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Count to Three
For a private investigator on the trail of a missing girl, every second counts in a gripping thriller by New York Times bestselling author T.R. Ragan.
On her first day of kindergarten, five-year-old Tinsley disappeared without a trace�
Five agonizing years later, her divorced mother, Dani Callahan, is a private investigator. She and Quinn Sullivan, a promising young assistant determined to prove herself, are devoted to helping others find missing loved ones. And for Dani, finding Tinsley is still a never-ending obsession.
Their newest case is Ali Cross, a teenager who vanished off a Sacramento street while walking home. A troubled boy’s eyewitness testimony to Ali’s abduction provides their only clues. And as their search for Ali gets underway, new information about Tinsley’s disappearance begins to surface too.
As their investigations lead down two twisting paths, disturbing secrets are revealed and new victims find themselves in mortal danger. Time is running out, and the hunt is only getting grimmer.
On her first day of kindergarten, five-year-old Tinsley disappeared without a trace�
Five agonizing years later, her divorced mother, Dani Callahan, is a private investigator. She and Quinn Sullivan, a promising young assistant determined to prove herself, are devoted to helping others find missing loved ones. And for Dani, finding Tinsley is still a never-ending obsession.
Their newest case is Ali Cross, a teenager who vanished off a Sacramento street while walking home. A troubled boy’s eyewitness testimony to Ali’s abduction provides their only clues. And as their search for Ali gets underway, new information about Tinsley’s disappearance begins to surface too.
As their investigations lead down two twisting paths, disturbing secrets are revealed and new victims find themselves in mortal danger. Time is running out, and the hunt is only getting grimmer.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2021
1,190 people are currently reading
4,458 people want to read
About the author
T.R. Ragan
22books2,037followersT.R. Ragan (Theresa Ragan) is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling mystery and thriller author.
Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter or getting their name in a TR RAGAN book should check out her website at
Facebook � Twitter � Instagram: @trraganauthor
LIZZY GARDNER SERIES
Abducted
Dead Weight
A Dark Mind
Obsessed
Almost Dead
Evil Never Dies
FAITH MCMANN TRILOGY
Furious
Outrage
Wrath
JESSIE COLE SERIES
Her Last Day
Deadly Recall
Deranged - 10/18
Buried Deep - 4/19
Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter or getting their name in a TR RAGAN book should check out her website at
Facebook � Twitter � Instagram: @trraganauthor
LIZZY GARDNER SERIES
Abducted
Dead Weight
A Dark Mind
Obsessed
Almost Dead
Evil Never Dies
FAITH MCMANN TRILOGY
Furious
Outrage
Wrath
JESSIE COLE SERIES
Her Last Day
Deadly Recall
Deranged - 10/18
Buried Deep - 4/19
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 473 reviews
December 8, 2021
I was looking forward to this as I have read most of the author’s books and really enjoyed them but I was very disappointed with this one! I thought it was lazy writing. I have read this story, with different names, many times before. You know the sort of thing - some weird guy can’t get a girlfriend so he abducts a girl/woman, keeps her captive and tells himself they are having a relationship. Oh, and his mummy made him this way! There was nothing new here, the characters were thin and the plot predictable.
Dani Callahan’s 5 year old daughter disappeared 5 years ago so naturally her marriage collapses and she becomes a PI to help other families find missing people. She has also never stopped looking for her daughter. She has a young assistant, Quinn Sullivan, who is a ‘natural� investigator. These two decide to look into the recent disappearance of 17 year old Ali Cross because a young witness, 12 year old Ethan Grant, comes forward to say he witnessed the abduction.
The narrative switches between the PIs, Ali in her captivity and a few ‘insights� into the abductor’s twisted mind (insert eye roll). There are no surprises, the story goes exactly as you expect and, after 5 years of constant searching, Dani also suddenly works out what happened to her daughter and - voilá, everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow. I know the author can do better than this!
I’m sorry for being the outlier again and I know many people enjoyed this book. Unfortunately I was not one of them. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Dani Callahan’s 5 year old daughter disappeared 5 years ago so naturally her marriage collapses and she becomes a PI to help other families find missing people. She has also never stopped looking for her daughter. She has a young assistant, Quinn Sullivan, who is a ‘natural� investigator. These two decide to look into the recent disappearance of 17 year old Ali Cross because a young witness, 12 year old Ethan Grant, comes forward to say he witnessed the abduction.
The narrative switches between the PIs, Ali in her captivity and a few ‘insights� into the abductor’s twisted mind (insert eye roll). There are no surprises, the story goes exactly as you expect and, after 5 years of constant searching, Dani also suddenly works out what happened to her daughter and - voilá, everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow. I know the author can do better than this!
I’m sorry for being the outlier again and I know many people enjoyed this book. Unfortunately I was not one of them. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
December 16, 2021
Every second counts when a person is missing. Dani Callahan knows this all to well. Her five-year old daughter, Tinsley went missing on her first day of kindergarten. Now, Dani is working as a private investigator working with her assistant, Quinn Sullivan, a young woman who has had someone from her life go missing as well.
Ali Cross has vanished on her way home from school. A troubled young teen, Ethan saw her being taken and placed in the back of a van, He is Dani and Quinn's only eyewitness and with his recollections, they begin their search. Will they find the missing teenager? Will Dani ever learn who took her child?
As the women hunt down clues, it becomes clear that there are more victims, more secrets, more lies, and mounting danger!
I found this to be an enjoyable and captivating book which grabbed my attention from page one and never lost it. I was glued to the pages and found the pacing to be spot on. I enjoyed the mounting tension and sense of unease. I rooted for Dani and Quinn while being worried and concerned about other characters.
