Woman, Missing by Sherryl Clark

Publisher's Synopsis

She's the one to turn to when you need saving. But first she has to save herself...

Lou Alcott is turning over a new leaf as a private investigator. Formerly police, she was forced to resign when she attacked a domestic violence perpetrator. She's always vowed to be nothing like her grandfather Hamish, Melbourne's biggest crime boss, delivering an eye for an eye, but this guy had it coming.

On her first day she draws two cases helping at-risk women. First there's Diane Paterson, who has apparently left her husband without a word. Who should Lou believe? The charmingly distraught husband, Diane's suspicious parents, or the freezer full of lovingly prepared food left behind?

Then a house security check for an isolated young woman who is convinced her abusive ex is stalking her again turns worrisome when she fails to show up for their meeting. Lou reports Melinda's odd disappearance to the police but with no signs of a struggle she fears they're not able to act quickly enough.

With her protective radar pinging, Lou keeps digging until she unearths chilling evidence that puts her in the hot seat. Suddenly Lou is embroiled in a cat-and-mouse-game where there will only be one survivor... Will Lou's first case be her last?

My Review of Woman, Missing by Sherryl Clark

The introduction of a tough and determined private investigator is always welcome in my book and when they come with the complicated background that Lou Alcott has it’s even more intriguing. Sherryl Clark has not only produced an interesting main character but also has her running a couple of highly topical investigations. 

Lou Alcott is a Melbourne-based private investigator who has just taken up her new role with PMI. She previously worked as a police officer but became disillusioned with the job. She also has an interesting family situation, one that could either be very useful or extremely dangerous in her job.

Her grandfather is one of Melbourne’s most notorious figures in organised crime while her father, whom she despises, is a high-ranking cop. Definitely not your run of the mill family unit.

She’s assigned a case where a young woman has disappeared. The husband tells her his wife, Diane, left without a word. Diane’s parents aren’t convinced and have hired the company to look for her, for her to be brought back to the family home.

The second case also revolves around an at-risk woman. In this case, Melinda has requested a security check on her home. She has recently moved to Melbourne from Sydney, fleeing an abusive relationship. She wants to ensure the security measures she’s installed in the home are enough to keep her safe should her ex-husband track her down.

Lou meets with Melinda one time to conduct the check and organises a second meeting as a follow-up but when it comes time to meet Melinda has disappeared.

Her investigation takes her into the murky world of the online dating scene. With the help of the company’s tech expert who has a little experience with the various sites, she sets about tracking down where Melinda might have gone and who she might have met.

Just to give her life a little more edge, Lou’s grandfather’s criminal past is starting to catch up with him. Someone’s trying to kill him and, by association, Lou’s life is in danger too. Just getting out and doing her job means taking her life into her hands which kinda ramps the tension up a tad. 

This is a story that is extremely relevant to the mood in Australia today, particularly in the fight against violence on women by men. Lou Alcott’s character personifies the frustration with the police and the laws that hamper meaningful change. She’s a strong and capable character, prepared to put her body on the line if the situation calls for it.

The story moves along at a solid pace and the investigative work is solid and believable. The crimes discussed, domestic violence along with the use (and misuse) of online dating sites, will speak to many people in today’s society who have been touched by these issues. They’re handled with appropriate consideration to the victims while also pointing out the difficulties in policing them.

Woman, Missing is a terrific introduction to a new Australian private investigator with significant points of difference that sets it apart from anything that’s come before. Lou Alcott (plus family) is definitely a protagonist worth following and I’m looking forward to meeting her again in further cases.