Back for another installment of Holmes, Marple & Poe! I have been waiting to dive deeper into each of their lives since reading the first. This one picks up a few months later and we are hit with a major case of missing babies right out of the hospital. I loved the suspense and not really knowing how everything would play out. Given the title of the book I definitely thought the story was going to be surrounding the mystery of Holmes being missing and was surprised with the way everything played out. The balancing of the different characters never felt overwhelming and was easy to follow. I did figure out some of the bigger reveals at the end early on but I think that has more to do with I am a huge sherlock fan and the plot mimicked some of those stories (duh). I felt like this book fell into the trap of spending a lot of time setting up plots for later installments that this book doesn't stand well on it's own. I enjoyed learning more about each characters background and who they really are. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I was hooked to find out what was really going on. Looking forward to the next installment.

I was so excited to read this because I have become even more invested in the characters. The first book in the series was really good but this digs deeper. It’s so fascinating to see the relationship between Holmes and Marple and how they interact. The historical fiction aspect is very appealing to me in this series. The little peeks into Holme’s younger years is really interesting. I like that the book touches upon his weakness with addiction and how he overcomes it. This definitely resonates with so many people today. The story just reels you in. The premise of the case was fascinating and I actually finished the book in like two days because I needed to know the ending.

Holmes, Marple, and Poe are back in the next installment in this fun, fast series. This one was easier to follow and keep track of all the characters, but was not as gripping as the first. The title is also a bit of a misnomer as Holmes is not actually missing at all during this book. Some of the side plots were a little cliche. It was fast paced once I got into it. And the ending sets up perfectly for the next book. I am looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley, and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and James Patterson and Brian Sitts for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Holmes Is Missing coming out January 6, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series! I’m a big fan of classic mysteries. I love the short chapters. It feels very fast-paced. There was definitely a lot more going on in this book. I think there was some great character development. I love the plot. I’d definitely enjoy if there were more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic mysteries!

“This was a huge case. Too bad their firm was not at full strength. He leaned over and whispered in Marple’s ear. “Of all the times to be one brain short!”

The second book in James Patterson’s Holmes, Marple, & Poe series may have been even better than the first. And I loved the first book! I love the camaraderie between the three main characters, but especially between Holmes and Marple. I really loved that Virginia is insisting on taking a more active role. I enjoyed the glimpses into Holmes’s childhood and what makes him tick. His struggles with overcoming addiction and not feeling like he can be himself without the addiction just spoke to my heart. Anyone who has overcome an addiction can understand how our brains, our own addiction can lie to us and make us feel like we need it to cope, when it’s the last thing we really need. The entire premise of this case just shook my mama heart. The maternity ward at the hospital is supposed to be the place you can trust that you and your child can be safe, while you recover. That this scenario could happen is terrifying! And, since the story literally ends with a bang, gives me hope that there will be at least one more book in the series. I could go for many more though.

I was so happy when I found out there will be a sequel to “Holmes, Marple, and Poe” . I Loved that book so I had high hopes for this one, but also knew that sequels are usually not as good. To my delight, I LOVED this one too! This was filled with page turning suspense! It held my interest the whole book! The only “negative “ is that this book ended on a cliff hanger, so I hope that there is a 3rd book and that it comes out soon! I was gifted an ebook copy through NetGalley from the publisher because I am on the James Patterson Street Team, but my review is unbiased!

Once again Patterson sucks you in. Really enjoyed this second book in the series. Kept my attention and had me wanting more till the end. Can’t wait to see if the series will have more.

Explosive! Literally and metaphorically!

By the seat of your pants read. Well what can’t expect anything less from these two authors.
Brendon Holmes is AWOL, sort of. Margaret Marple is leaning into the new challenge and concerned for Holmes. Auguste Poe is still pulling out the right vintage muscle car for the right moment.
Their research assistant / housekeeper, and so much more, Virginia is fabulous.
I’m loving the mysteries these three are coming to grips with, or in Holmes’s case—not!
When danger comes into their home and hearth a villain of an entirely different stamp emerges.
We’re left wondering “What’s next?”

A Little, Brown & Co ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Holmes Is Missing is the second in a series, and if the ending is any proof, it is not the last, either. The first book in the series, Holmes, Marple & Poe, was released in January 2024. You can find my review of that here. Holmes Is Missing gives us more information about Brendan’s past and some of what led him to become the person he is. Readers are also given glimpses into Margaret and Auguste’s present lives.

