The Missing Witness

Detective Kara Quinn in back in Los Angeles to testify in the case that caused her to leave LA and join Matt Costa's Mobile Response Team. But before she can testify, David Chen and his bodyguard are murdered and so is the ADA who was set to prosecute him.

With the FBI in the form of her nemesis Bryce Thornton wanting to investigate her for the crimes, she needs to depend on her new team to prove that she is innocent and to find out just what is going on in LA.

This episode has graft and fraud centered around the homelessness crisis. One of the viewpoint characters in Violet who is a computer nerd working in city government and who has a mother who is part of that population. She's been working with a man named Will who has founded his show more own group to try to end homelessness.

All of the deaths, which keep piling up, are related to the central issue of homelessness including that of David Chen.

This was a fast-paced and engaging thriller about a woman who had her world rocked when she needed to leave LA and has it rocked again when she returns. I like Kara Quinn a lot. She's a great cop though a little reckless. She's also a woman who was hurt badly by her parents and doesn't trust or like very many people. She is learning that there are good people that she can trust and maybe even love, but changing is a slow process. show less

All Too Real. Despite what some may claim about the problems of the Homeless Industrial Complex not existing in the real world, When We Walk By by Kevin Adler and Donald Burnes - released just 10 weeks or so before the publication of this book and so far as I can see, never read by Brennan as she was doing her research for this book - shows all too well just how much these kinds of things actually do exist.

Now, as with all *fictional* tales, Brennan has clearly taken a *few* liberties - no one is making any claims about the "real" world LA here, ultimately this is truly a fictional tale set in an alternate world very similar yet not completely identical to our own. Though the corruption in this particular version of LA and the multiple show more murders being investigated through the course of this book tied to that corruption... eh, I'm sure the citizens of that LA were wishing they had a particular dude styling himself after a small flying rodent whipping around their town.

Instead, they get Kara Quinn. And let's face it, with her "irregular" investigative methods and keen detective abilities... Kara Quinn may at minimum prove she could be a reliable partner for that other dude. Here, her skills are both throttled at times and allowed to bloom into their full wonder at other times, all while the other members of the team she works with - Matt Costa's FBI unit - each prove to be equally capable supporting members in their own ways.

Ultimately this is truly a fictional crime thriller, and Brennan as usual shows just how great she is at weaving tales that are clearly fictional, yet all too real. Does she get a touch preachy at times? Perhaps for some, though it was never truly heavy handed enough for me to deduct a star over or truly even mention here other than this very "your mileage may vary" kind of statement. The rest of the action is well paced, the mystery is complex with quite a few moving parts, and just when you think you may have everything figured out... well, it turns out you probably don't know quite *everything*.

It will be interesting to see where Brennan takes this series next, assuming she does, given how this particular tale ends - and I very much look forward to finding out what may be next. Very much recommended. show less

In the 5th novel in the series, Quinn and Costa have become more than partners fighting crime. They are involved with each other. Kara Quinn's life is in danger, as she is set to testify in court against a human trafficker. But, the trafficker is shot and a witness disappears. Kara is also fighting internal police politics and those who want her out.
Meanwhile, she is still not over the death of her former partner, Colton. But she will be more surprised when she reconnects with Will who is involved in fighting for the homeless and working towards better conditions for them. But, they are fought on this. Kara and Matt Costa uncover deep levels of corruption in their investigation.
I missed reading a few of the earlier books - and now show more have to go back and read them! show less

I have always wanted to read one of Allison Brennan's novels so I jumped into the fifth book in her Quinn & Costa series, The Missing Witness. While it can be difficult to join an established series without having read the previous books, I was able to catch up, though it did take awhile to place all the characters relationships.

The book begins with LAPD Detective Kara Quinn returning to Los Angeles to testify against a dangerous human trafficker she went undercover to catch. Kara Quinn has been on loan to the FBI in Washington DC where she works closely with Agent Matt Costa, and with whom she has a more than collegial relationship.

Kara is eager to testify, and threats against her life by the trafficker's people have given her LAPD and show more FBI colleagues concerns about her safety. When the trafficker is shot and killed on his way into the courthouse, there is one witness to the killing- Amy, a civilian IT consultant who has been working undercover to get information on white collar financial crimes that may implicate people high up in the city government as well as the trafficker.

Amy disappears following the killing, and there are questions as to whether she is a witness or the killer. Quinn and Costa and Quinn's former unit in the LAPD have to work together to find Amy and unravel the white crime syndicate that has now turned to murder to protect their secrets.

Brennan does a good job explaining the complicated scheme that involves nonprofit organizations that have contracts with the city to build housing for unhoused people, and the web of deceit that has created millionaires out of people high up in the government and their family members.

There are some truly tense scenes in this fast-paced novel, including a few shoot-outs, a rooftop chase, and Kara racing away on a motorcycle from killers on her trail. I was biting my nails on these scenes.

I found it interesting how Brennan built her story around a real world problem, the homeless issue, and dealt with it from the perspective of people living in the middle of it. She clearly did her research on it. (Here is a link to an essay Allison Brennan wrote about this.)

For people who have read the previous Quinn & Costa novels, they will no doubt enjoy seeing what their favorite characters have been up to in the interim, and there are a few surprises for them. After reading The Missing Witness, I will be looking the first four books in the series- Kara Quinn is a badass. show less

The Missing Witness by Allison Brennan is a complex procedural which leads readers through an intricate labyrinth of information to a very satisfying final denouement. It is very highly recommended and the fifth book featuring Kara Quinn.

Detective Kara Quinn and FBI agent Matt Costa have returned to Los Angeles where Kara is going to testify against human trafficker David Chen. Then Chen is shot on his way to court and a witness to the crime disappears. The witness also happens to be an important whistleblower to an even bigger case of corruption involving city leaders, the police and the FBI that is also tied to the case against Chen. There are many hidden secrets and knowledge about the corruption and who is involved is dangerous.

The show more pace is fast, there are numerous details to recall, and there are also a large number of characters to follow which all work together in this complex intricate labyrinth of a novel. An important aspect of the story involves the homeless population and secrets, schemes and corruption involving solutions to the issue. While the tension is high, it's essential to keep track of all the clues and details to appreciate the complicated puzzle the case presents and follow everything to the conclusion.

As I have been following this series, it was easy to recognize known characters and pick up where we left off. Readers may benefit from following the series in order, but you can also jump into it with The Missing Witness. Kara Quinn is a wonderful character. She is intelligent, determined, and fearless. Matt Costa is equally intelligent, tenacious, and compliments her character nicely. There are a whole lot of characters that are also written as realistic individuals.

This is a must read for anyone following the series, as well as those who enjoy procedurals and novels of suspense. I was actually going to rate the novel down a star until late in the novel where Brennan pulled out all the stops. At this point the action was incredible intense and there were several shocking surprises and twists. The order of the series is The Third to Die, Tell No Lies, The Wrong Victim, Seven Girls Gone, and The Missing Witness. Disclosure: My advanced reading copy (ARC) was courtesy of MIRA Books via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/01/the-missing-witness.html show less

Kara is back in LA to testify against an infamous human trafficker. But, when the trafficker is shot in broad daylight, it turns the case inside out. Secrets start to surface and Kara Quinn has no idea who to believe.

This is part of the Quinn and Costa series. It is not necessary that you read them in order. But it is nice to have a backstory about these two and their past.

Quinn and Costa are a great pair. And Kara Quinn is at her best in this book. I love how she questions everything and everyone…including her friends. She knows someone is lying and she will not stop! And of course, Matt Costa is her calming influence. He can bring Kara back to earth.

This story has the reader all over the place wondering what is going to happen next. show more The hunt for the truth keeps everyone guessing. This is a fast paced thriller you do not want to miss.

Need a good mystery with a chase…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

This story could have been pulled from the headlines, and I could very well see it happening if it hasn't already!
Money that we think is going to help the homeless, and then there are the corrupt that live life of luxury, and its not illegal, um, think there needs to be some changes here!
This is the story of Kara Quinn, among others, but there is someone that hates her so much, and it leads to conspiracy, and questions of her integrity.
This is a story of non-stop action, and murder, and you wonder whom will be next, they seem to come out of no where, and yes, it is all connected to greed.
Will there be closure here, keep page turning for answers, and yes, they do come!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin show more Trade Publishing, MIRA. show less