The Missing by Tim Gautreaux - 4 stars

[Joy D]

The Missing by Tim Gautreaux - 4* - My Review

The Missing is a blend of historical fiction and literary mystery. The storyline follows Sam Simoneaux, a man haunted by his past. After surviving a massacre that claimed his family when he was an infant, Sam returns from the Great War determined to live a quiet, peaceful life. Working as a floorwalker in a New Orleans department store, his quiet new life is shaken when a three-year-old girl is kidnapped on his watch. Feeling responsible, Sam embarks on a journey up the Mississippi River on a steamboat to find her.

Gautreaux's prose evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of 1920s river life. His colorful description of the steamboat world, with its jazz musicians, con men, and diverse travelers, feels authentic. Sam is a character who is easy to like – his decency and determination make him a compelling protagonist. Themes include redemption, loss, and moral responsibility. It explores vengeance, forgiveness, and what it means to heal from trauma. While the pacing occasionally slows, the emotional payoff is worth it.

PBT Comment: Only parts of this book read as a thriller, especially the parts where he hunts down some really bad people. The rest is more of a literary mystery.