A great twist in the end with this.

Ray seems likeable albeit a little quirky. Clearly talented and working on his own demons. I can't blame him for wanting the simple life and taking the job that he does even when his day is interrupted by finding a dead body.

You can't help but feel sympathetic to his situation and I think you are meant to be concerned for him.

Ziggy is clearly supportive of her son but her relationship with Janet does throw things off slightly and leaves you wondering whether you've missed something.

There's an obvious link to Rays old company and the missing ones and some things are obvious but that's all very deliberate!

This is very cleverly written and plays games with the reader as well as the police. Loved the surprise at the end and it did have me questioning whether there were tells that I hadn't picked up. Great read!

The Missing Ones by Anita Waller is set to be published by Boldwood Books on the 16th May 2025.

When Ray Eke, former hotshot accountant who (post-breakdown) has become a litter-picker in Sheffield, finds the body of a young woman just off the tram tracks of the city's Donetsk Way, not only is he shocked, but so is everyone else.

The body is soon identified as Lauren Pascoe, a young woman who was at the centre of an unsolved missing person case three years earlier. It is clear that she has been held somewhere, tortured and murdered incredibly brutally [I had to stop reading when I read just how she had been killed]. Where was she all this time? Who is responsible? And is there a reason she was found just across the road from Moss Way Police Station?

Soon, another woman, Hannah Wrightson, goes missing, is this new case related to the existing one? Especially as she just so happens to be the receptionist at Ray's old accountancy firm. Chris Chandler, the detective in charge is sure there's a connection, and equally sure that Ray is innocent.

Waller really pulls no punches here, and it works incredibly well. I had read one of her other books, The Family at No. 12, some time ago and loved it. Interestingly, she focuses more on the police investigation here than I remember her doing in the previous book, and it definitely makes for a good contrast. You also get a real sense that Waller knows Sheffield well, and eerily I was in Gleadless for the first time in many years not long before I picked up The Missing Ones, taking a tram from White Lane into the city centre.

Usually, I'm not a big fan of crime books which focus so heavily on the police force, for various reasons including political ones I won't get into here. However, Waller manages to make it compelling, even if there are many aspects of their investigation and dialogue which feels outdated such as the he or she debate [just use they!], some subtle homophobia, misogyny and (sometimes not-so-subtle) transphobia on the detectives’ parts, as well as referring to a woman not yet sixty as ‘elderly’.

My memory of The Family at No. 12 is quite patchy, given how long ago I read it, but now I feel like I need to re-read it, especially in light of how The Missing Ones ends. To be clear, the two novels are unconnected, but Waller's plotting and twists in this one have made me curious to see how they are in the previous book.

This book is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I was hooked from the very first page, I was completely immersed in it. Waller masterfully weaves suspense and thrilling twists that will leave you breathless. This book isn’t just a page-turner; it’s also a heart-wrenching journey through complex emotions and intense situations. Each character is beautifully crafted, pulling you deeper into their world with every chapter. Trust me when I say this is a BRILLIANT READ that you won’t want to miss!

Recently transferred DCI Chris Chandler finds himself firmly in the middle of a gruesome murder enquiry, when the body of a young woman is found by a litter picker. It turns out that she went missing three years ago, but she hasn't been dead all that time. When another young woman goes missing quickly after the discover, Chris and his team face a race against time to find the culprit.

The Missing Ones contains some pretty dark scenes, which are hard to read at times, but don't detract from the overall quality of the writing. I raced through the book, just as DCI Chandler and his team race through the investigation. The story is interspersed with scenes featuring Ray Eke, the former-accountant turned litter-picker who found the first body. Ray is trying to live a quiet life after a mental breakdown, but find himself in the spotlight after his discovery.

The Missing Ones is an excellent thriller, which will keep you guessing right til the end.

