Local Gone Missing By Fiona Barton

‘Local Gone Missing’ is the latest book by Fiona Barton.

Elise King moves into the sleepy seaside town of Ebbing. Illness has thrown her career as a successful detective into doubt, but no matter how hard she tries to relax and recuperate, she knows that something isn’t right.Tensions are running high beneath the surface of this idyllic community: the weekenders in their fancy clothes, renovating old bungalows into luxury homes, and the locals resentful of the changes. A town divided, with the threat of violence only a heartbeat away. This peaceful world is shattered when two teenagers end up in hospital and a local man vanishes without trace. Elise starts digging for answers, but the community closes ranks, and the truth begins to slip through her fingers. Because in a small town like this, the locals are good at keeping secrets.

I love Fiona Barton, ever since I read ‘The Widow’ I loved her dark and observational writing.

‘Local Gone Missing’ is an interesting story about a small town called Ebbing everyone knows everyone’s business and when local business Charlie Perry goes missing and then turns up dead. The town is in shock particularly after a music festival nearly kills two teenagers after taking drugs. The town has never seen as much action and when Elsie King, a detective who’s recovering from breast cancer finds herself helping out with the investigation along with budding Agatha Christie, Ronnie.

The story is seen from multiple narratives that adds an insightful slant to the story. There’s Dee, a cleaner for some of the interesting people in the Ebbing community, who’s husband is at the heart of the investigation, her childhood is dark and troubled and she’s determined that her son Cal will not suffer the same fate. I really enjoyed Elsie, she’s trying to take a break from work but it’s hard when it’s literally on her desktop and when the case is led by her ex boyfriend, old feelings and drama occur. There’s also inclusions from Charlie, a charismatic who’s finding it hard to keep all the women in his life satisfied.

The story reads like an introduction to a new series with DI Elsie King leading the charge, which is a different angle from Fiona’s previous books. The story is atmospheric and gripping with a range of complex and fascinating characters with different stories and dramas that all weave together in this thriller. As the story flows and we see the character progression, with a combination of comedy and drama that makes for gripping reading.

Packed with gossip, secrets and deceit, ‘Local Gone Missing’ is a thrilling police procedural
and dramatic story that’s cleverly written and packed with twists.

You can buy ‘Local Gone Missing’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.