Count to three is the story of Dani Callahan, a stay at home mom, turned private investigator. A career choice made after the abduction of her daughter Tinsley, taken on the first day of kindergarten.

Dani and Matthew had fertility problems and finally were blessed with the arrival of Tinsley. Dani, knowing Tinsley will be their only child obsesses over everything to do with Tinsley. She quits her job and becomes a stay at home mom. On the first day of kindergarten, Dani drops her off and then sobs about the event. She returns to the school to pick her up, after a flat tire she is only a few minutes late, only to find that a woman has already picked Tinsley. She calls Matthew to come to the school. They discover that a woman stood at the front of the line dressed similar to Dani and picked up their daughter, They are told the woman could have been her sister, since she looked so much like Dani.

The story picks up five years later, Dani is now divorced from Matthew and is now a Private Investigator. Dani still is obsessed over finding Tinsley but she also helps to find missing people. Matthew has moved on with a new wife who is pregnant. He is not happy that on the anniversary of Tinsley's disappearance, the news reports there are new leads in the case.

Meanwhile, teenager Ali Cross goes missing. Ethan a 12-year-old street wise boy comes in wanting to hire Dani to investigate. Ethan believe he witnessed the abduction, although he didn't see enough to be helpful to the police. But he's upset that he did nothing to try and stop the abduction at the time. He's upset that, in his view, the police didn't believe him and have done nothing to find Ali. Dani's assistant Quinn wants to take the case. Quinn meets with Ethan at the spot where the abduction happens and everyday he remembers a little bit more.

The detective who worked on Tinsley's case got to know Dani, but he's about to retire, he's willing to listen to Dani's accounts of the missing girl. As one might expect, the investigation into Ali's disappearance triggers memories about Tinsley. Matthew will repeatedly lash out at Dani about her being obsessed about finding Tinsley. Dani will continue to dig and with the help of Quinn and Ethan they will rattle enough people to eventually provoke attacks on Dani and then Ethan.

This is a fast paced story easily read in a few hours. The main characters are very likeable and could be a series (I hope.) The quirky personalities of these three are interesting and fun to watch as they evolve into better people as the story unfolds.

Dani Callaghan’s daughter was kidnapped 5 years ago and Dani has never given up on finding her. She is now a private investigator and tries to help other people while still looking for her daughter. A young girl has gone missing and most are thinking she was a runaway, but there was a witness to her kidnapping. The story is told from several viewpoints. The details on what was done to the kidnapped young girl are somewhat gruesome. This story is a slow build to an ending that had a twist I never saw coming. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Ok I've picked this up a few times and each time only get so far missing child, kidnapping,...great plot but the story itself didnt grab me. DNF
Other books from this author I have enjoyed so I'll look for more in the future.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley fir an early release of this book.

Five years ago, Dani Callahan’s daughter, Tinsley, was kidnapped. Now a private investigator, Dani, with the help of her assistant, Quinn, is still trying to figure out what happened to her daughter. Not only are they looking into the disappearance of Tinsley, they are hired to find a missing teenager.

What T.R. Ragan’s series all have in common is a strong female main character. They usually have suffered some kind of trauma in the past, but they do not let that stop them. This book is no exception. Dani and Quinn are strong women and determined to find both missing girls. They were also very likable and well developed.

Along with the two main cases, there was also a minor one, which did not seem necessary, but Ragan was able to use it to tie things together and move the mystery forward. I liked that there was good investigation into the two missing persons cases, but I felt that the conclusions for both were rushed.

While not my favorite T.R. Ragan book, if this is the start of a new series, I will definitely read it. I really liked Dani and Quinn and would love to solve more cases with them.

