Missing

by E.A. Jackson

In this unputdownable crime thriller for fans of Tana French, a detective returns to a thirty-year-old case—an infamous disappearance in London—that has haunted her entire career and now may jeopardize her future.

In August 1990, London is suffering through an unprecedented heatwave when baby Bella Carpenter is snatched through the open window of her hotel room. Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned the high-profile case and, knowing that it could make or break her career, is determined to find Bella.

When a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into the police station with a baby who appears to be Bella, and whom Nell claims she found on a bench, it seems that the mystery is solved. Her family, the police, and the press are overjoyed at her return. But DI Allen isn’t convinced, something about Nell’s story doesn’t ring true. As much as she wants to continue, however, now that the baby is safe, she’s ordered to close the investigation.

Thirty years later, Nell Beatty is found dead. Now a superintendent, Allen has never really gotten over her doubts about the Carpenter case and can’t resist doing a little digging on her own time, eager to find out what happened to Nell, and her involvement in the baby’s disappearance all those years ago. But will her efforts uncover something darker than she could have ever imagined? And what is she risking as she tries once and for all to reveal the truth?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I went into with very few expectations - it was an unfamiliar author and a storyline of a missing child so it all felt quite routine. However, I have to say, it was thoroughly enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it.

The synopsis on Netgalley doesn't give much away however the Goodreads synopsis tells a little bit more. I would actually recommend going into this one a little blind as I think the blurb on Goodreads actually gives too much away.

Ultimately, the book centres on the disappearance of baby Bella and the subsequent investigation from DI Martha Allen. Determined to find Bella, Martha will stop at nothing to make sure she is returned safely and despite the eventual outcome of the disappearance, Martha feels there is a lot more to the story than originally thought. The book is told over two time periods with the first part of the book telling the story of Bella's disappearance and the investigation however when a key person in the original investigation turns up dead 30 years later, Martha is keen to find out the real truth behind the disappearance once and for all.

This was a really impressive novel which deals not only with Bella's disappearance but many other issues including addiction, poverty, domestic abuse etc. but at its heart it is, for me, about the devotion of DI Allen as she seeks the truth over what really happened to baby Bella. Despite the case apparently being 'solved', her dogged determination to bring the real facts to life was really impressive (although not her superiors or those who would rather the truth stay hidden).

Thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is tagged on Netgalley as Book 1 of the DI Allen series so looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[𝘪𝘷 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🧸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

that last chapter threw me for a LOOP!!!

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book really did feel like it was written years and years ago (because it’s set years and years ago, 90s vibes accomplished) but for me, I enjoyed the future timeline more so than the 90s. The original mystery felt on the slower side, with no real interesting investigation. It was more establishing the characters. The later half felt more like a real investigation that I could be intrigued by. Overall I really enjoyed the end result for this one!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this novel.

Wow, what a ride, and that ending shocked the heck out of me! You'll be on the edge of your seat with this one, for sure. My only other feedback is that is wish the book had been written where it flipped between 1990 and the present every few chapters, instead of block format that changes time periods in the middle. Personally, I feel like that book would've just been more fluid that way, but that's just my opinion.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley and Atria in return for an honest review.

This book is written in two parts. Part one consists of the kidnapping of baby Bella from her home in London. Just a few days later, a woman finds Bella and returns her to a local police station.Although everyone should be happy and relieved, there are a lot of questions. At this point, the reader is introduced to DI Martha Allen, and the web of intrigue is further woven.

Part two of the book takes place 30 years later in present-day London. The good Samaritan returning Bella has been killed and Allen revives the case that has puzzled here all these years. DI Allen finally resolves the mystery of the death, and the web untangles itself for the reader. I must confess I never saw it coming!

I had a hard time getting through big parts of this book; it dragged. Too much time was spent with character introspection and atmosphere descriptions that were unnecessary, while more attention to character development would have been appreciated.

It's a good book, just not great. 3 stars.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Missing was an enjoyable read. Maybe not one of my all-time favourites, but definitely a solid and satisfying thriller. The story begins with the disappearance of baby Bella and follows Detective Allen as she tries to unravel the mystery. The narrative is cleverly split into two timelines: one set at the time of Bella’s disappearance, and the other thirty years later, when old secrets start to resurface.

