3.5 stars

I thought this was a solid thriller and it was a fairly quick read. I really appreciated the themes of true crime sensationalism and social media 'activism' that can actually get in the way of finding out the truth. Along with ever present undertones of racial stereotyping, it was nice that this book had more to say than simply solving the mystery.

While some of the twists and turns, I could see coming or partially predict, I was still invested in the story and kept turning the pages for one more chapter. The characters are flawed and sometimes completely unlikeable, but in ways that felt genuine.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. While the book was slow in spots, it picked up the pace when it counted. However, when I tell you this book had me on the edge of my seat in the last third of the book would be an understatement. Garrett did a great job of setting up the atmosphere of the book. As a Black woman, Bree’s actions and thoughts were relatable. There were parts where I felt aligned with Bree’s decisions and felt seen because they were things, I would have considered myself. I will say I liked Garrett’s approach to Bree’s predicament. While there were questions about her involvement in the crime, it wasn’t a literal witch hunt. That paired well with other plot devices within the story because it made it that much more believable/relatable. I have been a fan of Kellye Garrett for quite some time, and this book affirmed why that was the case. Looking forward to her next book!

I really really enjoyed this book. I liked the TikTok aspect of it as we are living in a social media era right now. I also liked how justice was equally served on all parties. I wished Ty would have been fully honest with Bree and really told her what he was sorry for during his call. I’m glad that Bree was able to walk away unscathed and with her head held high. I enjoyed this book. I seen a lot of myself in Bree and Adore.

I really enjoyed this book's initial premise and the overall commentary it's making on the sensationalism behind missing white women cases (especially in the age of social media) and villainization of black suspects and/or victims. I think those elements alone make this book worth a read, because it's a topic not often explored in literature and especially in the mystery/thriller genre. For me, this book's pace stayed pretty slow and as a result my entertainment waned a lot over the course of it, and I think I was less invested by the point of the major reveals than I should have been. I'd still recommend this to anyone who thinks the premise or message sound interesting or important, and I'll be following everything this author continues to write in the future.

Firstly, I must admit that I found every character in this book frustrating. Each one stirred up feelings of annoyance or anger, and I couldn't relate to any of them. This usually affects my enjoyment of a book. However, this wasn't the case with "Missing White Woman: A Novel" by Kellye Garrett. Despite my irritation towards each character, the story was well-executed.

As a frequent reader of thrillers, I often anticipate plot twists. However, this was one of the few stories where all my predictions were either wrong or partially right. Recognizing all the characters was straightforward, but assembling the narrative puzzle was more challenging than I expected. The author succeeded in keeping me engaged until the end, consistently surprising me with unexpected yet plausible twists.

The book skillfully addressed the issue of race, the stereotyping of black men, the portrayal of the missing white woman as a paragon of virtue, and the depiction of the black woman as a deserving drug addict. Although this was a theme in the story, it did not detract from the overall mystery. The characters' annoyance, rather than outrage, over this issue was notable.

As my first encounter with Kellye Garrett's work, "Missing White Woman: A Novel" serves as a good introduction. If possible, I recommend listening to the audiobook version. The vocalization and characterization were excellent. Even though I didn't like any of the characters, it helped me better understand them.

Yes!! This is how I like my thrillers. A woman goes on what supposed to be a romantic getaway with her boyfriend. Until she wakes up to find a dead white woman at the bottom of the staircase of their Airbnb. I love how this was a play on the missing white woman syndrome, and how the author use that to craft a compelling psychological thriller that had me rushing to turn the pages. loved the inclusion of the social media expert and overall really enjoyed the ride. There were one or two threads that were not fully realized but Bree was a fully flushed out character and I will definitely read this author again.

The premise of the book was very intriguing. This was a page turner and kept me guessing throughout on what was happening and why. I do feel the storyline was dragged out a little bit and some parts were a little predictable. Overall it was a decent mystery.

★ 4 Stars ★
I was first introduced to Kellye Garrett when I read her book "Like a Sister." Her cover designer is absolutely amazing, making it almost impossible to resist picking up the book. In fact, it is my favorite book cover of April. However, the stunning cover hides a gruesome murder that will keep you guessing until the incredible conclusion. The book's pace is not lightning-fast, but some twists are worth savoring at a slower pace!

The story of "Like a Sister" unfolds as Breanna and Ty, a couple seeking a romantic weekend at an Air B&B, are unexpectedly thrust into a murder investigation. The tranquility of their getaway is shattered when Breanna discovers a mangled body in the foyer, and Ty mysteriously vanishes. This unsettling event marks the beginning of a gripping narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I want to thank Hachette Book Group and Novel Suspects for providing this ARC through NetGalley. As always, all the opinions shared in this review are my own and are left voluntarily.

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A romantic getaway in the city quickly turns into a nightmare for a young Black couple in Missing White Woman, which explores racial disparities in media coverage and the persuasive, invasive prevalence of social media.

