The first in the Paula Maguire series from Claire McGowan, acclaimed by Ken Bruen as 'Ireland's answer to Ruth Rendell'. Forensic psychologist Maguire must search for two missing girls but soon learns that sometimes it's better not to find what you've lost.

Not everyone who's missing is lost

Hard-hitting and unputdownable, THE LOST follows Forensic psychologist Maguire back to her hometown in the search for two missing girls. This exhilarating introduction to the Paula Maguire series by Claire McGowan is sure to grip fans of Elly Griffiths and LJ Ross.

'Claire McGowan is a knockout new talent' - Lee Child

When two teenage girls go missing along the Irish border, forensic psychologist Paula Maguire has to return to the hometown she left years before. Swirling with rumour and secrets, the town is gripped by fear of a serial killer. But the truth could be even darker.

Not everyone who's lost wants to be found

Surrounded by people and places she tried to forget, Paula digs into the cases as the truth twists further away. What's the link with two other disappearances from 1985? And why does everything lead back to the town's dark past- including the reasons her own mother went missing years before?

Nothing is what it seems

As the shocking truth is revealed, Paula learns that sometimes, it's better not to find what you've lost...

What readers are saying about The Lost:

'Well written and keeps you guessing. The best book I have read this year'

'Fantastic read. Had me gripped from start to finish - I just couldn't put it down. Highly recommended'

'Compelling and thrilling. Claire McGowan has a clever ease of storytelling that draws you in and leaves you wanting more'

A terrifically assured and pulse-pounding novel; dark, sad, lyrical, and full of superb twists