to the recent events. I also cannot wait to see how much more she grows in the second installment.

The writing was great, I felt it flowed perfectly, kept me intrigued and the emotions were felt through the pages.

The ending shook me and I would've never guessed who the serial killer was. I really recommend this one!

If you're looking for an amazing crime thriller with a serial killer pick this one up you won't be disappointed.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @bookouture & @lalarkin for my free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was sucked into this book by the original idea of finding your own face on a missing poster. What kept me reading was Sally. She is an ex police officer turned victim advocate who is undeniably a victim herself.

Still haunted by a cold case which now seems to be hotting up again, she is summoned by the man who was the original prime suspect.

I liked the blend of crime thriller/police procedural/serial killer and the thoroughly likeable and believable protagonist. The use of flashbacks fills in her past traumas and helps showcase her growth throughout the book.

Tense and gripping with real emotional clout this was a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the next book to see what’s in store for Sally.