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A review by awebofstories
Girl Gone Missing by Marcie R. Rendon
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
About halfway through this book, I realized this series would be about watching an author grow.
In the first novel, Murder on the Red River, I loved Rendon's character of Cash Blackbear and the descriptions of Cash's life and challenges, but I felt the mystery element fell very short. In this book, we still get more of Cash's complex life; this time, much time is spent on the after-effects of trauma, and the mystery element is better. It's not great, but it's better.
Unlike in the first book, I was more invested in the mystery. Instead of a murder to be solved, Cash is asked to help find out what happened to a missing girl in one of her classes. Cash does some detective work, but more time is spent on her prophetic dreams. Ultimately, though, Cash doesn't exactly "solve" the case.
We also are introduced to Cash's brother, Mo. I wish we had gotten to know him better, but I wasn't completely sure what his importance was in this story. However, Mo's presence seemed to minimize Sheriff Wheaton's role. I wish we had more of Wheaton, as his relationship with Cash was a highlight of the first book.
While this book was an improvement from the first book, it still wasn't quite what I wanted. However, there is still much here to be admired, and the improvement in the series makes me hopeful for the next book.
In the first novel, Murder on the Red River, I loved Rendon's character of Cash Blackbear and the descriptions of Cash's life and challenges, but I felt the mystery element fell very short. In this book, we still get more of Cash's complex life; this time, much time is spent on the after-effects of trauma, and the mystery element is better. It's not great, but it's better.
Unlike in the first book, I was more invested in the mystery. Instead of a murder to be solved, Cash is asked to help find out what happened to a missing girl in one of her classes. Cash does some detective work, but more time is spent on her prophetic dreams. Ultimately, though, Cash doesn't exactly "solve" the case.
We also are introduced to Cash's brother, Mo. I wish we had gotten to know him better, but I wasn't completely sure what his importance was in this story. However, Mo's presence seemed to minimize Sheriff Wheaton's role. I wish we had more of Wheaton, as his relationship with Cash was a highlight of the first book.
While this book was an improvement from the first book, it still wasn't quite what I wanted. However, there is still much here to be admired, and the improvement in the series makes me hopeful for the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Rape