Four decades ago, Bainsworth Manor was a psychiatric hospital where families committed young women, some of whose had babies that were never seen again. Now it's a luxury spa, and Edie, a reporter, is looking into it and its horrific story. She and the original manor's owner's grand-son and new owner, Elijah, get involved just after his cousin and best friend, David, kills many people.
I can only define this as a romantic mystery, perfect for the spooky season! There were many twists and turns, a lot of red herrings that will keep you guessing. This is the 3rd book int he Bane Island series, and the ending hints at a 4th book. It took me a while to get into it as I did not know there were 2 books before (my bad for not doing my homework), I kept thinking I was missing a few chapters before the beginning of the story, or at least a prologue. I could eventually get a grasp, but maybe it would've been better to read the other books first. The story was good, so were the characters (if maybe a little too cliché), and the banter and attraction were great.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Edie Stone can't wait to go to Bane Island and investigate a murder that has occurred there. Bainesworth Manor, a psychiatric hospital, has been closed for over forty years and there is a.mystery surrounding it. Women disappeared there never to be seen again and no clues have ever been found. Edie soon learns that it is going to be hard to find any clues when no one will talk about all the goings on over the years. She meets Dr. Cooke and hopes she can get him to open up about his family and what happened before but is loyal to his family and doesn't want to speak out. Edie soon feels like she is in the killers sight but will not give up her search for the truth. Will she find the truth she seeks or will she end up another victim in the end?

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

book 3 in the series and i was playing catch up from the beginning. as this book started as book 2 finished, so there were certain things i was unaware of

on a remote island off main there stands bainsworth manor, its been converted from what it was to hide the grisly secrets it once had to a wellness centre but a murder happened and then edie stone a reporter came looking for answers to the grisly past it once had

a tense thriller but for me it just didnt flow could be i came into this series at book 3 and had to catch up on characters and missed plots lines but even then i still struggled a bit but i wanted to find out who the murderer was and even then i was left feeling wronged as i felt the perp was picked from way out on the left field and not even a main character...left feeling a bit deflated really....

Sinister secrets. A former asylum on a remote island of Maine.
One body, many unanswered questions. Ellie, a nosy reporter is determined to suss out the story and she will find the answers. Elijah, grandson to the doctor of the institution also wants answers.
If you like creepy reads with hidden passages, obsession, and murder, I’d recommmed this one.

This is a gothic mystery with an creepy atmosphere and some very secretive characters. Baineworth Manor is the perfect setting for this book, on an island that is accessible only by one bridge that may or may not be safe to cross depending on the weather. The sheriff, a man named Deacon, who was featured prominently in a previous book, becomes almost a secondary character in this one as Dr. Elijah Cooke, the manager of the manor, and Edie Stone, a determined reporter, come front and center in this third book of the trilogy. After reading the first two books, I had no idea that there were so many secrets left to be revealed, but there were a multitude of them. Dr. Cooke is protecting his own reputation and that of the manor by refusing to cooperate with Edie but as she begins to unravel the truth, both of their lives are endangered. There is a touch of romance here but most of the book is centered around Edie’s quest for the truth about the young women who disappeared at the manor, their horrific treatment that bordered on Nazi tactics of mind control and the babies that they supposedly had who also disappeared. I did not feel close to any of the characters but I did feel empathy for Edie and for the ladies at the B & B, one of whom was a “guest” at the manor and her mind was irrevocably damaged because of her stay there and the loss of her baby. There are a lot of twists and turns, several switchbacks and more than a few red herrings thrown out there to keep me engaged and interested in finishing the book. I enjoyed the methodical and persuasive way that Edie went about her investigation, but I must say that I was a little disappointed that everything was not totally explained by the end of the book. However, once I discovered that there will be another Bane Island book, I did a little happy dance. The thrills were real, the chills were uncomfortably realistic and the characters were so well portrayed that I found myself giving them advice based on the clues that I was following as I read. This book can be read as a standalone but I think the entire trilogy should be enjoyed as they all tell one fantastic story of a man and his experiments that went out of control and affected an entire community. I will warn other readers that there are some disturbing scenes as well as references to abuse and violence against women, so if that is a trigger for you, then this book may not be for you. Since I have no such triggers, I was thoroughly entertained and engaged in this dynamic and brilliantly written book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington via Netgalley and also an autographed copy from the author via KBS Consultant. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The Missing is the third book in Lisa Childs’ Bane Island Series. This book is a fast-paced romantic suspense novel with a happily ever after. It was written in third person from the point of view of many of the characters, and this allowed the reader to see all sides but also helped to build the drama and suspense. This book can be read as a stand alone, but reading it in order will give the reader a better appreciation for the characters and the series itself.

