Date: November 25, 2024
Author: Susie Steiner
Title: Missing, Presumed
I completed this book and wondered to myself how to broach my thoughts. I was recommended by Mz. Erin Kelly (Round of applause) to read this novel. (It was very exciting to read Mz. Kelly’s review in the front cover and hold in my hands the book she personally recommended to me. Here’s the problem: I only partially agree with Mz. Kelly.
So, I decided what this story needs is a good ol’ fashioned grading. I give this book a C+. Let me explain. I thought Mz. Steiner is a very talented writer. In the beginning there was even a few times I chuckled aloud. There was a great buildup for a real humdinger of a twist. Unfortunately, I felt that at the halfway point the story petered out and the elusive twist would never be realized. Sadly. And I wasn’t sure that I believe there could have been no consequences to such bold actions (when you read this you’ll know what I mean). Also, there was a lot of scenes that this story could have done without and there was no tying up all these loose ends these extra scenes created in order to wrap this story up with a nice, red ribbon atop.
If Mz. Steiner worked on her storyline she could be a real tour de force.