Though I was hoping I'd enjoy this thriller with a lesbian main character, I ultimately found myself disappointed. Whereabouts Unknown follows police detective Theo, who is investigating the disappearance of two local teenage girls, while balancing her life with her partner Bree, who is pregnant; it also simultaneously tells the story of Annabelle, one of those girls.

Let's start with the good: I do think the dual perspectives that the author used worked well to make the plot feel more urgent and suspenseful, and it was cool to get both sides of the story. In general, the plot was engaging and interesting enough to keep me reading.

Unfortunately, I thought a lot of the book was not as engaging. Pretty much all the characters felt flat to me; Theo was the most well-realized, but I was really disappointed by what felt like a lack of depth in her relationship with Bree, especially. In general, I didn't feel like I had a good sense of any of the characters' motivations, and when I understood what the character was feeling, it was because I was told it, rather than shown it. (I don't necessarily think "show, don't tell" is universally applicable writing advice, but I like to be shown at least some of the time, which I don't feel this book did.) The book's climax was fast and did not feel particularly suspenseful, though I think it should have been; and some aspects of the final plot reveals seemed almost shoehorned in, without sufficient clues and buildup through the rest of the book. I also would have loved more details about Grace (one of the missing girls); we got so much of Annabelle's story, but I would have liked more of hers, as well.

Overall, this one was not for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Theo Madsen is hot on the trail of a teenage girl who has gone missing when everything starts falling apart. She is hurt on the job and her pregnant partner Bree has to become her caregiver as she recovers. Independent Theo can’t wait to get back to work and find the girls who have gone missing, but also needs to find balance in her personal life as she and Bree count down to when their baby will arrive.
This was a fun thriller, I liked Bree and Theo though would have liked a bit more time with them together. The case of the missing girls definitely kept my attention as I read, at times Theo was so close but not close enough to solving the case. I was a bit frustrated when the case seemed to go cold while Theo was convalescing and it seemed there wasn’t a sense of urgency when following up on some leads that I would hope isn’t the case in real investigations. Also wished there was more of an outline of the time frame, there were some confusing flashback scenes where it took me a bit to realize it was a flashback. The case was very interesting with lots of mystery sprinkled in with some great clues and a satisfying end. Overall it was a great thriller and I’d love to pick up some of the author’s previous work.

Whereabouts Unknown is the new standalone novel by Meredith Doench. It is also the perfect book to read if you are a mystery and intrigue reader. I loved reading every page of this story.

Homicide Detective Theodora (Theo) Madsen has a pretty good life. She is thriving in her career with the Dayton Police Department. She has a loving partner Bree, and the two are soon to become parents as Bree is several months pregnant. Things begin to change when Theo is injured working a case of a missing teen that she believes has been kidnapped and possibly harmed. The case is almost dropped by the department while Theo is recovering. Then another teen goes missing in a nearby town in exactly the same manner, and Theo feels she must come back to work even before she is physically ready.

This is a fast-paced, heart pounding kidnapping and possible murder mystery that will have you reading as fast as you can. The characters are well developed, especially Theo. We also get to be in the mind of Annabelle, one of the victims and see what is happening to her in the story. I have to admit that sometimes that was rather frightening to read. The settings and the action are well described, and the climax of the tale will have you on the edge of your seat.

I totally enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it to anyone who loves a great mystery.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

3.5 stars. I picked this up fully expecting it was a crime investigation, but it turned out a lot more was going on. I find this book hard to rate, I liked the writing and I enjoyed the separate storylines, but as a whole I think the author wanted too much with all the parallel storylines, it seemed to miss focus.

The story begins with a bang, a girl locked up in a container under unbearable circumstances. It immediately intrigues and gives the reader the right sense of urgency.
There several storylines from two POVs (third person). The crime storyline is from the POV of detective Theodora (Theo) Madsen who’s investigating two missing girl cases. However, Theo also gets wounded on the job, leaving her struggling with both physical and mental trauma, and if that’s not enough she also has a baby on the way with her partner Bree, which is something she also struggles with emotionally.
Then there is the second POV of Annabelle (one of the missing girls). Her storyline is in the present, but we also get her history in flashbacks.
Obviously, a lot is going on by constantly jumping between storylines and because of that the crime storyline was relatively light and it was the missing major plot twists and surprises that I look for in a crime investigation. Also, the flashbacks of Annabelle take a lot of the mystery away, but I did find her story interesting, it’s just the combination that didn’t seem to fully work for me.

