Book review: Darling Mine by Romy Hausmann

Darling Mine by Romy Hausmann is the third book I’ve read by the German author (all translated by Jamie Bulloch). They’re very twisty reads centred around crimes in the (recent) past and kidnapping or abduction. This is similarly themed, around the disappearance of 16 year old Julie from her home in 2003. She’s the oldest daughter of Theo Novak a prominent doctor heading up a clinic for heart, thoracic and vascular surgery. We don’t spend much time with Theo, wife Vera and younger daughter Sophia in the past but meet him in the present as a 74 year old with dementia. Vera’s long illness before her death burnt through their savings so now he’s  living in a small simple flat and Sophia’s writing reminder notes to help him get through his days. When he’s contacted by podcasters wanting to revisit Julie’s disappearance he jumps at the chance, despite his failing mind, believing she may still be alive.

Julie Nowak has been missing since 7th September 2003. It broke her family. Only her father, Theo, doesn't give up on her. On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, Theo is contacted by podcaster Liv. She's come across a new lead. But if Theo wants to find out the truth he must be quick before his progressing dementia smothers everything in darkness.

Who has taken his daughter? Why does Julie's ex-boyfriend Daniel keep his mother's bedroom door locked, years after she passed away? And is there anything more gruesome than the uncertainty of not knowing what happened to your own child?

I don’t think I enjoyed this as much as Hausmann’s previous books. She certainly throws in some twists and surprises that readers won’t see coming. I liked her sympathetic portrayal of Theo here and the unpredictability of his mind, thinking and memories. I felt sorry for Sophia who bears the brunt of her father’s displeasure with himself while also recognising his daughter’s dedication. I liked podcaster Liv and the way she comes to care for Theo, genuinely wanting to help him, and was left a little unsettled by her podcast co-host and boyfriend Philipp who seems rather manipulative… which of course is Hausmann’s intention (and we later learn more and why). She also throws in nurse Daniel Wagner Julie’s much-older boyfriend who Theo had forbidden her from seeing not long before her disappearance.

Of course the question is whether Julie ran away herself – which begs the question as to why she hasn’t reappeared as an adult. Was she kidnapped and murdered? Kidnapped and still alive somewhere, which is what Theo hopes to be the case? Or something else unexpected? We learn suspicion at the time not only fell on Daniel but also on Theo who showed violent tendencies in front of cameras.

We also meet Lara, a young woman being held against her will and determined to escape. Her story is a little confusing and her role in this seems obvious… until it isn’t, though Hausmann later offers a reveal that helps it make sense.

I enjoyed this and liked the surprising direction it takes but it didn’t quite ultimately ‘land’ for me, going a little too far and becoming infeasible. I should mention that Hausmann’s first book Dear Child has been adapted for television and is available on Netflix for fans of the genre.

Darling Mine by Romy Hausmann will be published by Quercus in late January 2026.

I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.