TERRIFIC investigative plot with 3 mysteries involving a cold case & 2 different kidnappings. Suspenseful with great characterization ( including 12 year old Ethan & abductor Carlin ) Enjoyed totally as I have others by this author & RECOMMEND all fully. Thanks to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Ragan puts together a fast paced novel that will take you through twists and turns as it follows the story of the missing, past and the present. Dani Callahan a private investigator whose 5 year old daughter was kidnapped 5 years before and her young investigator Quinn Sullivan feel the police aren't quite up to doing the job and will stop at nothing to find missing teenager Ali Cross. Assistance comes from a young 12 year boy who witnessed the kidnapping and can't let it go. None of their lives have been easy and they are going to find Ali! As the story progresses the term missing can't be over emphasized.. The characters are believable and invite you in to their stories past and present. You root for them, for the family of the missing teen and hope, just hope, that all that are missing are found

Dani Callahan is a private investigator whose passion is trying to find missing children. Sadly, Dani’s own daughter went missing, and no clues have been found to indicate what happened. She will never give up searching for her daughter, and uses this determination to search for the other children who are missing. Dani gets caught up in a case and, along with some helpful sidekicks, begins to unravel the case. This was a solid mystery that kept me guessing! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book!

A digital copy of this book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dani Callahan's 5-year-old daughter, Tinsley, is abducted from school on her first day of kindergarten. She becomes a private investigator, and 5 years later, with no leads she searches for others missing loved ones. Dani's assistant Quinn Sullivan is obsessed with missing persons cases. Her mother disappeared when she was a teenager. 17-year-old Ali Cross has been missing over a week. The police have convinced her mother that she ran away. Enter 12-year-old Ethan, the only witness to the abduction, who asks Dani and Quinn to search for Ali. This story is filled with torture and murder. I wasn't sure really what to think about the abductor. He seemed smart, but lacked social skills. There were a few stories going on and it kept me interested. Quick read. Thank you NetGalley, T.R. Ragan and Thomas and Mercer.

Somewhere I read that this is the first in what will be a series. If that's true, it's off to a pretty good start. The lead character, neophyte private investigator Dani Callahan, started down her career path a few years after her kindergarten-age daughter, Tinsley, was abducted. Intent on one day finding her still-missing daughter - or at least finding out what happened to her - she's divorced Tinsley's father Matthew and is trying to make a living in the real world.

Finding out what happened to Tinsley has turned into borderline obsession, but Dani is otherwise likable. Her younger assistant, Quinn Sullivan, not so much. She, too, comes from an emotionally charged background; but unlike Dani, she's often loud, strong-willed and a person I'd probably keep around for half a day before telling her I'm the boss and if she can't accept that, hit the bricks. Together, though, they make a competent team; that said, I'd have loved it more if Dani had just once stood her ground when Quinn started to go off the deep end instead of rationalizing that the behavior comes as a result of Quinn's prior life experiences.

In Sacramento, teenager Ali Cross goes missing. Not long thereafter, a 12-year-old boy comes in wanting to hire Dani to investigate; it seems he witnessed the abduction, although he didn't see enough to be helpful to the police. But he's upset that he did nothing to try and stop the abduction at the time (he, too, has a history of being thought of as a "troubled" youth - it seems that emotional baggage is a must for characters in this book). He's also upset that, in his view, the police have done little to track down the culprit.

Except maybe for one; the detective who worked on Tinsley's case got to know Dani very well and since has served as a kind of mentor to her. Although he's about to retire, he's willing to listen to Dani's accounts of the newly missing girl, offering advice and, when necessary, some real help with the case. As one might expect, the investigation into Ali's disappearance unearths clues about Tinsley's as well. But while that's helpful to Dani - maybe - the first order of business is finding Ali before something terrible happens.

There's no shortage of action along the way (as well as some fairly gruesome scenes). If I have a complaint, it's that the whole thing too often reads like a cozy mystery. It's got all the ingredients, not the least of which is an overabundance of melodrama - plus characters who fit the role almost perfectly: A female character who tries to stick to the straight and narrow but often ignores advice - usually resulting in her life being in danger. A partner/friend/roommate who's headstrong to the point of totally annoying and often leads said private eye into situations a rational person would avoid like the plague. A seasoned law enforcement official who feigns annoyance at said private eye but humors her, possibly at the risk of his or her own career. A character - usually a very young or very old buttinsky - who noses around, often at inopportune times. And finally, an ending that demonstrates that God's in his heaven and all's right with the world.

Overall, though, the story was intriguing and enjoyable and one I recommend, especially for fans of this author (as I am). I do, though, wonder if, in future installments, Dani's detective will continue working with her after he retires. My bet's on yes, and if I'm right, I'm looking forward to reading it - he's a solid guy with Dani's best interests at heart who is able to keep her grounded (and happily, more than once preventing her from crossing that cozy mystery line). Between now and then, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action early on with a pre-release review copy of this one.