Breanna and Ty are spending their first weekend away together in NYC, staying across the river in Jersey City in an upscale townhouse that Ty found on airbnb. The trip is like a dream until the final morning, when Breanna wakes up to find Ty gone and a dead white woman, sprawled and bloody, at the foot of the stairs. Who is the woman, and how did she end up in the townhouse? Could she be Janelle Beckett, the missing white woman whose disappearance the entire internet has become obsessed with? Alone in a strange city, embroiled in the midst of a police investigation, Breanna must turn to an old friend for help -- which will force her to reckon with the fraught history they share.

Missing White Woman is that rare novel that manages to address hot-button social issues searingly, head-on, while also never losing the narrative's page-turning, propulsive quality. Kellye Garrett's prose is effortless and dynamic, weaving the threads of a character-driven, twisty thriller plot while also exploring what it means to be BIPOC in America, how social media can manipulate the truth and pervert the course of justice, and the intricacies of all kinds of relationships: romantic partnerships, friendships, and family. The relationships at the center of the story are complex and nuanced, and Breanna is a relatable and authentic main character. She is strong-willed, honest about who she is and who she used to be, and she was easy to root for and sympathize with.

Missing White Woman is everything I want from a social thriller: thought-provoking, surprising, well-plotted, and full of fascinating characters. I can't wait to read more of Kellye Garrett's work. Thank you to Mulholland Books for the complimentary reading opportunity.

It is a slow-burn murder mystery that focuses on African-American women's experiences during a traumatic event - a local white woman gone missing. Just being in the vicinity of the crime is dangerous for Bree, a young Black woman who was hoping for a romantic getaway with her new boyfriend but instead found herself spiraling into the chaos of the missing person case.
I really enjoyed the emphasis Garrett placed on social media's effect on how we get the news and make up our minds about current events. It is also scary how fast it can turn the crowd against someone and ruin lives and reputations.
I was honestly more excited about the rekindling of friendship than the lovers' storyline - Ty's character instills suspicion from the first page and does not improve much after.
Overall, a great read. I really enjoyed Kellye Garrett's voice and pacing.

Thank you, NetGalley, Kellye Garrett, and Mulholland Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve never read this author before and went into the story fairly blind.

The author did a great job in the beginning at teasing Bree’s past in a way that intrigues the reader without being annoying or too repetitive. And she didn’t hold the mystery back from the reader to long.

This was the first thriller I’ve read in a while and I was flying through it.

The influence character Billie was so easy to loathe. The way she latched on to this tragedy and made it about herself despite BARELY knowing the victim was so gross. And then didn’t check sources just wildly spread misinformation and rumours. As much as I hated her, I think I hated more how realistic a depiction it is.

The mystery was interesting. I thought I saw the way it was going to shake out but the author provided a solid red herring. I will say, the parts of the plot with Adore were really obvious but the author used that to deflect from what was really going on.

Bree was wildly too trusting a character for all the shit she’d had to deal with in her life.

I actually really liked the way everything came together in the end. Bree’s growth, the mystery’s solution, Adore’s ending, etc. It was a solid conclusion.

This was a slow burn murder mystery about a young black woman who goes away for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend. The beginning was incredibly slow, especially since I went in blind. I didn’t know what would actually happen, so when I got to the actual murder part I was like okay!!! This is interesting!

We also learn early on that the main character, Bree, has a secretive past that we learn more about down the line. Her boyfriend is also super sketchy. I got bad vibes from him from the beginning.

This was an excellent story about how society goes crazy every time a pretty white woman goes missing, and also how society is quick to point fingers/cast blame on people of color. I also appreciated the themes of performative grief and influencer culture. There was excellent social commentary woven into the story, and the overall mystery kept me hooked.

The writing style was engaging and there were enough twists sprinkled throughout to keep me from losing interest. Unfortunately, the final twists just didn’t wow me as much as I had hoped. I hate when characters solve the mystery on their own with an “ahah” moment. I know this is a very specific thing not to like in books, and idk if anyone else knows what I’m talking about, but I don’t like when the main character is in the dark and confused all book, and then by the end they think *really hard* and figure it all out.

So yeah, cool story, great writing, but the actual plot and ending just didn’t quite end up working for me. I was hoping for so much more. It wrapped up way too easily and neatly. Overall, it’s an unputdownable mystery once it picks up and I DO recommend it! It just wasn’t perfect, but not every book can or should be.

✨ Read this if you ✨
- Appreciate social commentary woven into a story
- Constantly question influencer culture
- Are a city person
- Are also disturbed by the media’s obsession with missing white people & the injustice of other races being ignored
- Enjoy true crime shows/podcasts

Thank you NetGalley and Mulholland books for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

Missing White Woman follows our MC, Bree, who was supposed to be on a romantic getaway with her new boyfriend, Ty.  Except on the last morning of her trip, Bree wakes to find the body of a murdered white woman in her Air B&B, and Ty is nowhere to be found. Now the story is blowing up online, and all fingers are pointing at Ty being the killer, but can Bree prove that the man she loves isn't a murderer?

