The Missing

Childs’s third Bane Island romance (after The Hunted) takes readers down a deliciously twisty path. Investigative reporter Edie Stone is determined to find the truth about former psychiatric hospital Bainesworth Manor, where, 40 years ago, the babies of several young female patients mysteriously disappeared. Now the remote Maine facility has been reimagined as posh spa Halcyon Hall, but Edie is convinced it still holds answers—and that Dr. Elijah Cooke, a descendant of the Bainesworths, knows more than he’s telling. Explosive chemistry soon leads Elijah and Edie into a passionate relationship, but as they work together to investigate, they’re dogged by life-threatening “accidents.” As the incidents mounts, it becomes clear that at least one person is willing to kill to keep Halcyon Hall’s secrets—and derail Edie and Elijah’s budding relationship. The author keeps readers wondering who’s behind the threats right up until the tightly plotted story’s end. Childs leaves things on a bit of a cliffhanger, which will undoubtedly frustrate some, but there’s no denying that this page-turner will leave readers with an intense desire to find out what comes next. This is destined for many a keeper shelf. (Nov.)