Ragan has crafted a thrilling book which did not disappoint. Characters in this book are dealing with many issues and I thought she handled them gracefully. Not knowing what happened to a loved one is devastating and has life altering effects. She had me feeling for some, angry at others and downright appalled by another.
This was my first book by this author, and it will not be my last. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
A gripping page turner which had me fully absorbed until the very last page.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
Ali Cross has vanished on her way home from school. A troubled young teen, Ethan saw her being taken and placed in the back of a van, He is Dani and Quinn's only eyewitness and with his recollections, they begin their search. Will they find the missing teenager? Will Dani ever learn who took her child?
As the women hunt down clues, it becomes clear that there are more victims, more secrets, more lies, and mounting danger!
I found this to be an enjoyable and captivating book which grabbed my attention from page one and never lost it. I was glued to the pages and found the pacing to be spot on. I enjoyed the mounting tension and sense of unease. I rooted for Dani and Quinn while being worried and concerned about other characters.
Ragan has crafted a thrilling book which did not disappoint. Characters in this book are dealing with many issues and I thought she handled them gracefully. Not knowing what happened to a loved one is devastating and has life altering effects. She had me feeling for some, angry at others and downright appalled by another.
This was my first book by this author, and it will not be my last. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
A gripping page turner which had me fully absorbed until the very last page.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
November 28, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, T.R. Ragan, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Seeking something with a little more chill to it, I turned to the latest publication by T.R. Ragan. In a story that tells of two kidnapped children over a span of time, the reader in thrust into the middle of the action, where the lead investigator has the memory of her own daughter’s disappearance to fuel her actions. With confusing leads that go nowhere and two storylines that leave the reader to wonder what’s really going on, Ragan spins a tale of deception and horror, while two girls remain missing, years apart. A gripping story that kept me turning pages and left me wanting more!
Dani Callahan had always wanted a child, but was faced with many roadblocks along the way. It was only through intense fertility treatment that she and her husband, Matthew, were blessed with little Tinsley. While Dani loved her daughter, she knew that there would come a time when she would have to let her earn some independence. On her first day of kindergarten, five-year-old Tinsley disappeared without a trace by the time Dani arrived to collect her. The teacher was sure Dani, or someone looking like her, had picked the little one up. Thus began the horror of Dani’s life.
Fast forward five years and Dani is now divorced and has earned her license as a private investigator. Tinsley is still nowhere to be found, but Dani will not give up hope. Working with a new assistant, Quinn, Dani takes on the case of a missing teenager who up and disappeared as well. While some are sure she ran away from home, Dani and Quinn have other ideas. A young boy says he saw Ali Cross being stuffed into the back of a van, though the details are somewhat vague.
While Dani and Quinn do all they can to find Ali, they are worried as the only evidence comes from this young boy, who is troubled in his own right. To offset the search, Dani thrusts herself back into the search for Tinsley, which reveals a few leads. Could this be the break in the case that Dani needs?
All the while, Ali Cross is being held in town by a man who has odd ideas of what will come of their cohabitation. He offers little things to Ali, but there is no doubt that she is his captive and, should he have his way, will be the love of his life. As Ali hopes to be found, Dani and Quinn take a dive deep into a sadistic man’s life, wondering what they will find. With Tinsley still missing, could the two cases intersect in some way? T.R. Ragan tells a wonderfully dark story that is sure to captivate many.
I believe I have read some of T.R. Ragan’s work in the past, though will have to look through my massive digital stack of reviews. The writing kept me wanting to learn more and plunge deeper into this mystery. The plot kept me wondering while also begging to be entertained, which occurred repeatedly throughout the process. I will have to find some time to read more of Ragan’s work, as it was just what I needed at this time of year.
Dani Callahan is a wonderfully complex protagonist. Her backstory is primarily fixated on the loss of her daughter, though there are moments when we see the struggles she had conceiving and the importance of this little one. In the present, Dani is forced to juggle her own feelings with those of trying to find a new missing girl and how that must weigh on the emotions of the family. There appear to be the seeds of a possible series here and I am happy to keep my eyes open to see what transpires.
There’s something about a thriller that pulls me in most of the time. I love the chills that run up my spine as I visualize what’s taking place before me. T.R. Ragan does that repeatedly and kept me eager to learn more. A strong narrative pushed the story forward and left me eager to follow along, particularly as the momentum increased. Strong characters and a complex plot kept me guessing throughout and I marvelled about how it all came together. While private investigator novels are quite common, Ragan adds her own flavouring and has me wanting to come back to see where Dani Callahan takes readers in the near future. The only downside was the end, which did not leave as many threads hanging as I might have liked to pave the way for another sure-fire novel.
Kudos, Madam Ragan, for a great piece of entertainment. I can see why you have achieved such popularity over the years!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
Seeking something with a little more chill to it, I turned to the latest publication by T.R. Ragan. In a story that tells of two kidnapped children over a span of time, the reader in thrust into the middle of the action, where the lead investigator has the memory of her own daughter’s disappearance to fuel her actions. With confusing leads that go nowhere and two storylines that leave the reader to wonder what’s really going on, Ragan spins a tale of deception and horror, while two girls remain missing, years apart. A gripping story that kept me turning pages and left me wanting more!
Dani Callahan had always wanted a child, but was faced with many roadblocks along the way. It was only through intense fertility treatment that she and her husband, Matthew, were blessed with little Tinsley. While Dani loved her daughter, she knew that there would come a time when she would have to let her earn some independence. On her first day of kindergarten, five-year-old Tinsley disappeared without a trace by the time Dani arrived to collect her. The teacher was sure Dani, or someone looking like her, had picked the little one up. Thus began the horror of Dani’s life.
