The Queen of the Killer Ending returns! OMG, that last line!!! I absolutely loved this authors' debut, All Good People Here and could not wait for this second novel. I was SO excited to receive this ARC and it was well worth that excitement! This one is as good, if not even better! Nic has been going downhill at warp speed since her sister Kasey went missing seven years ago. She has tried to erase her pain and memories with one bad decision after another. Enter Jenna. Jenna's sister disappeared under similar circumstances, and she wants Nic's help to figure out what happened. Nic is reluctant at first then agrees to help. After this, the story is like rolling a snowball down a hill. Small and slower at first then quickly gaining size and speed until the ending collision! And WOW, what an explosive ending! Ashley Flowers is now in my Top List of Must-Read authors! She is already a master at making you think this is another run of the mill, predictable mystery, until all of a sudden it isn't. And did I mention THAT ENDING??? Grab this one as fast as you can and pray Ms. Flowers continues to write for a very long time!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Ashley Flowers and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication date of May 06, 2025.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Honestly, overall I loved this book. The ending, I am conflicted on how to feel if I loved it, or if it just pissed me off. However, we begin with Nic working at her job in Funland on probation and dealing with the aftermath of her sister’s disappearance seven years after the fact. Nic notices a woman watching her who doesn’t approach her until the end of her shift. The woman is named Jenna who also had a sister disappear under the same exact circumstances as Nic’s sister did. Both women team up to try to discover if they missed something from the initial investigation to see what happened to their sisters. Family secrets will come out and they are not pretty. Everyone will feel the betrayal. I’m honestly still shocked about the plot twist because I did guess two things that happened, BUT I never saw the big reveal coming, so that’s probably why my feelings towards the ending is conflicted on my end. However, I do think I definitely recommend and will be thinking about this one for a while.

Ashley Flowers delivers a compelling and emotionally charged narrative in her second novel, The Missing Half. Set in a small-town backdrop that is as enigmatic as it is evocative, this story expertly weaves mystery, family secrets, and the complexity of human relationships into a gripping tale.

The story follows a young woman, Delilah, as she grapples with the disappearance of her twin sister years earlier—a tragedy that fractured her family and left scars she can’t ignore. When new evidence comes to light, Delilah embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, unearthing secrets that threaten to upend everything she thought she knew.

Flowers has significantly matured as a storyteller since her debut novel, demonstrating a more nuanced approach to character development and plot construction. The pacing in The Missing Half is well-balanced, moving swiftly enough to maintain tension while allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters' emotions and motivations. Her prose feels sharper and more assured, capturing the atmosphere of the town and the emotional undercurrents of the story with skill.

Where Flowers' first book occasionally faltered in delivering a satisfying resolution, this novel excels. The twists are clever yet plausible, and the ending ties the threads together in a way that feels earned and satisfying. Fans of psychological thrillers and family dramas alike will find much to admire in this work.

With The Missing Half, Ashley Flowers establishes herself as a writer to watch, proving that she has learned and grown from her debut. It’s a testament to her evolving craft and a promise of even greater works to come.

This book is a must-read for fans of intricately layered mysteries and emotional storytelling. If you were hesitant after her first book, rest assured that Flowers has found her stride in this deeply engaging sophomore effort.

An absolutely wild read, the last 20% was so crazy I had to read it all in one sitting. I definitely did not predict that ending, I don't know how anyone did. Thriller readers will love this story and the writing makes it so easy to binge read. Nic was a tough main character to follow at times- I had to cringe and look away a few times when she was being reckless. But overall, a super solid read!

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for my early copy. Expected pub date 5/6/25.

I couldn't put this book down! I really liked how it was the two girls working together to figure out what happened to their sisters. There were all kinds of twists that I didn't see coming. Especially one that made me audibly gasp! I think this was even better than this authors previous book. Very well done! I'll definitely be recommending this one to all when it releases!

Enjoyable mystery with a strong twist ending. The writing was solid. I’m just not sure there was anything in this one to make it stand out among a sea of mysteries. Good to pass the time though. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy to review!

WHAT AN ENDING! The end of the story was *chef's kiss* You do not see what is coming and it brings all of the emotions out. Great characters, great plot, and more. READ THIS BOOK!!!