I really enjoyed the way the author built the atmosphere. That constant sense of uncertainty and quiet tension kept me intrigued. The characters felt grounded and believable, especially Detective Allen, whose determination adds a strong emotional layer to the investigation.

That said, there were moments when the story felt like it was slowing down a bit, with some parts not moving the plot forward as much as I hoped. Still, the final chapters made up for it completely. The ending was intense and genuinely shocking, tying the two timelines together in a way that caught me off guard.

Missing is a well-crafted, emotional mystery about loss, truth, and how the past never really stays buried. It’s a story that builds slowly but ends with a powerful punch. A rewarding read for fans of thoughtful, character-driven thrillers.

[Bithia Rissinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the sweltering heatwave of August 1990, this novel opens with the abduction of baby Bella Carpenter, taken through the open window of her London hotel room. Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned to the high-profile investigation and is determined to solve the case, fully aware that its outcome could define her career. When a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into a police station carrying a baby who appears to be Bella—claiming she discovered the child abandoned on a bench—the case seems to be resolved. Bella’s family, the police, and the press are jubilant. Yet DI Allen remains unconvinced. Nell’s story doesn’t quite add up, and despite being ordered to close the investigation now that the child is home safely, Allen cannot fully silence her doubts.

Thirty years later, Nell Beatty is found dead. Now a superintendent, Allen has never truly let go of the lingering questions surrounding the Carpenter case. Nell’s death reignites her curiosity, and she begins to investigate quietly on her own time, hoping to uncover the truth about Nell’s past and her role in Bella’s disappearance. As Allen digs deeper, she is forced to confront unsettling possibilities—ones darker than she ever anticipated—and must decide how much she is willing to risk in pursuit of long-buried answers.

The narrative is divided into two parts. The first follows the 1990 investigation from Allen’s perspective, charting her determined efforts to piece together who took Bella and why. The second half moves to 2020, where an older, higher-ranking Allen is still haunted by unresolved questions. Nell Beatty’s death prompts her to unofficially reopen the case, gradually uncovering the events that led Nell to walk into the police station with the child. The final chapter shifts to Nell’s point of view, providing a compelling and emotional account of what truly happened.

The novel is well-written and thoroughly researched, making it both engaging and accessible. The pacing is steady and absorbing, and the characters are fully realized, encouraging emotional investment in their fates. The conclusion is satisfying—both anticipated in some respects and surprising in others, with twists that feel earned rather than contrived.

In addition to delivering a gripping crime narrative, Jackson thoughtfully explores complex social issues, including addiction, poverty, domestic abuse, racial intolerance, misogyny, miscarriage, and infertility. These themes are woven into the story with sensitivity and depth, enhancing rather than overwhelming the central mystery.

Overall, this is an excellent and compelling read—highly recommended for fans of crime fiction and suspense who appreciate nuanced characters and morally layered storytelling.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #Simon&Schuster #Missing

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow… I’m honestly stunned that this is a debut novel.

Missing is a gripping mystery thriller that held my attention from the very first chapter all the way to the final page. It’s the kind of story that refuses to let you go, I’d try to set it down, only to find myself still thinking about the characters and the case. More than once, I picked it back up because I simply had to know what happened next.

One of the standout elements for me was Allen’s character. Watching her career evolve over the years was incredibly compelling, and I appreciated how layered and human she felt. At the same time, there was something deeply poignant about seeing how one case could consume so much of her life for three decades. That long term emotional weight added real depth to the story.

The plot itself was cleverly constructed, with twists and reveals that felt earned rather than forced. I especially admired the unwavering determination at the heart of the novel, the powerful drive of one person who refuses to stop searching for the truth, no matter how much time passes.

This was a strong, confident debut that absolutely delivered on suspense and emotional impact.

Thank you to Atria Books for putting this incredible book on my radar, and to E.A. Jackson for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Highly recommend!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable thriller about a missing child that hooks you from the start. This story very closely follows Detective Inspector Martha Allen who watches as the case of a missing baby is wrapped up pretty quickly and the baby is seemingly returned to her parents unharmed after being left at the police station by an unknown woman, who disappears immediately after… but something about the whole situation doesn’t feel right to Martha, and we follow her 30 years on as she tries to figure out what happened that day once and for all.

