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.
more
Be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat. A compelling and exciting mystery.
Roy Ballard is an anti-hero with a great story to tell. I hope he eventually gets his women sorted out!
The anticipation was overwhelming…
Every parents nightmare,
Someone stealing the children.
Well written. Interesting characters and story.
It was good.
A bit wordy in the beginning (descriptions between dialogue) but that leveled out towards the end. Good book
Did not finish. Not interesting
A mystery to keep you on your toes.
So much fun reading a story that is accurately set in Austin, Texas. Loved the local color and the wise-cracker protagonist. Interesting multiple plot lines.
About child abduction, sometimes difficult to read.
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Johnny peppers
Roy Ballard is a videographer who makes his living catching out insurance cheats, this case however sees Roy involved in more than he expected especially as it’s a situation that hits close to home.
Roy is a very likeable character, his flirting and witty remarks give the story humour which helps keep …
Love it!
Great story and well written – except that the flashback chapters were confusing as there was no indication that the events took place in the past. Still, a very good fast-reading book.
Fun, fast-paced page turner of a mystery. It also helps Texas is one of my favorite settings for a novel, and throughout the Roy Ballard series, Rehder brings the weird and the vitality of the area to life.
Could happen in our world today
Enjoyed the characters, with their shortcomings and how they are treated.
loved it
The main character reminds me of a somewhat more sarcastic version of the Jim Rockford character from the old TV series. I really enjoy the dialogue Rehder has created in the first 2 books. If you like a fast-paced detective story, this is it.
I enjoyed this book very much. The main character, Roy, takes some time to get used to but he grows on you after a while. There was a twist at the end which I never saw coming. Very good read.
Funny and cleaver.