Fast forward five years and Dani is now divorced and has earned her license as a private investigator. Tinsley is still nowhere to be found, but Dani will not give up hope. Working with a new assistant, Quinn, Dani takes on the case of a missing teenager who up and disappeared as well. While some are sure she ran away from home, Dani and Quinn have other ideas. A young boy says he saw Ali Cross being stuffed into the back of a van, though the details are somewhat vague.
While Dani and Quinn do all they can to find Ali, they are worried as the only evidence comes from this young boy, who is troubled in his own right. To offset the search, Dani thrusts herself back into the search for Tinsley, which reveals a few leads. Could this be the break in the case that Dani needs?
All the while, Ali Cross is being held in town by a man who has odd ideas of what will come of their cohabitation. He offers little things to Ali, but there is no doubt that she is his captive and, should he have his way, will be the love of his life. As Ali hopes to be found, Dani and Quinn take a dive deep into a sadistic man’s life, wondering what they will find. With Tinsley still missing, could the two cases intersect in some way? T.R. Ragan tells a wonderfully dark story that is sure to captivate many.
I believe I have read some of T.R. Ragan’s work in the past, though will have to look through my massive digital stack of reviews. The writing kept me wanting to learn more and plunge deeper into this mystery. The plot kept me wondering while also begging to be entertained, which occurred repeatedly throughout the process. I will have to find some time to read more of Ragan’s work, as it was just what I needed at this time of year.
Dani Callahan is a wonderfully complex protagonist. Her backstory is primarily fixated on the loss of her daughter, though there are moments when we see the struggles she had conceiving and the importance of this little one. In the present, Dani is forced to juggle her own feelings with those of trying to find a new missing girl and how that must weigh on the emotions of the family. There appear to be the seeds of a possible series here and I am happy to keep my eyes open to see what transpires.
There’s something about a thriller that pulls me in most of the time. I love the chills that run up my spine as I visualize what’s taking place before me. T.R. Ragan does that repeatedly and kept me eager to learn more. A strong narrative pushed the story forward and left me eager to follow along, particularly as the momentum increased. Strong characters and a complex plot kept me guessing throughout and I marvelled about how it all came together. While private investigator novels are quite common, Ragan adds her own flavouring and has me wanting to come back to see where Dani Callahan takes readers in the near future. The only downside was the end, which did not leave as many threads hanging as I might have liked to pave the way for another sure-fire novel.
Kudos, Madam Ragan, for a great piece of entertainment. I can see why you have achieved such popularity over the years!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
May 30, 2022
Dani Callahan's daughter went missing 5 years ago when she was 5 years old and Dani has never quit looking for her. Dani, now divorced, is a private investigator and she and her assistant, Quinn Sullivan, specialise in missing persons cases. A teenage girl has recently disappeared and, although the police believe she's a runaway, a 12-year-0ld witness convinces Dani and Quinn that she was abducted.
Although not original, this was a well-written mystery with some likeable characters. Be forewarned that there are some terrible scenes of abuse described. Even though it's similar to other stories and the ending was a little too pat, I'd recommend the book and wouldn't hesitate to read something else by this author. 3.5 Stars rounded up!
ŷ indicates this is #4 in the Sawyer Brooks series but I suspect that may be in error since Sawyer Brooks doesn't make an appearance in this story at all and Netgalley indicates the Sawyer Brooks series is a trilogy.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an uncorrected copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Note to Self: Congratulations on completing your Netgalley obligations for 2021!!
Although not original, this was a well-written mystery with some likeable characters. Be forewarned that there are some terrible scenes of abuse described. Even though it's similar to other stories and the ending was a little too pat, I'd recommend the book and wouldn't hesitate to read something else by this author. 3.5 Stars rounded up!
ŷ indicates this is #4 in the Sawyer Brooks series but I suspect that may be in error since Sawyer Brooks doesn't make an appearance in this story at all and Netgalley indicates the Sawyer Brooks series is a trilogy.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an uncorrected copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Note to Self: Congratulations on completing your Netgalley obligations for 2021!!
December 22, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Entertaining, but a “been there, read that� feel.
� 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Dani Callahan lost her daughter Tinsley 5 years ago - she was taken. Right from school. By a woman who looked a lot like Dani. A parents� worst nightmare. This traumatic event propelled Dani into a new life as a private investigator, helping others to find their loved ones. Divorced now and working with her side-kick-chick Quinn (whose mother went missing), they take on the case of a missing 17 year old named Ali. As Dani delves deeper into this kidnapping case, thoughts of her own experiences broil under the surface as new information is found. Will Ali be found? And will Dani ever get the closure she’s waited for 5 years now?
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I was mostly entertained, easily drifting off into the story, clinging to the same thoughts and hopes of the protagonist who I could cheer for AND was vested in. Very well written there. Alternating to the view of Ali made the story more interesting and did give it a solid edge of suspense. Generally a good mystery, but a “been there/done this� feeling left me a bit let down and wanting. Too tidy. Not enough grit for me to chew on.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: those looking for a quick read, not too much thinking, fast-paced, beach-read.
🙅♀� 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’ve read a lot of mysteries and like them more on the realistic side, you’ll likely be left wanting.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest reviews and for helping me kick off a nice winter break full of reading!
