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Whitley & Keal #3
Stolen
Another homicide has rocked the small town of Fallsburg, NY. In a cabin nestled deep in the woods two male victims are discovered,both gun shot victims. One is deceased the other one is barely alive. But it is not the murder itself that has detectives Jean Whitley and her new partner Marty Keal frantic to find out the answers of what occurred in that cabin, but it is the identities of the two small children also found at the scene. One child is quickly identified but the other a young boy remains a mystery. The only one with possible answers lies with the man who lay critically wounded and unconscious in the hospital because the unidentified boy either can not or will not speak to tell the investigators who he is and what happened in that cabin that left one man dead and another barely hanging on ...
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2014
144 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
March 1, 2016
Feeling the need for familiarity, I grabbed STOLEN from my to-read stack so that I could "visit" the sprawling Keal family and the awesomely adorable "Dr. Hope."
It was a warm & fuzzy reunion even though the characters were smack in the middle of a mystery involving missing kids. I loved the twists and turns and the way the pieces seemed to fall into place as I turned the pages.
As always, it is a scary, chilling good read when I grab a Dawn Kopman Whidden book!
It was a warm & fuzzy reunion even though the characters were smack in the middle of a mystery involving missing kids. I loved the twists and turns and the way the pieces seemed to fall into place as I turned the pages.
As always, it is a scary, chilling good read when I grab a Dawn Kopman Whidden book!
September 10, 2014
I won a copy of "Stolen" by Dawn Kopman Whidden, though the Goodreads Giveaway Contest, in exchange for an honest review. This is the third and last novel in this psychological mystery thriller series. and by my opinion...the Best!
I must say I was blown away with another gripping murder story. I was happy to see the return of characters from her first novel, "A Child is Torn: Innocence Lost", and her second novel, "Faceless A Mystery". Once again we find homicide detective Jean Whitley and her partner Marty Keal together again on the trail of a murder. Jean, Marty, Marty's dad "The Captain" and Hope are back, along with a few of the other characters, to solve what turns out to be a 25 year old mystery.
This is a fast-paced novel that deals with some very disturbing issues of society: child abduction, sexual abuse and pedophilia. I give the author credit for first attempting to deal with these issues in a novel as well as treating these issues with utmost respect, and while bringing these issues to the forefront, show the consequences of missing and exploited children.
The setting for this novel, is the small town of Fallsburg, New York, where numerous 911 calls were received by a group of local hunters in the woods. They recently witnessed a small child, a boy, shirtless and shoe-less, running and screaming through the woods, multiple gunshots fired, a cabin with a gunshot victim, and another victim who is deceased.
When police arrived they found another young child, a girl around the age of 4 or five, Michaelah, in the small cabin in a back room... a child shaking on a in a room with a video camera on a tripod. I don't want to imagine what this child endured!
The body of the deceased man was later identified as Archie Blakely, convicted of molestation of a seven year old boy and had served a short term in prison. But there was another gunshot victim, identified as Troy Blakley, Archie's son. But WHO was the shooter? WHERE is the weapon? Is anyone else involved?
This story grabs a hold of you right from the beginning and grips you until you know the truth. Hold on to your seat...you are in for a great treat! Thank you Dawn for allowing me to read your three novels...and I will be waiting for your next novel.
I must say I was blown away with another gripping murder story. I was happy to see the return of characters from her first novel, "A Child is Torn: Innocence Lost", and her second novel, "Faceless A Mystery". Once again we find homicide detective Jean Whitley and her partner Marty Keal together again on the trail of a murder. Jean, Marty, Marty's dad "The Captain" and Hope are back, along with a few of the other characters, to solve what turns out to be a 25 year old mystery.
This is a fast-paced novel that deals with some very disturbing issues of society: child abduction, sexual abuse and pedophilia. I give the author credit for first attempting to deal with these issues in a novel as well as treating these issues with utmost respect, and while bringing these issues to the forefront, show the consequences of missing and exploited children.
