Sophie Littlefield

The Missing Place by Sophie Littlefield is an intense story set against the backdrop of North Dakota’s oil boom as two very different mothers join together to search for their missing sons. The author totally caught the feel of the boom-town with it’s lively nightlife, bustling traffic, and how everyone is out is make money while it lasts and not very interested in two twenty-something boys who have disappeared. This lack of interest even seems to apply to the police as they are more than ready to brush off the mother’s concern. They suggest that the two boys, Paul Mitchell and Taylor Capparelli have taken off looking for a warmer climate.

But these mothers know their sons, and know that they wouldn’t just pick up and leave all their things behind. They start their own investigation, not caring who they disturb or what information they bring to light. Even though these mothers are totally mismatched, Shay being a street-smart single mother who has toughened over the years and Colleen being a pampered well-to-do housewife, their search for their sons ties them together. But will the worry, fear and exhaustion tear these two women apart or will they be able to find a way to work together.

I was totally absorbed by The Missing Place and the interaction between the two women. As more information is slowly revealed, I was in awe of what these women were willing to take on in order to find out what happened. I thought the author did an excellent job with the setting as a few years ago my husband and I landed in Williston, North Dakota while on a road trip and experienced the hustle and bustle of the oil boom ourselves. I will definitely be on the look-out for more by this author.… (more)