� 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Dani Callahan lost her daughter Tinsley 5 years ago - she was taken. Right from school. By a woman who looked a lot like Dani. A parents� worst nightmare. This traumatic event propelled Dani into a new life as a private investigator, helping others to find their loved ones. Divorced now and working with her side-kick-chick Quinn (whose mother went missing), they take on the case of a missing 17 year old named Ali. As Dani delves deeper into this kidnapping case, thoughts of her own experiences broil under the surface as new information is found. Will Ali be found? And will Dani ever get the closure she’s waited for 5 years now?
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I was mostly entertained, easily drifting off into the story, clinging to the same thoughts and hopes of the protagonist who I could cheer for AND was vested in. Very well written there. Alternating to the view of Ali made the story more interesting and did give it a solid edge of suspense. Generally a good mystery, but a “been there/done this� feeling left me a bit let down and wanting. Too tidy. Not enough grit for me to chew on.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: those looking for a quick read, not too much thinking, fast-paced, beach-read.
🙅♀� 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’ve read a lot of mysteries and like them more on the realistic side, you’ll likely be left wanting.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest reviews and for helping me kick off a nice winter break full of reading!
December 13, 2021
With its somewhat abstruse title, Count to Three by T R Ragan is a missing persons thriller. Dani Callahan and Quinn Sullivan are a private investigator team specialising in missing person cases, each with their own history of lost loved ones. A missing teenager girl vanished off the streets in Sacramento is witnessed by a twelve-year-old lad who police don’t believe. He then hires Dani and Quinn to find her, but then he too disappears. With its likeable characters, enjoyable narrative and slow suspense build up, this read makes for a solid enough three-star rating. However, the ending was predictable, truncated and a little schmaltzy, so felt a jarring add on, better left unresolved. With thanks to Thomas & Mercer and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and are made without fear or favour.
April 14, 2022
This is one of my favourite authors,she never disappoints.This book starts with Dani Callahan her daughter goes missing from school,five years later she hasnt given up hope in finding her,her husband has moved on believes his daughter is dead.Dani is now a private investigator dealing with missing children with the help from Quinn..A girl goes missing the only witness is a twelve year old called Ethan will he remember details of the van she was taken away in.I was hooked from the start of this book and it continues into a series..highly recommend.
December 14, 2021
Dani Callahan is a private investigator. She is well known for her ability to locate missing children and has brought many of them home. There is one case that she continually works on ... the disappearance of her own daughter, who was 5 years old. She never made it home after her first day of school.
Five years later, she's still looking and will never give up. A divorce from her husband has freed him to move on ..and that' s what he's done. He has a new wife who is pregnant. But for Dani, she will never move on until she either finds her daughter .. or learns what happened to her.
Her newest case is the disappearance of Ali Cross. The police write it off as a runaway situation. However, a young boy witnessed Ali's abduction.
The more she investigates, the more she finds that this case may be connected to her own daughter's case. As their investigations lead down two twisting paths, disturbing secrets are revealed and new victims find themselves in mortal danger.
Suspenseful from start to finish, this is well written with a few twists and turns that seem to pop up just as you think you've solved the crimes. As with all this author's previous books, the story line is intriguing and the characters outstanding. Dani and her assistant, Carla, have a great relationship, both in their professional life and in the personal side of things. The conclusion was riveting and so unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Five years later, she's still looking and will never give up. A divorce from her husband has freed him to move on ..and that' s what he's done. He has a new wife who is pregnant. But for Dani, she will never move on until she either finds her daughter .. or learns what happened to her.
Her newest case is the disappearance of Ali Cross. The police write it off as a runaway situation. However, a young boy witnessed Ali's abduction.
The more she investigates, the more she finds that this case may be connected to her own daughter's case. As their investigations lead down two twisting paths, disturbing secrets are revealed and new victims find themselves in mortal danger.
Suspenseful from start to finish, this is well written with a few twists and turns that seem to pop up just as you think you've solved the crimes. As with all this author's previous books, the story line is intriguing and the characters outstanding. Dani and her assistant, Carla, have a great relationship, both in their professional life and in the personal side of things. The conclusion was riveting and so unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 10, 2024
Dani Callahan became a private investigator after the disappearance of her daughter, Tinsley, on her first day of kindergarten. Tinsley has never been found. Now Dani, with the help of her partner, Quinn Sullivan, work to find people who have been reported missing. High School Senior Ali Cross disappeared while walking home from school. The police have run out of leads and consider the case cold. When twelve-year-old Ethan Grant tells Dani and Quinn that he witnessed Ali's abduction, the case is hot again.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karen Peakes. This was a fast-moving story. I found it hard to find a place to stop listening. Not only are Dani and Quinn working on finding Ali Cross; but Dani believes her daughter Tinsley is still alive and is trying to find any information that will help discover what happened to her. I liked how the story unfolded, and I liked that the heroine had a brain and actually listened to the police. This book would make a nice start to a series. I wish the author would continue it. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karen Peakes. This was a fast-moving story. I found it hard to find a place to stop listening. Not only are Dani and Quinn working on finding Ali Cross; but Dani believes her daughter Tinsley is still alive and is trying to find any information that will help discover what happened to her. I liked how the story unfolded, and I liked that the heroine had a brain and actually listened to the police. This book would make a nice start to a series. I wish the author would continue it. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
December 24, 2024
~2.5~
Super fast read, well paced, and mildly entertaining.
But I was banging my head on the metaphorical wall every time the MC, Dani Callahan, who's a private investigator, did something stupid and dangerous. Her side kick, Quinn, was even worse.
I was just complaining about a fade-to-black non-ending in another book, but I had the opposite problem with Count to Three. Everything was tied up too neatly.