Wow, I definitely didn’t see that end coming. I shouldn’t have expected anything different from Ashley Flowers though! This was a gripping, twisty tale of two strangers trying to piece together their sisters disappearances. I couldn’t put this book down, it kept me guessing until the end!

Thank you NetGalley, Bantam, and Ashley Flowers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I enjoyed this one more than All Good People Here and read it in a day. It’s short and entertaining and I couldn’t wait to know the answers to all the mysteries and questions.

This one focuses on two women - Nic and Jenna - whose sisters both went missing years ago. The cases went cold, but Jenna wants Nic to help her look into the cases and see if they can find any clues as to what happened. There are so many twists and turns that I never knew who to trust or what was going to happen.

If you like true crime, mystery novels, or the Crime Junkie podcast (as I do!), I recommend picking this one up when it releases. I look forward to seeing what else the author writes in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of Ashley Flowers’ The Missing Half. It was a fast read and kept me hooked from beginning to the end. The plot twists kept coming and were relatively unpredictable. I felt the characters are well-developed although I found Nic to be a bit annoying at times. I still felt invested in wanting to understand more. Flowers’ storytelling skills shine, balancing suspense with emotional depth. She can make you angry and upset along with the character. While the pacing slows in some parts, the overall narrative is gripping and leaves a lasting impression.

This gripping novel centers on two girls who go missing from two different families, and the sisters they leave behind, who join forces to uncover what happened.

Ashley Flowers has a remarkable talent for storytelling, which she showcases brilliantly in this, her second book. I particularly admire how she crafts her narratives without adhering to conventional plot structures, bringing fresh twists that catch the reader off guard. Her attention to detail is meticulous, adding depth and authenticity to the suspense.

"The Missing Half" was a fantastic read, and I'm eagerly anticipating more innovative stories from Flowers. Her ability to weave such compelling tales is truly exceptional.

I am a huge fan of Ashley Flowers so of course I had to read her book. The book starts with Nicole, who goes by Nic, trying to live a normal life after the death of her sister, Kasey. The only clue that Nic and the detectives have in Kaseys murder is another girl from a couple towns over ends up going missing as well. This book brought me through a series of emotions with its twists and turns throughout the book. The last fourth of the book had me second guessing everything. I can not wait to what else Ashley Flowers comes up with next!
Thank you Netgalley and the Publishing Group-Ballantine-Bantam for allowing to me to read this book before it hits the shelves!

I started this in a reading slump and finished it in one day. I love a mystery featuring female leads (especially one about sisters) and NOT featuring cops. The women in this were fascinating, and the mystery was engaging. Obviously, this book gripped me all the way through, and I never saw the ending coming. Like most mysteries I read, I didn’t fund the prose in this to be my absolute favorite, which is why it’s getting 4 stars, but I really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys mysteries.

I found this book to be literally quite satisfying. Nicole/Nic and Kasey were sisters. And Jenna and Jules were sisters. Jules disappeared without a trace. 4 weeks later, Kasey disappeared. 7 years later, the disappearances continue to be unsolved. Jenna sought out Nic in hopes that together they could solve the mystery. Jenna's whole premise was that the disappearances had to be connected somehow. So the two women went to work.

It turns out, both Kasey and Jules had worked around a perv named Steve who had several complaints by women against him. So at first they thought he was the culprit.

Nick worked at a place called Funland where her boss was Brad, a family friend. During their investigation, Nic learned that Kasey had had an affair with Brad. Also, Nic and Kasey's car had unexplained miles on it. Nic assumed that Kasey had gone out to Brad's summer home to be with him. With that in mind, she made the assumption that Brad had something to do with her sister 's disappearance. It turns out that wasn't true. Sandy, Brad's wife, had found out about the affair and she confronted Kasey. She told Kasey she had to break it off. Kasey said that she would but that Sandy had to pay her off $10,000. She gave her $7,000 and Kasey seemed to be okay with that. This still left the mystery of what happened to Kasey and Jules.

The twist ending really caught me by surprise. I absolutely did not see that coming. Throughout the book, the author kept me guessing. Steve, the perv, seemed to be the obvious perpetrator, and Nic and Jenna worked toward that end, until they no longer worked together. Jenna brought an end to their partnership without Nic having the slightest idea as to why.

All in all, I found this to be a book that tantalized my desire for a good whodunit. I thought the author did a fabulous job weaving the ins and outs of this saga. I'd like to read more by her. I gave it five stars.

