Great combination of mystery, a little romance and bayou setting. ( )

Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan
Quinn & Costa series #4. Thriller, cop procedural with a touch of romance.
In a small rural town, seven girls are dead. The FBI mobile unit is there to investigate the rumored corrupt politicians and police. Kara tries a couple local watering places wearing what locals might find acceptable for a low country summer evening. She’s an excellent undercover cop who good at getting people to talk. But the threats are as real as the danger for the FBI and the informants.

Thrilling and scary in its collaboration in coverups, this story leaves chills. The FBI is efficient and effective in the end, but they face intimidation and alligators.
A bit of relationship diatribe in this book too but it’s only about 5% in whole. Enough for those of us that want it. Thrills and suspense well done.

According to the author there will be at least two more in this series, the next scheduled for January 2024. I can’t wait to read them. ( )

Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan is a very highly recommended procedural and the fourth novel in the Quinn and Costa Series. This is an excellent series and I fully recommend fans of procedurals start it asap.

Seven young women have gone missing in the small bayou town of St. Augustine, Louisiana, over three years. Police detective Beau Hebert cares deeply, but it seems that corruption runs deep in the Parish police department. Beau calls in his friend former Navy SEAL Michael Harris who is part of the FBI Mobile Response Team. Michael arrives with LAPD officer Kara Quinn to Broussard Parish. Beau is concerned that witnesses are being silenced or intimidated and he needs help. Michael has the Mobile Response Unit, under the direction of Special Agent Mathias Costa (Matt),following him to Louisiana, along with analyst Ryder Kim, forensic specialist Jim Esteban, and white-collar crimes expert Zack Heller.

The intricate plot unfolds with many different aspect of the investigation being closely scrutinized. It is a detailed, layered, and complicated plot as the clues are uncovered and the group discovers connections and suspects beyond the small town. The pace was fast and then picks up momentum as the number of suspects builds. The writing is masterful and the case is unique.

Having followed the whole series, I am invested in these characters and find them fully realized, well-developed characters. The relationship between the team members flourishes and they are becoming a cohesive, dedicated unit with each of them performing an essential role in the case. The personal relationship between Costa and Quinn slowly continue. Kara Quin is a great character.

This is becoming a solid, reliably favorite series. The series includes The Third to Die, Tell No Lies, The Wrong Victim, and Seven Girls Gone. I think it would still be enjoyable as a stand alone procedural, but knowing the whole backstory does provide extra depth and context. Each case is wrapped up at the end of the novel.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of MIRA Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/04/seven-girls-gone.html ( )

Seven Girls Gone is part of Allison Brennan’s excellent Costa and Quinn series but can be read as a strong standalone. It is a lively, sometimes intense, thriller that moves very quickly and with a number of surprises.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this great ARC. ( )