I liked Theo a lot in her detective persona, she doesn’t let go of the case even though her injury affects her work, she adjusts and heals, and keeps going for better or worse. I didn’t like her so much as a loving partner though. Theo is described as dependable and a protector, but honestly, her actions show the opposite. And of course, she goes through a difficult time which can change a person, but I had the feeling that even before her personal struggles she was not fully into the relationship or the baby. Bree, her partner, seemed pretty amazing, but I’m not convinced of their HEA. I think I would have liked this book better without the romance/baby arc.

In summary, there were parts I really liked, but it didn’t fully come together for me. That said, I think it’s a worthy read if you enjoy mystery books.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating- 4.5 stars

Whereabouts Unknown is a mystery thriller book that follows three main characters- Theo Madsen, a detective who has been injured on the job while she has a baby on the way, and two girls who have gone missing in Ohio- one in her jurisdiction, and one outside. Along the way we meet a fleshed out group of side characters, such as Theo's wife Bree, her partner Kate, the rookie detective Cody, an old lady who is being harassed by her neighbors, and Bree's family. The book is told from dual POV, through flashbacks to the past and present time.

Wow. I loved this book. The twists and turns that it took and the new dark plot elements that kept being introduced really pulled me in, making me wonder what had happened, how, and why. I always knew that all of the elements to the story would converge in someway, but I kept asking myself how, looking for the connections between various people. I became incredibly attached to Bree, Theo, and Annabelle as I read, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time. This book truly is a roller coaster of emotions, but in the end it all came together in a way that was horrifying, but explained well.

This book also touches on topics of lesbian parental roles, the alt-right pipeline, disability, and chronic illness. I believe that all of these topics were handled extremely well and I am grateful that they were not added just for shock value or thrown in without thought. I also appreciated that there was not a lot of body horror in this book. No, this book is mainly about the horror that humans can inflict on others, along with trying to figure out why, while also showcasing hope that can light up even the darkest moments. My only light criticism on this book is that I wanted to know more about the aftermath of the climax, but that is only because I became so attached to these characters and their stories. I truly enjoyed the book and will be checking out more by Doench, as this is my first read from her.

My first novel by Merideth Doench and this is a standalone detective/mystery novel. Thea, a seasoned detective and her partner Bree, a paramedic are expecting their first child. Two unrelated teen girls are missing and it’s Thea’s case after she is sure they are connected. A tragic shooting affecting Thea challenges her in her vulnerability ad a cop and a parent. Meanwhile, one of the girls, Annabelle, is a narrator and we know the timing is imperative for The detective to find her. A perfectly well written story where we know more than the police fills us with dread at the sickness in this country. I would have liked to see more of the women’s relationship as that interested me more then the whys and hows of the mystery.

This is my first book by the author, it was ok, but nothing special. I say nothing special but between this book and a series I was watching I had the strangest dream, I might even call it a nightmare. I'm not one to remember my dreams, but this one was very interesting and I hope to never repeat or have happen in real life. I was pregnant and people were fighting about my baby, a baby I said I didn't want. Anyway, enough about me, let's talk about this book.

The cover and blurb really pulled me in, but the story wasn't what I was expecting. I think the blurb is just slightly misleading as to how all of the events happen. We have an established couple, Theo and Bree, we know Theo is in her early fifties. Bree is pregnant but I have no clue how old she is. They are a couple, but we don't really see them interact all that much. It's more about the case and I would say Theo is one main character and one of the teens is another main character. I don't really care for the way this book is told, it was confusing. We have chapters about Theo doing police work and chapters about the missing teen, these alternate with some sort of flashback type chapters/ partial chapters in which we come to understand what happens to the teens. And the flashbacks aren't even in order... I just got confused and didn't care for reading it. I was just hoping for the book to find its stride or just be over with.
Towards the end, it got better, when it was just "real-time". We also got more of Theo and who her character is. I feel like we never get a good understanding of the characters, up until the point I started to wonder if I missed books in a series. From what I could figure out I haven't missed any books.

This is not a type of crime/ mystery book I enjoy, but I am sure others will be able to enjoy it. I encourage you to read other reviews.

I’d never read a book by this author before. I thought this was a well written mystery. I’m a big fan of multiple POVs and I thought the author did a great job. I enjoyed the pacing and the character. Overall, a really good read.

I really enjoyed this book. I like Ms Doench’s previous books and I wasn’t disappointed in this one. Theo is an excellent character and her relationship with Bree is well developed giving due weight to the need Theo has to find two missing 16 year old girls, while attending to her pregnant partner. Then Theo is hurt and her struggles and doubts feed into her obsession to help the missing teenagers.