A few reasons why I really enjoyed this story: I read this book in a few hours, the plot kept me flipping pages into the wee hours of the night. POV of kidnapper and captive disturbing, yet captivated my attention. The story played out like I was watching a thriller film. There are some trigger warnings: physical torture and abuse, sexual assault, kidnapping and murder. Overall, I would recommend.

Dani considered herself a very good mother. So how had her daughter Tinsley disappeared so quickly? Dani had gone to elementary school to pick her up but she had been taken by another woman five minutes earlier. How could that be possible? Now the most important case of her young private investigator career was the recovery of her own daughter.

Ali is preparing to go into school and is abducted right outside the building. Quinn observes her being pushed into a white van but is unable to reach her in time to stop the abduction. Frantic searches are begun for both Tinsley and Ali. They have fallen off the face of the earth.

TR Regan has a great way of spinning a yarn. I found myself immediately invested in the struggles of Dani and Ali. The deeper into the investigation Dani goes, the more frustrated as a reader I became.

Missing persons are not always on the top of the investigator’s agenda. The young senior in high school could have simply run away from an abusive home life. The cases soon go on the back burner.

The perpetrators are two very different types of criminal but the resultant angst is very similar. As a reader I found myself wound up in the investigation and becoming very angry at the criminals. TR wraps them in the confusing morass that is their psyches.

Read this book and enjoy the way TR Ragan develops her villains. You will not be disappointed. 5 stars - CE Williams

Two Heartbreaking Kidnappings A Story Makes

The novel opens with Dani Callahan, a happy mother and wife, being delayed picking up her precious five year-old daughter, Tinsley, from her first day at school. Upon arrival she learns that her daughter was picked up by a woman who looked like her. Tinsley even recognized her and went willingly. Five years later, Dani is divorced and has started a private investigator agency to make ends met and keep up the search for Tinsley. Recently, the police closed Tinsley’s case as a prisoner confessed to killing and burying her, although no body was ever found. Dani’s ex-husband just tells her that Tinsley is dead and just move on. Now, Dani has a young assistant, Quinn Sullivan, who shares her passion for finding Tinsley. Then, the kidnapping of a 17 year-old girl occurs, but the police do not believe the 12 year-old boy, Ethan, who observed the abduction, and are treating it as a runaway based upon the girl’s history. Ethan, disgusted with not being believed, wants to hire Dani to find the girl. He offers all the money he has. The novel takes off from here.

The main storyline consists of three threads, the two previously mentioned and a third with a client who wants to know who is coming into her house and moving furniture around while she is out. These threads did not conflict with each other, as the author skillfully works these threads into a gripping novel that quickly captivated my interest. The flow is consistent with an investigative storyline as it is slow and methodical at the start with twists and turns until more information is obtained to focus each of the threads. Then, the flow speeds up. There are a few, what I call, literary grenades that change how I perceived what has happened and where this novel is going. Lastly, the tension of solving the kidnappings and the humor of the moving furniture case strengthen the hold on my attention.

The B-storyline is rich as you would expect in a standalone novel. All three main characters, Dani, Quinn, and the young boy, are all well developed. Background provided is entirely consistent with their actions. The only exception is Ethan. I will let you read to find out how. There is even a C-storyline with Quinn from the start to the end of the novel.

For the trifecta that can lead to objections by some readers, this novel may have some issues, but for me they were minor. There are no intimate scenes, but only two very short references. Their nature may be disturbing to some. The offensive language is minimal and should not be an issue for most readers. One of the abductors is definitely a sociopath. The violence is edgy as it is described as it occurs, and some can be described as torture. Therefore, readers be forewarned.

This is the first novel by this author that I have read. Overall, I enjoyed reading it. I have placed this author in my second highest category of “Will Read.” I do recommend this book and personally look forward to reading further books by this author. There were not any loose ends, and I was quite happy with the ending. It did capture and maintained my interest throughout the novel, but not quite to the level that I experience with novels that I rate with five stars. I rate this novel with four stars.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based only on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

This book is a poignant reminder to never give up hope. It is also a well written thriller with more than its fair share of twists and turns. How long would you search for your missing child and what lengths would you go to find her? This book takes that question to its very brink. The character development is spot on and the writing style entertaining. This was a quick, but memorable read.