The epilogue was ridiculously cheery. Come on, this is crime fiction, not chick lit (nothing wrong with the latter, but I don't read it for a reason).
I also lost count of the number of unrealistic things that happened and decided to play pretend. It was easier that way.
Super fast read, well paced, and mildly entertaining.
But I was banging my head on the metaphorical wall every time the MC, Dani Callahan, who's a private investigator, did something stupid and dangerous. Her side kick, Quinn, was even worse.
I was just complaining about a fade-to-black non-ending in another book, but I had the opposite problem with Count to Three. Everything was tied up too neatly.
The epilogue was ridiculously cheery. Come on, this is crime fiction, not chick lit (nothing wrong with the latter, but I don't read it for a reason).
I also lost count of the number of unrealistic things that happened and decided to play pretend. It was easier that way.
November 4, 2021
Somewhere I read that this is the first in what will be a series. If that's true, it's off to a pretty good start. The lead character, neophyte private investigator Dani Callahan, started down her career path a few years after her kindergarten-age daughter, Tinsley, was abducted. Intent on one day finding her still-missing daughter - or at least finding out what happened to her - she's divorced Tinsley's father Matthew and is trying to make a living in the real world.
Finding out what happened to Tinsley has turned into borderline obsession, but Dani is otherwise likable. Her younger assistant, Quinn Sullivan, not so much. She, too, comes from an emotionally charged background; but unlike Dani, she's often loud, strong-willed and a person I'd probably keep around for half a day before telling her I'm the boss and if she can't accept that, hit the bricks. Together, though, they make a competent team; that said, I'd have loved it more if Dani had just once stood her ground when Quinn started to go off the deep end instead of rationalizing that the behavior comes as a result of Quinn's prior life experiences.
In Sacramento, teenager Ali Cross goes missing. Not long thereafter, a 12-year-old boy comes in wanting to hire Dani to investigate; it seems he witnessed the abduction, although he didn't see enough to be helpful to the police. But he's upset that he did nothing to try and stop the abduction at the time (he, too, has a history of being thought of as a "troubled" youth - it seems that emotional baggage is a must for characters in this book). He's also upset that, in his view, the police have done little to track down the culprit.
Except maybe for one; the detective who worked on Tinsley's case got to know Dani very well and since has served as a kind of mentor to her. Although he's about to retire, he's willing to listen to Dani's accounts of the newly missing girl, offering advice and, when necessary, some real help with the case. As one might expect, the investigation into Ali's disappearance unearths clues about Tinsley's as well. But while that's helpful to Dani - maybe - the first order of business is finding Ali before something terrible happens.
There's no shortage of action along the way (as well as some fairly gruesome scenes). If I have a complaint, it's that the whole thing too often reads like a cozy mystery. It's got all the ingredients, not the least of which is an overabundance of melodrama - plus characters who fit the role almost perfectly: A female character who tries to stick to the straight and narrow but often ignores advice - usually resulting in her life being in danger. A partner/friend/roommate who's headstrong to the point of totally annoying and often leads said private eye into situations a rational person would avoid like the plague. A seasoned law enforcement official who feigns annoyance at said private eye but humors her, possibly at the risk of his or her own career. A character - usually a very young or very old buttinsky - who noses around, often at inopportune times. And finally, an ending that demonstrates that God's in his heaven and all's right with the world.
Overall, though, the story was intriguing and enjoyable and one I recommend, especially for fans of this author (as I am). I do, though, wonder if, in future installments, Dani's detective will continue working with her after he retires. My bet's on yes, and if I'm right, I'm looking forward to reading it - he's a solid guy with Dani's best interests at heart who is able to keep her grounded (and happily, more than once preventing her from crossing that cozy mystery line). Between now and then, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action early on with a pre-release review copy of this one.
Finding out what happened to Tinsley has turned into borderline obsession, but Dani is otherwise likable. Her younger assistant, Quinn Sullivan, not so much. She, too, comes from an emotionally charged background; but unlike Dani, she's often loud, strong-willed and a person I'd probably keep around for half a day before telling her I'm the boss and if she can't accept that, hit the bricks. Together, though, they make a competent team; that said, I'd have loved it more if Dani had just once stood her ground when Quinn started to go off the deep end instead of rationalizing that the behavior comes as a result of Quinn's prior life experiences.
In Sacramento, teenager Ali Cross goes missing. Not long thereafter, a 12-year-old boy comes in wanting to hire Dani to investigate; it seems he witnessed the abduction, although he didn't see enough to be helpful to the police. But he's upset that he did nothing to try and stop the abduction at the time (he, too, has a history of being thought of as a "troubled" youth - it seems that emotional baggage is a must for characters in this book). He's also upset that, in his view, the police have done little to track down the culprit.
Except maybe for one; the detective who worked on Tinsley's case got to know Dani very well and since has served as a kind of mentor to her. Although he's about to retire, he's willing to listen to Dani's accounts of the newly missing girl, offering advice and, when necessary, some real help with the case. As one might expect, the investigation into Ali's disappearance unearths clues about Tinsley's as well. But while that's helpful to Dani - maybe - the first order of business is finding Ali before something terrible happens.
There's no shortage of action along the way (as well as some fairly gruesome scenes). If I have a complaint, it's that the whole thing too often reads like a cozy mystery. It's got all the ingredients, not the least of which is an overabundance of melodrama - plus characters who fit the role almost perfectly: A female character who tries to stick to the straight and narrow but often ignores advice - usually resulting in her life being in danger. A partner/friend/roommate who's headstrong to the point of totally annoying and often leads said private eye into situations a rational person would avoid like the plague. A seasoned law enforcement official who feigns annoyance at said private eye but humors her, possibly at the risk of his or her own career. A character - usually a very young or very old buttinsky - who noses around, often at inopportune times. And finally, an ending that demonstrates that God's in his heaven and all's right with the world.
