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Taking Lives
Total strangers, one man and two boys, each hold a piece of a deadly puzzle and they don’t know it. The bodies of six boys are found in remote areas in different states with startling similar characteristics. FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his team from the Crimes Against Children Unit investigate and discover a curious pattern that his superiors refuse to believe. Unfortunately for Pete, there are no other leads and nothing else to go on, and no proof to verify Pete’s theory. Brett McGovern is a handsome and athletically talented eleven year old. He and his younger brother, Bobby, discover that someone breaks into their home at night while their family sleeps. One afternoon, an incident occurs, but Brett doesn’t tell his parents or anyone else, choosing instead to keep it a secret. A decision that is very costly. More than a thousand miles away on the Navajo Indian Reservation, George Tokay, an eleven year old Navajo, and his grandfather have vivid, troubling dreams and visions. Neither understands the meaning or has an explanation. This lack of understanding is deadly. Even though they live in separate parts of the country, the lives of Pete Kelliher, Brett McGovern, and George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their futures grow dark and dreadful as each search for a way out.
300 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2014
40 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Lewis
11 books101 followersI am a reviewer and published author in the thriller-crime-mystery genre. I've won approximately 20 awards. You can find my work on my website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 30, 2014
Taking Lives is in a genre that I normally don’t read—Crime Fiction, specifically crimes against children. However, after reading the author’s notes wherein he talked about being moved to shed light on child trafficking, after reading a story about an eleven-year-old boy from Minnesota who had been abducted at gunpoint by a stranger, I decided to give Taking Lives a read.
As I imagined, the subject matter is disturbing and the read difficult at times, but the author is so adept at storytelling and character development that I found myself rushing to get back to the story whenever I had a chance. In Taking Lives there’s a mysterious ring of child traffickers who are kidnapping, sexually abusing, and killing young boys. I was glad the author did not depict the later in any detail. The story centers around three groups of people: The police who are trying to catch the bad guys, a Navajo boy named George and his sage grandfather living on a reservation in Arizona, and a young athlete named Brett and his younger brother Bobby, in Indiana. Both boys are born leaders, smart, attractive, and perfect prey for the predators. The author had me on the edge of my seat as he alternated between the lives of the two boys.
The novel is well-written and it’s obvious that the author has done his research. Each time I read about the Navajo boy’s life, I felt like I was traveling to a different world. The descriptions are so vivid and the character development makes the young warrior/investigator to be, jump off of the page. I can say the same about the Indiana boy, Brett. I also found Brett’s scenes to be the most unnerving, wondering which of the men in his life is the predator. Is it the coach? His teacher? I nearly fell off the elliptical machine at the gym when one of the predators was revealed—OMG.
Joseph is a master at setting up diversions and tension, scenes that make the hair on your neck rise, wondering what bogeyman is going to jump out of some dark corner in the night. Part one of a trilogy, the book ends too fast for me, but it ends in a way that makes you beg for the next installment because the last scene in the book is heart-stopping. It will make you scream for justice to prevail. Based on the sneak preview of book two, there’s seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel and the little Navajo boy who’s on his way to becoming a man will be at the center of it all.
I recommend this book especially for parents of young children. It is an eye-opener!
As I imagined, the subject matter is disturbing and the read difficult at times, but the author is so adept at storytelling and character development that I found myself rushing to get back to the story whenever I had a chance. In Taking Lives there’s a mysterious ring of child traffickers who are kidnapping, sexually abusing, and killing young boys. I was glad the author did not depict the later in any detail. The story centers around three groups of people: The police who are trying to catch the bad guys, a Navajo boy named George and his sage grandfather living on a reservation in Arizona, and a young athlete named Brett and his younger brother Bobby, in Indiana. Both boys are born leaders, smart, attractive, and perfect prey for the predators. The author had me on the edge of my seat as he alternated between the lives of the two boys.
The novel is well-written and it’s obvious that the author has done his research. Each time I read about the Navajo boy’s life, I felt like I was traveling to a different world. The descriptions are so vivid and the character development makes the young warrior/investigator to be, jump off of the page. I can say the same about the Indiana boy, Brett. I also found Brett’s scenes to be the most unnerving, wondering which of the men in his life is the predator. Is it the coach? His teacher? I nearly fell off the elliptical machine at the gym when one of the predators was revealed—OMG.
Joseph is a master at setting up diversions and tension, scenes that make the hair on your neck rise, wondering what bogeyman is going to jump out of some dark corner in the night. Part one of a trilogy, the book ends too fast for me, but it ends in a way that makes you beg for the next installment because the last scene in the book is heart-stopping. It will make you scream for justice to prevail. Based on the sneak preview of book two, there’s seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel and the little Navajo boy who’s on his way to becoming a man will be at the center of it all.
I recommend this book especially for parents of young children. It is an eye-opener!
May 4, 2015
Another new author for me .... I'm still not sure how I feel about what I've read. It deals with human trafficking of young boys who are kept for nefarious reasons and when they reach a certain age, they are killed and bodies disposed of in different states.
I am glad that what these youngsters go through is glossed over. It tells mostly of how the Law Enforcement officers handle the monstrous things they see .. the families they have to question.
And many miles away, there is a young Navajo boy having dreams about these missing boys.
There are no red herrings, no unexpected bangs of mystery ... like a slow moving pond, the water ever so gently rippling, but getting bigger and bigger as time goes by.
I am glad that what these youngsters go through is glossed over. It tells mostly of how the Law Enforcement officers handle the monstrous things they see .. the families they have to question.
And many miles away, there is a young Navajo boy having dreams about these missing boys.
