Retired Detective Paul Phillips had been enjoying his quiet new life on the tropical island of St. Anne until five-year-old Emma Webber was kidnapped from the beach. The head of the local police force, Sergeant Marcel Dumas, admits they are out of their depth with this carefully orchestrated crime. Against his wishes for peace, Paul's sense of duty compels him to assist with the investigation when Marcel visits him.
Paul interrogates the distraught parents, Thomas and Amelia, digging for clues within their stories. Nothing adds up and several suspicious contradictions emerge. As Paul expands his search, he discovers that Webber's marriage is far from harmonious. Thomas had been having an affair with a local woman, and a significant life insurance policy gives both lovers a motive.
When new evidence points to an insider involved in the planning, Paul focuses his search on the couple's inner circle. The island's close-knit community provides many hiding places for a kidnapper trying to evade the law. As Emma's captor becomes increasingly desperate, keeping the young girl becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Driven by his experience and instincts, Paul methodically works through a growing list of suspects, carefully placed clues, and red herrings designed to mislead. With time running out for Emma, it becomes a nerve-wracking race to unravel the mystery before it's too late. After a climactic confrontation, Paul finally exposes the truth in a shocking conclusion that brings swift justice but a bittersweet end to his hoped-for retirement.
Chapter 1: A Violent Awakening
The Caribbean... it's a paradise but shadows lurked beneath the sunny facade. The beaches, pristine and inviting, were a stark contrast to the darkness that sometimes washed ashore. The sand was golden and warm beneath your feet, a reminder of the calm before the storm. And the sun, relentless in its brilliance, cast both light and shadows on this beautiful yet troubled island. It's a place where beauty conceals danger, where one must tread carefully to uncover the truth.
St. Anne, Paul Phillip’s adopted home. It's a small yet vibrant island in the heart of the Caribbean, where the lush greenery meets the crystal-clear waters that hug its shores. The town exuded a quaint charm, with colorful buildings that lined the cobblestone streets, telling stories of years gone by. The locals, warm and welcoming, had woven a tapestry of traditions and legends that permeated every corner of the island. The rhythm of life here was slow and steady, like the gentle sway of the palm trees in the ocean breeze.
The pulsing beat of the music at the local taverns blended with the laughter of children that played in the streets created a symphony of island life. St. Anne was a place where time seemed to have stood still, yet beneath its tranquil surface lay a tapestry of secrets waiting to be unraveled. Living here, amid the beauty and mystery, reminded Paul that even in paradise, darkness could take root if left unchecked.
Amazon Reviews
Victor Swatsek - Five Stars A Fast-Paced, Thrilling Ride
The pace of this book is incredible. Once Paul is pulled into the case of the missing girl, the story never lets up. The suspense builds with each chapter, and the revelations about Emma’s family are shocking and heartbreaking. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. This is easily one of the best mysteries I’ve read in a long time!
Rianna - Five Stars Paul Phillips is My New Favorite Detective
I absolutely loved this book! Paul Phillips is such a refreshing character—retired, but still sharp and determined to find the missing piece of this mystery. The plot is intricately woven with plenty of twists, and the tension never lets up. If you enjoy classic detective fiction with a modern twist, you’ll love The Missing Piece.