I throughly enjoyed this mystery! I thought it was very cleverly written and I really liked the fact that the book is split into two parts. The first part is set in 1990 on the day of the kidnapping and the days that follow, and the second part is set in 2020 as Martha delves back into the case. I loved the character of Martha, and found myself getting very attached to her throughout the book.

I always really enjoy thrillers about kidnappings, but more often than not find them predictable, but I was definitely surprised by the outcome of this book, especially the last chapter and it left me speechless! This was a solid thriller and there’s definitely a few surprises along the way which I think thriller fans would enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[PlantLady Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ecopy in exchange for an honest review 💚

the premise of this book is excellent.
Unfortunately, it felt like it needed a good round of editing to cut down on some unnecessary information.

The main storyline remains interesting, I'm sure a lot of readers will enjoy this one nonetheless

[Ana Moniz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was grateful to receive an advance copy of Missing by E.A. Jackson before its official release, and I appreciate the opportunity to read it early. Jackson’s storytelling has a compelling pulse, and the premise of this novel is strong—built around quiet tension, emotional undercurrents, and the unsettling awareness that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface.

What Missing does well is atmosphere. Jackson creates a sense of unease that grows chapter by chapter, and the setting often feels like its own character. There’s a steady push to uncover what’s really happening, which kept me engaged even when the pacing wavered.

The characters are interesting, though not always fully realized. Some motivations could have been explored more deeply, and a few emotional beats feel abrupt rather than earned. The middle section also drags slightly, as if the narrative is holding its breath for too long before moving forward.

Still, the final act delivers solid tension and a satisfying enough payoff. The book sits comfortably in the “good but not unforgettable” category—rewarding in moments, uneven in others. Readers who enjoy slow-burn mysteries with a moody tone will likely find enough here to appreciate.

Overall, Missing is a decent read with flashes of excellence, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. A three-star experience: worthwhile, atmospheric, and intriguing, but not completely polished.

[Pamela Viti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing by EA Jackson

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

This is a clever little book.

A couple Tom and Vivienne and their new baby Bella go to London for a little break. Bella is perfect, the dream baby and Tom and Vivienne are besotted with her.

The weather is very warm and the hotel room has no air conditioning, they feed the baby and put her down for the night with the window open. When they wake in the morning, Bella is missing.

The policewoman on the case is Martha Allen and she knows the main suspect is lying, but can she prove it?

I loved this book, spanning over thirty years with a strong female character doing everything she can to solve the mystery of the missing baby.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

pecial thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Mar. 17, 2026

In 1990, a young couple is destroyed when their infant daughter, Bella, is kidnapped from the family’s hotel room during a vacation in London. Days later, a young woman named Nell enters the police station with an infant, claiming she found baby Bella on a park bench. Bella’s parents are overjoyed and confirm that the child is their beloved, Bella, and the young woman who found her disappears without a trace. Even though she was the lead on the case, police detective Martha Allen can’t celebrate, because she still feels like something is wrong, like the family is keeping secrets and that Nell was not completely honest about the truth of the events. Thirty years later, Martha has tried to forget about baby Bella, but when she discovers that a woman named Nell has been found deceased, she takes this as an invitation to reopen the case and find out once and for all what happened to baby Bella.

U.K author E.A. Jackson’s debut novel, “Missing”, is a sharp and suspenseful crime thriller. Told over the span of thirty years, from Bella’s abduction in the 1990s through to 2020, right before the pandemic, Jackson kept me guessing at every turn.

Martha is the protagonist, an overworked, underappreciated, dedicated and obsessed police detective who struggles to break the glass ceiling while trying to solve what could be the biggest case of her career. Initially, Martha is a new detective who struggles with infertility and later, she is looking down the barrel of retirement, hoping to finally find answers to a case that’s haunted her for years. Martha is the ultimate female protagonist, resilient and brave, while facing insurmountable personal and professional struggles. There was no way I wasn’t going to root for her, and Jackson’s readers will feel the same.

There are many suspenseful twists and turns throughout the novel, and as the story goes on, readers are left with any number of options as to what the true story actually is. The ending, of course, provides all of the answers, and even hits with an unexpected plot twist right at the very end of the novel, as we finally hear from Nell herself. The subject matter is tense and emotional, but it highlights important themes that will leave an indelible imprint.

