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True crime podcasts are some of the most popular podcasts out there, with thousands of listeners tuning in each week to hear about decades-old unsolved mysteries. But in Missing by Savannah Brown, a young podcaster goes beyond just talking about an unsolved case—and she decides to search for answers.
The story follows a teenage podcaster’s quest to find a missing woman decades after she disappeared from her small island town. Seventeen-year-old Mona Perry signs up as a seasonal worker in Sandown, where up-and-coming singer Roxy Raines lived until her disappearance in the ‘80s. Her plan is to get to know the locals and find out what really happened to Roxy all those years ago. But she soon finds that the residents shut down at the mention of Roxy’s name—except for Roxy’s grandson, Ellis, who wants answers just as much as Mona does.
While all of the other residents of the seasonal workers’ dorm are eager to reconnect with old friends and spend the summer enjoying parties on the beach, Mona is sneaking off and breaking into the police station, searching for clues. Instead of finding answers, though, she faces threats and opposition at every turn—which just makes her even more determined to figure out what the people are Sandown are hiding.
The secrecy in this small, tight-knit resort town definitely gives the story an eerie air of mystery and suspense. This may be a place where tourists come to enjoy sunny summer vacations on the beach, but Mona explores the more shadowy areas—from the rundown dorms to the vast expanse of forested areas that were closed off to visitors just months after Roxy’s disappearance.
At the same time, Mona’s own story just adds to the drama and suspense. Inspired by her own experiences in dealing with the mysterious disappearance of her smart, talented older sister, Celeste, Mona has built a following by examining other cases involving people who simply disappeared. But Roxy’s story is an important one to her because of Celeste’s love of Roxy’s music—and Mona’s obsession adds a sense of urgency and desperation to the story, making it race along at breakneck speeds. Readers won’t always like Mona, but they’ll enjoy following her investigation through one unexpected discovery after another.
Though the setting may be a quaint resort town, Missing is a surprisingly dark and haunting young adult mystery. It’s a fast-paced read that will keep readers guessing until the end.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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