Reporter, Edie Stone is searching for answers to the forty year old unsolved disappearances of women from Bainesworth Manor, psychiatric hospital. Dr. Elijah Cooke, grandson of the man who headed hospital, also wants to discover the truth of what happened, especially since various incidents and accidents on the premises of the new wellness spa proves that the past isn’t buried and forgotten. Edie and Elijah struggle with trust issues and the need to protect, as they work together to discover the truth. But will they survive the darkness when it comes from them? Read it and find out!

Another great addition to this series! It hints at a book four. Will this be Bode’s story? Can’t wait to find out!

This third book in a series by Lisa Childs has a blow-you-away premise: forty years ago, Bainsworth Manor was a psych hospital, where families committed young women. Some of those women had babies, either through illicit relationships or - it is implied - rendezvous with staff. And those babies were never seen again.

Now, Bainsworth Manor is Halycon Hall, a luxury spa. In the first two books, which I did not read, the bodies must have piled up. Because now, a reporter is looking into the spa and its horrific history. She becomes involved with Elijah, the grandson of the original operator of Bansworth Manor, who now owns Haylcon Hall, just after Elijah's cousin and best friend killed numerous people.

She's looking for the truth - what happened at Bainsworth and where are the lost babies now?

The Missing must begin immediately after the other two books end, as it felt more like a new chapter than the beginning of an entirely new book. While characters are introduced with background, so many are introduced early on that, without the benefit of the prior books, I found myself lost as to who is who.

Further, Ms. Childs's writing over-relies on cliché. Edie comes across as a snazzy girl reporter from a 1960s detective novel, and characters are constantly smirking, shrugging, groaning, grimacing, and - multiple times - wiggling their eyebrows to make points. The male characters don't have the depth I'd expect either, and often their decisions come across as contrived and their motivation hollow.

Much like a soap-opera, The Missing is filled with twists, bends and romance. If you're looking for an escapist read, it will most likely keep you reading late into the night.

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book.

Third times the charm, or so some reader stuck in a bad series says. Oh wait, that reader is me! I was not a fan of the first two books, but the almost gothic vibe and wanting to finish what I started has me hooked for book number three, so third times the charm, I hope. How about three strikes, you're out? That is definitely the case here. The plot was good, the execution wasn't. I really liked the characters and Lisa Childs did a good job of hiding the baddie. There were just too many eye rolling times and this author just doesn't deserve to have her name in the same sentence as Karen Rose. Not to mention that this book does nothing to solve the decades old crimes committed at Bainesworth Manor and that is perhaps the thing I am most ticked about. This third book in the trilogy is by no means that end of this tale.

Edie Stone, investigative reporter, has been on Bane Island for some time now. She has seen some murders solved and made friends with the locals. Her real mission is to uncover the nasty things that happened to young girls and their babies over forty years ago when the upscale wellness spa now known as Halcyon Hall was a psychiatric sanatorium called Blainsworth Manor. Lots of mysterious happenings, disappearances and evil happened at the Manor and Edie is determined to uncover all its secrets, if she can stay alive long enough. It was not her plan to fall for the grandson of the original doctor, but Dr. Elijah Cooke is a real intelligent hottie, catnip to Edie.

Dr. Elijah Cooke wants nothing more than to erase Blainsworth Manor's memory, but he is having a tough time doing that when bodies keep dropping and employees are found to be murders. Kinda a tough rep to overcome. Now, Edie Stone has him in her sights and is determined to reveal the Manor's dark secrets. When several attempts are made on her life, Elijah is torn between family loyalty and his growing attraction to the fisty Ms. Stone. But Edie isn't the only one a would-be killer is targeting; Elijah is in the cross hairs too.

My thanks to the Publisher and the author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

I will leave a review on Amazon and B&N on Oct. 25th

Full of twists and turns The Missing is the third book in the Bane Island Trilogy. I had not read the previous books in the series, but I had no trouble reading this as a stand-alone book. Edie is in search of a news story about what happened many years ago, but she gets tangled up in the happenings going on at Halcyon Hall in the present day. Will she survive and be able to find the answers she is searching for. I would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for a honest review of this book.

Bainsworth is now a wellness center known as Halcyon Hall but that doesn't mean its dark legacy is done. Edie, an investigative reporter, is hunting for answers about the women who disappeared there years ago but someone doesn't want her to find them. She falls for Dr Elijah Cooke, the grandson of the original owner but that's no guarantee of safety. In fact, it increases the danger. This has secrets, lies, and romance but it's less twisty than I'd hoped. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fast read.