The setting for this novel, is the small town of Fallsburg, New York, where numerous 911 calls were received by a group of local hunters in the woods. They recently witnessed a small child, a boy, shirtless and shoe-less, running and screaming through the woods, multiple gunshots fired, a cabin with a gunshot victim, and another victim who is deceased.
When police arrived they found another young child, a girl around the age of 4 or five, Michaelah, in the small cabin in a back room... a child shaking on a in a room with a video camera on a tripod. I don't want to imagine what this child endured!
The body of the deceased man was later identified as Archie Blakely, convicted of molestation of a seven year old boy and had served a short term in prison. But there was another gunshot victim, identified as Troy Blakley, Archie's son. But WHO was the shooter? WHERE is the weapon? Is anyone else involved?
This story grabs a hold of you right from the beginning and grips you until you know the truth. Hold on to your seat...you are in for a great treat! Thank you Dawn for allowing me to read your three novels...and I will be waiting for your next novel.
April 3, 2016
Stolen is my second book from this author and because this book is a part of the series (No.3) , I was already familiar with main characters. I love Jean and Marty! The second book (Faceless) is more focused on Jean's life and this one is more focused on Marty's life. This book series gives you that feeling of TV crime series, you know, you get detectives, murder (or murders) and and then you sit back and enjoy the ride of figuring it all out. No worries, I won't reveal too much, I don't want to ruin that excitement you get, when you read a book and you have no clue what will happen so you hurry with reading and turning pages. I still like how easy it is to follow the story and how you never get confused. Maybe the only thing I missed was some extra pages. I wish the story wasn't so short and could develop a little bit more.
April 3, 2015
This is an amazing read. I started this book this afternoon on a car journey and got completely lost in the words. This author certainly knows how to grab your attention.
This is a thriller read that will have you on the edge of your seats from the first page. The storyline is heartbreaking, a parents worse nightmare. A stolen child. Unfortunately in the real world it does occur and I do think its good to get it out there. The author has twists in the story that I certainly didn't expect and I certainly gasped a few times.
It's a beautifully written flawless story. After reading this book I'm gonna go give my three kiddies a kiss!!!
This is a thriller read that will have you on the edge of your seats from the first page. The storyline is heartbreaking, a parents worse nightmare. A stolen child. Unfortunately in the real world it does occur and I do think its good to get it out there. The author has twists in the story that I certainly didn't expect and I certainly gasped a few times.
It's a beautifully written flawless story. After reading this book I'm gonna go give my three kiddies a kiss!!!
December 24, 2017
I think this is the author's best book by far. Reports of shots fired at a rural cabin have police scrambling to the scene. They find one man dead and another clinging to life. A young boy runs frantically from the scene and a young girl is found in one of the rooms, traumatised and terrified.
Kopman Whidden deals sensitively wth these horrific issues as police and a child psychiatrist sort through the fallout. There is another man at large who also seems to be somehow involved. It all comes together quite beautifully as decades old cases are found to have some bearing on current events. One man's evil need to abuse children has been brought to light in a sickening twist. This had a cracking pace and characters that you could really feel for, particularly the children. A solid four star read.
Kopman Whidden deals sensitively wth these horrific issues as police and a child psychiatrist sort through the fallout. There is another man at large who also seems to be somehow involved. It all comes together quite beautifully as decades old cases are found to have some bearing on current events. One man's evil need to abuse children has been brought to light in a sickening twist. This had a cracking pace and characters that you could really feel for, particularly the children. A solid four star read.
September 20, 2017
COMING SOON
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2018
I loved the first two in the Whitley and Keal series and this one is not exception, in fact it was my favourite so far, they just get better and better! I have listened to all of them via Audible and I have to say the narration is brilliant.
A brilliant mystery book with a twist that took me by suprise.
Highly recommended with a full five stars from me. I look forward to listening to book 4 once it's released on Audible.
A brilliant mystery book with a twist that took me by suprise.
Highly recommended with a full five stars from me. I look forward to listening to book 4 once it's released on Audible.
