Shadows Of The Missing (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) Book by Lauren Carr

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  SHADOWS OF THE MISSING (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #5) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +), 434 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   May 5, 2026
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

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"Are you into murder mysteries? Then look at Lauren Carr's books if you want a cold case to unpack and enjoy. Then her latest series, "Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery," is an excellent series to get your fix or bite into." - 5-Star Review by Nightime Reading Center

"The Geezer Squad. They might not be in their prime physically anymore, but their combined intellect and skills at deduction are phenomenal." - 5-Star Review by FUONLYKNEW

"Lauren Carr's Geezer Squad has brought sexy back to mature men and women, whose kickass attitude and smarts sizzle as they melt the clues to those cold cases!" - Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads

Book Description:

In the shadows of the missing, the truth lies buried.

Helen Clarke-Matheson believed she had escaped the shadows of her past, building a new life with Chris. But the past has a way of resurfacing, and when her sister arrives with a DNA test, Helen’s world is once again turned upside down. Her sister shattered the family history Helen believed to be true. Her young father hadn’t abandoned his family, and her delusional mother didn’t wander away from her children.
Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, a quirky team of retired seasoned sleuths working under the guise of a book club, are drawn into a deeply personal investigation. They must wade through decades of buried secrets and conflicting accounts to uncover the truth behind the parents’ disappearances. As they peel back the layers of deception to unravel long-forgotten clues, they confront the lingering specter of murder and long-hidden crimes. Can they piece together the fragments of the past to bring closure to Helen and her siblings, or will the truth remain buried forever?

I rated this book 5 *****'s 

My favorite books from Ms. Lauren Carr so far

I have read so many books by Ms. Lauren Carr, and The Shadows Of The Missing is my favorite so far. This book could be watched on the big screen, I believe. 

This book is hard to put down; once you start reading, you do not want to stop. The characters are so entertaining, funny, and witty. My favorite characters are the couple, Helen and Chris. I want their marriage; it has been tested so many times. The vow "till death do us part" definitely suits these lovebirds. 

It is so intense that you need a moment to catch your breath. I really enjoy reading this book. I thought I saw it coming, but I was wrong. The secrets, the justice, and the fight to survive make this story extraordinary. 

Greedy does not get you anywhere. Justice will always prevail. The friendship is extra special to solve this murder. It is a kind of book that every suspense fan like me should read. 

 

Buy the Book:
(available for pre-order)
Amazon
BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

​Lauren Carr is the author of over thirty acclaimed mystery novels, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide. Her fast-paced series—the Mac Faraday Mysteries, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and more—blend twists, suspense, humor, and unforgettable characters (including clever German shepherds!).
 
It's Murder, My Son organically hit #1 in Mystery on Amazon, and her books consistently rank in the Top 20 Police Procedurals in the US and international markets.
 
A popular speaker and publishing consultant, Lauren lives on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV, with her husband and three spoiled rotten German shepherds.
Join the mystery at authorlaurencarr.com!

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ X/twitter ~ pinterest ~ goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

SHADOWS OF THE MISSING by Lauren Carr Book Review Tour Giveaway

Home Is Where Our Story Begins Book by Dr. Omomaro Okekaro

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  HOME IS WHERE OUR STORY BEGINS by Dr. Omomaro Okekaro, PhD
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 436 pages
Genre:  Romance Fiction
Publisher:  WILLIAMS AND KING PUBLISHERS
Release date:   Nov 2025
Tour dates: Apr 20 to May 8, 2026
Content Rating:  PG + M. NO LANGUAGE, NO SEX SCENES.  BUT THEME IS MATURE INVOLVING SECRET FAMILY AND ROMANTIC AFFAIR 

Book Description:

When Eliza Thornton returns to the quiet English countryside after her mother’s death, she finds the Old Manor—her childhood home—standing as both a relic of her past and a mirror to her own fractured heart. What begins as a simple visit to settle her mother’s affairs turns into a haunting journey of rediscovery, as buried letters and unspoken truths draw her into the labyrinth of her family’s untold story.

Through the voices of memory and regret, Home Is Where Our Story Begins explores the delicate threads that bind mothers and daughters, love and loss, silence and forgiveness.
As Eliza unravels the secrets her mother kept, she comes face-to-face with the echoes of generations—each one yearning to be understood, to be seen, to be free.

In the end, the Old Manor becomes more than a house; it becomes a place of reckoning, healing, and rebirth—a reminder that home isn’t just where we come from, but where we finally make peace with who we are.

Buy the Book
Amazon
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Omomaro Okekaro, PhD, is a distinguished writer, scholar, and storyteller exploring the depths of human nature, justice, and hidden truths. With a background in mental health counseling and spirituality, he crafts narratives that blend mystery, suspense, and introspection, offering readers a profound journey through the human experience.

