📱E-Book Review📱

Daughter, Missing
Jill Childs

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This was my first read by this author and I absolutely loved the whole premise and all the twists and turns that had me racing through the pages.

The characters were all well presented and developed over the story.
I liked that we had a little bit of background at the start of the book which gave me just that bit of unease and doubt before the main storyline took over.

I really felt for Kate, whose life was pretty near perfect until event after event took hold and left her reeling.
I don't want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I will say that it really is every mother's nightmare come true and I really felt my heart pounding throughout.

I liked the ay the storylines threaded around each other and the book flowed with ease.
The atmosphere was tense and with this and it already being fast paced, I just couldn't put this down.

A really well written thriller which had me hooked from start to finish.
I can't wait to see more from this author.

4.5 stars.
I couldn't put this one down! So many twists and turns that had me needing to know what comes next. Kate has already lost so much, when she thinks her daughter Clara is in trouble she will stop at nothing to find her and keep her safe, no matter the cost. This is a story of a mother's love and how far she will go to protect her child.

I really liked Kate and her fierce love and determination. In contrast Jonathan was evil personified! I enjoyed the cat and mouse situation between them and the twisted storyline that has a few shocking turns.

The author did a fabulous job of conveying a mother's grief and how that can be all consuming. But we also get to see how children without that love can grow up to be spiteful and bitter. The story is really well written, nicely paced and although far-fetched in places, it really worked and made sense, I was completely hooked. I loved the ending as everything comes together in a satisfying way. I definitely recommend this one to psychological thriller lovers!

After a series of traumatic events, Kate's daughter Clara decides to take a gap year before heading off to school. Clara has made it clear to Kate that she wants complete independence, no calls, no texts, nothing. When one day, Kate receives a frantic phone call from a woman claiming that she can't get a hold of her daughter who is rooming with Clara, Kate drops everything to help. Especially after she learns that Clara has disappeared as well. Desperate to find their daughters, the two women embark on a journey from London to Europe and ending up in America. As Kate searches for her daughter and for answers she realizes that Clara's disappearance might be linked to her stepson that was disinherited after his father's death. Kate must race against time to stop from losing the only family she has left. Just how far will a mother go to save their child?

Dark, twisty, and tense Daughter, Missing is a fast-paced psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Childs' beautifully blends family drama and page turning suspense to keep readers entertained and engaged. From the first chapter you are thrown into a wild ride of a story and you won't be able to put it down. Childs' writing is taut and vivid, especially putting emphasis on Kate's grief, fear and determination. I would say that one thing that someone detracted from the story is that there was a lot of foundation laying and set up but then the ending felt a little rushed and like it was tied together too quickly. Overall, a good family/domestic thriller that would be perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Childs, and Boldwood Books for this ARC! Publication date is July 6th 2025.

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I was torn between wanting to read this book and not read this book. I have a young daughter and frankly the premise freaked me out. A daughter dies and the sister goes missing. But I am so glad I read this- once I started I couldn’t put it down!
I don’t want to give too much but this is a definite page turner. Never underestimate a mother’s love and what she would do for her child. Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#DaughterMissing #JillChilds #NetGalley #BooldwoodBooks #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInASmallTown #FamilyIssues

My goodness this was a great thrilling read.
Cleverly written and it gripped me throughout, fast paced and twists.
The POV in this book worked really well in how the story unfolded.
I can’t say too much without giving too much away but the way the story linked together was so good.
A definite 5⭐️ read for me and an author I will be reading more of!

An excellent read

@theboldbookclub
@lovebookstours

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Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

How far would you go to protect your child?

This is my first novel by this author and it won’t be my last! This book starts out following Kate Grosvenor, her husband Simon, their two daughters Bella and Clara and their dog Coco after they’ve moved to the countryside. One summer, Simon’s estranged son, Jonathan, from a previous marriage joins them for a few days. He sets Kate on edge though and she can’t wait for him to go home.