Count to Three was a pretty good, interesting story that kept my attention and made for a quick read. It was 3 mysteries rolled into one book; the disappearance of Ali Cross, the kidnapping of Tinsley Callahan and the mystery of what has actually happened to Quinn's mother all those years ago. Good overall clharacter development and juicy unexpected twists.

I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Count To Three’ by T R Ragan in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Five years ago Dani Callahan’s five-year-old daughter Tinsley disappeared and while trying to find her the lead detective in the case, James Whitton, suggests she become a private investigator so she can help find other abducted children while looking for her own. She takes on Quinn Sullivan as her assistant and together they investigate the disappearance of Ali Cross who’s grabbed and thrown into a white van, witnessed by youngster Ethan Grant.

I’m delighted to have been given the chance to read ‘Count To Three’ as T R Ragan has long been one of my favourite authors and I’ve enjoyed everything she’s written. I’m so pleased I haven’t been disappointed as this latest thriller packs the same punch as those written previously and as the heroine Dani Callahan is a new arrival I hope very much to read more of her and Quinn Sullivan in the future. Once again Ragan has written an action-packed thriller that’s had me enthralled, open-mouthed with shock and amazement, yet squirming at what the victims have had to endure at the hands of the perpetrator. It has a well-executed and exciting plot with bucketloads of action, suspense, twists and turns, and a dramatic and perfect conclusion. This is a gripping thriller that’s compulsive reading and is thoroughly recommended.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. This is a mystery with horror at times…kidnapping…missing children…the author has woven together a story of several kidnapped victims…not by the same person… the horrors of what one of the victims experiences is difficult to read…I had to skip a few pages…looking for another kidnapped child…wondering what really happen…good news and not so good…the story moves somewhat slowly but eventually, the ending arrives…with a few surprises…

This book has 3 different stories/mysteries going on. It starts off with Dani, a mother whose only child Tinsley is abducted from her school. Five years later, Dani is a private investigator with an assistant, Quinn, whose mother disappeared when she was young. Both Dani and Quinn have never stopped looking for their 'missing' family and form a bond. A young boy shows up at their office requesting their help with the abuduction of a missing girl, Ali Cross, that he saw being taken, except no one believes him. Dani and Quinn take on the case with Quinn leading the charge.

I really liked the way the stories all wove together in a way. The author did a great job of wrapping things up in the end and built the suspense all the way through. The main characters, Dani and Quinn, were very well-developed and I enjoyed the supporting characters too, including creepy Carlin.

Another winner from T.R. Ragan. T.R. Ragan grabbed my attention and didn't let go until the end!

From the start, the main character Dani was pushed to her limits. Her seven year old daughter was taken from school. Years pass by and she still hasn't given up hope of bringing her daughter home. She is now a private investigator working a case of another missing girl and this case will lead down a twisted path.

This book will keep you flipping the pages nonstop. You get multiple mysteries that will have your mind all over the place.

The more I read, the more attached I became to the characters. Dani is resilient. Quinn is strength. Ethan is brave.  I loved watching their bond grow. Their connection to one another was meant to be. They make a great team.

The ending wrapped everything up perfectly.  All my questions were answered but I want more!!! I can't wait to read the next book already!!

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. For some reason the over-explanatory writing got too much and was distracting to what was happening in the story. The plot sounded amazing but I will have to come back to this book at another time.

This is one of those stories which draws you in from the beginning and keeps you so curious you cannot put the book down at reasonable points in time. Dani Callahan has been a private investigator for many years. Motivated by the kidnapping of her daughter five years previously, she wants to help others facing similar circumstances. Quinn Sullivan is her younger assistant who is also seeking answers about what happened to her mother so many years ago. So many questions are unanswered in their lives and with their family members. When a teenager goes missing, a witness seeks their help in solving the mystery and finding Ali Cross.

The characters are well developed and the story keeps you guessing throughout. There are twists and turns as they rush to find Ali while still wanting resolution to their own mysteries.