I wouldn't have read this except that I'd gotten an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. That's how much I disliked the first. The first book in this series read like a collection of short stories, haphazardly thrown together with clickbait-style editorialization. This one reads more like a novel, and is much better for it. There still regularly pops up a clear disconnect between the author and the real world (people don't talk like that, people wouldn't reveal that about themselves in their first meeting with a stranger, people's motivations don't make sense or aren't earned, etc) but it's not on every page, which improves on the first, and the mystery within the plot is good enough to keep me brushing past these annoyances to find out what will happen.

This is a very strange book to read while caring for a two week old newborn baby. I had no idea babies would be such a big part of the story. I thought the way the mysteries unraveled was interesting and engaging and I enjoyed the way they connected. I thought the main villain was compelling and that their story was well written.

I requested this book from NetGalley because I thought the premise of the Holmes, Marple, and Poe team sounded interesting and I hadn't read the first book yet. If I had, I never would have requested or read this book. But I'm glad I did. This book improves on the first in every way. There's still plenty of room for improvement, but I'm now interested in continuing the series, which is a pleasant surprise.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is the second in a clever series by Patterson and Sitts. Three detectives have formed a practice to solve difficult cases using their individual strengths.

In this episode, a group of babies is stolen from a maternity ward and the police are baffled. To make matters worse, Holmes has disappeared and his co-workers have no idea where he is or why he left. They must solve the mystery without Holmes' expertise. In addition, they are worried about their partner.

I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to future volumes in the series.

Title: Holmes Is Missing
Author: Brian Sitts and guest co author James Patterson
My fellow readers this is my first Holmes Margaret & Poe read. I was impressed that this book reads like all the other books written by this author. The fluidity from the book was a big plus. The chapters were many and filled with details to behold the readers imagination. The plot was mind numbing.
It boggled my mind at how the team and local police force would capture the villains who would reek havoc across two continents. Captain Duff needs to take a back seat. As I was saying the plot was a- mazing. The twists were supreme. I enjoyed every surprising detail.
I considered this book to be extremely moderate. Definitely fit to connect with the readers. The information and or facts are truly believable and real. They played well, hand in hand with the reader’s imagination and the suspenseful storyline. The characters Holmes, Margaret and Poe are excellent.
Their characters keeps the book entertaining with the different levels of personalities and their own background story.
Helene and Poe I’m rooting for you two. My favorite Character is Virginia. I see her involvement in future cases. The book is amazing.
I give this book two snaps and a — Oliver Paul or are you Oliver Paul? Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

This was a fast-paced and enjoyable read. It's the second in the series but can be read as a standalone.

There was a bit too much personal drama happening for my taste and I found the baby kidnappings hard to stomach but overall it kept my attention and I look forward to future books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Little, Brown and Company through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Little, Brown and Company.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Holmes Is Missing," the latest installment in the Holmes, Margaret & Poe Mystery series by James Patterson and Brian Sitts, delivers a compelling blend of classic detective work with a modern, high-stakes thriller.

This series cleverly reimagines iconic detective figures, placing them in a contemporary setting. The dynamic between Holmes, Margaret, and Poe is a driving force, offering a fresh take on the detective trio.

The book crafts a complex and engaging narrative that allows each character to shine, revealing new layers to their personalities.

The authors weave together intricate plot lines, balancing the classic elements of a mystery with the fast-paced energy of a modern thriller.

"Holmes Is Missing" tackles a particularly harrowing subject matter, involving missing infants, which adds a layer of emotional intensity to the narrative.

The pacing is classic Patterson, meaning it is very fast paced, and keeps the pages turning.

This book is very good at keeping the reader guessing, with twists and turns that maintain suspense throughout.

The explorations of the character Holmes personal history adds a very welcome depth to the character.

While the book delivers a thrilling ride, some readers might find the sheer number of plot twists and turns a bit overwhelming.