The Missing Ones by Anita Waller, when the book begins we find Ray eek having a mental breakdown at his accounting firm that he shares with his best friend Mark. Cut to a few years later, he has given up accounting and finds his solace in picking up litter for the town of Sheffield and the first chance we get to see him doing this he also finds a dead body. It turns out it’s a girl who’s been missing for three years But they soon learned she only recently died. The new detective on the serious crimes unit DCI Chris Chandler hasn’t even learned the name of his team members yet but must find the murderer of Lauren Pascoe before he can even get the cause of death certificate back there’s another missing woman. her name is Hannah Wrightson and soon the team will learn Hannah and Lauren both have ties to the accounting firm but the answers don’t come as swiftly as the bodies do but are just as baffling. This was such a good book I hope this becomes a series because I thought DCI Chris Chandler in the gang works so well together and make for an interesting crew to follow not to mention would love to hear more about their lives especially Maria in DCI Chris just know when you think this book is over keep reading until you’re at the acknowledgments because trust me when I say you do not want to miss a word. #NetGalley,#BoldwoodBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #AnitaWaller, #TheMissingOnes,m

The Missing Ones by Anita Waller is a very highly recommended thriller which features the search for a brutal killer.

Ray Eke was an accountant before his breakdown. Now he wants nothing to do with numbers anymore and spends his days collecting litter for the city council. When he finds the brutalized body of a woman on his rounds, he immediately calls the police. The victim is Lauren Pascoe, who went missing three years before. It clear that during those years someone kept her as a prisoner and tortured her. When a second young woman, Hannah Wrighton, disappears the police are sure the killer has abducted the next victim and the search is on.

The pages flew by in this well written, fast-paced thriller/procedural. Although the torture involved is gruesomely and graphically described which may be difficult for some to read, the main focus is the investigation. All the clues are logically followed and the search for the perpetrator is in high gear.

While reading, the clues will provide you with several suspects to keep in mind. All of the characters are realistically portrayed in the narrative. DI Chris Chandler is introduced in this novel. He has relocated and is learning about the strengths and weaknesses of his new team while trying to find a heinous killer.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Ray eke has been enjoying his job with the council
Then one morning he found a body that was defianatly dead
He is sure that it’s Lauren Pascoe that was about 3 years when she was missing
But then another girl was taken
Who did it
I had an ARC

A good thriller with some excellent characters. Lots of twists and turns and a big surprise. Some disturbing scenes but all add to the story.

The Missing Ones is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that pulled me in from the very first page. Ray Eke is a quietly compelling protagonist—gentle, broken, and deeply human. The mystery around the murdered girl and Ray’s murky past unfolds with just the right balance of suspense and misdirection. I did figure out the ending before the big reveal, but that didn’t take away from the tension or emotional payoff. A dark, gripping read with a satisfyingly twisted conclusion.

This was an intense psychological thriller that kept me reading. What a great book with a great twist at the end. It’s pretty disturbing, but you will be hooked from the first page.
When a woman’s body is found in the woods, it’s Lauren that went missing 3 years ago. Ray found her, but a pleasant man, is he keeping a secret. Another missing person and the plot thickens. A very well written book, 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

What a page turner! This book was a brilliant read, a true psychological thriller. It is gripping from the first to last page keeping the reader riveted.
A brutal murder, horrific descriptions and a twist the reader will not see coming.
When one body is found after she has been missing for three years another woman is takes. This a true edge of the seat thrilling ride

I enjoyed this one by Anita, the pacing was brilliant and the writing style made it so easy to follow and quick to read.

I did however guess the ending around who was involved and how it was intertwined.
The book lends itself to a sequel maybe more around why they carried out the murder as that seemed to be slightly missed.

The police team were engaging and it was nice to see them getting on for a new team
Instead of the usual friction.

Overall it was a good read but as I guessed the end it is a four star read for me. I would read more of Anita’s books for sure.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this copy.

I love it when I read a book from a new-to-me author, and then discover there is a whole back catalogue just waiting for me.

The Missing Ones had me hooked from the first page. As much as I love crime fiction, there were some scenes that had me feeling extremely ill (brutal descriptions of torture), that I wasn’t expecting. Despite this, it was a great read, with a lot of twists I didn’t expect. And an ending I hadn’t seen coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending me an advance copy.

4 stars

This is one of those books that grab you instantly and doesn't let you go until the book is finished, and even then it leaves you wanting more.
After a serious mental breakdown Ray Eke now has a stress free job picking up litter in his area of Sheffield. Initially I thought he was a bit if a simpleton after his breakdown but he is far from that. On his rounds one day he discovers the body of a woman that has been missing for three years. This turns out to be a challenging first case for DI Chris Chandler who is new to the area. It quickly becomes even more challenging when another young female disappears. It is apparent that the first body had been tortured during her captivity.
There are many twists and turns throughout this book, right up to the final pages. A definite must read! I hope that this book can lead to a series as the team lead by Chandler have the potential to be a successful investigative team.

How does Anita Waller do it? She is so prolific and always consistent. Furthermore, she doesn't feel the need to rely on the tropes that are all too common in crime fiction. Her cops are generally nice people who get on with each other and have each other's backs. The plot here is full of twists and turns, endlessly involving and ultimately immensely satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of The Missing Ones by Anita Waller.
So clever, so twisty, whenever I think you can't surprise me again, you do so Anita. Another cracking book.
I knew the ending by halfway through OR did I.
Great read.

This book is really a great read it keeps you guessing right till the end . I thought I had made out the killer but I was wrong . Some good twists well worth a read .

Ray Eke is a bachelor, and a partner in a successful accountancy business, with his colleague, Mark. One day, he has a severe mental health crisis in the office and realises that he can’t cope with the stress of his job any more. His mum closes up her own house nearby and moves in with Ray to look after him. He then finds a job that he really enjoys – litter picking for the local council.

One day, while he’s out picking up litter, he comes across the dead body of a young woman. He realises that it’s Lauren, who went missing from the area three years ago. She couldn’t have been in that spot very long otherwise she would’ve been noticed, so it seems that she’s been abducted and kept somewhere.

The local police are on the case but, before long, another young woman goes missing. Ray knows who this woman is because she was working in his office, but the police know that Ray can’t be involved as he’s a kind, gentle soul.

The book info says, “The twists in this novel are guaranteed to leave readers with their jaws on the floor. Just when you think you know who the killer is, you’ll have your mind blown!” It’s true, I was certain that I knew who the perpetrator was until just a few pages before the end, when there was a massive twist!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

In some respects, ‘The Missing Ones’ brought to mind the DCI Ryan series by L J Ross. Like her, Anita Waller emphasises the collegiate approach to solving crime and brings the team of detectives to life as likeable individuals. I would certainly be keen to read any future books the author might write involving the same investigative team.
‘The Missing Ones’ is also a quick and easy read. The plot is fast paced and held my attention throughout. The investigation is pretty dark with the police on the hunt for a killer who incarcerates and tortures their victims. I had my suspicions as to who the murderer might be, but certainly didn’t anticipate the big reveal in the final chapter. If you enjoy police procedurals with well drawn characters and plenty of excitement, then ‘The Missing Ones’ fits the bill.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ — 4.5 Stars!

Get ready for a dark, chilling rollercoaster because The Missing Ones is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final, jaw-dropping twist. This is psychological suspense at its finest — gritty, emotional, and full of the kind of shocking turns that make you question everyone. Ray Eke is such a brilliantly written character — soft-spoken, kind, and deeply human — which makes it all the more devastating when suspicion starts creeping toward him. The contrast between his quiet life as a street cleaner and the brutal horror of what he discovers adds layers of tension that keep you flipping pages late into the night.

What makes this book stand out is how expertly it plays with your assumptions. Just when you feel sure you’ve figured out the “who” and “why,” the story swerves into territory you never saw coming. Every reveal lands like a gut punch, but it’s the emotional depth beneath the suspense — Ray’s past, his mental health struggles, the fragility of trust — that makes this thriller linger in your mind long after you’ve finished.