Born in Igbuku, Midwestern Nigeria, Dr. Okekaro’s love for literature began early, nurtured by a family that valued education. Beyond writing, he is a mental health therapist and spiritual counselor dedicated to faith, resilience, and self-discovery themes.

His works include A Spirituality of Awareness, Lord, I Am in Trouble, The Last Journey, The Shadows in My Rain, Monroe’s Dark Business, The Story of Me, Home Is Where Our Story Begins, and several unpublished manuscripts. When not writing, he enjoys family time and online Scrabble.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ facebook ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:

HOME IS WHERE OUR STORY BEGIN Book Tour Giveaway

A Quiet Kind Of Wrong Book by Mary Frances Hill

 

Book Details:

​Book Title:  A QUIET KIND OF WRONG (A Novel) by Mary Frances Hill
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  266 pages
Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller
Publisher: Mary Frances Hill
Release date:  September 2025
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M: Non explicit sex scenes; a few curse words in dialogue and conversation. No violence

Book Description:

​One mistake. One secret. One family about to unravel.

Jane Taylor seems to have it all—a loving husband, a successful career as a children’s book author, and a picture-perfect life in Orange County. But one terrible night, she hits her neighbor’s teenage son, panics, and drives away. The police never come to arrest her.

For a year, Jane hides behind her carefully constructed suburban façade. Then a true crime podcaster revisits the unsolved case, and her son, Noah, a podcast addict, discovers the guilt-soaked letters Jane has been writing to the victim.

When Jane resolves to confess, Noah begs her for time. He’s sure the truth about that night is more complicated. Terrified of what her imprisonment would do to her family, Jane reluctantly agrees to Noah’s request. But as their search for answers pulls them deeper into the secrets of their seemingly safe neighborhood, Jane soon realizes that she’s not the only one hiding something.

Dark, twist-filled, and emotionally charged, A Quiet Kind of Wrong explores guilt, family loyalty, and how far we’ll go to protect the lives we’ve created, even when they're built on lies.

I rated this book 5 *****'s 

Blow my mind away

A beautiful story of family, friendship, and the power to be truthful to yourself.  This book is hard to put down. It blows my mind away. What a beautiful book to read. It is so intriguing. I thought that I knew the killer, but I was wrong—a mother who will do anything to protect his kid and his marriage, that is Jane. Noah, the son, will do the same to protect his Mom as well. Rumors can ruin everything, as always. The key is to keep away from everybody. Friendships that you think you can keep are hard, especially when one person has a hidden agenda. Truth will always set you free.

One thing I learned from this book is to try to listen to a podcast. It could be fun and intriguing, just like in the book.  It is my first time reading the author's writing. I am sure it won't be my last.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon 
​add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Mary Frances Hill was born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The daughter of a music professor and an elementary school teacher, she obtained a master's degree in counseling psychology and worked as a therapist before raising two children. Mary currently lives in Southern California with her Russian Blue and Scottish Straight cats, her Pyredoodle puppy, her golfer husband, and her adult son and daughter. She is an avid dog walker and home renovator and loves binge-watching true crime documentaries and mysteries. She is the author of three novels: The Worm Man, The Heaven Spot, and A Quiet Kind of Wrong.

Connect with the author:   Website  ~ instagram ~  Goodreads 

Enter the Giveaway:

QUIET KIND OF WRONG (a novel) Book Tour Giveaway

Stones River Book by M.F. Jones

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Stones River: A Civil War Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and an Otherworldly Love by M.F. Jones 
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 yrs +),  302 pages
Genre: Historical fiction with a supernatural love story at its heart.
Publisher:  Fieldwood Books 
Release date:   Sep 27, 2025
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: The novel has a married sex scene that is intimate though does not have explicit details. There is no profanity in the book, except for mild curses like "damn" and "hell."

Book Description:

When Jessie Gibbs meets Lemuel Sanders, she thinks she has finally found her ideal man—until she discovers that he is the ghost of a Civil War soldier. For 144 years, Lem has kept vigil at his unmarked battlefield grave, seeking someone to complete a personal mission so he can go to his final rest. As love grows between them, Jessie is torn. If she succeeds in fulfilling Lem’s wish, she’ll lose him when he passes into the afterlife. But if she fails and he remains in the world, she’ll never be free to find intimacy with a living man.

A riveting story of faith, passion, and selfless devotion, STONES RIVER shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles—even death itself.

STONES RIVER is Book I of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy, with Book II, SOLDIER’S JOY, coming out in 2026!