"Holmes Is Missing" is a worthy addition to the Holmes, Margaret & Poe series. It delivers a thrilling and engaging mystery that will appeal to fans of both classic detective fiction and modern thrillers. The authors skillfully blend iconic characters with a contemporary narrative, creating a compelling and entertaining read.

Fast, fun, and totally entertaining crime fiction.

This second in a new series is as good as the first and definitely moves Holmes, Marple, and Poe into a higher rung of my favorites. The prose is direct, clear, and crisp with short chapters, lots of action, and great characters. In addition, the plot is tight and intriguing -- kidnapped infants make for a very intense subject in a gripping thriller. I am worried, however, that Holmes has lost his footing as he tries to take himself out of their partnership.

I enjoyed this one and could barely put it down though I had many other things I was meant to be doing today. I like the relationship between the main characters and the twists and turns the story took. From the USA to London, the investigation is urgent and they are running out of time. Can they find the children and expose the criminal network in time?

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a great job with voice and accents for all the characters increasing the drama and enhancing my appreciation of the story. Definitely recommend.

I hope we will see more of Holmes, Marple, and Poe as there are still many more possible directions for them to go in their unique partnership.

This book was pretty good. I had read the first book in the series, and was hoping there would be a sequel because there were many questions I had from the first book about the main characters of Holmes, Marple and Poe. If you are interested in this book, make sure to read the first book in the series.

Summary of the story from Goodreads: It’s their toughest case yet. And their best detective is missing. Holmes, Margaret and Poe run the private detective agency that solves the crimes no one else can. Or they did – until Holmes said he wanted to leave the business and fell off the radar. In New York City, they are called to investigate the abduction of six newborns from a private hospital. Without Holmes, they try to investigate this terrible crime. They hear word of more missing babies in London, and Margaret follows the trail across the pond. But they need Holmes. To solve the crime of the century, first they must save their friend.

I really enjoyed the case that they had to solve. The story is fast moving and easy to read. The three main characters are very good at what they do, although I really wish more was provided about the characters. Little bits and pieces are revealed throughout the first two books, but its taking longer than I want.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and I'm glad I read it.

The second book in the series, but you don’t have to read the first one to catch up. I really love these three characters and their unique personalities and ways of life. While the three are investigating baby kidnappers, there is also a pregnancy, a relationship starting, and an ongoing battle with drugs. We are left on a cliffhanger so I’m excited for the next book!

James Patterson can do no wrong and when he teams up with Brian Sitts, the story is that much more entertaining.

I had been clamoring for a sequel since I finished the last page of book 1. I was so glad that they teamed up once again to bring back Holmes, Marple, and Poe. The chemistry between this trio really enhances the story and definitely makes me hopeful that there is more to come.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Co. for gifting me this ARC. As a proud member of James Patterson's street team, I am so glad to enjoy this series.

I have very mixed feelings about this novel. On one hand, I can't at all say it's not a good book. I think it was very well-written and contained multiple storylines that were, for the most part, compelling to read.

On the other hand, it never really grabbed ahold of me the way I wanted it to. Part of that may be because I strongly dislike one of the main characters. I also felt that way about him or her (I won't say which one it is) in the first book of the series. I had hoped to like them more in this second book, but their arrogance and cockiness still rubbed me the wrong way.

Also, even though I felt that the multiple storylines here were mostly compelling to read, I think there was a bit too much going on in this book. This is also a problem I had with the first book. I think both books are far 'too busy' at times. In future books in this series, I hope the authors slow things down a bit and focus on just one or two strong plotlines per book. If they do that, I think the books would be much stronger and I'd probably enjoy them more than I have so far.

'Holmes Is Missing' was good but I didn't think it was great. Will I continue reading future books in this series? Eh...I'm not sure yet. Because I was slightly disappointed in Book #2, Book #3 will not be an auto-buy for me. I'll need to see what the plot of it is and determine then whether or not I want to read it.