Overall, though, the story was intriguing and enjoyable and one I recommend, especially for fans of this author (as I am). I do, though, wonder if, in future installments, Dani's detective will continue working with her after he retires. My bet's on yes, and if I'm right, I'm looking forward to reading it - he's a solid guy with Dani's best interests at heart who is able to keep her grounded (and happily, more than once preventing her from crossing that cozy mystery line). Between now and then, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action early on with a pre-release review copy of this one.
March 29, 2022
An action pack read from start to finish!
Though I haven't read the other books in this series, I still really enjoyed this novel.
It was an exciting and gripping story that really had me guessing.
I look forward to reading more from this author!
December 6, 2021
Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Some of my favorite crime novels are those with a strong female lead, so I was looking forward to this book centering a young female PI. I had not read any of the author's other books, so was surprised to find out how prolific she is. However, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book. Although the emotionally compelling opening (flashback giving the backstory of the kidnapping of the PI's daughter) was gripping, everything after that was like reading a basic write-by-numbers book. Little to no character development, plot mechanisms that you can see coming a mile off and a truly disturbing POV strand - which also popped up much too frequently - by the person who kidnapped a young girl whose case the PI and her assistant are working on. This composite of all the truly sick horrors of serial killers was completely extraneous and seemed calculated to get a rise out of the reader. The ending was rushed and all too obviously striving to tie up all the loose ends in a neat bow.
Some of my favorite crime novels are those with a strong female lead, so I was looking forward to this book centering a young female PI. I had not read any of the author's other books, so was surprised to find out how prolific she is. However, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book. Although the emotionally compelling opening (flashback giving the backstory of the kidnapping of the PI's daughter) was gripping, everything after that was like reading a basic write-by-numbers book. Little to no character development, plot mechanisms that you can see coming a mile off and a truly disturbing POV strand - which also popped up much too frequently - by the person who kidnapped a young girl whose case the PI and her assistant are working on. This composite of all the truly sick horrors of serial killers was completely extraneous and seemed calculated to get a rise out of the reader. The ending was rushed and all too obviously striving to tie up all the loose ends in a neat bow.
December 6, 2021
Another good one from TR Ragan. Dani doesn’t know what happened to her dsaughter 6 years ago. But it haunts her enought that she has redirected her life to finding the missing relatives of others. She is joined by another woman who has lost someone, Quinn. When Ali goes missing and a 12 year old boy comes to her saying he saw the abduction but no one will listen, Quinn becomes obsessed. This has all the markings of the beginning of a good series. I hope. The ending crammed a lot of stuff in there, but it was a great read before that.
May 11, 2022
This one was just okay for me. I wish I'd loved it more. It had solid writing and the dialogue and characters were interesting. It's even a very quick read. But I didn't fee like this was a new story. It was interesting but pretty cookie cutter for this type of mystery - missing child, years later, P.I. work, etc. I thought the POV of the held captive were disturbing and really hard to read at times. I'm not 100% sure they really added to the story. I know others have and will love this so if this genre/story type is your type, then grab this one, I'm sure you'll love it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 30, 2021
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, and also to NetGalley, for the ARC.
3.5 Stars rounded up.
This book tells the story of Dani Callahan, whose only child was abducted on her first day of kindergarten. Five years later, Dani is divorced and is a private detective helping other parents find their missing children ... yet never giving up her own search for her daughter, Tinsley. While working on a case of a missing teenager named Ali Cross, is it possible Dani has found important clues about Tinsley??
Count to Three has multiple points of view that never become confusing. I loved the tough kid, Ethan, who was all of 12 years old! I also loved Dani's assistant, Quinn. They were both spunky with a capital S!!
3.5 Stars rounded up.
This book tells the story of Dani Callahan, whose only child was abducted on her first day of kindergarten. Five years later, Dani is divorced and is a private detective helping other parents find their missing children ... yet never giving up her own search for her daughter, Tinsley. While working on a case of a missing teenager named Ali Cross, is it possible Dani has found important clues about Tinsley??
Count to Three has multiple points of view that never become confusing. I loved the tough kid, Ethan, who was all of 12 years old! I also loved Dani's assistant, Quinn. They were both spunky with a capital S!!
March 31, 2022
Quick reading, bit unbelievable and rushed ending (everything nicely tied up somehow), writing was flat, no character development whatsoever. // KU
December 14, 2021
Pub day: today December 14th 2021
This is my first T.R. Ragan, but I'm sure it won't be the last. Fast-paced and full of suspense, this is a fascinating detective story that follows two stories in one.
When Dani Callahan's five-year-old daughter, Tinsley, disappears from kindergarten, Dani's world comes crashing down. And shortly afterward. So does her marriage. Five years pass and Dani becomes a private investigator, dedicated to finding missing persons. Her latest case is that of Ali Cross, a teenager who is abducted in broad daylight.
I really enjoyed following the main investigation while having Ali's POV. Her spunk was refreshing as were her futile attempts to escape her kidnapper. I also really enjoyed Dani's private investigation to find out more about her daughter's disappearance. I loved seeing her gradually put the pieces of the puzzle together until she had a solid clue as to who kidnapped her daughter.
We get a conclusion for both cases which was brilliant!
If you love police procedurals or spine-chilling crime thrillers you need to pick up this book!