Having read Ashley’s first book (and frankly - been a little disappointed by it) I was excited to see how her second book had shaped up. I enjoyed this story quite a bit! I didn’t see the end coming until the hair from the car was revealed, only then did I suspect Kasey could have been involved with the disappearance of Jules. I’d give this one a solid 3.5-4. I do have a complaint about the name of Steve McLean - it’s just too close to Steve McQueen for me. Also I would have liked to see more of the relationship between Kasey’s dad and Brad, to make that a little more complex. Would have loved to see the conversation between the two of them when the dad found out about their relationship. Also would love to know if Kasey ever saw her sister again, if she came back to join her in Tennessee, or if she lived out her life quietly without being known.

Two unsolved missing persons cases haunt the sisters left behind. Steadily ratcheting tension and well-developed characters make this a compelling read. I didn't see the twist coming, but I usually don't.

Two women haunted by their sisters' unsolved disappearances band together in this captivating mystery!! Good read!! I’m just not too sure about that ending?! What the heck? Kind of weird or just up in the air a bit?! But besides that it was a great read! Very interesting storyline! It had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a sort of who done it and some huge crazy twists!! The twist is wild! lol I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I loved reading a book that’s based in my state!! It has intrigue, twists and turns, and unlikely friendship. The book was fast paced and had my shocked at some parts!! Love the way the author writes mystery!

Oh my goodness! You need a drink after reading the last chapters of this book! My blood runs cold! I didn't see some twists coming, and I still feel flabbergasted, sad, and numb all at once! It feels like broken glass tearing through your skin! This is one of those books that will stay with you forever, and each time you remember how everything concludes, you oscillate between crying aloud and sighing heavily. It truly broke my heart! I think I'll need at least three days to gather myself or start reading anything new after the effects of this story slowly dissipate.

If you're tough enough to embrace darkness and raw sadness, read this meaningful sisterhood saga. It's one of the most thought-provoking stories I've read lately, and I'm certain it's one of the best women's fiction meets dark thriller/mystery novels of 2025!

The main story revolves around two women with one common thread: both of their sisters were taken two weeks apart in 2012. Their bodies were never found, but their families are already broken, having said goodbye without closure.

Nicole "Nic" Monroe hit rock bottom at age 24. Losing her sister was like losing her best friend, real mother, guardian, and anchor to survival! Their alcoholic mother left the house, and their father lives in denial, refusing to discuss the tragedy or support Nic. After getting a DWI, Nic starts community service at a shelter, attending AA meetings, and working as a waitress at Funland, her family friends' business, for eight years. She hasn't progressed in life, still living in a dinky apartment in her hometown of Mishawaka, numbing her pain with alcohol. She didn't go to college, make friends, or look for better jobs. She's locked herself in a purgatory that prevents her from moving on, stuck at the moment her sister vanished, leaving only her car and purse behind. Losing Kasey feels like losing a limb. Deep in her gut, she knows somebody took her sister and she'll never return!

When Jenna Connor, sister of another missing girl Jules who disappeared two weeks before Kasey, appears at Nic's workplace with a clue connecting the two cases, Nic can't resist listening – even though it might drag her into dangerous circumstances while investigating both Mishawaka girls' disappearances.

As they team up, secrets from Nic's inner circle begin to surface, and she realizes Jenna might be the only person she can fully trust when everyone else has left her to spiral. Learning the truth might open a can of worms, and Nic will discover that sometimes ignorance is bliss, though it's time for her to confront harsh realities instead of numbing herself. What she doesn't know is that truth comes with a hefty price she may barely handle!
Overall: This is great literature – heart-wrenching, extremely emotional, shocking, well-executed mystery with layered, perfectly developed characterization made me love this book so much! I couldn't recommend it more! I liked it even better than "All Good People Here"!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine-Bantam for sharing this well-executed thriller's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The novel follows a woman who becomes entangled in a chilling mystery after the sudden disappearance of her sister. Flowers expertly builds suspense through well-crafted twists, intricate characters, and a plot that delves into themes of trust, secrets, and the search for truth. The pacing is fast and taut, with plenty of surprises along the way. While some elements might feel familiar to thriller fans, Flowers' writing and ability to maintain tension make The Missing Half a compelling and thrilling read for those who enjoy suspenseful, page-turning mysteries.