This was a difficult book to read. Kate lost her husband, and shortly after, her daughter Bella. When she becomes obsessed with learning what happened, she pushed her other daughter Cloe away. Cloe goes off on a gap year and the chaos begins. The villain is diabolical, but I did like how it ended. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Jill Childs has written a masterful murder mystery with all the intrigue and double-dealings a mystery reader looks for in a book.
Daughter, Missing is a shocking account of a young woman's rebellion against her mother. Still, the story branches to include more about her complicated family than just her mother and her.
Life is complicated enough; can you imagine how hard it would be if your daughter were missing?
Five golden stars.
#JillChilds
#DaughterMissing
#Boldwood
#NetGalley

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

Daughter Missing presents a compelling narrative centered on Kate, who appears to lead an idyllic life until the arrival of her stepson. Years later after the death of her husband, Kate’s stepson sets a scheme of revenge into motion, affecting the lives of many. This book is rich in suspense, and populated with unforeseen twists. The book has a brisk pace that is captivating, some of this due to the dual narratives; that of Kate, and Damian. The ending of the story was unexpected and gratifying. Daughter Missing epitomizes the essence of a psychological thriller, delving into themes of family, loss, jealously and revenge. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

Wow!! What a phenomenal story. Missing kids is a common theme with psychological thrillers. This one? It gives a fresh vibe to the story arc.

When Kate meets her stepson, she isn't sure about him. It's only for a few days, it can'tbe that bad.....right?. He leaves and her life continues with her husband and daughters. Temporarily.

Simon and Bella are gone. Clara's whereabouts are unknown and she is unreachable. What does that have to do with a missing American girl? The story navigates through several twists, right up to the last page.

5 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for this twisty, mind bending thriller.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was a gripping read. The prologue set the scene perfectly and helped make the chapters to come as tense and shocking as they were. The story was full of unpredictable twists and Childs skillfully used the dual narrative to tell the story both from Kate (I think this was her name but I am now doubting that...) and Damian's perspectives. Damian was an interesting villain, although more could have been done to explain his backstory. An engaging read. I am keen to read more by this author.

This book drew me in from the beginning to the last page.
Kate is married to Simon and they have two little girls, Bella and Clara. Unfortunately Simon also has a son from a previous marriage, Jonathan, who spends a few days with the family, but is distinctly odd and Kate distrusts him.
Fast forward the years and the girls are grown up and Jonathan has never visited again.
A twisty tale of hate, revenge and the power of a mother’s love.
Highly recommend.

This latest book by Jill Childs is brilliant. It's a twisty turny story and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley, author Jill Childs and Boldwood books for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.

I may be in the minority when I say I didn’t like it. It started off good and the author could have done so much more with the characters as small children. Instead she focused on their adult lives and most of the book was boring and predictable.

There were no real likeable characters. Sure the main female is a mother who will stop at nothing to save her child but the rest was just blah.

2⭐️⭐️

Publishes July 6th

Kate is happily married with two young daughters, but then her husband invites his 10 year old son from his first marriage to stay for a while. Kate cannot take to Jonathan at all after finding him being cruel to her daughters and their dog. She tells her husband that she doesn't want Jonathan visiting any more. Several years later, Kate's husband dies, and Johnathan decides to make his claim on his inheritance and get revenge on the stepmother who didn't want him around at the same time.
The story focuses on two mothers, who are searching for their daughters. Both daughters are travelling around Amsterdam, and both are not in contact. Kate joins forces with an American woman, Maddy, in an attempt for them to locate their girls.
The plot twists and turns between the two women, I loved the way the plot seemed to veer away from the storyline, only to come back to it in surprising ways. It all comes together in an ending that I did not suspect, and thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you for the advanced copy.

This book will have you up all night, biting your nails and dreading what comes next, but still keeping on turning the pages. Each character is skilfully brought to life - be it the mothers, the daughters or the malevolent lurker who threatens the families. Teen rebellion, doing the opposite of what parents suggest, and a naive belief that they are safe with their so-called friends - Jill has beautifully conveyed each emotion. A fascinating thriller set in multiple cities, an enjoyable read!

Review of ‘Daughter, Missing’ by Jill Childs, due to be published on 6 July 2025 by Boldwood Books.

Kate is living a pretty perfect, idyllic life until her husband’s son, Jonathan, from his first marriage visits. He’s horrible to her two daughters and their dog, and she says she doesn’t want him to come round and wants nothing to do with him.

A few years later, tragedy strikes the family, and with it, Jonathan plots his revenge to claim what he believes is rightfully his.

When Kate’s youngest daughter, Clara, goes on a gap year travelling to Amsterdam, Kate is contacted by her flatmates mum, Maddy, who is desperately searching for her daughter, Amy, who has gone missing.

Suspense, twists and turns aplenty, this book has everything you need for a domestic thriller. I really enjoyed it and loved the way it was all tied up at the end.

Highly recommended read.

Having a daughter a similar age I immediately connected with the novel. At times it had my heart in my mouth! So twisty and full of suspense and secrets. I really enjoyed it!

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. Twists and turns galore, revenge, murder, stalking. It's all in this book. Plus a mother's endless love and her need to protect her children. Emotional and suspenseful, this is a thrilling read.
I felt sorry for the little boy that Jonathan was.... but not the adult he grew into.

A little slow at times, I wasn't hooked immediately. However I never wanted to not finish. Overall a good story with some twists.

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, traveling together, have gone missing.Desperate and determined, Kate’s search takes her from London to Europe, and finally to 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 dark desire for revenge! Wow! Chilling thriller! Fantastic read! Read in one sitting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Wow this book was great. I would say I enjoyed the first half much better than the second half. Kate meets her stepson one time and sees the evil in him. She forbids him to come around again. As they get older, her husband died and her girls gain more freedom. Kate’s girls are in danger. Can she save them? I don’t want to give too much away but good suspense and a good book.

Loved this book as it centers on two mothers who are looking for their young daughters in Amsterdam, a place known for rampant drug use. Kate lost her younger daughter, Bella when she was young, and now daughter, Clara has gone off and Kate is obviously worried. Estranged son, Jonathan was always jealous and she hasn't seen him in years. Then we have Maddy--Dr. M--who lost her husband and realizes her daughter is also missing. This is my favorite kind of crazy-convoluted plot that keeps me reading on the edge of my seat!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!