“Missing” is a well-written debut, perfect for crime fiction fans. Jackson delivers top tier suspense, a dramatic police investigation, and delicious twists, all with a relatable and likable protagonist.

[Jessica Woodbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Sometimes I get mad more at the publicity team for a book for writing a bad summary than I do at the book. But this time it's both. This is compared to Tana French and I think the book really wants to be a Tana French book. But it isn't very good at being a Tana French book. This doesn't have to be bad, a lot of people find French too slow or too lost in character, I think Jackson has potential. But I think she should probably move more towards traditional thrillers, that feels more like where she wants to be.

A procedural has to keep things moving, you can't go too fast or too slow. It needs some complexity so things aren't solved too quickly. You can't get too caught up in red herrings or too distracted by a particular theory or you risk losing your audience. The pacing here doesn't fully work. Jackson is smart to have a two-crime storyline, and she even manages to pull off telling you the outcome of the first from the very beginning, a tricky stunt. But there just isn't enough there there for either story.

I think Jackson is trying to do both too much and not enough. The too much is giving us this story of a female detective trying to rise through the ranks in the 90s (not saying you can't do it because Prime Suspect already did it but Prime Suspect sets a very high bar) and have a pregnant detective investigating a baby's kidnapping and try to ask all these questions about race and class and gender. These are all hard things to pull off individually, and they all feel like they don't get quite enough attention or skill here. The modern storyline starts to feel a little like a showcase of interesting social issues Jackson wants to address (trans people! radical squatters! domestic violence! postpartum anxiety!) rather than real stories that intertwine organically.

The not enough is the tension and suspense that never feels like it's there. The past crime doesn't make much sense, which means it's either very bizarre or very obvious. The present crime isn't even a new crime, really, it's just an excuse for Allen to go back to her suspicions from the past. And her doggedness never really tracks just like the overly quick resolution of the past crime never made much sense either. The final chapter throwing a wrench in much of it is only more evidence for my request for Jackson to go thriller, because that is a thriller twist not a procedural one.

Ultimately I just didn't care enough about Allen for this to be a French-esque story. French grounds you so thoroughly in her characters that you care more about what happens to them than the crime. Allen is fine but she doesn't really get to be a full person. She seems to have had almost no life in the 30 years between the two stories, and has not changed much at all.

Going deep isn't really working for Jackson, but I think she could do a pretty good job at focusing more on plot and leaning in there.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Missing by EA Jackson, a young couple holidays during a heatwave in 1990, cracking open a window in their hotel to cool down. During the night, their baby goes missing. Martha Allen is the Detective Inspector assigned to the case, chasing down leads, and is left flummoxed when a woman walks in with a baby she claims to be missing Bella. In 2020, that woman is found murdered, and it sparks the obsession Martha Allen thought she’d finally laid to rest all those years ago.

This book is an oddity to me at least, because with mysteries, I usually have a solid theory by at least SOME point in the novel. Right or wrong, I have an idea. This book left me perplexed and I wasn’t sure what to think—right up to the end. That was pretty refreshing.

There are dual timelines, obviously; the first half tackles the Bella case, although the synopsis gives away the conclusion for that. The second then covers Nell’s murder, and during that, Allen is tracking down leads to help her understand what truly happened with Bella decades earlier. I liked Allen as a character; she had empathy and was intelligent. Her motherhood struggles also paralleled the cases and helped to tie them together. I also liked her friendship with Desbury; with him as a black officer, and with her being a woman, they could bond over how poorly treated they were by others for not fitting the preconceived mould for police work.

If there’s a drawback, I would say that the blurb tells a reader what happens, so there’s not a lot of urgency with finding Bella.

The end twist was CRAZY though, so that was fun! I was eager to turn the pages and see what the conclusion would be.

I would recommend this to people into modern crime who like dual timelines.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A baby was kidnapped in London and returned unharmed to the local police station a few days later. A miraculous and joyful occasion, right? But DI Martha Allen isn’t buying it. Nothing about the situation feels right to her, even though everyone tells her to let it go, that the impossible sometimes does happen. But it continues to plague her for decades, until thirty years later, there’s an update. The woman who ‘found’ the baby and brought her in was herself found murdered. And once again, Martha is drawn into the Baby Bella case. And this time, she’s not going to let it go.

