Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE PRIZE: Missing Pieces: a novel of the Balkans by Thomas De Angelo has a well-developed, well-thought out plot played out in a setting with which most Americans will be unfamiliar. The author's research and expertise on the topic is admirable. At first some readers may find the premise that an alcoholic anthropologist was given an assignment so dangerous to be a stretch, however, the novel's exciting pace will keep readers invested.

The author is a gifted writer, with a clear talent for rendering action sequences, dialogue, and description. The story unfolds at a steady pace, holding the reader's interest,and the author's storytelling abilities are top-notch. He does a superb job creating a unique scenario in a creative and captivating way. The central characters to the story are finely developed and generally distinct. The reader sees the progression in the main character, Gloria Wren, as she deals with her struggles, and her motivations remain clear. ( )