The Lost Ones is the first in a few female-lead detective drama, and there was a lot of good going on! I enjoyed some of the behind the scenes family drama in Jackie's life, and how it intertwined with the murder she was solving. I did find a lot of the plot to be quite over the top and jam-packed - I think many of these side stories, difficulties, side characters, etc could have been introduced more slowly throughout the series instead of adding it all to the first book. I enjoyed the writing overall and would read more by Marnie Riches, and I am curious where the story will go next and if it will continue to be a very drama-heavy.

This is the first in a new detective series by the author, and I'll happily read more. The MC is a very pregnant detective with a rather messy life at home. I think this is the first time I've seen a main character have an imperfect husband (to say the least), which was refreshing. Her juggling her 9 y/o twins, trying to pay bills, dealing with constant vertigo and nausea and pains with her pregnancy, a micromanaging boss who hates her, grief from the disappearance of her brother during her childhood and a dysfunctional family of her own all added to it.

The plot really is the kind you would ONLY see in a book like this but the police work is good and the MC is mostly very likeable and believable. Trigger warning for the murder and dismemberment of vulnerable people like a teen with Downs Syndrome.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

This is book 1 in the Detective Jackie Cooke series. I was impressed with the writing style, and can’t wait for the next instalment I was breathless with anticipation…

The Lost Ones A Detective Jackie Cooke Series Book 1 by Marnie Riches

This was such a gripping storyline that pulls you in in immediately.
Marnie Riches pulled me straight into this riveting tale with the intriguing opening chapter and I could not get enough of it.
A stunning dark police procedural puts you in the picture leaving you wanting more of it!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and the storyline is realistic and I was completely invested throughout this novel.
The mystery develops at a good pace.
Marnie writes such awesome characters who were well-developed and interesting and I really enjoy her style of writing.
It was so unique and kept me hooked and guessing the whole time.
I loved Detective Jackie Cooke and can't wait to read book two.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Bookouture,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

This was the first book in a new series by author Marnie Riches. Detective Jackie Cooke is called out on the scene of a grisly murder of a teenage girl with Down's Syndrome and where parts of her body are missing. Jackie has a lot going on in her life being pregnant and already the mother of twin boys. She has a struggling relationship with her mother, husband and her boss at work is always trying to one up her and stab her in the back. I really enjoyed this book. I was guessing thru out and loved the side stories of her relationships at home and with her family. Jackie is a strong female character and I am really looking forward to the next in the series.

Received this book for my honest review from Netgalley.

Thanks NetGalley and punlisted for opportunity to read this ARC. This is my first read by this author and the first book in the new Detective Jackie Cooke series. Jackie is heavily pregnant when she is called to a murder scene with her partner Dave. Things are not what they seem and Dave and Jackie fine themselves along with the rest of their team hunting a serial killer. How does this current case connect to the cold case disappearance of Jackie’s younger brother? This is a solid well written mystery. Jackie is a likeable character, her husband and mother not so much. Will definitely seek out the next book in this series.

this is a start of a new series .and what a first book for a cracking read very gripping very intense and very much wanting to shout at main character for putting up with it all it's definitely so so good. Detective Sergeant Jackie and her work partner David Tang are called out to a Pub where a young woman has been murdered but the young girl is missing body parts and she has Downs syndrome. but then another body is found. Jackie is heavily pregnant. and her boss Tina Venables loaths Jackie would love to see the back of her Jackie s brother had Downs syndrome he disappeared and was never found she has two sons and a useless husband who thinks he going to be a rock star and her mum lives in a granny flat in house. Jackie is one fisty kick ass lady but it's just so so good highly recommended cant wait for book two

I quite enjoyed this though I worried I might not because don't usually like detective novels. This one had a lot going for it: thrills, twists, a sinister serial killer, and loads of suspense. I was absolutely dying to find out who it was. The end was totally satisfying.

Detective Jackie Cooke catches the case of a murdered young girl with Downes Syndrome. This case is very difficult for her because it reminds her of the disappearance of her little brother several years ago. Jackie is pregnant in her third trimester and struggling to maintain her home life and stay on the job to solve this case. Along with her partner, Jackie will find that this serial killer has been active for years. Who is it and will Jackie be able to catch this person?

This is book 1 in the Detective Jackie Cooke series. I was impressed with the writing and would recommend. I look forward to more books in this series.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

Writing: 5/5 tbh | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5

THE PLOT

Jackson "Jackie" Cooke is 6.5 months pregnant when she's called onto the gruesome scene of a murdered and dismembered girl with Down's Syndrome. When a second body (or rather, pieces of it) shows up, Jackie knows she's on the trail of a serial killer and can't help but wonder if the same man is responsible for the disappearance of her brother many years ago.

MY OPINION

Okkkkuurrttt now THAT'S a solid police procedural. I loved the writing; every single word was intentionally driving the story forward. There was no "he put the dishes into the Bosch dishwasher" type writing—every scene was carefully crafted, The story didn't lag in any places and the pacing was great.

Usually there's a bit of a whirlwind ending, but I felt this one stayed the course. Of course it was highly unbelievable and very Criminal Minds, but it didn't try to throw in a million other trauma tropes to finish with a bang. All the loose strings were neatly tied up. I only docked a star for the plot and ending because you really had to suspend your disbelief.

After reading to b2b male authored books that reduced women to mounds of flesh with terrible personalities, it was relieving to read a book with a bad ass female lead. Is it kinda irresponsible to be chasing after serial killers in your third trimester? Of course. But just blow past that fact and acknowledge that Jackie is a wholesome woman who fights the good fight and loves her kids. I'm also glad she kicked bum ass Gus to the curb. What a lame excuse for a man... mad because he has to take care of his own kids while his wife pays all the bills, leaving him less time to dip his dick into whoever he pleases... BYE. Team Jackie all the way.

I also appreciated the social commentary AND making 2/3 of the detectives POC. What a nice change from the predominantly white male cast that usually accompanies this genre. Kudos to Riches who didn't try to do TOO MUCH by making their ethnicity their entire personality. I also thought Riches did a great job by showing that those with Down's Syndrome can be very able and independent, instead of going with the usual stereotype that they are gigantic, helpless babies.

All in all, a solid police procedural. I will definitely keep my eye out for book #2. Can't wait to see Jackie back in action!

PROS AND CONS

Pros: great writing, well-paced, good mystery/suspense, funny and light-hearted at times, fair representation

Cons: you will be required to suspend your disbelief A LOT... esp for the ending

I did enjoy this first installment. Can't wait for another one.
The story was good. Very twisty
5****

I really enjoyed this book, I liked the writing style, the characters and the storyline. it was twisty, unpredictable and had me on the edge of my seat a great read.

Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action and great police work and a sadistic serial killer who was closer to the police than anyone would think! This book also had a great who done it too! This book was a great thriller I will definitely recommend reading this one! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!