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DI Marsha Clay #1

Missing Girls

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A Staffordshire Moorlands Mystery

Do you know where your daughters are tonight?

DI Marsha Clay is showing her new detective around the station when she gets a call to say a man has been found dead, and a woman beaten, in their home. Once at the property, they realise that two children are missing.

With no ransom demand forthcoming, Marsha and her team need to delve into the family background. Everything seems to be fine but, when another death is also linked to their case, and an accident from twenty years ago comes to light, it’s clear someone is out for revenge.

Can Marsha gather the information needed to bring the girls home and stop anyone else from losing their lives? And can she find out why DC Jess Baxter really transferred from Manchester to the Staffordshire Moorlands?

Set within the market town of Leek and its rural surroundings, this fast-paced British detective novel is a murder mystery with an emotional pull.

Missing Girls is the first in the DI Marsha Clay series of crime thrillers from the two million bestselling British author, Mel Sherratt, and is perfect for fans of DS Butler, LJ Ross, Angela Marsons, Joy Ellis, Rachel McClean, Caroline Mitchell and Helen Durrant.

'A fast-paced read that you won't want to put down.’ Caroline Mitchell

‘Sherratt is a unique voice in detective fiction.’ Mail on Sunday


‘I love all Mel Sherratt’s books.’ Ian Rankin

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2023

78 people are currently reading
131 people want to read

About the author

Mel Sherratt

44 books533 followers
I write police procedurals, psychological suspense and women's fiction with a punch - or grit-lit, as I call it.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.

You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels

I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.

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5 stars
362 (62%)
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149 (25%)
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58 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,733 reviews52 followers
June 9, 2023
Book one, a new series from the author, as we meet DI Marsha Clay.
Do you know where your daughters are tonight?
In the small town of Leek in Staffordshire, thirty nine year old Marsha, married to Phil and two daughters, from the off I liked Marsha she is her own woman in her work.
Called out to a incident at Dairy Croft Farm she takes along DC Jess Baxter this is her first day with the team, John Prophet of the motor company is dead his wife Sylvia unconscious is rushed to hospital, but their granddaughters Tamara and Maisie are missing has the killer taking them and why kill John? His wife is stable but she is the only one that can tell them everything and its a waiting game now to her recovery so she can be questioned, the search is now on to find the two little girls, but there is more ahead to come.
I grew to like this character from the first chapter of this book and found just one more chapter just wasn't enough I just had to keep reading on.
This is a brilliant start to a new series the author has captured lots of twists as you read.
And the ending just leaves you looking forward to what happens next for Marsha, a strong woman, a hard worker, and a brilliant mother, bouncing with so much energy.

5 stars and more from me.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,967 reviews232 followers
June 13, 2023
This is the first book in a new crime series by the author featuring DI Marsha Clay and her team. I like that not only do we get to know Marsha but quite a few of the team also. Jess is new to the team after transferring from Manchester and has problems of her own to contend with and the thread to do with that was an engrossing one.

The case is a highly compelling one as not only do they have a killer on their hands but the abduction of the victim’s two granddaughters. You can feel the parents fears as well as the teams as to why the girls might have been taken and it made for some heart in the mouth moments.

I always worry with the first book in a crime series that too much of the story will focus on the main characters and their backgrounds but the author has got it spot on with enough given to the reader that has you lapping it all up as well as the case not losing any of it’s momentum. If anything it had me racing through as the pacing never dropped, picking up with every chapter read.

Missing Girls is a brilliant start to a new series. Mel Sherratt has raised the bar very high with her latest crime thriller and I can’t wait for more! When every chapter ended, I had no will power to put it down as it was just so good and I had to keep reading. Who needs sleep anyway! I am very excited about this new series and I am loving DI Marsha Clay and her team. A big whopping five stars from me!

My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Profile Image for Claire.
1,112 reviews183 followers
August 20, 2023
A horrifying shooting and two missing girls? How’s that for a first day challenge? Jess Baxter has her work cut out for her especially as her big boss DI Marsha Clay decides Jess is her partner for this case!

Marsha is part of the Leek community, she knows everyone which should make policing that bit easier. But hunting for a killer-kidnapper isn’t the most straightforward when you don’t know who you’re looking for. Marsha leads by example and inspires her team to solve the case but can they?!

