The Missings

By: Peg Brantley

Narrated by: Eric Nutting

Too many secrets can kill.

The small Hispanic community of Aspen Falls, Colorado, is keeping a secret. Some of their own are missing, and they don't dare go to the authorities for help - that is until Elizabeth Benavides' sister goes missing, then all bets are off as the determined young woman demands answers.

Senior Detective Chase Waters finds himself working the most interesting case of his career - one that comes closer to home than he could ever imagine. A case that threatens to tear his family apart.

Are the mutilated bodies of young men and women the resultof cult - or commerce? How many more people have to die before his team ofdetectives figure it out?

The Missings entertains as it explores two issues our society faces: illegal immigration and organ donation.

©2012 Peg Brantley (P)2014 Peg Brantley

Loved This Story!

Detective Chase Waters loves his family, his job, and Twizzlers. Murders, kidnappings, and illegal procurement of human organs are occurring in his town of Aspen Falls. There were so many twists, turns, and surprises that I could not stop listening and did not want the story to end. Unlike many audiobooks, this one wraps everything up in a satisfying ending. Most of the characters were very likable, evil ones were despicable, and the illegals (afraid of police) were heartbreaking. Eric Nutting's narration is just fabulous. Highly recommended.

Audiobook provided for an honest review.

Get a new narrator

While the story was so so, the narrator did not enhance it. He read way too fast making me think he was bored with the story and wanted to be done with it quickly.

Great characters I want to meet again

This is a suspenseful story with some significant holes in the plot. The characters are great, though.

Eric Nutting's performance is satisfactory. Some of his accents are better than others and he might have attempted a bit more distinction between some of the character voices.

This is a complete story with a satisfying, albeit predictable, conclusion and characters I want to meet again.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Life or Death Who gets to Choose???

What made the experience of listening to The Missings the most enjoyable?

I listen while I drive.

What did you like best about this story?

The real fear of a community even among legal citizens is overwhelming in immigrant communities and crimes are not reported way to often.

What about Eric Nutting’s performance did you like?

Solid Narrator

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It could be but doesn't have to be to enjoy.

Any additional comments?

Peg Brantley's The Missings Narrated by Eric Nutting is a Mystery/Detective Procedural that takes place in the small Hispanic community of Aspen Falls, Colorado.

When some of the community go missing they are reluctant to go to the authorities out of fear and the legal status of many in the community. 

When Elizebeth Benavides sister goes missing she challenges the communities silence and demands the authorities do something. 

Senior Detective Chase Waters looks into the case and when the other missing people are brought to his attention he works all his contacts to solve, what truely is a mystery.

When Detective Waters investigation takes him to the doors of a private hospital for the Rich he looks for a connection. The one he finds brings the case much to close to home for him.

The Missings is a must read. It speaks to the Fear of the Police by law abiding and even legal citizens and the unreported crimes they face. This is a mystery where life and death lay in the balance.

A Good Police Crime Drama

Where does The Missings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I liked this book, especially some of the issues that were addressed. There were many issues that take place in this story and sadly within society.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't really have a fovorite character. I wanted there to be a character that I was more able to identify with.

What does Eric Nutting bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Eric Nutting was a fine narrator and I look forward to more from him. Also I think that Peg Brantley is a very talented author and I will continue listening to her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to but I had to take breaks. This was a book that I'm glad I listened to but I think it could have had more plot twists with the good storyline that it did have.

Any additional comments?

I think this book is definitely worth listening to. I still enjoyed it and I received this audiobook free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Another winner from Peg Brantley!

The Missings by Peg Brantley is a pretty fast paced, entertaining listen, and unfortunately it's all too plausible in the real world. The fact that this revolves largely around someone or some group (no spoilers!) harvesting and killing mainly illegal immigrants in order to harvest their organs is pretty scary. Now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense, if you're a psychopathic killer looking to leave as little a trail as possible.

Detective Chase Waters is a good main character with morals and a good personality. Peg makes a point to build up his backstory and I hope I get to read more of his adventures in the future. Also, I was so happy that Mex Anderson is in this book! In case you haven't listened, I super-highly recommend Trafficked: A Mex Anderson Novel by Ms. Brantley. The Missings is good, but I devoured Trafficked.

Eric Nutting did a good job with the narration of this book. His performance was well paced, easy to understand, and he did a good job with all of the various characters. He also read with a good amount of emotion where called for. I'd listen to more of his performances again in the future. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

A Compelling Story Reveals the Often Forgotten

What made the experience of listening to The Missings the most enjoyable?

I look for books that engage me on many levels. This does it all. Memorable characters, a story line that pushes me to turn the pages, and an over arching human issue that rings true. I not only cared about what happened to the people who grew important to me but learned the ever increasing value and therefore potential dark side that exists in the world of organ "donation".

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Missings?

The confrontations- small and large.

The personal leaps as characters understood their own challenges/choices

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to identify

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There is a theme ...told in various way ...that line between hope and despair...that's why the book works. Despite everything-the hope, the joy, the respect people earn triumph in these pages. That made this a satisfying read.

Any additional comments?

Sharp effective writing. Looking froward to Brantley's next book!

A Good Story, Well Told and Well Read

Where does The Missings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to more than I can count, but I was surprised by how well this book seized my attention and kept it to the end. I look forward to more from this author.

What other book might you compare The Missings to and why?

I put this book into the "local cop story" genre for me. I've listened to and read a number of books in this style with my favorites probably John Sandford's "Prey" novels featuring the adventures of Lucas Davenport in Minnesota. The Missings features a local police department and the specific challenges inherent in their corner of the world. Great characters and an interesting story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The real drama of Detective Waters discovering his family involvement in his case was very compelling.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Money can buy you anything... but "anything" has to come from somewhere.

Any additional comments?

Great narration by Eric Nutting.

A great audiobook!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to everyone, it's such an interesting story and the narrator is fantastic. This book is a must have, I absolutely loved it!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot keeps you guessing and wondering from the start. You just don't know what will happen next. Peg Brantley is an amazing storyteller and her books never disappoint or bore you.

Any additional comments?

I am a big fan of Peg's books, I can hardly wait for the next one to come out. Buy this audiobook, it's guaranteed to entertain,... listen to this story, you will love it too!

Falls flat on many levels.

This one falls flat right from the beginning and does not improve as the story progresses. The characters are all like one dimensional cardboard cutouts, there is nothing engaging about any of them. Most of the dialogue comes off empty and devoid of any real human emotion. Imagine actors portraying poorly scripted characters in a play comprised primarily of scenes in which the characters are rehearsing a badly scripted play and you'll get the picture. The main character is constantly making comments that appear to be included only for the purpose of teaching the unenlightened reader that racism is a bad thing. Don't misunderstand me, I know books can inspire people to think, learn and become better people but this particular book isn't one of them; this book is just condescending and preachy. To make matters worse this same character displays his bigotry towards religious beliefs differing from his own as though it were something for which he should be commended. While the religious bias is integrated more subtly than the "I'm going to teach you idiots about racism." aspect I was left feeling the author was out to inform me which religion I should follow if I want to be a good and decent person because everyone else is obvious scum and up to no good. The story is boring and predictable. It was a real struggle to get to the end but I did because I bought it and was oddly compelled to punish myself for having done so. The narration is mediocre at best but I chose to take pity on the narrator and gave him a very generous 3 stars as he really had nothing to work with. I simply cannot recommend this book to anyone.