I rated this book 5 *****'s 

A unique love story 

This is a very unique love story that I have not read before. A tale of an unsung hero and a powerful love that will keep you breathless. Settling in a gorgeous mountain in Tennessee that you not only want to drive for yourself, but also want to go in the story.

Love, they say, can move mountains. Letting go of your beloved to find peace is unselfish. Jessie does that because she has a kind heart. Finding peace for her beloved is an act of beautiful love. Reading about the Civil War is so gut-wrenching. Those unsung hero not only fight for their country but also for their lives, which is hard to read. You want to hug them after surviving the war. 

I enjoyed reading this book, which not only involved a unique love story but also the power of faith. I am looking forward to reading more stories by the author. 

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N ~ BAM ~ Indiebound 
add to Goodreads

Meet the author:    

Before beginning to write full-time in 2008, M. F. (Mimi) Jones was an editor at Viking Press, where she discovered Judith Guest's bestseller ORDINARY PEOPLE in the slush pile and became its editor. She went on to senior editorial positions at Redbook, Family Circle, and Reader’s Digest magazines. In addition to writing, she’s a devotee of reading, knitting (while listening to audiobooks), choral singing, and hiking with her rescue dog, Ruby. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, composer Douglas Hedwig. 

Connect with the author:   Website  ~ goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

STONES RIVER by M.F. Jones Book Tour Giveaway

The Perfect Mother Book by Desiree Moodie

 

Book Title:  THE PERFECT MOTHER by Desiree Moodie
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 
Genre: Thriller
Publisher:  Twisted Thoughts Publishing
Release date:  May 2025
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: My book has a few "f" words, one or two religious profanities and a few crude terms. There is no sex, but there is violence. Mature themes include pregnancy loss.

Book Description:

The perfect neighborhood. The perfect family. The perfect crime.

When Dawn Harrington moves to the quiet, picturesque town of Meadowbrook, she’s hoping for a fresh start. A place where no one knows her name. Where she can leave behind the whispers, the heartbreak, the gaping hole left by the son who vanished from a park nearly twenty years ago. But secrets have a way of following you.

A few blocks over, Evelyn Harper has spent years crafting the perfect life—an adoring husband, beautiful children, a home straight out of a magazine. But when she sees Dawn standing in her driveway, Evelyn feels the first stirrings of something she hasn’t felt in years.

Fear.

Because Dawn isn’t just any new neighbor. She’s a woman with a past. A past that collides violently with Evelyn’s own. 

At first, Dawn and Evelyn circle each other warily—neighborly smiles masking something far more sinister. But as Dawn starts asking questions and Evelyn begins watching her every move, the game between them becomes something far more treacherous.

As their carefully built lives begin to crumble, one of them will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

The other will stop at nothing to keep it buried.

Because some lies can be forgiven. Others demand blood.

The Perfect Mother is a spellbinding psychological thriller about deception, obsession, and how far a mother will go for the truth. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, and Shari Lapena, this is one twisted suburban nightmare you won’t soon forget.​

To be a perfect mother or not to be? But which one is it?

This book is hard to put down. The roller coaster ride between the characters is so powerful, from the past to the present. No lies will ever be successful, and as always, secrets will be revealed.

A mother's love is limitless and will do the power to do everything for her son. Dawn never gives up, even after 20 years, her hope to find her son did justice. This story is intense in so many ways. I wanted more of the story. I hope that there is a second book. I want more of the story.

Reading this book felt real. I am sure that this could happen in real life. The author did a great job on the book. My very first time to read her writings, and hopefully it is not my last.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
(release date May 16)

Meet the Author:

Desiree Moodie has been writing since before she could talk — seriously. As a kid, she spent weekends scribbling on notebook paper and stapling the pages together into makeshift books.

Now, she crafts dark, twisty stories featuring morally complex characters and impossible-to-put-down plots. Her writing is influenced by her travels, old-school noir films, and pro-wrestling (yes, still). She loves difficult women, villains who might just have a point, and snappy dialogue.

When she's not writing, Desiree is watching reruns of Perry Mason, working on her Lauren Bacall impression, or pulling Tarot cards. She’s got a soft spot for readers who love clever, gritty stories with a little bite — so don’t be shy. Drop her a line (just not in all caps).

Keep up with her at desireemoodie.com​

connect with the author:  
website  ~  X/twitter  ~  facebook ~ instagram ~ pinterest ~ goodreads ~ bookbub

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Enter the Giveaway:

THE PERFECT MOTHER by Desiree Moodie Book Tour Giveaway

The Sun's Shadow Book by Sejal Badani

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  THE SUN'S SHADOW by Sejal Badani
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 333 pages
Genre:  Literary
Publisher:  Lake Union
Release date:   January 28, 2025
Content Rating:  PG-13. Two-three scenes without description.