Now Jess, the new recruit. I totally get her reluctance to be living back home after independent living in the bright lights of Manchester but once I knew why she’d returned to her mum’s, I wanted to know more. As the story went along and more about Jess was revealed, oh my…. I liked her that bit more!

Missing Girls is an excellent start to a new series from an author who never fails to deliver a cracking gritty story line with lifelike characters who I’m instantly at home with. I’m looking forward to getting to know Marsha, Jessica and the rest of the team better in future instalments.
251 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2023
Wow

I read this book in 2 sittings. Brilliant book and can't wait to read more of Marsha Clay and her team. Highly recommend this book
Profile Image for Pol.
451 reviews9 followers
November 28, 2023
Love reading Mel Sherratt book she a brilliant story teller.
Can't wait for her next book to be released
Worth so much more than the 5 stars ✨ i could give
Profile Image for Christine Rennie.
2,974 reviews42 followers
February 20, 2024

Missing Girls by Mel Sharratt is the first in a new Staffordshire police series with DI Marsha Clay and her own investigation team. The series is based in Staffordshire and I will look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and meeting a new police team.
Recommended
Profile Image for Kerry.
666 reviews42 followers
June 23, 2023
I think I’m going to get on well with Marsha Clay. What a cracking character and a cracking start to a new series!
I make no secret of the fact that I am a huge fan of Mel Sherratt. I have read and loved everything she has published, and I was so excited when I found out she was starting a new series with another new detective. I couldn’t wait to read it and I’m honoured to have been able to read an advance copy. Mel Sherratt never disappoints. I have absolutely loved Missing Girls.
DI Marsha Clay is introducing Jess to the team. Jess has transferred from Manchester and Marsha is interested to learn why but will bide her time. Let her settle in first. She doesn’t have much time to get acquainted though before they have a murder case to solve and two missing children to find.
This book certainly starts as it means to go on!
I love a police procedural, and this ticks all the boxes for me. I feel like I know the team well already and have enjoyed following the processes they follow to get the results they need as quickly as possible. I love that we saw a more personal side to some of them too. I look forward to getting to know them more as the series progresses.
The case they’re dealing with is a sensitive one and I was as desperate as the team for them to find the girls and get to the bottom of a seemingly random and senseless attack on a retired couple. I was both shocked and saddened as I learned the truth.
Fast paced, as always, I was glued to my kindle way past my bedtime.
If you haven’t read a Mel Sherratt book yet, then why not start with this one?

**Many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my ARC**

http://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/06/23...
30 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2023
This was the most straightforward book that I have read for a book of it's genre. Picked it up due to the high rating and great reviews. At the end of the book, I was like "that's it?". Basically there was nothing much going on and everything in the book went so smoothly which was laughable.

There was no twists and turns and no setbacks to the case. The killer was revealed plainly and everything was just laid out by the killer at the end. Another huge gripe I had about the book was that Marsha was so accommodating and nice to Jess that she offered her to stay at her house for a night so they can go out for a meal. Jess just joined the team like less than two days and Marsha is her boss. This was very unusual and does not make any sense and it was not like Jess asked for Marsha help. And everyone was so nice in the book towards each other which was a bit hard to believe as that is not the case in real life.

The only good thing about the book is that it is easy to follow and was a breath of fresh air in the early chapters. Some books has a reputation of being farfetched and overdramatic but if there is one word to describe the book is that it is BORING. And have absolutely no idea what is up with all the positive reviews.
151 reviews
June 28, 2023
wow awesome,