March 12, 2018
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Stolen is the third book in the Whitley & Keal series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whereas Faceless (book #2) was more focused on Jean Whitley and her family, Stolen was more focused on Marty Keal and his family. I really liked the interaction between Marty and Hope, and even with the Captain and the lost child. Whidden has a real ability to create authentic characters that draw you into the plot and make you care.
The narrator, Amy Deuchler, is also an incredible fit for this series. While I prefer her narrating as Jean, I did like her narrating as Marty as well, and for the most part I did find it easy to differentiate the characters by the narrative.
Stolen is the third book in the Whitley & Keal series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whereas Faceless (book #2) was more focused on Jean Whitley and her family, Stolen was more focused on Marty Keal and his family. I really liked the interaction between Marty and Hope, and even with the Captain and the lost child. Whidden has a real ability to create authentic characters that draw you into the plot and make you care.
The narrator, Amy Deuchler, is also an incredible fit for this series. While I prefer her narrating as Jean, I did like her narrating as Marty as well, and for the most part I did find it easy to differentiate the characters by the narrative.
August 27, 2014
Review: STOLEN by Dawn Kopman Whidden
Wow--what a gritty, realistic, story this is: author Dawn Kopman Whidden is unafraid to.focus on some of the most serious and disturbing issues of contemporary society: health issues like cancer and brain.tumours; crime issues of brutal murder, child abduction and sexual abuse, pedophilia, adolescent runaways. Despite the horrible situations presented, both past and present, confirmed or uncertain, the novel is compelling and very.fast-paced. The story practically turned its own pages.
Wow--what a gritty, realistic, story this is: author Dawn Kopman Whidden is unafraid to.focus on some of the most serious and disturbing issues of contemporary society: health issues like cancer and brain.tumours; crime issues of brutal murder, child abduction and sexual abuse, pedophilia, adolescent runaways. Despite the horrible situations presented, both past and present, confirmed or uncertain, the novel is compelling and very.fast-paced. The story practically turned its own pages.
March 4, 2018
This is an amazing, intense story that grabs at your heart from the very beginning. It is a well written and narrated audiobook that weaves a heart wrenching tale of kidnaping, child abuse, murder and psychological trauma. The author and narrator manage to make you experience the emotions and visualize the horrible things that happened without been graphic. The narrator gave the characters individual voices and made their emotions feel real. Your heart breaks for the traumatized characters and you feel real anger at the perpetrator. The detectives and their families easily endear you to them and you will become totally invested in all the characters lives. The story flows smoothly, has twist you don’t expect and will leave you both sad and happy at the end. I will look forward to listening to another audiobook in this series. I received a copy of this audiobook at no cost. This in no way influenced my review and all opinions expressed are solely my own.
February 27, 2016
Stolen is the third book in the Whitley and Keal series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, I strongly suggest reading the other two first. (A Child is Torn and Faceless). This one was the best of the three as far as I was concerned. It had a great storyline and great characterization. The author has the gift of a real story teller. The story line is about child abduction and abuse. The author makes you care not only about the two children in the opening of the story, but also two adult men who had been kidnapped as children. What I love is Whidden's ability to portray such horrific things (in all three books) without being graphic. I think that would be hard to do, especially in presenting a child who was sexually abused. This talent comes through in all three of her books. But the book is not just about the investigation, but the investigators, Jean Whitley and Mary Keal. Over the course of the three books we have gotten to known Jean and Whitley and their family members and she made them as real people to me. I was invested in Jean's relationship with her daughter and Martin's relationship with Hope and with his father, the Captain. Yet the background stories never take away from the plot. I found this book almost impossible to put down and even found myself awakening in the middle of the night and needing to read "just a little bit more". In an afterward, Whidden discusses child abduction and exploitation. This isn't just a story, it's an issue the author really cares about and draws the reader in as well. This is probably the best book I have read in the last 6 months!
February 23, 2016
I really enjoyed Stolen. I wasn't sure if I would as I haven't read any mysteries/thrillers before (that I can remember). But I can definitely see myself reading more in the future now. Dawn Kopman Whidden handled the tricky subjects of child abduction and abuse very well. The story didn't go into too much harrowing detail and in my opinion it was written quite sensitively.