Years later, reeling from the loss of Simon to a heart attack, Kate is trying to move on. Bella is in her first year at university and Clara is in her last year of school. Then one night, Kate receives a phone call that every parent dreads. And so begins a whole new journey.

Now, Kate’s youngest daughter Clara wants to go on a gap year and because of Kate’s obsession with finding the person she thinks is responsible for Bella’s death, a wedge is driven between them and makes Clara crave for some separation. So Clara takes off travelling, ending up in Amsterdam where she becomes roommates with Amy Price. However, Kate’s worst nightmare becomes a reality when she gets a call from Amy’s mother Maddy that Amy has gone missing and Clara isn’t responding to texts or emails. From there, Kate goes on a journey across multiple countries to track her daughter down.

This was an interesting storyline because the reader pretty much knows the entire way through who the murderer is, but the characters don't. I think that is a unique style and I liked watching Kate (as well as the other mother) figure things out along the way. I loved that the author wasn’t afraid to kill off the main characters so the entire read was tense because I didn't know who, if anyone, was going to make it out alive. Kate is a likable character, even when she was a bit over the top; although I did struggle with the fact that she’s never returned to work, even when both her daughters were teenagers and after Simon’s death. The way the chapters were constructed allowed for real tension to build throughout the book, although I felt the ending was a little rushed but the last lines really left me on a cliffhanger, wondering what would’ve happened.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down. I'd recommend to those who enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers.

Kate's daughter Clara has decided to take a gap year before starting university to travel round Europe, even though she's not keen on the idea she knows she can't stop her. Then Kate receives a call that any mother would dread, the woman on the phone is from America and claims that her daughter Amy and Clara were flatmates in Amsterdam and have both gone missing. Both Kate and Maddy decide to fly over there to find their daughters and bring them home, but there's one thing that Kate doesn't know yet, this is all linked to her stepson who she hasn't seen since he was ten and then, when his father died, he was cut out of the will and now he wants revenge, but it's not just Kate that's in his sights.

Daughter, Missing is the new domestic thriller by Childs and is a fast paced, well crafted story, told from multiple perspectives including the perpetrator who felt the need to avenge these people for how his life had turned out. The author delves into the lives of the characters over the years and we see why Kate doesn't want her stepson anywhere near her children, but also to a certain extent why he felt the way he did because of his parents. As a mother myself, it brought many emotions to my door whilst reading this and I questioned myself what I would do if I found myself in the same situation as Kate and Maddy, the answer was quite simple; I would do everything in my power to protect my children, regardless of the outcome. This complex tale had some great twists along the way, many of which I did guess but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. This is the first I've read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last and I look forward to reading more of her work.

I'd like to thank Boldwood Books and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Enjoyed this book, with its many twists and turns. A daughters gap year turns into a nightmare. Mum has to travel to Europe and the States to find answers. And the persons she least expects is behind so many injustices.

Daughter, Missing by Jill Childs is a tense and captivating thriller.
This was a very good read it’s has plenty of twists and throughout that make you not want to put the book down. The story itself was suspenseful and enjoyable, The characters were great and the style of writing was perfect.
Boydell masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and unease, making you question everything and everyone. If you're a fan of twisty, edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this book is a must-read.

How far will a mother go to protect her daughter? Kate Grosvenor will go pretty far! After a falling out leaves Kate's relationship with her daughter Clara on thin ice, Clara goes on a gap year in Europe. Her one demand is for complete independence. No calls, no texts, no emails. When Kate receives a frantic call from Clara's roommate's mother, stating that her daughter is missing, Kate agrees to join her search for her missing daughter... but when she realizes that her daughter is also missing, how far will she go to bring her home safely?