My thanks goes to #netgalley and the publisher #thomasandmercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2021
Another very enjoyable book by T.R Regan. The story focuses on a missing five year old girl Tinsley. Her mum Dani is a private investigator and refuses to stop searching for her hoping that she is still alive. Dani runs a Private Investigator business looking for other missing people while she continues the journey of finding her daughter.
This is a rollercoaster ride that keeps you turning the pages, full of suspense. Great characters that help Dani along her way in her search for her daughter. There can not be a worse situation in life than losing your child and all the emotions that this would produce are well portrayed in the book.
I am not going to say anymore as you will need to read this to see how the story evolves and ends. Thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. Five stars.
This is a rollercoaster ride that keeps you turning the pages, full of suspense. Great characters that help Dani along her way in her search for her daughter. There can not be a worse situation in life than losing your child and all the emotions that this would produce are well portrayed in the book.
I am not going to say anymore as you will need to read this to see how the story evolves and ends. Thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. Five stars.
March 6, 2023
Count to three is a fantastic, standalone thriller (I think) I just couldn't keep down! The plot is amazing while the characters are very well defined. I couldn't help but strongly root for many of the characters while feel rage towards some. There were 3 subplots all which were resolved in the end. Even with the multiple plots and characters it never felt overwhelming keeping up with the story or the characters. Infact they kept me turning the pages! I loved how fast paced this book was and how easy it was to follow along and unravel the plot. I can't believe I left this one on TBR for so long. I will certainly be borrowing T. R. Ragans' other books from our library!
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, T. R. Ragan for this arc!
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, T. R. Ragan for this arc!
June 12, 2024
Count to Three by T.R. Ragan was a good pick for true crime junkies. It was horrifying and creepy. I didn’t want to put it down and it was shocking. Well told this fast paced thriller checked all the boxes and I was grateful the way it ended. It’s was a crazy good psychological thriller.
Thanks Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.
Thanks Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.
July 26, 2021
This was a solid book. If you are already a T.R. Ragan fan, you will like this and if she is new to you, you still should.
I liked how the main characters connected/bonded through their shared experiences. There was a fair amount of twists that worked.
The bad guy had a disturbing background and you understood why he was the way he was.
I liked how the main characters connected/bonded through their shared experiences. There was a fair amount of twists that worked.
The bad guy had a disturbing background and you understood why he was the way he was.
August 6, 2021
Bravo TR Ragan ! This novel is nothing short of incredible and has left me mind blown ! I can not wait to recommend Count to Three, to pretty much anyone who will listen !
The early introduction provides clues to us, the reader, that the investigation did not have. We then got to watch as the investigation tries to solve the case. As so often happens the world at large, especially those who want to do good are divided, not on what needs to be done, solve the case, but in how to go about it. No one should be surprised that the investigation latches on to a suspect right away, and brushes aside details, evidence, that might disprove the first lead .
This was a novel filled with twists, turns and unseen developments . I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to all my fellow crime loving book enthusiasts!
The early introduction provides clues to us, the reader, that the investigation did not have. We then got to watch as the investigation tries to solve the case. As so often happens the world at large, especially those who want to do good are divided, not on what needs to be done, solve the case, but in how to go about it. No one should be surprised that the investigation latches on to a suspect right away, and brushes aside details, evidence, that might disprove the first lead .
This was a novel filled with twists, turns and unseen developments . I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to all my fellow crime loving book enthusiasts!
November 30, 2021
3.5 stars
T. R. Ragan is an established author of thrillers and this latest entry features a new female protagonist, Sacramento native Dani Callahan. She is still grieving for her kindergarten-aged daughter Tinsley, who was kidnapped five years before and never found. Dani is now a private investigator with a special focus on finding missing persons, and works with her young assistant, Quinn Sullivan. When a local teen goes missing and a young boy claims to have seen the abduction, Dani and Quinn begin their sleuthing.
The strengths of this story are the lovely warm relationship between Dani and Quinn, and the cast of believable ancillary characters like 12 year-old Ethan and seasoned police detective Whitton. Dani especially is a sympathetic character with depth, as she struggles to move past her anger at the loss of her daughter and her subsequent divorce, and embrace her new occupation as a P.I.
As a long time resident of Sacramento, California, I particularly enjoyed the many references to familiar locales. The author’s descriptive writing is well executed, the story line moves forward nicely, and there is plenty of action. The plot twists along the way keep up the intrigue, and conclusion is satisfying, while not particularly surprising.
Fans of T. R. Ragan’s writing will not be disappointed in this thriller, and hopefully will see more of Dani Callahan in future novels.
T. R. Ragan is an established author of thrillers and this latest entry features a new female protagonist, Sacramento native Dani Callahan. She is still grieving for her kindergarten-aged daughter Tinsley, who was kidnapped five years before and never found. Dani is now a private investigator with a special focus on finding missing persons, and works with her young assistant, Quinn Sullivan. When a local teen goes missing and a young boy claims to have seen the abduction, Dani and Quinn begin their sleuthing.
The strengths of this story are the lovely warm relationship between Dani and Quinn, and the cast of believable ancillary characters like 12 year-old Ethan and seasoned police detective Whitton. Dani especially is a sympathetic character with depth, as she struggles to move past her anger at the loss of her daughter and her subsequent divorce, and embrace her new occupation as a P.I.
As a long time resident of Sacramento, California, I particularly enjoyed the many references to familiar locales. The author’s descriptive writing is well executed, the story line moves forward nicely, and there is plenty of action. The plot twists along the way keep up the intrigue, and conclusion is satisfying, while not particularly surprising.