Book Description:

“A captivating story… richly woven narrative with vivid characters. A perfect story."

From the bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret comes an unflinching exploration of betrayal, forgiveness, and the healing power of a second chance.

Celine’s life is spiraling out of control. She’s in danger of losing the beloved equestrian farm that was her childhood home. Her distant husband, Eric, is devoting a suspicious amount of time to a stunning new colleague. Then her young son, Brian, receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. How much worse can things get?

Felicity has uprooted her career and her teenage son, Justin, to get closer to Eric. She’s tired of keeping his secrets―that Eric’s frequent “business trips” have been spent playing family with them. Felicity is determined to get her happily ever after, even if it means confronting Celine at a delicate time.

​But when Brian’s prognosis worsens, and a transplant from Justin becomes his best chance at survival, Felicity must make a wrenching decision about her son’s well-being―and Celine must accept that the “other woman” is her only hope. In another life Celine and Felicity might have been friends. Can they put aside the pain between them to do what’s best for their families―and their own futures?

I rated this book 5 *****'s 

Turn between a marital problem or swallowing an ego.

The Sun's Shadow is one of the most powerful books that I have ever read. It is a turn between a marital problem or swallowing an ego. This book will surely twist your heart in so many ways.

A story of betrayal, forgiveness, and finding your happiness. A marriage that has a secret will never last. Finding that forgiveness within yourself is hard, but you have to let go. Happiness for yourself needs to be prioritized, so you can live the life that you have ever wanted.

I adore Celine, and she is my favorite character. A very vulnerable but strong woman who is unselfish in fighting for her son. I would do the same. Sometimes in life, you have to pick the bottle that is not for you, but choose what is best for your son.

The horse scene is so powerful as well. It is heartbreaking, and it is one of my favorite chapters. I enjoy this book. It is one of a kind.

Buy the Book:
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
  Barnes & Noble ~ Audible
Books-a-Million ~ Indiebound
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

​Sejal Badani is the Amazon Charts, USA Today, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret and Trail of Broken Wings. She is also a Goodreads Best Fiction award and ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship finalist whose work has been published in over fifteen languages.

Connect with the author: Website  ~ X/Twitter ~ Facebook ​~ Pinterest
Instagram ~ TikTok ~ YouTube ~ Goodreads

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THE SUN'S SHADOW by Sejal Badani Audiobook & Book Tour Giveaway

I'll Be Seeing You Book by Joanne Easley

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  I'LL BE SEEING YOU by Joanne Kukanza Easley
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 227 pages
Genre:  Literary Women's Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Red Boots Press
Release date:   September 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M. Adult themes of alcoholism, miscarriage, promiscuity, some cursing

Book Description:

From Joanne Kukanza Easley, the multi-award-winning author of Sweet Jane and Just One Look, comes I’ll Be Seeing You—a raw, gripping saga of one woman’s wild ride through five decades, fueled by ambition, derailed by booze, and haunted by the past.

Lauren’s done with ranch life. Spotted by a modeling scout at the 1940 Fort Worth Stock Show Parade, she ditches Palo Pinto County for Manhattan’s glitz. But when her dream crashes, she drowns her sorrows in liquor and lovers. By twenty-four, she’s a widowed, divorced mess, hopping cities until Austin becomes her last stand. After a decade of chaos, she claws her way to sobriety and builds a thriving business, yet peace is still out of reach.

Then, in 1985, the past storms back: Brett, her third husband, wants to reconcile after thirty-three years apart. Reeling from old wounds, Lauren turns to Jane, her AA lifeline. The clock’s ticking—will she rewrite her story or let it burn?

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Amazon
add to Goodreads

Don't Miss Joanne Kukanza Easley's Upcoming New Release!

COMING MAY 2025!

Meet the Author:

Joanne Kukanza Easley, a retired registered nurse who worked in the cold, stark environment of operating rooms and the highly charged setting of psychiatric facilities, now resides in the Texas Hill Country. There, she crafts fiction centered on complex women of the twentieth century. Her debut novel, Sweet Jane, garnered multiple accolades, including the adult fiction prize at the Texas Author Project, and was a finalist for prestigious honors like the Sarton Award and the Eric Hoffer Award, among others. Her second book, Just One Look, was selected as a May 2022 Pulpwood Queen Book Club Pick. Her third novel, I’ll Be Seeing You, revisits characters from Sweet Jane. Her fourth novel, Higher Love, a continuation of her third, is slated for release in Spring 2025. Easley’s award-winning short stories and poetry have been featured in various anthologies.

connect with the author:  website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

I'LL BE SEEING YOU by Joanne Kukanza Easley Book Tour Giveaway