I was absolutely hooked from the first chapter, as much as I did not want to put the book down. I had no choice due to Ill health, although I managed to keep awake longer than I should have really but you have no choice when you are reading on of the best authors like Mel Sherratt. I put Mel as one of my Top 3 authors of all time. Along with a best friend of hers being in the top 3 too. Each and every book I am riveted too, can’t put them down when I should. I loved the characters the storyline everything. This is most definitely going to be another series I am going to thoroughly enjoy, exploring a new dimension of people a team of characters who I liked instantly maybe it’s because Jess as just moved to the teak but I think she may have a darker secret as well as the one she told Marsha about. Why I don’t know to be honest. It’s just a feeling. I take each character to heart, when you have such exemplary qualities and skills All 3,of my favourite authors. Each have skills beyond most other superheroes. I have been reading for some 60 years of more and when I say one of my all time favourite authors I mean in my lifetime. This is a absolutely incredible book and it’s a must read thank you Mel
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,685 reviews1,692 followers
March 16, 2024
DI Marsha Clay is showing her new detective around the station when she gets a call to say a man has been found dead, a woman is beaten, in their home. Once at the property, they realise that two children are missing. With no ransom demand forthcoming, Marsha and her team need to delve into the family background. Everything seems to be fine but, when another death is also linked to their case, someone is out for revenge.

This is the first book in a new series by the fantastic Mel Sherratt. There's great character development and by the end of the book, we've got to know Marsha and some of her team a little better. Jess is new to the team after transferring from Manchester. Jess wants to make a good impression and settles into the team quite quickly, she also has her own problems to deal with. The case they are dealing with is quite sensitive. I was rooting for Marsha and her team to find the little girls safe and well. At first, it looks like a random attack on the retired couple. I could not get through this book quickly enough. It's well-written and fast-paced, and I loved it.

#KindlePurchase



Profile Image for Jan Edwards.
Author 41 books42 followers
June 30, 2023
n the morning that DI Marsha Clay is welcoming in DC Jess Baxter to her team member a local business man is murdered at his home, his wife badly injured and their two young granddaughters are missing. Have the girls run away in fear? Or worse still have they been abducted? This new police procedural crime series from Mel Sherratt based, as the title suggests, in the Staffordshire Moorlands; specifically the small market town of Leek. Now this is local for me but strangers to the area would get a good feel for the peaks and moorlands from Sherratt’s evocative descriptions. As the case follows various trails we also have the lives of all the team, especially Clay and Baxter, sketched in some detail with rich seams of backstory to be pulled in for future episodes. I use episodes advisedly because I could easily see this making a Saturday evening TV series. Perhaps not as dark as some of her previous books but read this at one sitting – always a good sign for me. I look forward to reading the next.
Profile Image for Teresa Nikolic.
930 reviews131 followers
June 23, 2023
DI Marsha Clay has been called out to investigate an incident at Dairy Croft Farm, reports are saying a man is dead and a woman is injured. When she arrives with Jess Baxter, a new detective in her team, they discover that the couple, John and Sylvia Prophet, were looking after their two young granddaughters, Tamara and Maisie, and now those girls are missing. To try and make sense of what happened Marsha and the team delve into the background of the Prophet family, then another death is linked to the case and when they look further back it becomes obvious someone is out for revenge. The important thing now is getting those girls safely back to their parents before anymore deaths occur.

Missing Girls is the first in a new series, set in Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands, by the hugely talented Mel Sherratt, and this one hits the ground running. I was completely hooked from the first page, it's a fast paced tale, with a well written premise and lots of twists and turns along the way. I love how Sherratt gives the reader an insight into the lives of Marsha and her team outside of the workplace, whilst never losing sight of the case they're working on, I love Marsha's no nonsense attitude and the way she clearly cares for her team and the wider community. This is a fantastic start to a new series, which I could not put down and I can't wait for the next one! You smashed it Mel Sherratt, a huge five stars from me.

Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced readers copy of this book, I love being part of #TeamSherratt
Profile Image for Steph Lawrence.
515 reviews
June 21, 2023
Firstly, I feel privileged to be one of the first to read this book. Mel, many thanks for the advanced copy.
The first instalment in a new crime series is always exciting. Based in the Staffordshire Moorlands, in the town of Leek.
Meet the team – DI Marsha Clay, married, two teenage daughters.
DS Nathan Clark, DC Connor Wilson, new girl DC Jess Baxter. Their DCI is Ryan Dixon.
It’s a close-knit team. Jess has recently transferred from Greater Manchester Police to be closer to her Mum. A busy first day for Jess, when the call comes in that a man has been found dead and his wife unconscious.
Marsha and Jess head out to the property, a big rural farmhouse. Marsha recognises the dead man as a retired local car dealer. They’d had their two granddaughters staying over and they are nowhere to be seen.
A brilliant story that comes together beautifully, with twists and turns along the way.
Good to meet all the new characters and getting to know about them and their lives.
The area is a bit familiar to me, I know some of the places and that makes it all the more exciting.
Mel Sherratt is one of my favourite authors and she always goes straight to the top of my reading pile. I just have to read her latest book the instant I get my hands on it. I love her style of writing and I love her books more than she’ll ever know!
#TeamSherratt
I loved it and I look forward to the rest of the series. Thoroughly recommended.
Profile Image for Sandra.
566 reviews22 followers
June 30, 2023
What a Brilliant book loved it from start to finish. Meeting new characters is always nice and being Staffordshire girl myself I like to read of local area's. Marsha and her team gel so well together and when they get a new member will they all get on, then on her first day Jess is thrown in a the deep end as a case comes in and it's a big one.EXCELLENT 5*
Profile Image for Lou &#x1f49c;.
4 reviews
August 6, 2023
worth the wait

Absolutely loved this book read it over two days. I was completely hooked from the first page and I can’t wait for the next book to come out 😊 I only discovered Mel Sherratt late last year and I have read all her series love her writing style so easy to pick up and put down
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,419 reviews60 followers
June 19, 2023
DI Marsha Clay and her team investigate when a man is found dead and his wife has been injured.

They soon establish that the couple’s two young grandchildren, Tamara and Maisie are missing. Have the children managed to run away and hide or have they been taken?

When another person is found dead, the team quickly establish that the cases are linked. They need to delve deep and find the killer, as well as the two girls - hopefully alive.

This is a brand new series by the author and is based in Leek, Staffordshire. I liked how we find out about Marsha’s home life as well as her work life in this story.

It is a story of revenge as well as secrets. I couldn’t put this book down, it was thrilling and dark. I’m looking forward to learning more about the team members in this new series.
3 reviews
June 25, 2023
New series by excellent author.

A gripping story well written and full of suspense. Will certainly follow this series. I enjoy detective books and this one happily is very procedurally good.
65 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2023
Great start to a series

Another new detective series based in Leek , England. Not as gritty as some of her previous series but still as good. A twist at the end makes an interesting storyline. Well worth a read and it'll be interesting to see how the series grows
Profile Image for Lisa Atkins.
73 reviews
July 8, 2023
Great - a new series to love

I do love Mel’s books and this seems like another great series with likeable main characters with DI Marsha Clay and her team. Looking forward to further books in the series.
Profile Image for Sharon.
191 reviews6 followers
July 25, 2023
Gripping from start to finish. Love the introduction of this new team of characters, with DI Marsha Clay and her team. All the suspense and and tension building that I’ve come to expect from this writer. Can’t wait for the next instalment. Congratulations on another wonderful book Mel Sherratt
Profile Image for Pauline Margaret Dean.
155 reviews
July 29, 2023
Missing Girls

Really enjoyed this and think foundation laid for a very good series.Great storyline and would enjoy meeting up with the characters again already looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for John Roberts.
482 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2023
This book was brilliant! Loved it! I love Marsha and the team. I was hooked from start to finish. I recommend this book highly and can't wait for more!
41 reviews
July 7, 2023
Great

I love Mel abstracts books and this one was great can't wait to read what Marsha and her team get up to next
6 reviews
July 9, 2023
Great !!!!!!

I thought Marsha my get together with Jess , that way Marsha could have help with mortgage and Jess had somewhere to live
Profile Image for Michelle sunter.
7 reviews
July 10, 2023
Marsha

What an incredible read. Loved Marsha and the team. Cannot wait for the next . Fabulous Mel.. thank you! Incredible writer S me grip from start to end
4 reviews
July 16, 2023
Fantastic book

I loved this book from start to finish it kept you guessing, loved all the characters and will be definitely be reading more
Profile Image for Dawn Harvey.
111 reviews3 followers
September 21, 2023
First in the series and what a start. Great storyline plenty of twists
164 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2024
good

I enjoyed this book it was a very good story to keep you interested. Marsha is a good fair boss and always gets stuck in with the rest of the team.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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