The Missing Family

Every summer is the same, inexperienced people think it would be a clever idea to do some wild swimming unaware that under the first foot of warm reservoir water, there are metres of icy water ready to send you into shock. When three members of the Fowler family disappear when out swimming, the worst is suspected, but what is worse? Three family members drowning at once, or them disappearing into thin air? Tim Weaver brings back David Raker to investigate The Missing Family. 

Raker may be unliked by the police, but he is popular with his clients garnering a reputation for finding missing people, sometimes years after their disappearance. His latest case is the Fowler family, but he is also asked by an old friend to investigate the disappearance of a murderer who escaped from the cells of a large gambling complex. Raker brings in the help of the unreliable Colm Healy to help with the other case, but as they investigate separately, evidence starts to point to one another’s cases. 

I used to read a lot of crime fiction like Missing, the type of confident crime story that a professional writer can produce. Weaver is obviously a skilled author in the field as the narrative has a deft touch and the type of structure that comes with experience in the genre. Having read so much in the past, I recognise many of the patterns and can appreciate them, but also find them formulaic. 

As one of the most popular genres, crime fans like this type of book and you can tell why, you are getting quality, but what you do not get is anything new. This book feels like it is the thirteenth in the series, full of back story and a solid base to build upon. Having not read any of the previous books I was still able to pick up and enjoy the story, Weaver does not ruin any of the previous books but does give you hints what may have been. 

As a piece of solid crime fiction, Missing is infinitely readable, the type of thing to pick up for a holiday or to adapt into a 9pm ITV drama. There are plenty of twists and turns that fans of the genre will adore. They leaned slightly towards the less believable as thirteen books of missing people means that Weaver will have to be using some more abstract ideas to keep things fresh. 

Missing is an enjoyable book. For someone looking for a breezy crime novel, it could be excellent. As someone jaded from years of crime fiction, I appreciated the tale, but it felt typical. There are a few big-name crime writers who produce work that stands out. Weaver is not quite at that level, but this book would make a compelling read for the majority of readers looking for a crime book.