The Missing by Tim Gautreaux

Set in the early 20th century, this gripping narrative follows Sam Simoneaux, a World War I veteran turned department store detective, who embarks on a relentless quest to find a missing child abducted from a New Orleans department store. As he takes a job on a steamboat traveling along the Mississippi River, Sam is drawn into a world of jazz, secrets, and the haunting memories of his own past. The journey becomes a profound exploration of loss, redemption, and the enduring human spirit, as Sam navigates the complexities of a changing America while seeking justice and closure.