I found this book kept my interest until I read the last page. This was my first book by Jennifer Wells. I found her to be an excellent writer. She takes you on an adventure you will not soon forget. I wished that books had PG 17 ratings like movies do. There was some content in the book that took me by surprise, many readers would not have a problem with. But this is my review and I feel I need to include a gentle warning, for more mature readers. I received a copy of this book from Aria through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

1912 - May Day in Missenham.

Everyone remembers that day - that is the day two girls disappeared. Two girls were murdered.

From two different parts of society Iris Caldwell and Nell Ryland were the unlikeliest of friends, brought together through circumstance and design rather than a desire for true friendship. Each very different.

Nell Ryland, was seen as the wild child, the rebel. A respectable vicars' daughter who made seemingly one mistake and was forced to pay for it for the rest of her life. Well the rest of her life until that fateful day in May 1912.

Iris Caldwell, childlike, waiflike living very much away from the adult world, so as to not grow up and become one. Cocooned by her father in their home until that fateful in day in May 1912.

1937 - a cine film has been found which record the events of that fateful day.

As the locals gather to watch, they see one of the missing girls clearly on the film walking with Sam Denman, a local man. Is he the last person to see her alive? Surely the film maker knows something?

With twenty five years having passed, can the truth really be found out all these years later?

The mystery is told from the perspective of Agnes, Nell's mother in 1937 and Nell herself back in 1912. You don't get to hear Iris voice which when you learn about her you perhaps realise that if you did it would be almost so different to the story we are told about her.

The book was a page turner, despite I thought a slow start, once it picked up pace I had to know what happened that day. Some of it did suddenly seem obvious to me, but perhaps not to those so closely involved that they were blind to their actions and the events.

Historical fiction with that an intriguing mystery added into the mix. Whilst part of a series set in Missenham, these books standalone as books to be read without prior knowledge of others in the series.

THE LOST GIRLS is an interesting book given its historical time period(s) and thriller-type plot line. Although I didn't rate this as an absolute favorite, I enjoyed the writing and the story. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't have a hard time following it and I did (mostly) feel connected to the characters. The ending, while not 100 % satisfying, does wrap up the story nicely. I didn't realize this was part of a series. It works standing alone. Overall, a solid and entertaining read, especially if you enjoy historical fiction that is paced somewhat like a thriller.

This book was just okay for me. I was really hoping to like it more than I did. The story had promise I just felt like the writing was hard to follow at times and it could have had more detail.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Hard to follow and then the ending was disappointing to me. Bad combination. I didn’t feel connected to the characters.

I have never read a book by this author but now that I have, I would like to go back and read more since I realized after the fact there are others set in this location as it says it is book 4 of the Missenhamn series. I enjoyed this book right from the start. It is told from two perspectives, mother and daughter, both in 1912 and 1937 and the events that transpired on May Day in 1912 and what has happened since. With interesting characters, setting, and plot, this book was definitely a page turner.

There's many books on the market today about missing girls. Another one?
This is not your typical missing girls story. It's a well written, fast paced book that kept me reading long into the night. A surprise ending that made it even better.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.

Very heartwarming book and reminds me off a tried story that really happened about 2 young girls going missong

Wow what a story been told. Iris caldwell with her maid nell ryland both dissappeared twenty five years ago. Sam denman was the last person to have walked with iris on the day of the murder? Or are they both still alive. Nells mother Agnes a vicars widow living at oak cottage will never forget this day the first of may 1912 and a reel is found in the church hall labelled suffrage march. So wjat really happened? This book takes us back and forth to their story. This book is full of twists and found myself reading to find out i didn't want it to end.

I really enjoyed this book until the ending.. After thinking that the main character was a ghost, to find out otherwise was a little disappointing. Too conveniently ending.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have never read a book by this author but now that I have, I would like to go back and read more since I realized after the fact there are others set in this location as it says it is book 4 of the Missenhamn series. I enjoyed this book right from the start. It is told from two perspectives, mother and daughter, both in 1912 and 1937 and the events that transpired on May Day in 1912 and what has happened since. With interesting characters, setting, and plot, this book was definitely a page turner.

As I read the summary I was actually really excited for this but as I started reading, I found it dull and not well written. The book was very hard to follow and keep everything straight. Wouldn’t recommend it to friends or family.

Historical fiction a book that drew me in.The characters are so well written a plot that kept me turning the pages.Highly recommend.#netgalley #aria

This was such a compelling story, the characters were so compelling and you become so invested in them you want to keep reading even way after the story ends!