Note to self. Please try and find out if the book is one of a series?

Yes, from the start as there are plenty of references to previous books and this one is a follow on to do with a series of murders at Halcyon Hall - a former insane asylum. Dr Elijah Cooke has just survived an attempted murder and reporter Edie Stone feels both of them are in danger.

Lots of suspects and this is where Ms Childs is so good! Twists, red herrings galore to ensure we all read her books to a dramatic end. Loved it!

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the chance to read and review.

I will admit, the 3rd book (The Missing) of the series was a little better than The Hunted. I am not a true fan of "Dark Romance" but this with the bantering dialogue and fast paced happenings kept my interest.

A former asylum and home for young, unwed mothers to be, now a spa on a remote island in Maine, is the setting s book, the third in a series. Anyone reading this one needs to read the first two in order to avoid the confusion I experienced, and to avoid spoilers. A reporter, Edie Stone, wants to uncover what happened to the babies taken from their mothers years ago, and Dr. Elijah Cooke is determined to stop any more negative publicity for his wellness spa. Their relationship changes as deaths pile up and they find themselves allies. It maybe in part because I hadn’t read the first two books, but there were so many characters involved, both dead and alive, and time lines to keep track of that I didn’t find it engaging. I won’t be going back to read the first two because I already know their endings as the result of disclosures in this book, although if someone starts at the beginning they may have a different experience. I normally read series in order, so this lack of engagement is on me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reporter Edie Stone investigates vanishing women at Bainesworth Manor a psychiatric hospital from 40 years ago. She also investigates the present day murder of Erica Korlinsky with owner Elijah Cooke who has remodeled the manor into Halcyon Hall a spa and wellness retreat.
Romance blooms and secrets come out.
I liked this creepy gothic mystery and hope to read more by this author.
Thanks NetGalley, Kensington Books and Lisa Childs!

Is your family cursed? Elijah Cooke knew that coming back to his home town would only lead to problems. Even though his cousin David admitted to the murders he knows that more answers are needed as the reporter Edie Stone won't stop digging for the truth. But what is the truth about what happened all those years ago?
Edie wants answers about the missing women & the babies where did they all go? And she knows that she needs to speak to his grandfather but Elijah doesn't think that is a good idea. He knows that his grandfather has many dark secrets about what happened at the manor. Is he really that monster that Edie makes him out to be?
The local trooper has made it clear that she that Elijah's brother Bode killed a woman that worked for them but he doesn't believe that for one moment as Bode has to bring up his daughter by himself.
Can Edie really help him find out the truth as he can't let Bode go to prison?
Edie & Elijah give in to their attraction but someone isn't too happy about that and they want them both dead. But why them and can they find the killer before it is too late?
Will Edie be able to find out the truth and bring justice for the victims? Do her & Elijah have a future together?
A good read. The family really does have some dark secrets.
Edie is a fierce woman that has gone through her own dark times and I like that she only wants justice and she isn't interested in local gossip.
Elijah is a good man that will do anything to protect his family but he also won't allow his grandfather to take advantage of his family. They make a good couple as they balance each other out.
I liked the other characters as well as they each had a part to play in making this an enjoyable read.
The ending left me wanting more as we never got the answers that I was looking for.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC copy. This is my voluntary review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review of The Missing by Lisa Childs. This is the first book I've read by this author, and it was the third book in a series. Although, I hadn't read the first two books, it didn't take me long to figure out who the characters were and that there is a long and horrible past associated with the brothers and Halcyon Hall. I really enjoyed the book and liked the romance between Elijah and Edie. Edie is one tough cookie. It was a good mystery with lots of excitement and secrets.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. An idealic place in Maine is hiding many secrets. The family who owns it are being affected by the secrets that the place holds. Thus book grabbed my attention from the start.

You definitely need read the first two books in the series. I found it very confusing and hard to follow.
Storyline keeps referring back to the first to books which made it hard to follow. Just to many characters to follow.
Thanks to netgalley for advance copy .

Loved this one as well. It was full of action and we got more information on Elijah and Edie. I really enjoyed how those two interacted with each other.
I can’t wait to find out what happened at Bainesworth Manor.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one.

This is my first book from this author. When I realized this book was the 3rd in a series (Bane Island Novel), I decided to read the previous 2 books first. I am so happy I did as it would have made my enjoyment of this book not so complete. This is a great mystery series with a romance entwinned which is my favourite combination. It is well written and very enjoyable to read. The characters are very likable, all in all, great book :)