Edgar Award finalist Ben Rehder’s novels have made best-of-the-year lists in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Field & Stream. GONE THE NEXT is the first novel in the Roy Ballard mystery series. About GONE THE NEXT:Meet Roy Ballard, freelance videographer with a knack for catching insurance cheats. He’s working a routine case, complete with hours of tedious surveillance, … complete with hours of tedious surveillance, when he sees something that shakes him to the core. There, with the subject, is a little blond girl wearing a pink top and denim shorts—the same outfit worn by Tracy Turner, a six-year-old abducted the day before. When the police are skeptical of Ballard’s report—and with his history, who can blame them?—it’s the beginning of the most important case of his life.
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This author has created an appealing main character who is believable as well as humorous. Great dialogue, plenty of action and lots of tension. A really good read!
This is the book that was the beginning of the Roy Ballard Series by Ben Rehder, and I love Roy Ballard. He’s witty, resourceful, and good at solving the crimes he discovers as a freelance videographer. I think you’ll love Roy Ballard, too.
I have never read Ben Rehder before but he’s now on my list. I especially enjoyed the depth of characterization. No matter how good the plot is, if you don’t care about the characters you won’t keep turning the pages. really enjoyed this one for a quick but thrilling read.
Laugh out loud dialogue. Unique. Rehder gets put on the shelf with Hiaseen, Robert B. Parker, Nick Russell, and my other favorite mystery authors.
A very fun enjoyable book to read! I am now reading the rest of the series.
Truly enjoyed!
This is the first book in Rehder’s Roy Ballard mystery series.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this was. Well written prose that presents a suspenseful mystery with laugh-out-loud humor sprinkled throughout. The characters are relatable and endearing and there is a bit of romance thrown in.
Protagonist Roy Ballard is a videographer who is …
Didn’t see the motive for the kidnapping coming. Good Twist.
I liked the book.
Really liked this book. It kept my interest. And the ending was both unexpected and perfectly brought everything together.
The ending was a surprise. I like that.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Characters were well presented in a way that I could identify with them, even like them.
Entertaining read.
Truly enjoyed this book. Held my interest til the end. Loved the characters. Well written.
Could not put down
I liked the main character and his silly quips. The plot was good. I’d read this author again.
A great book
I enjoy his style, but what I liked best is the location of the story. I live in the Bee Cave area and am very familiar with Thomas Springs Road, which I use frequently as a short cut to Camp Ben McCullough Road. It was fun to feel a part of the area of the story.
Really enjoyed this book
I loved this story even though it was about children being kidnapped. It had a definite ring of truth.