I just love Kellye Garrett's writing style. Her stories always seem to flow really easily, and I couldn't put this one down.  The characters in this story were all really unique and well developed, and I especially felt for Bree. I think we've all become familiar with 'missing white woman syndrome,' and I liked how Garrett added in social media references and TikTok video transcripts from the Influencer who was following the story. Garrett expertly tackles themes of racism, interpersonal relationships, online presence, and internet sleuthing. The audacity of some of the characters in the book is all too familiar and yet surprising nonetheless.

Though there were some predictable parts, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book overall. It was twisty and a lot of fun, and I loved how it all came together.

I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!

Bree and Ty are supposed to be on a romantic getaway in New York City, but on their last morning, she discovers a dead body and her Ty is nowhere to be seen. What follows is a media frenzy around the fact that the body is that of missing white woman Janelle Beckett, whom people have been searching for. As a Black woman, Bree is well aware of the media storm that churns for missing white women but remains silent for people of color. Desperate for help, she turns to her estranged best friend, a lawyer, with secrets of her own. This book explores the discrepancies in which victims are treated based on race and Missing White Woman is an excellent read for fans of S.A. Cosby. Thank you to Mullholland Books and to Netgalley for the advanced review copy.

Good for fans of:
🔪thrillers incorporating social media
🔪BIPOC main character
🔪amateur sleuths
🔪Search Party (tv show)
🔪When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

This is a gripping and taut thriller! I found Bree to be a very relatable character and enjoyed her perspective in the story. After a weekend away with her new boyfriend ends in Bree stumbling upon a dead body in the foyer of their Airbnb, a prominent TikToker ignites a social media frenzy where internet sleuths believe the body belongs to a local missing woman and begin trying to solve the case ahead of the police. Bree has her reasons to be suspicious of the police, but with her boyfriend missing (on the run?), her options are limited. That is, until someone from her past reappears.

The pace of this story is medium to fast. By turns, I felt protective of Bree, frustrated by her choices, and eager for her to figure out what was going on. The use of TikTok was a new layer I haven’t encountered in thrillers, and I think it was used effectively here. It enhanced the story. It shone a light on the ways Internet culture magnifies societal prejudices and who the winners and losers of viral movements tend to be.

While reading portions of the story set in the Jersey City Airbnb, where all the white neighbors are suspicious of Bree’s very presence, I felt the same sense of claustrophobia and stress as in When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. As the TikTok character directs her followers to pursue leads in the case, I found myself thinking of the inept and dangerous choices by characters in the TV show Search Party.

This is a great thriller for fans of the genre looking for a layered story, amateur sleuths, and incorporating social media in a smart and savvy way.

4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Good mystery, I thought I had it all figured out and it turned out I hadn't. It was an enjoyable read. I felt like the crime and build up lasted awhile and then the wrap up was a little too quick for me but needless to say I enjoyed the book and read it super quickly. I was in the mood for a page turner and this did not disappoint.

As a mystery/thriller, Missing White Woman is good, but that's only part of it. Garrett lures us in with the murder mystery and, as we read, makes astute points on race, social media, citizen sleuths.

I didnt love this as much as I thought I would, I found this to be a super slow born, the boyfriend was sketchy from the get go, but the ending really didn’t do it for me

I was compelled to read this book because it’s set in my neck of the woods. I was not impressed.

First, the dialogue didn’t work for me. The characters were aged at most in their mid 30s and the slang/turns of phrases used were of people in their 50s. As a 30something with siblings in that age range, it made my skin crawl.

The main character is exceptionally altruistic for the situation she finds herself in. I could not suspend my disbelief. When a person that’s been in the system already finds themselves compromised and about to go back, there is no way she’d think of a no name young black male before herself. I’m not referring to her boyfriend. I’m talking about the hypothetical innocents she constantly defers to in spite of incriminating herself in a murder.

While the pace was good (earned the book a second star,) the twists were sometimes predictable. The friendship drama was under explored and the boyfriend was not sympathetic or swoon worthy. At least not enough so to warrant her dogged loyalty.


Finally, there were setting inaccuracies. As a long time commuter, it irked me that the main character took the wrong train to a certain destination. I know I’m supposed to give fiction some grace but if you’re going to use actual locations, make sure easily verifiable info is correct.

There’s more I can say but I think the two star rating is sufficient. I received a NetGalley arc for an honest review.

I was really excited about this book, but unfortunately, it didn't quite meet my expectations. The pace was slow, and the conclusion, especially regarding Bree and her best friend, as well as the resolution of the mystery, felt abrupt and unsatisfying. However, the premise of the story and its commentary on issues like social media and the differing treatment of crimes involving white women versus minorities were thought-provoking.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review