Praise and Press
Awards, reviews, and media for my book.
AWards
Missing or Dead, Honorable Mention
Writer’s Digest 2025 Self-Published Book Awards
Praise for Missing or Dead
“Compelling and haunting… more thought-provoking than anything else.”
— ★★★★★ Readers’ Favorite
Excerpt from the full review:
“Polina Quinn's psychological thriller Missing or Dead pulls readers in with a combination of emotional trauma, group manipulation, and a desperate quest for the truth. The story centers on Talia, a teenage girl going through the motions of life, but not really living… Quinn’s authentic and evocative writing style is on full display in Missing or Dead. It draws readers into Talia’s internal conflict and the confusing world she finds herself in. There are times when I felt I was right there experiencing what Talia was feeling…”
“Building of tension throughout the book made it hard to put down…”
— Judge, 33rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Excerpt from the full review:
“Incredibly well-developed young adult characters and references to artists such as Taylor Swift and Harry Styles give this book a youthful feeling, but it does not shy away from mature themes such as trauma, loss, and despair, making it suitable for a variety of ages. Main character Talia’s grief responses were as believable as they were heartbreaking. Great detailed descriptions of environments that made me feel like I was right there with Talia, and asides about life outside of captivity that helped me better understand her mental state and motivations. Building of tension throughout the book made it hard to put down as I constantly was on the edge of my seat. Unexpected twists and turns keep the mystery and sense of dread building right to the very end. The dark ending felt satisfying after such a tense, dreadful last chapter. Horror movie fans would especially like this book.”