Can we take a moment to talk about Poe’s cars? How did he acquire such classic cars as a Road Runner and a Dodge Shelby Charger? And where can I go for a ride?

There are also a few author cameos in the book. It is always fun when that happens!

The pacing is so quick that you will find it difficult to put the book down. How dare things like eating and cleaning get in the way of reading? Seriously, how am I ever going to get through my TBR if I have to stop reading? Something that helps make it a bit easier is the fact that the chapters are short. Short chapters help make reading more effortless when you have only a few moments to read. But be warned, it’s still hard to put it down and walk away.

Holmes Is Missing has its share of ups and downs, twists and turns. But I feel mystery readers will enjoy it. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Damn this book picked up right where we left off. And it kept me guessing on what the hell is up with Holmes.
I really liked this book a lot, I'm looking for another in this series. Because of how it was left at the end. The characters become more intwind into cases and in more ways then one they hit closer to home then they realize.
We get to see more of how Poe deals with his relationship with his new found girlfriend. Holmes definitely struggles a bit in this book on not wanting to start back on his bad habits. And also leaving their company. We also get more of his side in this book a lot. So maybe next one it will be more of Poe? Not sure because of the sort of cliffhanger they left us with.
I would like to see where it goes from there with the ending. How does their investigations change from there on out? Because we are left with the shock of what do they do now?
Also I love every character even with their flaws. There is something about all three I love and also dislike.
Pick this book up if you enjoyed this first book. We need a third book everyone.

There is so much going on in this story! Abducted children stateside and abroad, addictions, shocking and unexpected news, and Holmes wants to quit the PI business. While Holmes is out trying to find himself, he’s drawn to a crime he can’t resist investigating himself.

Awesome book, awesome series!

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

This is the second in this series which is both innovative and quirky. It features three private detectives, deliciously named Margaret Marple, Augustus Poe and Brendan Holmes. Obviously for full enjoyment I would recommend you go back and read book one first if you haven't already, although the main story herein is self-contained.
When we first catch up with our erstwhile trio, Holmes is absent from duty, battling the personal demons that were uncovered in book one. Meanwhile Det Helene Grey calls Poe and Marple to the scene of a crime in a hospital. It appears that six newborn babies have been taken. With the police already investigating, on the back of their reputation, they are asked by the desperate parents to assist, much to the annoyance of the rest of the police force.
And so begins a tightly plotted, well executed story that hit the ground running and held my attention nicely all the way through, twisting and turning as it progressed, aided by the inclusion of short punchy chapters which alternate views between the characters, spitting me out in the end wholly satisfied by this instalment, and also excited for the next book.
What I love about this series so much is that the authors have managed to create three characters that are similar and also far apart from their namesakes, and yes that does make sense! Together they make a formidable force to be reckoned with and all have their parts to play which they all do very well.
Yes OK, it ends on a cliffhanger and I usually hate these but we all know I am going to pounce on the next book as soon as I can so it's not really blackmail, and anyway, I'll have well forgotten it by the time I get my mitts on book three.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is the second book in the Holmes, Margaret and Poe series. Six infants are kidnapped from a hospital. Who took them, how did they do it and Why? After Holmes go missing, Margaret, Poe and Detective Helene Grey will have to pull out all stops to solve this perplexing case. I loved it and hope to get another in the series.

Holmes is Missing is the thrilling sequel to Holmes, Marple & Poe.

Holmes, Marple and Poe are private detectives called Poe.

I love these characters so much, we learn so much more about them, personally.

The mystery is about child abductions. Holmes is also missing, but where is he?

I really loved the crime writers conference, that was a fun little nugget.

The characters are so dynamic, complex and well fleshed out.

The mystery is incredible. I love this series so much!!!

Highly recommend!

I loved Holmes, Marple & Poe and was thrilled to read an advanced copy of the sequel. Three private investigators with the last names of Holmes, Marple and Poe have formed a team and managed to solve murders that stumped the NYPD. This fame has brought them the attention that gets them hired when six infants are stolen from a hospital nursery. The plot is convoluted, and the investigators are running from one abduction to another. But the farfetched action is rounded out by secondary plots with Holmes chasing his own demons and Poe dealing with life changing news. the authors have added some humor too. the dialogue is often witty. I loved the scene when they appear at a mystery writer's conference.