Fans of T. R. Ragan’s writing will not be disappointed in this thriller, and hopefully will see more of Dani Callahan in future novels.
July 8, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery of a little girl who goes missing on her first day of kindergarten. Five years later, mother Dani is a private investigator who is still convinced her daughter is alive. When another girl goes missing and a troubled 12-year-old boy comes forward claiming he saw her taken, Dani and assistant Quinn re-double their efforts thinking maybe the two cases are related. Fast-paced and gripping, the novel changes perspectives as we see the second girl, Ali and her captor who is truly creepy. If you're up for a good thriller, this is the book for you!
April 1, 2023
Intensely suspenseful with a serial kidnapper and a missing young girl. Dani has started her own PI agency after her young daughter Tinsley disappeared and now she has an aspiring assistant named Quinn. Quinn is just learning how to investigate but what she lacks in knowledge she makes up for with enthusiasm. The book is fast-paced, intriguing and totally engaging. With characters that you either love or hate depending on their role in the book, this thriller is one not to be missed, with a surprise twist at the end.
I got this book from KU and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I got this book from KU and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 1, 2024
I loved this suspenseful, murder, kidnapping thriller. I definitely knew who did what before it happened but it was written so well I didn’t care. Happy Reading!
August 13, 2021
A one-sitting book.
Dani & Quinn are absolutely awesome. Their individual stories, and the past trauma in their lives make them do what they do, and do it as best as they can.
A story that is as deranged as it can be, yet entirely plausible.
Eerily delightful to read.
Dani & Quinn are absolutely awesome. Their individual stories, and the past trauma in their lives make them do what they do, and do it as best as they can.
A story that is as deranged as it can be, yet entirely plausible.
Eerily delightful to read.
March 26, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Count to Three is the story of Dani Callahan, a PI in California who has spent the past 5 years trying to find her abducted daughter. After a teenage girl, Ali Cross, is also abducted, and a young boy comes forward as an eyewitness asking for Dani’s help, she finds herself thrown back into the past and the feelings she had when her daughter originally went missing.
This book started out really promising. It was an interesting plot, and the writing was easy to read, not overly wordy, and kept me intrigued. It’s also a dual POV book, which I loved. You get the POV of not only Dani, but also her apprentice, Quinn, the missing girl, Ali, and Ali’s abductor. It makes for a very well rounded story that gives you all the little bits of information that you need to piece things together.
However, there were some things that just didn’t hit home for me and in the end I wasn’t able to overlook them. The characters felt very two dimensional. We were told of their intense backstories very briefly, but otherwise I never really got a chance to feel connected to any of them. Ironically, though, it felt like all the characters were very well connected to each other way too quickly. Not as if they quickly bonded over something, but like they were suddenly close simply to move the story along faster. The ending kept me intrigued, as things moved very quickly, and I honestly wasn’t expecting certain aspects of the ending. Usually, that’s something I truly enjoy in a book, but in this case it just came off as unbelievable. Furthermore, it felt like things tied together a little too nicely in the end.
I don’t think this was a bad book by any means, simply one that wasn’t made for me. I did enjoy the author’s writing style and will definitely still be checking out her other work!
Count to Three is the story of Dani Callahan, a PI in California who has spent the past 5 years trying to find her abducted daughter. After a teenage girl, Ali Cross, is also abducted, and a young boy comes forward as an eyewitness asking for Dani’s help, she finds herself thrown back into the past and the feelings she had when her daughter originally went missing.
This book started out really promising. It was an interesting plot, and the writing was easy to read, not overly wordy, and kept me intrigued. It’s also a dual POV book, which I loved. You get the POV of not only Dani, but also her apprentice, Quinn, the missing girl, Ali, and Ali’s abductor. It makes for a very well rounded story that gives you all the little bits of information that you need to piece things together.
However, there were some things that just didn’t hit home for me and in the end I wasn’t able to overlook them. The characters felt very two dimensional. We were told of their intense backstories very briefly, but otherwise I never really got a chance to feel connected to any of them. Ironically, though, it felt like all the characters were very well connected to each other way too quickly. Not as if they quickly bonded over something, but like they were suddenly close simply to move the story along faster. The ending kept me intrigued, as things moved very quickly, and I honestly wasn’t expecting certain aspects of the ending. Usually, that’s something I truly enjoy in a book, but in this case it just came off as unbelievable. Furthermore, it felt like things tied together a little too nicely in the end.
I don’t think this was a bad book by any means, simply one that wasn’t made for me. I did enjoy the author’s writing style and will definitely still be checking out her other work!
November 24, 2021
I am sorry to say this is a book I recommend you skip. I actually really enjoyed the gripping opening of the book which starts out with the backstory of Dani’s daughter’s kidnapping. That was written in an emotionally compelling way that unfortunately the rest of the book lacks. Then there is a sudden time skip and we meet Dani as a private investigator still looking in vain for her daughter. She has a sidekick assistant, Quinn, whose own mother vanished leaving the two with a bond. Quinn comes across as young and again there’s no emotional attachment with her character. She mostly drives some of the plot in regards to the missing girl Ali Cross. Had the POV only alternated between them this would have just been a disappointing novel but unfortunately the author chose to also add in the person who took Ali. His POV chapters are far too frequent and just unnecessarily disturbing. The author almost took pains to avoid the obvious results of his actions with regard to Ali but then counterbalanced that by going way too far in spelling out his past. It’s truly sick and depraved and not at all what I expect in a missing persons novel. On top of that the writing is basic and the ending far too rushed. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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