The first part of the story is told in the past during the original investigation, while the second is in the present. Misogyny in the police force unsurprisingly features in both time frames. But the friendship between Martha and Manley, a lower-ranking officer on her team, is a bright spot, and their interactions in the present timeframe especially make you thankful for those associates who go the extra mile and remain loyal.

The ending is unexpected to the plot, but maybe not to the readers. Because you know that there had to be some kind of explanation for all the ‘off’ behavior that Martha picked up on, and really, with the whole situation in general. While reading, I was like, ‘There better be a good explanation for the weirdness of it all.’ And there was, so I was satisfied in that regard, but I’m not sure if other readers will appreciate it or think it too much of a reach. When they say truth is stranger than fiction, they mean it, so I’m sure similar situations have occurred. And I can’t deny that I was deeply engaged in the story and determined to understand what was going on. I’ll definitely be keeping this author on my radar.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing is a solid mystery. It's definitely more plodding slow burn than action-packed and exciting, however. There's a lot of thinking and talking about the case as well as a ton of description. The book is divided into two parts. The first is about the kidnapping of baby Bella and the second is about the murder of the woman who brought Bella to the police station. I was surprised to find that over half the book was about the kidnapping even though we already know what the outcome will be. Surprisingly, I actually ended up enjoying that part more as there was more urgency to the case and a bit more action. It was also a good way to introduce all the players and give us their backstories. The second part was more tedious, but I was invested in the story so it kept me reading. I had to know what the truth would turn out to be. I liked the characters of Allen and Desbury, although sometimes it felt as though Allen wasn't very bright. Like one time she goes to interview someone and their name is on the front, but a man answers the door. She is all apologetic and explains that she must have the wrong address. She doesn't think that maybe the woman she is looking for lives with a man? Then another time she is interviewing someone, the person says that she was living with two other people and then they left. Allen gets confused and asks what she means. She means they left. I don't really see how it's confusing.

Overall, I thought this was a solid, well-written mystery and I wouldn't mind seeing Allen and Desbury in a future book. I would personally prefer more excitement and less introspection and description, but I still enjoyed Missing for the most part. I give it 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to faber for sending me a proof copy of this book!✨️

i think this is the first time i have finished a mystery novel & found myself hurting because of its conclusion, but in the best way possible.

martha allen is an incredible protagonist, she is kind without being a pushover, a competent leader without being abraisive & when she digs into the details that others miss you know it's because she is just really, really good at her job. i loved seeing the differences in her atittitude & work ethic, whether she was still trying to make a name for herself in 1990 or whether she was trying to figure out what life could look like for her in 2020.

i was gripped immediately by e.a. jackson's ability to build a scene & i keep thinking back to the description of the hot, dim room in the bellevue hotel, i could literally feel how thick the air was, how uncomfortable it would have been & everyone within the room's desire to simply not be there.

this is also one of the rare times i HAVEN'T seen the conclusion coming from a mile off & as the reveal drew closer & closer i kept asking myself how this would all wrap up: i was not disappointed.

the exploration of sexism & misogyny within the MET, how the attitudes hadn't really changed in 30 years & the way in which being around said attitudes can grind a woman down were incredibly refreshing to read. i don't often get to read about female detectives who ARE actually affected & concerned about the way their peers carry themselves.

overall, i think 'missing' was a fantastic mystery with compelling characters & a clear vision & i cannot WAIT for the next installment.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing by E.A. Jackson is a solid, well-written mystery with a decidedly slow-burn approach. It leans more toward introspection and detailed description than fast-paced action, with much of the story spent thinking through and discussing the case rather than chasing clues.

The novel is divided into two parts: the kidnapping of baby Bella, followed by the murder of the woman who later brings Bella to the police station. I was surprised to find that more than half of the book focuses on the kidnapping, even though the outcome is known early on. Interestingly, this ended up being the stronger section for me. There was more urgency and momentum, and it served as an effective way to introduce the characters and explore their backstories.

The second half, while more methodical and at times tedious, still kept me engaged because I was invested in uncovering the truth. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Allen and Desbury, who felt refreshingly different from those in a typical police procedural. The novel is populated with strong supporting characters and delivers several emotional moments, and readers may be surprised by where the story ultimately leads.

Overall, Missing is a thoughtful and compelling mystery, even if it occasionally leans too heavily into introspection for my taste. The sections set in the past were long and slow, and I felt the introduction to Nell took more time than necessary. I would have preferred more tension and excitement, but I still enjoyed the book and wouldn’t mind seeing Allen and Desbury return in a future installment.

Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up).

Thanks NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this story.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned the case of a baby disappearing from a hotel room. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have come to London for a short vacation along with their six-month old daughter Bella. It's 1990 and this is a high-profile case. It is also a baffling one. Allen is already dealing with institutional prejudice against women and the early stages of a pregnancy.

As Allen interviews the hotel staff and hotel guests, she comes to the conclusion that the husband somehow did away with his infant daughter. However, there is no proof to be uncovered. She can't convince her colleagues of her conclusions either.

Then three or four days later, after Allen's hope is lost, a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into the police station carrying a baby who appears to be the missing baby Bella. Nell claims to have found her on a park bench and, recognizing her from the many photos, brings her in. Intense questioning ensues but she holds to her story. When she is dismissed, Nell disappears. Her address, phone number and employer are all bogus.

The Carpenters seem overjoyed to be reunited with their daughter and the case is closed. But Allen is left with questions that never quite go away despite a successful career as a police officer.

Then in 2020, Nell Beatty's body is found on a park bench and all of Allen's earlier questions resurface. The investigation into Nell's death involves looking back at that older kidnapping case and trying to learn what happened to Nell in the years in between.

This was an engaging thriller. I enjoyed watching Allen's career trajectory. I was intrigued with the way a case could haunt a woman's life and career.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I was super-excited to read Missing. Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to fans of police procedurals and procedural series.

The narrative begins in 2020 as Martha Allen, a London DCI, gets a surprising call from a former colleague to report a murder case he's investigating in Bristol. The victim was a mysterious figure in a case they worked together back in the 1990s.

The narrative then moves back to 1990 as Allen is assigned to that case: a horrifying incident of infant snatched from her parents' hotel room in the middle of the night.

What I loved about this part of Missing was that there was NO dual timeline. I feel like most of the books I read have chapter to chapter timeline switching and it was so refreshing to just absorb myself in one time and place. This part of the book was extremely intense and gripping as Martha and her team try to locate the baby.

The last quarter of the book moved forward to 2020 and this is where things fell apart a little for me. The book's resolution went with the oddest possible connection between their victim and the former case, one that had me seriously scratching my head. For me, procedurals are often about working the most obvious solutions. Hearing hoofbeats and checking horses, cows, deer, etc. Not an addax.

That said, I really liked Jackson's writing, the characters, the colleague relationship between Martha and Desbury , and Martha's observations about being a female police officer in the 1990s through the 2020s. I will happily read her next book!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!

[Olga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Atria Books & NetGalley for an e-ARC of Missing, available everywhere on March 17th.

1990: London is in the midst of an unprecedented heatwave when 5‑month‑old Bella Carpenter is snatched through the open window of the family’s hotel room. The disappearance quickly becomes a make‑or‑break case for Detective Martha Allen, whose entire career hangs on whether she can bring the baby home alive. For nearly a week, the police work around the clock, following up on every lead and every piece of information, until their first real break arrives: Nell Beatty walks into the station with a baby who appears to be Bella. Detective Allen isn’t convinced, but with the parents relieved and the case appearing to be resolved, she’s directed to close the investigation. Thirty years later, Nell Beatty is found dead, giving the now‑Superintendent Allen a legitimate reason to reopen the decades‑old case. Will she finally uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago? Or are some secrets better left in the past?

I think the novel wanted to be more gripping than it ended up being, and the pacing felt slow at times. The atmospheric descriptions and attention to setting were great, but they occasionally slowed the story down. I especially liked the last few chapters, when the pacing finally picked up. I also thought the author did a good job highlighting how much of a boys’ club the police force is. There were a lot of references to motherhood, and the lack of it for certain characters, and I kind of wish the author had taken that storyline in a different direction.

[Katelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

During the worst heatwave London has endured in years, infant Bella Carpenter vanishes from her family's hotel room. Detective Inspector Allen is determined to find Bella, especially since she is newly pregnant herself. This case could make or break her career, and she knows she must find Bella to continue rising in the ranks. As the investigation grows bleak, a young woman, Nell Beatty, brings Bella into the police station. Nell found Bella abandoned on a park bench a few miles away, allowing for a successful closure of the case. Or so everyone thinks. Thirty-years later, Nell is found dead on a similar park bench, and more questions arise. Who is this woman? Did she have more of an involvement in the Carpenter case than they originally thought? Is Bella Carpenter who they really think she is? DI Allen cannot let this case rest and is willing to risk her career to finally put the case to rest.

The premise of the book was much better than the execution. For me, there weren't too many thriller moments. Instead, it felt more like a drawn-out crime drama. The book is very slow and feels background-heavy. I was hoping once we moved to the present, things would pick up, but it still felt very slow. I pushed through it, hoping the ending would redeem everything, but I was again left disappointed. The whole plot line was a bit unbelievable, but also predictable. I really did not enjoy this one and can't recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and EA Jackson for a copy of this book. I received this ARC for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Chasing Chapters with KP [Kristina P] (ARC Reviewer) · Rating 2 out of 5]

PUBLISH DATE: March 17, 2026

I really wanted to like this one because the premise sounded so interesting, it made me think of the Lindberg baby in the beginning (as referenced later in the story). It centers on a decades old disappearance in London that has haunted a detective throughout her career. Years later, new developments force her to confront lingering doubts and reopen questions she was never able to put to rest.

Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. The pacing felt very slow, and the writing was quite wordy, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. I never felt fully hooked, and a lot of the reading felt like I was pushing through rather than being pulled into the story. While the idea behind the plot is intriguing, the execution felt weighted down by too much detail and not enough momentum.

I can see how readers who enjoy slow burn crime novels with a heavy focus on internal reflection and atmosphere might appreciate this more than I did. For me, though, it lacked tension and forward movement, and I struggled to stay invested.

Overall, an interesting concept that just didn't hold my attention the way I had hoped.

I give this book ⭐️⭐️

BOOK TITLE: Missing
AUTHOR: E.A. Jackson
PUBLISHER: Atria Books
FORMAT: e-book
PAGES: 288
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Atria Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Susan Ingraffea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Atria via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I was surprised to see this is a debut; the author is definitely talented! That being said, this was a bit of a slow burn, which is not usually my favorite type of book. I thought the entire first half set in 1990 dragged. I was reading and rereading pages. It's also unusual to read about a kidnapping but know the outcome (at least in general terms as we did here). So it's not really suspenseful as far as whether or not the Carpenters get Bella back.

Super annoying to me throughout - referring to Martha as Allen. I don't know if that was because most of the police addressed each other with last names? That's fine and sensible, but the reader is not a police officer, and this is a pet peeve of mine when the character's first name is not used.

The second half set in 2020 moved much more quickly. I enjoyed the updates to of Martha as a young woman/ Martha nearing retirement - her relationship with other officers - her marriage. And I also liked the commentary on women & minorities in the workforce, what has progressed, what still needs to progress.

I completely related to Martha not being able to let go of the case, and it was fun to see menthods of research available in 2020 that were not in 1990. Her investigation was like a treasure hunt.

I feel like there were a few loose ends and also one sentence that made me think I completely missed something. Very much enjoyed the shocker last chapter!

I will look for future books from this author!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing by E A Jackson is a stunning crime thriller with twists and turns right up to its last pages.

London, 1990. Detective Inspector Martha Allen receives a phone call that a baby has been abducted from a hotel in Pimlico where her parents had taken her while they took a short holiday. Martha is feeling the need to establish her credentials in a male-dominated police force and is determined to solve this case. When the baby is handed in to a police station, after days of intensive investigations by Martha and her team, and it doesn’t seem possible that they can trace the person who handed her in, Martha is ordered to close the case; however, she knows there is something not quite right about the whole thing and never gives up wondering about what might be the truth behind the baby’s disappearance and miraculous return. Then, thirty years later, something happens that makes Martha decide to try again, albeit on her own time, to get to the bottom of the Baby Bella story.

