Missing You by Harlan Coben (Dutton)

Imagine someone you've lost years ago suddenly reappears with a simple click, but this isn't a joyous reunion. You're dragged right into a web of secrets, heartache, and genuine danger. NYPD Detective Kat Donovan isn't just following bad guys; she's being driven back into the darkest aspects of her own past, where love, treachery, and old scars intersect with lethal stakes.

Kat is tough and lonely, nursing her scars and just getting started with online dating when her missing ex-fiancé reappears unexpectedly. Instead of romance, she is drawn into a convoluted criminal operation involving missing individuals and predators hiding behind bogus profiles. Meanwhile, her father's unsolved murder continues to haunt her and refuses to be forgotten. So she now faces two battles: one to solve the crime and the other to finally confront the grief she has held for years.

At its core, "Missing You" is about trust and deception, and how far one will go to discover the truth. Kat stands out; she's competent on the job, but the flaws in her armor are palpable. Watching her balance police work and her own emotional turmoil makes her easy to root for. A compelling supporting cast, the desperate son looking for his mother, shady villains running a dating site fraud, and a dying mobster whose final words undermine everything Kat thought she knew, add to the story's appeal. One statement stands out: "The past doesn't just disappear…it waits, patient and lethal."

Coben's style cuts through the clutter; he skillfully balances complex narratives, and the pace never slows. The dialogue is clever and occasionally acerbic, and each chapter ends with just enough impact to keep you flipping pages. 

“Missing You” grabs hold and doesn’t let go. If you love mysteries packed with twists and characters who actually feel alive, this one delivers. It’s the kind of story that gets under your skin, makes you doubt everything, and maybe even double-check your own online life. 

3/5