There are no red herrings, no unexpected bangs of mystery ... like a slow moving pond, the water ever so gently rippling, but getting bigger and bigger as time goes by.
December 25, 2020
This book hits close to home. I usually never read the authors note but for this one I did. This story is about young boys and how they they can just vanish like Jacob Wetterling did and many others. It also shows how those searching for these boys and the trials and tribulations they go through day and night. I have only read book one but I recommend the whole series.
November 20, 2025
I love this book
Joseph was an fantastic author
Joseph was an fantastic author
February 2, 2019
I had the great fortune of meeting the author at a book signing in my area. I bought his book and started on it a few days later. Less than 2 days after starting it, I had completed it. I have to say it is one of the most compelling mysteries I have ever read. The subject matter is a dark one, but deeply engaging. I immediately contacted the author to purchase the rest of the trilogy and I am really looking forward to finding out what happens to these main characters.
November 26, 2014
Continued Book
I missed the part where it said this was only the first part of a story. I guess I'm going to have to start reading reviews. While I was enjoying the story although it was a tough subject, I was not happy to just have it come to a screeching halt with nothing resolved.
I missed the part where it said this was only the first part of a story. I guess I'm going to have to start reading reviews. While I was enjoying the story although it was a tough subject, I was not happy to just have it come to a screeching halt with nothing resolved.
August 21, 2014
First I do know the author but putting that aside this is a compelling read and I can't wait for the next one. When you get yours I'm sure you'll feel the same way. The topic will make you cringe and you'll want to get your hands on these people yourself. Don't wait get it to day.
September 23, 2014
Excellent treatment of a difficult subject. Holy cliffhanger! Informs without unnecessary description of what is done to boys. Fantastic suspense!
August 23, 2019
This is a book the reader won't soon forget. The story line is horrific. The author quickly makes the reader part of the story. The ending makes the book.
April 15, 2015
Ughhhhh,mixed feelings.
I chose a 3 because I couldn't even finish the book. A couple descriptive parts made me gag. While this may be what the author was looking to do, I just can not handle it. I am not naive, and I don't live in a bubble. I am fully aware that there are sick disgusting animals out there that do these things, but to read about it, it puts the fear of God in me. I just can't continue to read this. I won't be reading anymore in this series. Not because the author is bad or untalented, but because I can't handle the ugliness.
I chose a 3 because I couldn't even finish the book. A couple descriptive parts made me gag. While this may be what the author was looking to do, I just can not handle it. I am not naive, and I don't live in a bubble. I am fully aware that there are sick disgusting animals out there that do these things, but to read about it, it puts the fear of God in me. I just can't continue to read this. I won't be reading anymore in this series. Not because the author is bad or untalented, but because I can't handle the ugliness.
January 10, 2015
I found this book very interesting I found that the book held my attention and
I enjoy reading stories about the FBI . I think the story line is important to what goes on in the real world. I felt like the story is very intense I liked how three author explained how he came to choose this story He made me care for the boys in the book I would recommend this book to people who likes a good mysteries
I enjoy reading stories about the FBI . I think the story line is important to what goes on in the real world. I felt like the story is very intense I liked how three author explained how he came to choose this story He made me care for the boys in the book I would recommend this book to people who likes a good mysteries
September 10, 2014
U have to buy another book for an ending??
that's a ridiculous tactic. further the elementary kids engaging in sexual behaviors was totally unnecessary to the plot. if the author was trying to bring awareness to the heinous acts of human trafficking and child sexual abuse he might have tried to focus more on the plot. I will not pay to read the end of this!!
that's a ridiculous tactic. further the elementary kids engaging in sexual behaviors was totally unnecessary to the plot. if the author was trying to bring awareness to the heinous acts of human trafficking and child sexual abuse he might have tried to focus more on the plot. I will not pay to read the end of this!!
January 5, 2016
The low rating due to not having an ending.
It just stopped, but the first two chapters of the next book were given and I read them and see this is meant as a serial tale. It seems like a good tale, written well, etc. I was just mad that it just stopped. I would like to continue it unless the next one ends the same way.
It just stopped, but the first two chapters of the next book were given and I read them and see this is meant as a serial tale. It seems like a good tale, written well, etc. I was just mad that it just stopped. I would like to continue it unless the next one ends the same way.
May 19, 2015
Excellent story
This is something that should be made to be read by as many people and teens as possible to make them more aware and cautious as it is not easy to spot these people. Too often it is someone they would never expect. Maybe this book will show the way for more family openness to discussion.
This is something that should be made to be read by as many people and teens as possible to make them more aware and cautious as it is not easy to spot these people. Too often it is someone they would never expect. Maybe this book will show the way for more family openness to discussion.
March 6, 2015
Kinda Fiction Documentary
A well written book but makes an odd book. Seems like a documentary in that there didn't seem to be any moral or ideals built into the story. Probably some will like it, but it wasn't what I expected.
A well written book but makes an odd book. Seems like a documentary in that there didn't seem to be any moral or ideals built into the story. Probably some will like it, but it wasn't what I expected.
March 27, 2015
Kept me wanting to read more
Interesting characters and plots that draw you in. Guessing what happens next doesn't work and you change the guesses as you go
Interesting characters and plots that draw you in. Guessing what happens next doesn't work and you change the guesses as you go
April 9, 2015
No ending
The story just stopped the next preview had the same same people does it have an ending or is it the same as the first
The story just stopped the next preview had the same same people does it have an ending or is it the same as the first
April 6, 2016
Not impressed with the writing but the story is so sad and i will read the rest in the trilogy for that reason alone.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews