AVAILABLE NOW!

Well done, Mr. Souter!
"A struggling, teenage daughter. An over-protective father. An anxious mother. A dicey boyfriend. A doting uncle. A couple of flaky friends. A nosy neighbour. Sounds like a family you know, or perhaps your own? But then, author Ryan Souter throws in a serious accident, a dark family secret, a murder or two, and a major twist, and suddenly you have a very good story that hooks you at the top and pulls you through this fast-paced, intriguing novel. In this, Souter's third book, he again demonstrates many admirable writing skills. In particular, he has mastered structure and pacing. The plot clips along, and you really get quite obsessed about finding out the truth behind Maria's disappearance. For this reason, I found I devoured it. The author also develops his characters well, especially what makes them tick psychologically. I empathized with his fictional cast. I cared what happened to them, something which I find all too lacking in many modern novels and movies. If you are a reader who savours a mystery, appreciates a strong story-line, and desires interesting, multi-faceted characters, you will appreciate this read. A surprising tie-in to Souter's first book, "Little Devil Inside," was an added bonus."

A Gem of a Book!
"Missing Maria has all the ingredients of superb writing; the structure is fashioned from an intricate plot, well-developed characters, ubiquitous emotions, pacing that gallops, and twists that keep you reading longer than you meant to get to the next page and the page after that. Author Ryan Souter gets into the heads of multigenerational characters, making this mystery believable and thought-provoking. He has the courage to address hidden issues in our society and bring light to the psyche of being human in all its best and most deviant forms. I would recommend this book with great enthusiasm, and I look forward to other readings from this author."

"With his modern style, Ryan Souter takes his readers on a heck of a ride in this novel, using interesting 'real' characters and keeping up the level of tension. His use of sign-posting is excellent, that is when the reader employs hindsight, because as the chapters fly by the clues are subtle and could be missed, in a good way. Dalia has a good life and wants for little other than a strong writing muse to push her along in her desired career as a novelist. When her daughter, Maria goes missing, the reader is provided with some logical choices for what has happened, and who the 'bad guy' might be. With masterful skill, Souter makes use of psychology and the traumas of the past, to lead the reader to an unusual but understandable conclusion. I would definitely read more books written by this Manitoba author. Watch for his name in the future. 4 stars."

"My heart strings were tugged immediately when I looked at the cover of this book, thinking it was about a missing child, and indeed it was. This book is a page turner as the family struggles to find their teenage daughter, Maria. I recommend it!"

"Missing Maria is a fantastic mystery thriller that kept me guessing until the last pages. Throughout the investigation that makes up the majority of the book, Souter keeps the tale tightly paced and littered with twists and turns I didn’t see coming, making it very hard to put down! The characters are all unique and engaging, but still people who live in our reality. People you could bump into on the street, but put into extreme situations. I highly recommend Missing Maria for your next summer read!"

"Missing Maria delves into key human emotions of fear and suspicion. The novel makes you wonder how far you would go faced with a similar situation, questioning your own values. Building steadily, the ending is full of unexpected twists and turns."

"SINISTER! Souter sets a mood and draws the reader in. Everything appears fine at surface glance, but your intuition naggingly insists that something is just not right. Keep reading, and you witness a parent's journey from easy living into their worst nightmare. Strong characters. Relentless race against time. In a tradition reminiscent of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft, this novel expands the universe where other Souter books live. MISSING MARIA will keep you turning pages and up late at night. Enjoy!"

"Missing Maria is a thriller with twists and turns you don’t see coming. The characters draw you in to their world. You find yourself empathizing for them, only to find out that they are not all who they appear to be! A great read!"

"Missing Maria is an entertaining, quickly paced read showing the lengths parents will go for their children. It delves into the dark sides of humanity, and how you don't always truly know others, even those closest to you. Inspired by some real events and linking briefly back to another of Souter's earlier works, the book will be enjoyed by anyone into thrillers and mysteries."

"I really liked this book. The plot grabbed me in the first chapter and kept me turning pages until the end. A well developed cast of characters with ‘good guys’ that — despite some failings — are indeed more good than not and ‘bad guys’ that — notwithstanding perhaps some reasons to be bad/flawed — were truly unpleasant. As the book says “trust is everything”… trust me, this is worth a read."

"In "Missing Maria," Ryan Souter masterfully crafts a psychological thriller that delves into the intricate layers of a mother's desperate quest for her vanished daughter. Protagonist Dalia Comb, an aspiring novelist accustomed to a life of opulence, is thrust into a nightmarish reality when her teenage daughter, Maria, mysteriously disappears. What begins as a heart-wrenching tale swiftly transforms into a relentless journey through the shadows of mental trauma, urban decay, and the unsettling revelation that those closest to Dalia may be harboring hidden secrets.
‍
Souter skillfully navigates the complexities of Dalia's transformation from a sheltered novelist to a determined detective, compelled to unravel the mysteries surrounding Maria's disappearance. The narrative takes an unexpected turn as Dalia enlists the help of her detective brother, propelling readers into a suspenseful exploration of mean streets and hidden truths.
‍
"Missing Maria" is a compelling exploration of the human psyche, expertly weaving together a tapestry of twists and trysts that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. As Dalia peels back the layers of her daughter's life, the story unfolds like a carefully constructed puzzle, revealing unexpected connections and painful truths that challenge the protagonist's sanity and the stability of her marriage.
‍
Ryan Souter's prose is both evocative and atmospheric, creating a vivid backdrop for the emotionally charged narrative. "Missing Maria" stands as a testament to the enduring power of maternal love in the face of harrowing circumstances, while also serving as a chilling reminder that the past, no matter how carefully concealed, has a haunting tendency to resurface. Souter's masterful storytelling ensures that this psychological thriller lingers in the reader's mind, long after the final page is turned.

For review on Instagram click HERE