I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Bring Them Home by Carolyn Arnold Series: Detective Amanda Steele #16
Published by Bookouture on August 27, 2026
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When a seemingly ordinary family goes missing in plain sight, Detective Amanda Steele is called in to find them before it’s too late. The only evidence left behind is the mother’s abandoned car in a mall parking lot—her phone and purse on the front seat. But why would anyone target a loving mother, a dedicated father and elementary schoolteacher, and a teenage girl?
Amanda and Trent speak with friends and family but can’t unearth any reason the family would disappear on their own. Their darker suspicion is confirmed when they find CCTV footage of the mother and daughter being bundled into an unmarked black van, driven away at speed. They are looking at an abduction.
Soon human remains are discovered in a field outside of town, and Amanda uncovers a lead that could blow the investigation wide open. If she’s right, this case is linked to a woman who went missing ten years ago—and closer still, to someone within the police department. But can Amanda and Trent put all the pieces together in time to stop a twisted killer before more lives are lost?
Highly addictive, top-notch suspense! Arnold always delights me with a new visit with Amanda and Trent as I try to keep up with them as a new case wraps itself around their mind and settles in for the long haul. Still no closer to seeing them admit their feelings for each other, but every interaction was satisfying this time.
This story brings some familiar faces into play occasionally throughout as a missing family case turns increasingly ugly when they realize a connection that brings it all too close to home and suspect corruption in their own back yard. I really enjoyed the high octane feel to the case as well as the small amount of downtime that we get to see Amanda having to deal with the fallout of her job at home.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a talented female detective who always solves her case no matter how much the bad guys try to stop her. I always leave already looking forward to seeing her again!