As I haven't read any mysteries/thrillers before I don't really have anything to compare it to. I felt it was quite fast paced but I think this is quite appropriate for a thriller. The setting felt quite real - being a hospital and a police station both are common locations for a police investigation to occur.
The characters were also fairly likeable. Especially Marty. I like how Marty is portrayed as a very caring man. He seems to genuinely care for the victims and their families and isn't just interested in closing a case. I felt that Marty dealt with the case fairly well given his personal ties to a past kidnappee. I also think he handled the case well considering his father was in hospital at the same time.
I was about 50-60% through Stolen when I worked out where the plot was leading to. I felt it was somewhat predictable, however I found the last 5 or so chapters to be quite climatic/dramatic and the story tied up nicely.
I look forward to reading more from Dawn Kopman Whidden and I would definitely recommend Stolen to adults (and mature teenagers) who are fans of the mystery and thriller genres.
As I haven't read any mysteries/thrillers before I don't really have anything to compare it to. I felt it was quite fast paced but I think this is quite appropriate for a thriller. The setting felt quite real - being a hospital and a police station both are common locations for a police investigation to occur.
The characters were also fairly likeable. Especially Marty. I like how Marty is portrayed as a very caring man. He seems to genuinely care for the victims and their families and isn't just interested in closing a case. I felt that Marty dealt with the case fairly well given his personal ties to a past kidnappee. I also think he handled the case well considering his father was in hospital at the same time.
I was about 50-60% through Stolen when I worked out where the plot was leading to. I felt it was somewhat predictable, however I found the last 5 or so chapters to be quite climatic/dramatic and the story tied up nicely.
I look forward to reading more from Dawn Kopman Whidden and I would definitely recommend Stolen to adults (and mature teenagers) who are fans of the mystery and thriller genres.
September 8, 2014
I just love this authors books. When I read her very first book, I was hooked and it went into my top 10 thrillers of last year [and I reads loads as a reviewer!]
Reading her second one, we met some of the characters from her first book.
STOLEN is intense, this author is an author you really should look out for as she really can relate a tale. It keeps your attention, you want to just sit and read it from cover to cover and do nothing else until you have finished it. I know I stayed up very late to finish this book.
I love the cover, it depicts the story inside very well.
I love a good mystery/thriller.
Although all of Dawn Kopman Whidden books are not a series, you will find her main character popping up in each, but you do not have to read them in order.
I adored it. This is another ebook that I will definitely be buying in paperback to keep.
Thanks to the author for allowing me to beta read this before the final version.
Reading her second one, we met some of the characters from her first book.
STOLEN is intense, this author is an author you really should look out for as she really can relate a tale. It keeps your attention, you want to just sit and read it from cover to cover and do nothing else until you have finished it. I know I stayed up very late to finish this book.
I love the cover, it depicts the story inside very well.
I love a good mystery/thriller.
Although all of Dawn Kopman Whidden books are not a series, you will find her main character popping up in each, but you do not have to read them in order.
I adored it. This is another ebook that I will definitely be buying in paperback to keep.
Thanks to the author for allowing me to beta read this before the final version.
June 26, 2014
I was asked to review this book by the author. Well I can honestly say I have loved all the twists and turns of this story. It's given me an in depth look at the characters. It makes me feel as if I am watching the story via a tv programme like Bones/Criminal Minds lol.
This starts off with a murder (like all good thrillers) that has some suspicious characters and why is a child screaming their head off in the woods I wouldn't know. Also carries on with The Captain (Marty's dad) on how he is and what happened with him in the previous book. I've still got reservations on Detective Jean Whitley as I think she can sometimes be a bit stuck up. But I have loved the way Dawn winds her characters around situations that is beyond anyone's control. She has shown us how Marty's family are involved in this book more from the past. The twists you do not see coming and the way things go with this story, I think it will be another Best Seller for Ms Whidden.