E A Jackson is a brilliant writer as she painstakingly presents everyone Martha encounters and all the situations she gets into. I loved the way the book was different in so many ways from traditional crime thrillers; I loved all the character studies, and Martha’s way of coping with how her personal life had turned out differently to what she had expected. Highly recommended!

[janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm most definitely going to be in the minority with my review, but it just wasn't for me.

The premise immediately intrigued me, it sounded like exactly what I look for in a book, suspense, thrills, secrets and lies BUT it just didn't hit the spot for me, personally.

Told in two parts, the first part about the disappearance of baby Bella from her London home. A few days later she is found and handed into the local police station. While everyone should be elated, if anything it just raises more questions than answers. During the investigation we meet DI Martha Allen.

Part two is told 30 years later. The woman who found baby Bella is killed. DI Allen reopens the case, her gut feeling is that there is a connection. Can she solve the case that has puzzled her for most of her career?

I just found this to be a book that really dragged. So much time was spent on the feelings that the locations and atmosphere elicited and I wish more time was spent on the characterisation, which to me is far more important.

I did enjoy the ending, the way everything finally unravelled was a shock, I never saw it coming! I do love a punch in the gut as an ending and the author definitely done that.

I must admit the genre confused me slightly, it felt conflicted between a police procedural and a thriller, never quite hitting either completely 😕

Thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd

[Brooke Staley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting crime story with great writing, but the pacing slowed down in the second half and it didn’t quite deliver the thriller vibe I expected.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for the giveaway ARC!

I picked this one up because the synopsis described it as a crime thriller. It definitely hits the crime side of things, but it didn’t feel very thriller-like to me.

The first half pulled me in right away and I was really enjoying it. Unfortunately the second half slowed down a lot and the book started to feel longer than it needed to be. There’s a ton of detail throughout the story. Some of it worked well, especially when it showed how crimes were solved in the 90s before modern technology, but other parts felt unnecessary and made the pacing drag.

That said, the writing itself is very good, especially for a debut novel. E.A. Jackson clearly knows how to write and build a story.

Also, the very last chapter was kind of crazy in the best way. That final little surprise definitely caught me off guard and was a strong way to end the book.

Overall this wasn’t a bad read at all. I just wish the pacing had been tighter and that it leaned a little more into the thriller elements that the synopsis suggested.

Best for readers who enjoy slower, detail-heavy crime investigations rather than fast-paced thrillers.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing is a taut, elegantly written thriller that explores the primal terror of loss and the quiet fury of a woman determined to uncover the truth. E. A. Jackson’s debut introduces DI Martha Allen with striking clarity—a detective whose sharp mind is matched only by her emotional depth.

When baby Bella vanishes in the night, the heat of summer becomes a pressure cooker for grief, suspicion, and secrets. Jackson’s prose is spare yet evocative, capturing the ache of a mother’s silence and the relentless churn of a case that refuses to resolve cleanly. Allen is a compelling lead—newly promoted, under scrutiny, and unwilling to let lies stand in the way of justice. Her voice is crisp, her instincts razor-sharp, and her empathy a quiet force beneath the procedural grit.

This is a story that lingers in the shadows of domestic life, asking what we owe to truth—and what we’re willing to risk to protect it. With its layered characters and simmering tension, Missing marks the beginning of a series with real emotional heft.

Perfect for readers who crave psychological thrillers with heart, and detectives who feel as real as the people we pass on the street.

With thanks to E A Jackson, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty years after the disappearance of baby Bella, top policewoman Martha Allen is reminded of that old case when she learns that the young woman who found the baby on a bench all these years ago, has herself been found murdered on a bench in a public park. Martha had always thought there were too many loose ends around the case - this fresh news galvanises her to once more search for the truth.
As we're taken back to the past and the developing nightmare of the missing Bella, then into the present again, a really intriguing story emerges.
I liked everything about this story. Martha Allen is an excellent lead character, very sympathetic and believable with her own sad story to reveal as the narrative progresses.
The mystery of what really happened to baby Bella holds the reader's interest throughout the book, as all the elements of the case begin to come together.
It was interesting, too, to see how old-fashioned police work and dogged determination can uncover things you'd think would be lost in time. It helps explain how cold cases can be solved decades later.
A realty good crime story - and one that, despite its sad theme of a missing, possibly murdered baby, I really enjoyed.