Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

Hi all! My thoughts go out to all those people in Southeast Texas that are without power thanks to Beryl, in this typical 90's heat. The hurricane took a turn so we did not even get any rain from it.

For out July Mystery Book Club, we read:

Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

About: "Detective Elise King investigates a man's disappearance in a seaside town where the locals and weekenders are at odds with each other in this rich and captivating new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Widow.

Elise King is a successful and ambitious detective--or she was before a medical leave left her unsure if she'd ever return to work. She now spends most days watching the growing tensions in her small seaside town of Ebbing--the weekenders renovating old bungalows into luxury homes, and the locals resentful of the changes.

Elise can only guess what really happens behind closed doors. But Dee Eastwood, her house cleaner, often knows. She's an invisible presence in many of the houses in town, but she sees and hears everything.

The conflicts boil over when a newcomer wants to put the town on the map with a giant music festival, and two teenagers overdose on drugs. When a man disappears the first night of the festival, Elise is drawn back into her detective work and starts digging for answers. Ebbing is a small town, but it's full of secrets and hidden connections that run deeper and darker than Elise could have ever imagined."

 

A favorite line from this book: "When did you decide he was missing, Elise said quietly, Pauline shrugged, "When he didn't come back."

I really enjoyed this book. I found that line wryly funny and was a good insight into Pauline, who is the wife of the missing local - Charlie. 

I really liked Elise. She is a detective, on leave with after being diagnosed with cancer and then receiving treatment. She decides that a move to a small quiet town by the sea, where she can sit and gaze at the water is just what she needs to heal, physically and mentally. I like her neighbor, Ronnie who is a good neighbor to Elise and as the story moves along, a wannabe detective.

As you can guess, Elise gets slowly enticed into the investigation of the missing local, Charlie. Dee is the housekeeper to everyone in town and a bit of a gossip. The same night Charlie disappears, two teenagers overdose. Elise can't hlep but officially return to work to help with the investigation. A coworker who Elise was involved with romantically, Hugh, makes a short appearance. So many suspects as in all good mysteries set in a small English village - many people with agendas.

The end is very fast paced and entertaining. 

What did the MBC members think? All but a few liked the book. One person had an interesting comparison to an English zany comedy with so many characters doing so many kooky, absurd things. I agreed. lol Those that didn't like it, said they didn't like that the time frame changes; present, two days ago, a week before etc. But they clarified they just don't like that style and actually after hearing so many positives, said they may revisit the book and/or try book two.

I was happy to find out that that that there is a book two coming out August 15, 2024 - Talking to Strangers. (Thanks to Kay who is quicker than I to find out these things,) 

I definitely recommend this book.

Find out more about Fiona Barton and her other books at:

https://www.fionabartonauthor.com/