This starts off with a murder (like all good thrillers) that has some suspicious characters and why is a child screaming their head off in the woods I wouldn't know. Also carries on with The Captain (Marty's dad) on how he is and what happened with him in the previous book. I've still got reservations on Detective Jean Whitley as I think she can sometimes be a bit stuck up. But I have loved the way Dawn winds her characters around situations that is beyond anyone's control. She has shown us how Marty's family are involved in this book more from the past. The twists you do not see coming and the way things go with this story, I think it will be another Best Seller for Ms Whidden.
February 7, 2018
Ok. So far this has been the best book in the series, I think. I didn't want it to end. So before I finished it I bought the fourth one. I hope this series continue as I am definitely hooked. Jean and Marty are working so well together solving different kinds of homicides, and Hope has her hands full with children at the hospital she works at and trying to plan a wedding she is not sure about. In this book two men have come back that may have been kidnapped when they were three. This story has it all: mystery, suspense, romance, and insecurities about love. Great read,
June 5, 2019
Reading Book 3 was like having dinner with old friends. I loved this book but I have to admit that I'm biased as I've also read Books 1 and 2 and I loved those too.The subject matter is tough especially for those of us who work with young kids but it is handled sensitively and not paraded for cheap thrills.
I enjoyed seeing how the different characters handled the events as they are all so different in character and outlook. The narrator, Amy Deuchler, did a really good job and her voices for each character are varied and clear. the supporting characters are well drawn too and I love how the relationships are developed through the series of books.
I binge listened to this one and am already half way through Book 4. It will be a very sad day when I have no more Whitley and Keal to listen to!
I enjoyed seeing how the different characters handled the events as they are all so different in character and outlook. The narrator, Amy Deuchler, did a really good job and her voices for each character are varied and clear. the supporting characters are well drawn too and I love how the relationships are developed through the series of books.
I binge listened to this one and am already half way through Book 4. It will be a very sad day when I have no more Whitley and Keal to listen to!
July 22, 2019
Two brothers. Two kids. Lots of connections. When a little boy and a little girl are found in the woods next to a dead body and a brutally injured man, they are not sure what to think. The only witness, the boy, won’t speak.
This book was a real rollercoaster, and the twist at the end made it all the more interesting. I love this series because the author has a way of turning suspense in ways that I least expect. While the story is definitely sadder due to the child aspect, it was a definite nail biter. Character development was phenomenal.
Narration was spot on.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This book was a real rollercoaster, and the twist at the end made it all the more interesting. I love this series because the author has a way of turning suspense in ways that I least expect. While the story is definitely sadder due to the child aspect, it was a definite nail biter. Character development was phenomenal.
Narration was spot on.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
August 17, 2018
Dawn has done it again. I love the Whitley and Keale series and this is the 3rd one in the series. I listened to it on Audible. There were lots of twists and turns in this mystery. Set in America it tells the story of a homicide entangled in a family drama. No need to read the first books in the series as it can be read standalone - but Dawn's story telling is excellent and I was quickly drawn in. Onto Book 4 I swiftly go :) Highly recommend this book.
September 29, 2018
Wonderful read, enjoyed the variety of emotions and characters!!
July 10, 2015
What an awesome read! This was my first book by this author and I was blown away. It was a great thriller/mystery with twist and turns that fully kept my attention that I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were fully developed and so interesting. The story line was so true to life and I certainly shed a few tears due to the nature of the plot.
The story is a mystery about hunters who find a man dead, another person wounded and two children traumatized in a cabin. The story goes through the twist and turns of Detective Marty Keal and his partner Detective Jean Whitley trying to find out what actually happened. The story flows smoothly between different characters. This is certainly a must read if you like mysteries. If author Dawn Kopman Whidden’s books are all this great, I’ll be sure to read them all!
The story is a mystery about hunters who find a man dead, another person wounded and two children traumatized in a cabin. The story goes through the twist and turns of Detective Marty Keal and his partner Detective Jean Whitley trying to find out what actually happened. The story flows smoothly between different characters. This is certainly a must read if you like mysteries. If author Dawn Kopman Whidden’s books are all this great, I’ll be sure to read them all!