Meredith Doench is an accomplished writer and easily makes you care about Theo and the other characters. The points of view shift but the shifts are well executed and you are clear whose voice is speaking at all times. Trying to be a hero isn’t what this is about but Theo’s need to help might be all that can save the girls. Certainly she won’t give up even if it would be personally foolish to carry on.

You’ll root for Theo and Bree. You’ll shake your head at fundamentalists and peppers and you will drive through to the satisfying conclusion

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley

From the opening powerful prologue I knew I was going to enjoy Whereabouts Unknown.
You know Annabelle is trapped with someone inside what sounds like a metal container. How did she end up here and why is she chained to the wall?

Homicide detective Theodora (Theo) Madsen is injured while investigating a case involving a missing teen assumed to be a runaway. Assigned to desk duty during recovery, Theo questions her future as a detective and wonders if she will be a good parent to her partner Bree’s unborn child. When another teen disappears leaving a bloody handprint behind, Theo suspects these cases are linked even though their locations are miles apart.

I enjoyed this dual pov police procedural and was impressed with Doench’s descriptive, easy to visualize scenes. The author grabs your attention and ramps up the fear factor with Annabelle’s storyline. There are no “then” or “now” headings on chapters so the reader is kept guessing (and wondering) if Theo will solve this complex case in time to save Annabelle and the other missing girl. It adds tension to a case with few clues and fewer honest witnesses. Theo, in her fifties, has challenges of her own coping with her injuries and doubts regarding her future as a cop and a mother. A damaged and distracted detective complicates this thriller.

My hope is we will see more of Theo and her rookie sidekick Cody in future books. He has lots to learn from this seasoned homicide detective. Well done.

A copy of this book was given to me by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.

Two sixteen year old girls vanish, two hundred miles apart with their high school ID’s and cell phones left beside their bloody hand print. The question haunting Detective Theo (Theodora) Madsen is if these girls ran away on their own or were taken.
Doench has honed her craft to perfection. The main characters are quickly and efficiently fleshed out with qualities which beg for our empathy. The mystery is partially solved early on with the bulk of the story detailing the how and why of what occurred. The ending effectively fills in all the loose ends while giving us a suspenseful conclusion. There is not much more you can ask for in this well written mystery.
The plot is very current with what is happening in the United States these days. It masterfully plays on the small fears of its citizens all the while pulling at the heart strings of every parent.
The personal life of Theo provides a subtle diametric viewpoint to what is happening to the missing girls. Theo provides us with a connection to the frailty of the human body and with support and love its resiliency.
This is a new author to me and I am ecstatic to have found her. You really need to read this novel!

I received an advance review copy from Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

this is well written story no doubt about that, from the discerption I was expecting more romance tbh , at first I was confused and had no idea if I'm keeping up but finally I understood and was able to enjoy the ride.

Whereabouts Unknown is a police mystery/thriller. Detective Theodora (Theo) Madsen is successful in her career with the Dayton police force. A missing teenage girl case has gone cold when a phone call provide a lead. It results in a confrontation that puts Theo on desk duty for a bit. When another girl similarly goes missing in nearby city she decides to meet up with that detective to see if the cases are related.

The story jumps to a non-linear time line. Theo's investigation continues chronologically but alternating chapters show the POV of one of the missing girls and dips between past and present. It isn't as confusing as it sounds. This is pretty straight forward police work on the Theo's part. She must deal with parents of the missing girls and potential leads. She is also recovering from her injuries and balancing her home-life where her partner is expecting their first child.

I enjoyed the story but was surprised it didn't feel more suspenseful. (Maybe I was too confident it would all work out in the end.) I liked Theo and her partner Bree. I don't know if the author plans future books featuring Theo but I would be interesting in reading them. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)

I totally expected something else entirely when I read the synopsis. This is my first time reading something by Meredith so I was mainly intrigued by the boot's title, cover and synopsis.

I liked the distinction between the characters. Theo, Bree, Anna, Cody, and all the others, they're all so different but they were written clearly so it was easy to follow each one's trail of thoughts. I don't know if Theo and Bree exist in another book series by Meredith because their relationship wasn't all that. Theo's lack responsibility towards Bree and the baby, was such a contrast to her alleged "protector" title.

The plot is solid, though not well exploited. Romance wise, there was not really something. It was my curiosity to find out what happens in the end that made me stay.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher (Bold Strokes Books) in exchange for an unbiased review'

**'Never be afraid to tell a story that might make you feel uncertain or doubt yourself..Always remember that writing is a craft...'

Okay read!
'WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN' is a mystery & suspense within a mystery & suspense. Then ever so often Ms.Doench throws in a few dark, disturbing changeups when telling the plotline -- it focuses more on the investigation and kidnapping while wavering a bit on the relationship between Theo & Bree. Readers do see that Theo is struggling to navigate the journey from being a hysterical, injured detective to becoming a first-time parent with Bree.
The storytelling weaves an intricate tale of deeply affecting acts performed towards the kidnapped victims and is also entwined with lots of lies, secrets and family/friend betrayal.
I must confess that I initially thought Ms.Doench had possibly painted herself into a corner with the storyline's intriguing element, but then an ultimate explanation of who were doing what to whom culminated into a devastation of tragedies and ingenious.
The cases do converge and their connections led to one or more suspects which was solved by Detective Theo with the help of Officer Cody. All is resolved by the close or conclusion of the story -- with minor character development and an array of supporting cast that were involved with the entire plotline.
Despite the average pacing and Ms.Doench trying to push her premise to the extreme, 'WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN' do deserve to be read and enjoy by interested readers.

Featured presentation: Whereabouts Unknown by Meredith Doench

One injured detective. Two missing girls. Time is running out…

Cast: Detective Theodora (Theo) Madsen is seemingly in a good place: her career is going splendidly, she has a loving partner and a baby on the way. Her years as a police detective have honed her skills and she has learned to trust her intuition when it comes to her work. Things are more difficult on the home front where Theo begins to question her abilities as a parent-to-be.
One of the missing girls is the second main character, but the less said, the better…

The Plot: Theo is chosen to mentor the homicide squad’s newbie, Cody Michaels, when her regular partner is off for a day. They follow up on new information left by an anonymous caller and an interview that initially provide no information on their case gets blown to shreds, quite literally. Now Theo has to fight to get fit enough for active duty and a neighbouring police department contacts them to compare notes on a similar disappearance...

The blazing: The POV alternates between Theo and one of the missing girls. This provides us with information as yet unknown to the police, which makes the case more chilling. Furthermore, while Theo’s POV is strictly chronological, the victim’s is irregular and bounces between the present and memories.
Theo is shown as almost fearless when it comes to her work, but her personal fears forms a contrast that nearly everyone can relate to. One of these fears is whether she’ll be able to be a good parent. Not only is this handled excellently, but Ms Doench also touches on lesbian parental roles and the minefield it can be for some.
Ms Doench does not shy away from grisly details! However, at no point does she rely on bloody horror to carry the story – it’s merely a side-effect of events. This is true for violence inflicted upon others as well as Theo and the missing girl’s struggles against their bodies’ weaknesses.

The bright: There is a constant contrast between new life and death. It is never explicitly mentioned, but one cannot help but to draw the conclusion.

The bleak: The only downside to Whereabouts Unknown was that it had to end…

The burned-to-ashes: Not a thing!

And then The Plot Thickens, but more so, it sickens to exactly where you want a suspence thriller to be. Ms Doench delivers a gripping tale from the prologue onwards. It is fast-paced and to the point, yet detailed. This is less of a “whodunit?” and the focus shifts to the “why?” and “how?”. I went in prepared for a dark tale and Ms Doench surprised me in the most unpleasantly pleasant way!!!

Studio: Bold Stokes Books

Closing credits: I willingly leave this review based on an eARC copy graciously granted to me by Bold Stokes Books and NetGalley.

Theo is detective who is working a case of a missing teenage girl who she believes didn’t runaway. While working this case she gets injured and it’s causes her time on the case because of her injury and she afraid she won’t be able solve it especially when another teen goes missing and she wonder if both cases are related. While trying to find the teens she has something to celebrate her and her partner Bree are expecting their first child. There are twists and turns as goes back and forth with the timeline with Annabelle the story had me towards the end.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

In Whereabouts Unknown we meet Detective Theodora (Theo) Madsen who is currently working on a case involving a missing teenager as well as waiting on the birth of her child with her partner Bree. Theo does not believe this teen ran away and has been working hard to follow the clues. As she does she is injured on the job which causes her to lose valuable time in her search. Then she finds out another girl has gone missing.
Are these two cases related? And if so where are they and what has happened?
This is a fast paced police story with many unexpected turns that I could not put down.
Meredith Doench has really tied this twisty story up incredibly well right up to the end.

I highly recommend this.

Thank you #NetGalley, #Boldstrokesbooks, #WhereaboutsUnknown for this ARC

Started off with a bit of action. Settled into an investigation into a serial killer? Or a cult? Or both? A story about the disappearance of young, pregnant women. Kept my attention throughout even though the timeline dotted back and forth a bit when telling Annabelle's story.