This book was an interesting read. The book was well written and clearly well thought out. The plot twists all made sense. Nothing was thrown in just for shock value. Because of the dual POVs, the reader had more knowledge than Kate for most of the book. I thought that would eliminate some of the suspense, but it didn't. My biggest complaint is that the book had a lot of setup and very little follow-through. I don't mean there were lots of strings left at the end; in fact, everything tied up quite nicely... but it all happened a little too quickly. The book was building and building and then it was just over. I felt a little let down by the ending. Even so, it was a solid 4-star read. This one is a Read It (but you have been warned about the ending).

Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Daughter, Missing had such a strong premise—a grieving mother racing across countries to find her missing daughter, with deep family secrets and tension brewing beneath the surface. I was really drawn in by the emotional core of the story, especially the way Kate’s love for her daughter drives everything.

But I have to be honest—this book dragged quite a bit for me. The pacing was a bit slow, especially in the middle, and I found myself waiting for the plot to pick up. Once it did, I was a little disappointed by how rushed the finale felt.

That said, the villain was convincingly unsettling, and I appreciated the international settings that gave the story a unique feel. I think readers who enjoy slower burn thrillers with family drama at the heart might enjoy connecting with this.

Jill Childs is a new author for me and I was instantly captivated by her writing style. I loved everything about this book, from the sharp characters of the cold step-son Jonathan to the vulnerable females peppered throughout the story.

The story introduces us to Kate Grosvenor, the happy wife of Simon and mother of two daughters, Bella and Clara. Early on we learn that Simon has a son, Jonathan from a previous relationship, who he is trying to get to know better and from there a rollercoaster psychological thriller story of murder, mayhem and intrigue awaits!

As I read this book it gave me the essence of the Liam Neeson film, Taken, where a parent is driven to follow their child to protect them at all costs., no matter the price to pay. We follow Kate through the years as she learns to cope with family tragedy and bereavement, working hard to provide for her daughters and raise them well, but all is not as it seems as a family member has a grudge to avenge...

From London, to Amsterdam and to the United States this fast paced, page turning, twist filled thriller has everything you can want from a great psychological story, characters who have shades of grey, characters with duplicitous intent and those who you are rooting for from page one. The twists are well crafted, often will hidden and even the crumbs that are left in plain sight for the reader have you shouting "no, don't do it" to the pages of your novel - a sure sign of a winning story!

BOOK: DAUGHTER, MISSING
AUTHOR: JILL CHILDS
PUB DATE: JULY, 2025
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REVIEW- 2.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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THINGS I LIKED
1. The characters were okay, especially Kate. I felt her grief and raw emotions.
2. The beginning was good, better than the middle and the end
3. It was an easy, fast read
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
1. For me, it felt like it was not thrilling enough. After a couple of chapters, you could guess who the culprit was. I expected Kate to actually do some digging, but she gave up halfway, and the answers just got revealed.
2. I liked what happened to the perp, but I would have wanted Kate to have a go at him first.
3. I didn't like Maddy, Clara and the perp (obviously).
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I didn't really like this book. I was expecting something different and I didn't get it.

when Kate Grosvenor's daughter embarks on a gap year, Kate's worst nightmare becomes a reality. A frantic call from an American woman reveals that their daughters, travelling together, have gone missing. Desperate and determined, Kate's search takes her from London to Europe, and finally America. What she doesn't know is that her daughter's disappearance is linked to a stepson she hasn't seen in years - a man who was disinherited after his father's death and now harbours a desire for revenge.

We get a well-thought out and cleverly crafted plot. I also like the author's writing style. There were so many things I was asking myself as I quickly read through this book, but the author had all the loose ends tied up by the end. Filled with lies, deceit, twists, the suspense grew throughout the book. This is a really good domestic thriller.

Published 6th July 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JillChilds for my ARC of #DaughterMissing in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Daughter, Missing’ written by Jill Childs in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Kate and Simon Grosvenor and their young daughters Bella and Clara welcome Jonathan to their home, the son of Simon and his previous wife Monica. Jonathan is an obnoxious hateful ten-year-old who wants to destroy Kate and his half-sisters for taking the inheritance he believes is rightfully his and makes plans in retaliation.