July 11, 2015
I rank this up as one of my top five favorite books. There is something of interest of every page in this book. A family of most all cops involved in solving this story. Missing and abused children , who are they really and where did the come from. Very interesting . The only thing is at the end I wish they could have told a little bit more about the other boy and what happened to him after he got out of jail. I liked how they gave so much more info at the end of the story how to help locate missing children and what we can do to help find them.
April 8, 2015
I have reviewed this book in the group read under the spoilers thread as I have talked about the plot - find my review at the following link, but be aware there are spoilers in it.
In a nutshell, I loved it and recommend it to anyone; well done Dawn
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
In a nutshell, I loved it and recommend it to anyone; well done Dawn
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
June 21, 2015
STOLEN 5* 6/18
A POLICE PROCEDURAL
THIS HAS A VERY INTERESTING AND FRIGHTENING STORYLINE BECAUSE IT WAS (as law & order says) RIPPED FROM TODAY’S HEADLINES. OUR SOCIETY TODAY IS SO SCARY AND VIOLENT THIS READ LIKE SOMETHING THAT COULD REALLY HAPPEN (which has, sort of). I DID HAVE IT FIGURED OUT AROUND 31% AND WAS PRETTY PROUD OF MYSELF WHEN THE END CAME I WAS 95% RIGHT. YAY!
A POLICE PROCEDURAL
THIS HAS A VERY INTERESTING AND FRIGHTENING STORYLINE BECAUSE IT WAS (as law & order says) RIPPED FROM TODAY’S HEADLINES. OUR SOCIETY TODAY IS SO SCARY AND VIOLENT THIS READ LIKE SOMETHING THAT COULD REALLY HAPPEN (which has, sort of). I DID HAVE IT FIGURED OUT AROUND 31% AND WAS PRETTY PROUD OF MYSELF WHEN THE END CAME I WAS 95% RIGHT. YAY!
July 29, 2015
I enjoyed reading "Stolen" by Dawn Kopman Whidden. The intricate plot and the cast of likeable and well-developed characters kept me turning the pages. As with any mystery, I wanted to see the puzzle solved but I also came to care about what would happen to the characters. A good read!
January 16, 2015
this was an amazing book to read I barrowed it from my grandmother who barrowed it from my mom....
August 20, 2015
Excellent. Couldn't put it down.
March 27, 2017
As much as the topic is horrifying, this was a well written book about child abduction. There was no graphic details, which I appreciated. My imagination was enough to feel uncomfortable.
October 8, 2018
Loved this book.
June 20, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"And then he would smile, just smile."
Marty was supposed to be on leave - he and Hope were soon to be married - but was recalled when police were directed to a woodland cabin. Inside was found the body of an older man, shot dead, and a younger man, unconscious and barely clinging onto life. There was also a filthy, near naked girl child of five, later recognised as one abducted from her home some weeks before. But it had been the noise which had attracted attention to the scene: gunsgots, then the non stop screaming : a boy of about nine was running through the woods, screaming, screaming. Who were these people and what had happened here?
Whilst Marty and his partner, Jean, work the case, psychologist Hope tried to deal with the children's trauma and untangle their very different situations: the little girl had obviously been neglected and abused whilst the boy had been carefully cared for but could not speak beyond a single word which sounded like 'filthy'.As the case evolved, it became an increasingly emotional one for Marty.
The third in this Whitley and Keal series, Stolen stands alone as an excellent murder mystery but is even better if the reader has already met the three main protagonists, the police duo, Marty and Jean, and clinical psychiatrist and Marty's finance, Hope. Again told from various protagonist perspectives, tensions, and emotions, build as the story slowly unwind to the astonishment of all. Although incredible, there is a distinct feeling of reality about the people and events as the play out. The narration by Amy Deuchler further enhances the reading enjoyment: her pleasant on the ear tones are well modulated and pace perfect, the reading well intoned and each individual character is given their own distinctive voice. A fine performance.