The book is enjoyable. What I do wonder about is the book and series titles and publicity. The title and blurb are misleading. Holmes is not working with his partners at the beginning of the book. But he is not missing, and he does not need to be saved. Also for some inexplicable reason, the "Holmes, Marple and Poe" series has been renamed "Holmes, Margaret and Poe". Why are they using Marple's first name in the title now? It makes no sense at all. When I first saw the book cover, I thought that it was a pre release mistake that would be corrected. Sadly this is not the case. My final take: Ignore the titles and the hype, but buy the book.

Holmes is Missing by James Patterson and Brian Sitts is a fast paced, intriguing mystery. The different parts of the story seem to be separate cases, but they all come together. Looking forward to the next installment of Holmes, Marple, and Poe.

The private investigative team of Marple, Poe and Holmes takes on a really tough case involving stolen newborns. Their investigation is turned on its head when Brendan Holmes decides that he doesn’t want to be part of the group anymore. Suffering from the lingering effects of addiction, Holmes isn’t sure what he wants to do, but he knows that he doesn’t want to continue to work in the partnership. Marple and Poe convince him to help them with the case of the kidnapped infants and thus the non-stop action begins. Encompassing several U.S. states and two continents, this book is a high-octane thrill ride, with false clues and multiple suspects along with a police detective who is less than cooperative with their investigation. I really enjoyed the way the trio figured out what was really happening and followed their instincts to try to save the babies’ lives as well as solve a second mystery involving a serial killer. There was a lot going on in this book, at a fast pace and with the author’s signature style of short, packed with action chapters. I felt as though I got to know Marple, Holmes and Poe more personally in this book because their flaws were evident as well as their many strengths. They also showed how much they cared about each other and that solving the case was not for monetary gain bur rather for the satisfaction of helping others stay safe. The interaction between the characters was realistic and the plot is relevant and compelling. This is the second book in the series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone if you have just discovered it.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I did a happy dance when I saw this new book in teh Holmes, Margaret & Poe series and grabbed it quickly. I really enjoyed the first book and loved the characters.

Description:
Meet the most original and exciting team of investigators ever— three modern detectives armed with the methods of the greatest of all time. Brilliant detective Brendan Holmes has gone missing, along with many of the most powerful people in New York. Can Margaret Marple and Augustus Poe use their legendary skills to save the A-listers' lives and, while they're at it, rescue Holmes?

Success has come quickly to Holmes, Marple & Poe Investigations, a Brooklyn-based elite team of three detectives with famous names and mysterious pasts.

At two a.m., Auguste Poe, the “muscle” of the trio, speeds across the Williamsburg Bridge toward a fresh NYPD crime scene, called by Detective Helene Grey. His passenger, Margaret Marple, is the “eyes” of their operation—a PI whose contact list is rivaled only by her keen powers of observation.

Six infants are missing.

So is the “brain” of their agency, Brendan Holmes.

When the two PIs arrive at the scene, they’re confronted by a perplexing abduction case.

Poe whispers to Marple, “Of all the times to be one brain short!”

If only they could consult with the errant Holmes—before the kidnappers strike again.

My Thoughts:
Not sure why the series is called Holmes, Margaret & Poe instead of Holmes, Marple & Poe (used Margaret Marple's first name rather than her last, but last names for the other two investigators). Poe and Marple are on their own since Holmes is missing and they are called upon to handle a very serious case of six missing infants. Can the two talented investigators solve the case with one very important team member missing? The investigation was fun to follow and I still really enjoy all the characters. I like the way Marple holds the team together. There is also some humor here that alleviates the tense situations. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys crime fiction.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #LittleBrownAndCompany for the book #HolmesIsMissing by #JamesPatterson and #BrianSitts. I absolutely loved this book and the series and cannot wait for the next installment to come out. Babies and children are being abducted and Holmes, Marple and Poe are called on to help locate them. Holmes is fresh out of rehab and has decided to leave the firm after this case. Can they find the children in time? And can someone from Holmes past resurface?

This second in the series is just as enjoyable as the first, but a bit darker in tone. Our three PI's are on the case of abducted children both in the United States and the UK. It's a fast paced page-turner with multiple plot lines coming together for resolution but also sets up the next in the series with the reveal of an additional character. We learn precious little about the background of the titular PI's which is disappointing. Otherwise, it's everything you would expect from a Patterson novel.

Sensitive readers should be aware that a baby dies off-page and there is a brief funeral scene.