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Genre keywords: Psychological, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Adult Fiction, Crime
Released: May 2023
Available at: Amazon
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Aspiring novelist Dalia Comb lives a luxurious life complete with a loving family and professional husband until the fateful night their teenage daughter, Maria, doesn't return.

Thrust into more drama she could ever produce on the page, Dalia turns detective and, aided by her detective brother, investigates a shadowy world of mental trauma, mean streets, and people close to her who are not always what they seem.

The search uncovers twists and trysts, and leads her down rabbit holes into worlds she has never known before. Her fight to bring Maria home ultimately tests her sanity and her marriage.

In MISSING MARIA, Ryan Souter has penned a psychological thriller of a mother’s desperate search for her only child, and how one’s painful past can come back to haunt.

REVIEWS:

"This was a well written book and the first fiction I have picked up in many years. The story flowed very well and I found myself pulled into the characters’ lives, becoming a part of the suspense which was unfolding. It came to the point where I read for four hours straight just so I could find out what happens and once the book was done I was already missing it. Looking forward to more books by this author and more mysteries to be a part of! I really liked the expertise the author took the time to research, from the detective and how he worked to the 'accident' and the recovery. As they say, 'The Devil is in the details' and this book read very smoothly because of it!"
-Tamara L.

"With his modern style, Ryan Souter takes his readers on a heck of a ride in this novel, using interesting 'real' characters and keeping up the level of tension. His use of sign-posting is excellent, that is when the reader employs hindsight, because as the chapters fly by the clues are subtle and could be missed, in a good way. Dalia has a good life and wants for little other than a strong writing muse to push her along in her desired career as a novelist. When her daughter, Maria goes missing, the reader is provided with some logical choices for what has happened, and who the 'bad guy' might be. With masterful skill, Souter makes use of psychology and the traumas of the past, to lead the reader to an unusual but understandable conclusion. I would definitely read more books written by this Manitoba author. Watch for his name in the future. 4 stars."
-Ishbel Moore (Author of Cupid's Song)

"My heart strings were tugged immediately when I looked at the cover of this book, thinking it was about a missing child, and indeed it was. This book is a page turner as the family struggles to find their teenage daughter, Maria. I recommend it!"
-Diane Van Wart

"Missing Maria is a fantastic mystery thriller that kept me guessing until the last pages. Throughout the investigation that makes up the majority of the book, Souter keeps the tale tightly paced and littered with twists and turns I didn’t see coming, making it very hard to put down! The characters are all unique and engaging, but still people who live in our reality. People you could bump into on the street, but put into extreme situations. I highly recommend Missing Maria for your next summer read!"
-Riley M.

"Missing Maria delves into key human emotions of fear and suspicion. The novel makes you wonder how far you would go faced with a similar situation, questioning your own values. Building steadily, the ending is full of unexpected twists and turns."
-Tanya M.

"SINISTER! Souter sets a mood and draws the reader in. Everything appears fine at surface glance, but your intuition naggingly insists that something is just not right. Keep reading, and you witness a parent's journey from easy living into their worst nightmare. Strong characters. Relentless race against time. In a tradition reminiscent of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft, this novel expands the universe where other Souter books live. MISSING MARIA will keep you turning pages and up late at night. Enjoy!"
-Mike A.

"Missing Maria is a thriller with twists and turns you don’t see coming. The characters draw you in to their world. You find yourself empathizing for them, only to find out that they are not all who they appear to be! A great read!"
-Roseann R.

"Missing Maria is an entertaining, quickly paced read showing the lengths parents will go for their children. It delves into the dark sides of humanity, and how you don't always truly know others, even those closest to you. Inspired by some real events and linking briefly back to another of Souter's earlier works, the book will be enjoyed by anyone into thrillers and mysteries."
-Katie F.

"I really liked this book. The plot grabbed me in the first chapter and kept me turning pages until the end. A well developed cast of characters with ‘good guys’ that — despite some failings — are indeed more good than not and ‘bad guys’ that — notwithstanding perhaps some reasons to be bad/flawed — were truly unpleasant. As the book says “trust is everything”… trust me, this is worth a read."
-BooDad‍