Book: TAKEN GIRLS
Author: Carolyn Arnold
Pub Day: JUNE 20TH 2023
About the Book:
Music from the busy dancefloor echoes into the deserted room where the Prom Queen lies deadly still. A tiara rests on her soft blonde curls, but her face is frozen with fear, and her painted red lips are forever sealed shut in a silenced scream…
When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing schoolfriend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reese left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.
Haunted by the scene, Amanda dives headfirst into the case. Chasing every lead, she is horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops.
And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely. But can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late?
A completely pulse-pounding and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Taken Girls' by Carolyn Arnold.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Carolyn Arnold, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 15th June 2023.
This is the sixth book I have read by this author. It is also the eighth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Stolen Daughters' which I also highly recommend and is the second book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series 'The Silent Witness' which is the third book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Black Orchid Girls' which is the fourth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Her Frozen Cry' which is the fifth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Last Seen Alive' by which is the sixth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series and 'Her Final Breath' which is the seventh book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series . Each book can be read as a standalone and I would recommend them all.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching stunning cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A completely pulse-pounding and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.' I am a huge fan of Angela Marsons so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Carolyn and if this is half as good as 'Stolen Daughters', 'Black Orchid Girls', 'Her Frozen Cry', 'The Silent Witness', 'Last Seen Alive' and 'Her Final Breath' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 53 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Prince William County, North Virginia, USA 🇺🇸
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonist is Detective Amanda Steele. The benefits of third person perspective with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Taken Girls' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Carolyn discusses/includes bullying and hate crime.
Yet another epic read from the very talented Carolyn Arnold!!! Absolutely rammed full of twists and turns!! Congratulations Carolyn on yet another page turner!!
This is an extremely well written book with vivid descriptions that will suck you straight into the storyline and captivated from beginning to end. The synopsis and cover worked perfectly with the storyline.
Every time I see a Carolyn Arnold book I just know I have to read it and that it will be amazing and that's without me even bothering to read the synopsis and this one was exactly the same!!! The storyline means that there is no problem with this being read as a standalone. I was absolutely hooked throughout, a true page turner from beginning to end. Carolyn is one of those amazing authors who writes these epic books that when you are reading them you promise yourself one more chapter and then you'll go to sleep but each time she ends her chapters in a way that has you hooked so you have to read just one more, but then another and before you know it you have walked around all day with the book glued to your hands and have devoured it in one sitting!!! The storyline was in depth and packed with suspense, murder, twists, family, tension, hate, grief, intensity, bullying, shocks and was an edge of your seat, nail biting and heart racing psychological thriller. I was absolutely hooked. I read this book in less than 24 hours and I'm looking forward to reading the previous books in this series as well as more to come. This series is extremely addictive and I cannot wait to see what the next "episode" brings!! This book is an absolute rollercoaster ride filled with twists, action, murder, heartbreak, suffering, suspense and everything you could ask for in an absolutely thrilling page turner.. Ava who is Detective Amanda Steele's niece begs Amanda to investigate into the disappearing of her school friend who is missing. Reese is 18 years old had a fight with her mum three nights previously, left the house and hasn't been seen since. Reese's mother didn't even bother report her missing and just assumed she had run away. Amanda is devastated when Reese's body is found brutally murdered and dramatically staged at the prom venue. Amanda is determined to get justice for Reese but the killer is determined to get justice of their own and to remove anyone who may reveal their identity and put them at risk. Whose determination will help them survive? Has Amanda met a killer she cannot beat? What is the killer trying to achieve? The answers are.... In the pages of this absolutely epic page turner which you will have to grab your copy today to get them!!!
It is one of the best books I have read this year and I really enjoyed and loved the ending!!! It is filled with suspense, tension, mystery, shocks, love, friendship, sadness, crime and everything you could ever want in a crime novel. As always Carolyn ensures there were no loose ends at the book and that everything was explained and tied up. It is one of my pet hates having loose ends at the end of a book so well done Carolyn!! I won't say more as not to spoil it for future readers. It is a true page turner that will leave you biting your nails on the edge of your seat with your heart racing. I cannot wait to see what Amanda and Trent are going to do now!!!! Hope your busy typing the next one up Carolyn as I cannot wait!!!
Although this is the eighth book in the series you will have absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I loved meeting all the characters again who were all strong, well defined and unique. I have become completely invested in Amanda, Trent and Zoe through reading these books and they now feel like family that I miss when I come to the end of one book but am excited to see again at the beginning of the next!! .Amanda is absolutely whoop a## and I love seeing strong female leads in books. She has a background but will not let it pull her down and she is definitely someone I would love to have on my side. It has been so bitter sweet watching her bond with Zoe even more and watching their relationship develop and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I've also enjoyed seeing Zoe's confidence growing book by book after everything she went through. They have become like a family to me along with Trent and Malone. Trent is another fantastic team member and they work perfectly well together. I love Rideout's (medical examiner) character and personality with his morgue humour and I also like Malone and see him as a sort of fatherly figure to Amanda. Ava is an intriguing character who is definitely a load but is also following in Amanda's footsteps and I am hoping we see more of her as it would be interesting to see if she does go into detective work herself. A fantastic group of intriguing, realistic and solid characters all brought to life by Carolyn's fantastic evocative writing skills!! I am definitely looking forward to meeting them all (well almost all) again!!!
This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors Carolyn!!! Here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!
I could not praise this book enough and highly recommend. Carolyn I cannot wait to read more of your very successful work!!! I would also love to see this book turned into a movie. Another absolutely addictive, compelling and gripping true page turner!!! If you have not read any books by this epic authour then you are seriously missing out!!!
Overall another absolutely captivating, engrossing page turner that is compelling and addictive by an extremely talented author!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Organized Crime, Serial Killers, Noir Crime, Crime, Thriller And Mystery Adventures, Noir Crime, Women Sleuths, Police Procedural, Serial Killer Thriller, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Women's Popular Fiction, Organized Crime Thriller, Murder Thrillers, Suspense Thriller, Noir Fiction, Serial Killer Thriller, Womens Psychological, Crime Thriller, Mystery ,Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Serial Killers and Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell, Rachel Abbott, K.L Slater, Melinda Leigh, Carol Wyer, Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot, T.M Logan,The Housemaid, The Family Across The Street, The Family Upstairs, DK Hood, Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine, The Widow, The Housewarming. and anyone after an addictive, gripping, must read page turner.
349 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review, which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENTâ„¢.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Social Media Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold
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