Ozarks Missing Person (Arkansas Special Agents, 1)

This first story of the series belongs to Grace Reed, Special Agent of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and Matthew Murray, a prosecuting attorney and the brother of a missing woman. When Mallory Murray is reported missing by her roommate, Grace is called to investigate. She never expected her investigation would expose the secrets a prominent family was hiding nor the rapport she would have with Matthew. Once Mallory’s body is found and foul play is evident, these two will do everything to dig for the truth. The story was engaging, filled with suspense and only at the end, some romance. That said, we are left with some unanswered questions which this reader hopes they will be resolved in future stories. Still, a good introduction to the series. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Harlequin and Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

It has been awhile since I have the pleasure of reading a book by Maggie Wells and I must say that I have enjoyed the 1st book in this series. This is an entertaining, fast paced easy quick read that is suspenseful, mysterious, drama filled, action packed, page turner, tragic, secrets, some romance, powerful family, great characters and a plot that held me drawn to the pages. Matthew is a prosecuting attorney and is estranged from sister Mallory who has been reported missing and later found murdered. Grace who is a special agent of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division comes in to investigate the murder. As Grace is doing her job secrets are being revealed. I enjoy a great suspenseful read and this was a great one the had me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I received an ARC via NetGalley HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Intrigue Mystery & Thrillers | Romance and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. Grace receives word of a missing woman named Mallory and as she starts to investigate she realizes people with money will do whatever it takes to protect their own. Grace meets Mathew, Mallory’s brother who is a prosecutor and wasn’t that close to his sister. As they begin to join forces together they realize maybe they have something more than friendship to explore and Mathew may have a few regrets regarding his sister. Lots of twists and turns through this book and one I enjoyed and read within one day.

Maggie Wells was a new-to-me author with this new release, but I’ll be reading more of her backlist very soon. Thanks to my early love of Nora Roberts’ books, I’m a huge romantic suspense junkie and always looking for my next fave romantic suspense author. I’m always willing to give an author a try at least once, and sometimes I find a new one that I enjoy their style. This story was all about the mystery/suspense with the budding romance secondary to the case. There is no spice, so if you like your romantic suspense heavier on the romance with some spice, this may not be the book for you. I can take it or leave it. I honestly didn’t miss it in this story because the suspense kept me focused and riveted. If you like romantic suspense that concentrates primarily on the suspense with strong heroines and flawed but honest heroes, don’t pass this one up!

Good book that kept me hooked from start to finish. This was a book that focused more on personalities and attitudes than on action to bring about the resolution to this investigation. The prologue sets the scenario that brings Special Agent Grace and prosecuting attorney Matthew together. Grace has become her office's go-to on missing person cases. She is thorough and determined and tends to take the cases personally. As the book opens, she's working on a case involving a missing child about to be moved to a different office. She gets a call about a missing young woman, Mallory Murray, and through her interview with Mallory's roommate, learns of her brother's existence. She tracks him down to inform him about Mallory's disappearance. Matthew is six years older than Mallory, and they have never been close. Mallory grew up never satisfied with her life and believed she deserved more, and her constant demands of Matthew caused a rift between them. When Grace informs him of Mallory's disappearance, he feels guilty about the estrangement, even more so when they find her body. He feels compelled to stay involved in the investigation into her death. I loved the teamwork that developed between Grace and Matthew. They had the perfect pairing of experience to go up against the power and privilege they ran into. I liked Grace's empathy for Matthew and the emotional rollercoaster he was on during their investigation. It's easy to see that they are growing closer, but no apparent sparks are flying, just an increasing feeling that there could be. They maintain their professionalism throughout the book, and it isn't until the end that they admit their interest in each other. I hope to see more of them in the following books. The suspense of the story was excellent. From the prologue's allowing the reader to "witness" the murder to the twists and turns of the investigation, I was glued to the pages as Grace and Matthew searched for the truth. I was initially concerned about Matthew's concern about offending the Powers family, but his desire for justice won out. I could feel Grace's frustration at their stonewalling and loved her poise during her meetings with them. Several twists kept me guessing whether they would get the break they needed, and I did not expect the one that did it. I was a little disappointed at the lack of a definitive ending, but with a powerful family, it makes sense that it may take several books to resolve the issues. I can't wait for the next book!