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Lindsay (1807 KP) created a post

Mar 17, 2026  
Mystery readers, get ready: the shadows are deepening.

International bestselling author Lauren Carr is thrilled to reveal the cover for her upcoming novel, Shadows of the Missing (Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, Book 5), releasing May 5, 2026.

Tagline: In the shadows of the missing, the truth lies buried.
Synopsis (short version for sharing):
Helen Clarke-Matheson thought she had left her painful past behind, building a new life with Chris. But when her sister arrives with a shocking DNA test, Helen’s world unravels. The father who abandoned them and the mother who wandered away… may not have been what they seemed.
Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad are pulled into a deeply personal investigation spanning decades of buried secrets, conflicting stories, and the lingering shadow of murder. As the team peels back layers of deception, they must confront long-hidden crimes and the specter of betrayal. Can they uncover the truth and bring closure to Helen and her family, or will some shadows never lift?

Packed with Lauren Carr’s signature twists, heart, humor, and four-legged mischief, Shadows of the Missing is a gripping continuation of the beloved Chris Matheson series.
     
The Pretender (Mifflin County Mystery #3)
The Pretender (Mifflin County Mystery #3)
Wanda E. Brunstetter | 2025 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
We are introduced to Anthony, who is working while waiting for a young woman who is running late for her shift. This young woman, who goes by the name Eileen Person. She came on, tears in her eyes, and she seemed ashamed at what she did.

They make a plan and then head to her family's hometown. It turns out that this young woman is Risa, who disappeared from home two years ago and has now returned, pretending to be married.

We get a glimpse of Anthony's parents, Larvane and Herb, and a little bit of their home life.

Will the family welcome them back? Will Anthony fall for the community, and will he fall in love with Rosa? Will the community welcome Rosa back in with her husband? The act continues, though Susan got suspicious of her sister Rosa and her husband; she is not happy about Rosa coming home.

Rosa and Anthony are getting along and are starting to fall in love with each other, despite appearing to be happily married.
There are some twists and turns, but god may have a plan for Rosa and Anthony?
  
Ice on Fire (Treble and the Lost Boys #1)
Ice on Fire (Treble and the Lost Boys #1)
G.R. Lyons | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ice on Fire (Treble and the Lost Boys #1) by G.R. Lyons
Ice on Fire is the first book in the new series, Treble and the Lost Boys. Set in the same world as the Shifting Isles series, it can nevertheless be read without any prior knowledge of that series.

Zac is leading a double life - he is the violinist in Treble, and the guitar player in Inferno. He can't tell his longtime friend in Inferno that he plays violing as they will see it as 'gay'. So he definitely can't tell them that he is, in fact, gay too. So he pretends, and hates every minute of it. His family life is a good one, but he is worried about telling them he is gay as well. So, all in all, Zac is firmly in the closet. The only bright spot, which he keeps to himself, is seeing the mysterious Mr Shadow when he plays with Treble. This unknown man is the root of all his fantasies.

Adrian is also leading a double life, but although it looks like he has it all, he is actually more trapped than Zac. Suffering with acute anxiety, he has to toe the line his strict father lays down, or he will be kicked out with no money to his name. He manages to go to the club every time Treble are playing though. There is no way he would miss out on seeing the vibrant and passionate violinist.

These two definitely have a bumpy road, and both of them annoyed me at times. It was heartbreaking to see their relationship splinter under the pressure of studies and exhaustion. With high expectations, and only manageable reality, we see them fall apart and can only hope for a HEA, or at least a HFN!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and can't wait to continue with this series. A brilliant start to the series, and I am waiting patiently for Rylie's story! Absolutely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!