Cut to the Bone

A missing-persons case drives British author Caan’s fast-paced debut. When Ruby Day, video blogger, role model, and favorite of millions of teenage girls, disappears, Ruby’s parents, who live in London, immediately inform the authorities, fearful of foul play. Det. Chief Insp. Kate Riley and her second in command, Det. Sgt. Zain Harris, think it more likely that Ruby ran away from home. Then Ruby’s father receives a video on his phone that shows Ruby running through some woods, pleading for help, and it’s clear that someone has abducted her. Kate and Zain and their team probe every area of Ruby’s life, exploring both her private and online personas. They eventually unearth political, business, and police shenanigans, which may or may not be related to Ruby’s disappearance, plus a series of online social interactions, some of which expose their participants to grave danger. Readers will want to see more of Kate and Zain, both of whom have traumatic pasts that affect their present private lives and job performances. (Mar.)