A very enjoyable and thought provoking book. My thanks to the rights holder of Stolen, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. It is an unusual mystery thriller, not fast moving but always tension filled, and with a most unusual plot line which is emotionally charged both for the reader and the book's protagonists. Well written and definitely recommended whether as a starter story or as the book three continuation of a series.
"And then he would smile, just smile."
Marty was supposed to be on leave - he and Hope were soon to be married - but was recalled when police were directed to a woodland cabin. Inside was found the body of an older man, shot dead, and a younger man, unconscious and barely clinging onto life. There was also a filthy, near naked girl child of five, later recognised as one abducted from her home some weeks before. But it had been the noise which had attracted attention to the scene: gunsgots, then the non stop screaming : a boy of about nine was running through the woods, screaming, screaming. Who were these people and what had happened here?
Whilst Marty and his partner, Jean, work the case, psychologist Hope tried to deal with the children's trauma and untangle their very different situations: the little girl had obviously been neglected and abused whilst the boy had been carefully cared for but could not speak beyond a single word which sounded like 'filthy'.As the case evolved, it became an increasingly emotional one for Marty.
The third in this Whitley and Keal series, Stolen stands alone as an excellent murder mystery but is even better if the reader has already met the three main protagonists, the police duo, Marty and Jean, and clinical psychiatrist and Marty's finance, Hope. Again told from various protagonist perspectives, tensions, and emotions, build as the story slowly unwind to the astonishment of all. Although incredible, there is a distinct feeling of reality about the people and events as the play out. The narration by Amy Deuchler further enhances the reading enjoyment: her pleasant on the ear tones are well modulated and pace perfect, the reading well intoned and each individual character is given their own distinctive voice. A fine performance.
A very enjoyable and thought provoking book. My thanks to the rights holder of Stolen, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. It is an unusual mystery thriller, not fast moving but always tension filled, and with a most unusual plot line which is emotionally charged both for the reader and the book's protagonists. Well written and definitely recommended whether as a starter story or as the book three continuation of a series.
January 12, 2019
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave."
I think I can honestly say that this is the first series of crime novels that I've followed through with - mainly because I would read the second one so long after the first that I'd forgotten all the details. Thanks to the wonder of audiobooks, I've been able to work my way through this series in a more reasonable time frame and I'm enjoying getting to know more about these characters with each book.
Now, in book 3, the crime involves another murder, with two suspects and two young children of unknown identity. I don't think it would be a spoiler to mention that there is a pedophile involved, so this may not be suitable for some readers.
Untangling the identities of the children and the suspects makes for riveting listening and so I also managed to do quite a bit of ironing :)
I was happy to see that the narration was by Amy Deuchler, the same narrator as book 2. She does a good job with both male and female voices and spoke at a good pace.
I enjoyed the twisty nature of this novel and the ending was satisfying. It was a pleasure to reunite with the crime team of Marty Keal and Jean Whitley, plus Marty's fiance, Hope, whose insights into child psychiatry are fascinating. We also find Jean's daughter Bethany getting involved again, this time through her involvement with her boyfriend Dylan.
Book 4 next...
I think I can honestly say that this is the first series of crime novels that I've followed through with - mainly because I would read the second one so long after the first that I'd forgotten all the details. Thanks to the wonder of audiobooks, I've been able to work my way through this series in a more reasonable time frame and I'm enjoying getting to know more about these characters with each book.
Now, in book 3, the crime involves another murder, with two suspects and two young children of unknown identity. I don't think it would be a spoiler to mention that there is a pedophile involved, so this may not be suitable for some readers.
Untangling the identities of the children and the suspects makes for riveting listening and so I also managed to do quite a bit of ironing :)
I was happy to see that the narration was by Amy Deuchler, the same narrator as book 2. She does a good job with both male and female voices and spoke at a good pace.
I enjoyed the twisty nature of this novel and the ending was satisfying. It was a pleasure to reunite with the crime team of Marty Keal and Jean Whitley, plus Marty's fiance, Hope, whose insights into child psychiatry are fascinating. We also find Jean's daughter Bethany getting involved again, this time through her involvement with her boyfriend Dylan.
Book 4 next...
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