‘Daughter, Missing’ is an intriguing psychological thriller of malevolence, lies and deceit, as the main male character chillingly plans in advance how to destroy those he believes have crossed him. The story is extremely well-written with a complicated and suspenseful plot, breathtaking action and believable characters, together with twists and turns that keep the tension mounting. I’ve been hooked from page one and unable to stop reading, becoming a nervous wreck at what the protagonist was planning to do. This thriller is proof of the author’s ability to write a jaw-dropping novel that’s kept me on the edge of my seat until I reached the last pages and the shocking conclusion that’s totally unexpected but oh so perfect. Well done, Jill, I’ve loved it!

This book takes place over a decade, give or take. We first meet Kate, along with her husband Simon, their two young daughters and their dog Coco. They have a lovely home, the perfect life. Until Johnathon arrives. He is Simon's son from his previous relationship. Raised by an alcoholic mother who chooses drugs and men over him, Johnathan arrives to meet them for the first time, sullen and cold. After witnessing his behaviour, Kate decides she doesn't like him and refuses to have him in her home. The events that happen during this part, leave a lasting impression on Johnathon, who grows angrier over the years, seeking to punish Kate.
The story jumps forward to different points in their lives, so we see the aftermath of Simon's death, Johnathon's mothers death, Bella leaving to go to uni and eventually Clara leaving to go travelling. We get to witness just how damaged Johnathan became and how far he will go to punish those he deems responsible for his life not turning out the way he wanted.
This was a great read. I find that some books spanning years can often feel choppy, but this one didn't. It was really well-written and kept me hooked. I did guess a few of the twists, but others left me gasping. I genuinely felt so sorry for Kate, being punished for nothing more than following her husbands wishes in his will.
This was my first from this author, and I look forward to reading more from her.

This psychological thriller gripped me from the jump and never let go! The tension was real and the pacing relentless.
Being a mother myself, it was impossible not to feeling to gripping fear and anxiety Kate was experiencing.
The ending wrapped up cleanly—but just a bit too neatly for a total chaos-lover like me! 😜
A satisfying psychological ride that left me thinking long after the last word. Perfect for anyone craving domestic suspense with international stakes—and a twisty family web. Highly recommend!

I thought this was a good read, both fast-paced and engaging. It centers on Kate, whose teenaged daughter Clara is taking some space after multiple tragedies strike their family. Kate is beside herself and just knows in her gut that something is going to go wrong, when she receives a call from another mother saying that their daughters have been living together and she is unable to reach hers. From there, Kate goes on a journey across multiple countries to track her down.

This was an exceptionally interesting storyline because the reader pretty much knows the entire way through who the culprit is, but the characters don't. I think that is a unique style and I liked watching Kate (as well as the other mother) figure things out along the way. The author also was not afraid to kill off characters so the entire read was tense because I didn't know who, if anyone, was going to make it out alive. Kate is a likable character and even when she was a bit over the top, I was able to understand the lengths she went to in order to keep her child safe. The ending felt a little rushed to me- almost like it was too easy to get to where it ended up after how many things happened previously. I was glad it ended the way it did, though the last couple lines really make you think.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I had trouble putting down. I'd recommend to those who enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kate’s surviving daughter is away travelling after the death of her sister and does not want contact with her mother. Kate gets a phone call from a woman in America who claims that her daughter who was living with Kate’s daughter in Europe has gone missing as has Kate’s daughters and needs her help. Kate lost her other daughter and her husband so her daughter is all she has left so she goes to see if she can find her daughter, it takes her to both Europe and America and she uncovers links to her past. Will she find her daughter or is it already too late?

I really enjoyed this book, kept me guessing until the end. My first book by this author, it won’t be the last.

A gripping, thrilling and emotional read. Several times throughout the book I was desperately hoping the plot wasnt go to go the way I thought it would. . I've read a few books featuring this topic and Daughter, Missing is well worth reading.