A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery: Book 5
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
In the shadows of the missing, the truth lies buried.
Helen Clarke-Matheson believed she had escaped the shadows of her past, building a new life with Chris. But the past has a way of resurfacing, and when her sister arrives with a DNA test, Helen’s world is once again turned upside down. Her sister shattered the family history Helen believed to be true. Her young father hadn’t abandoned his family, and her delusional mother didn’t wander away from her children.
Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, a quirky team of retired seasoned sleuths working under the guise of a book club, are drawn into a deeply personal investigation. They must wade through decades of buried secrets and conflicting accounts to uncover the truth behind the parents’ disappearances. As they peel back the layers of deception to unravel long-forgotten clues, they confront the lingering specter of murder and long-hidden crimes. Can they piece together the fragments of the past to bring closure to Helen and her siblings, or will the truth remain buried forever?
A random visit from her sister after decades of silence opens up questions from the past.
In Shadows of the Missing, author Lauren Carr serves up the latest installment of the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series. This time, the mystery centers around Helen’s missing parents.
Married to Chris, Helen is no stranger to the investigative process. In fact, the couple works closely with the Geezer Squad on cold cases. Along with their blended family and menagerie of pets, the Mathesons are eager to follow up on DNA results.
With plenty of humor woven into the storyline, the adrenaline is pumping as the group focuses on unraveling the mystery. In the process, the two sisters are able to reconnect over a shared goal.
Shadows of the Missing offers a fresh mystery full of ups and downs for the determined sleuths.
 
Lauren Carr is the author of over thirty acclaimed mystery novels, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide. Her fast-paced series—the Mac Faraday Mysteries, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and more—blend twists, suspense, humor, and unforgettable characters (including clever German shepherds!).
It’s Murder, My Son organically hit #1 in Mystery on Amazon, and her books consistently rank in the Top 20 Police Procedurals in the US and international markets.
A popular speaker and publishing consultant, Lauren lives on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV, with her husband and three spoiled rotten German shepherds.
April 28Â –Â Books1987 –Â book series spotlight / giveaway
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May 13 — Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of THE LAST THING SHE SAID
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May 28 – @adriftinfictionalworld – book review of SHADOWS OF THE MISSING
​May 28 – Country Mamas With Kids – book review of CHRIS MATHESON COLD CASE MYSTERIES: BOX SET / giveaway