NOTE: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

I really liked the first book in this series, but I could not get into it. I was disappointed because I had never felt this way about any of Patterson's books; the first one was so good. I had to DNF, and this is the first book where I have done this in any of Patterson's series. I hope the next installment is better.

I love this PI series by James Patterson. The New York City agency led by three detectives—Brendan Holmes, “the brain,” Margaret Marple, “the eyes,” and Auguste Poe, the “muscle”—with famous names and mysterious pasts is one major case away from cementing its professional reputation.

Holmes has taken a leave of absence after the last strenuous case. But as a series of child abductions tests the PIs’ legendary skills, the cerebral Holmes’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the agency roster. Marple and Poe need Holmes help to solve the case.

Great read!

This is my new favorite series by James Patterson. The mirroring of Holmes, Marple and Poe to the historical figures is wonderful. I love that they are all together, in one place, solving mysteries. I highly recommend picking up the first book, (Holmes, Marple and Poe) and then reading Holmes is Missing. Looking forward to the next installment.

I’m conflicted with this story. The plot of the kidnapped children & the mother murders are excellent, the investigation is excellent…what there is of it. This book has a lot of personal conflict, Holmes is “missing “ in the sense he’s not into the investigation, is conflicted about the drug use, his feelings & Poe is more focused about what’s going on with Helene…Marple is the only one really focusing on the case. #HolmesIsMissing #NetGalley

Relies a lot on the "real" Holmes and Marple for characterization. The case, about children being kidnapped, is calculated to pull heartstrings. Reads like a treatment for an episode of a TV procedural, with ridiculous action stunts every so often. Some of the plotting is predictable. A breezy, forgettable read to kill time.

I like Brendan, Margaret and Auguste, as individuals and as a team! They work well together, and get along, even when they aren't getting along lol. The two cases their PI Firm is investigating seem separate but when it comes full circle it's such a great twist! I like fast paced James Patterson novels so I will probably never rate any of them really low.
I can't wait for book 3!!!!

James Patterson and Brian Sitts team up again to deliver an intense and twisty mystery in Holmes Is Missing. This installment follows the elite detective trio of Holmes, Marple, and Poe—except this time, Holmes has vanished, leaving his partners to tackle one of their toughest cases yet: the abduction of six newborns from a private New York hospital.

Marple’s sharp instincts and Poe’s grit shine as they unravel secrets that span continents. Along the way, they uncover startling truths about the case—and about Holmes himself. Patterson and Sitts balance fast-paced action with character depth, giving readers a closer look at the trio’s complex pasts.

The case is intense and chilling, touching on fears every parent can relate to, and the twists kept me guessing until the end. The story seamlessly moves from New York to London, with Marple and Poe’s partnership taking center stage. Holmes’s eventual involvement adds both tension and surprises, though the cliffhanger leaves some threads dangling. I’m eager to read the next book in the series if there is one.

New readers may want to start with book one, Holmes, Marple & Poe, to catch all the references; I felt lost a couple times. With its mix of heart, humor, and high stakes, this is a series worth following. 4 stars.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the series by Patterson/ Sitts. It follows the PI team of Holmes, Poe & Marple through several different cases. I really enjoyed this book. You don't have to read the first one first, but they are both enjoyable.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

This was a great next installment in this series and it didn’t disappoint! The mystery kept me coming back for more, never wanting to put it down. The pacing was good, we got to get to know our characters a lot, and it was just an overall intriguing ride. I wasn’t ready for it to be over because I’m loving this world so much!

Holmes is Missing by James Patterson is a decent read for fans of modern takes on classic detective tales. The story follows an intriguing premise: the disappearance of Sherlock Holmes and the scramble to uncover the truth. Patterson blends suspense with a fast-paced narrative, creating a plot that keeps readers engaged, though at times it feels rushed. The characterization lacks the depth of Doyle’s originals, and the twists, while entertaining, can feel predictable. However, the book’s accessibility and action-driven style make it enjoyable for casual mystery readers. It’s not groundbreaking but provides an entertaining diversion for a quick read.