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Taken
Jessica Patterson's comfortable, settled life seems idyllic and her marriage perfect. She met American Sheldon Patterson on holiday in Mexico and fell for him instantly. Good looking and easy going as well as financially secure, he was everything Jessie wanted in a husband. When they have a son, CJ, her happiness is complete.
Jessie is besotted with her son and her life revolves around him, while his father constantly travels for his business. So when Sheldon announces one day that he is going to take CJ away for a few days to Disneyland, Paris - to 'bond' with his son - Jessie is persuaded to let them go. Her nightmare begins when they don't return...
Jessie is besotted with her son and her life revolves around him, while his father constantly travels for his business. So when Sheldon announces one day that he is going to take CJ away for a few days to Disneyland, Paris - to 'bond' with his son - Jessie is persuaded to let them go. Her nightmare begins when they don't return...
Paperback
First published January 5, 2004
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About the author
Bernardine Kennedy
16 books5 followersBernardine was born in London but spent most of her childhood with her travelling ex-pat parents in Singapore and Nigeria before settling in Essex, where she still lives.
Her diverse and very varied working life, which has given her such an insight into the situations of her characters, has included careers as an Air Hostess, a Swimming Instructor and a Social Worker as well a Teacher of English in a women's prison.
She has been a freelance writer for many years initially writing whatever was wanted by whoever before eventually specialising in travel features for popular magazines and newspapers. This gave her the opportunity to combine her two favourite activities; writing and travelling!
Her diverse and very varied working life, which has given her such an insight into the situations of her characters, has included careers as an Air Hostess, a Swimming Instructor and a Social Worker as well a Teacher of English in a women's prison.
She has been a freelance writer for many years initially writing whatever was wanted by whoever before eventually specialising in travel features for popular magazines and newspapers. This gave her the opportunity to combine her two favourite activities; writing and travelling!
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 22, 2009
W-o-w...This is a FAB story and a real page-turner that kept me up half of the night reading.
Taken begins with a prologue showing the protaganist, Jessica, as a young child trying to understand why she doesn't have a father like her peers. The reader is alerted to Jess promising herself that she will one day marry a man who will always stay with her and her children. Her promise stays with her until she is thirty years old and meets Sheldon Patterson, the man she has been waiting for.
Chapter One begins with the awful nightmare that every mother dreads - Jess's child has disappeared. From the outset Bernadine Kennedy packs a punch that will have the reader reluctant to put the book down.
This book is a definite keeper and Bernadine Kennedy is another author who will go onto my automatic purchase list!
Taken begins with a prologue showing the protaganist, Jessica, as a young child trying to understand why she doesn't have a father like her peers. The reader is alerted to Jess promising herself that she will one day marry a man who will always stay with her and her children. Her promise stays with her until she is thirty years old and meets Sheldon Patterson, the man she has been waiting for.
Chapter One begins with the awful nightmare that every mother dreads - Jess's child has disappeared. From the outset Bernadine Kennedy packs a punch that will have the reader reluctant to put the book down.
This book is a definite keeper and Bernadine Kennedy is another author who will go onto my automatic purchase list!
May 16, 2020
A frightening portrayal of a mother's worst nightmare.
Meet Jess, brought up by a single, hardworking and loving mum after her father left home. Jess settled down and married late (30-something), due to ensuring that the man she commits to is loving and loyal. Turns out her husband, Sheldon, is anything but - as she realises too late -when he absconds with their 5 year old son.
The story puts the reader, as the mother, through the wringer and is desperately worrying... then ensues a bit of a farse of bizarre almost stereotypical characters; the evil mother-in-law, the sexy young nanny, the attractive lawyer ... and after much ado the conclusion is reached.
This said it's a good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, I found it hard to put down. The start of the book is exceptional, and if you overlook the unlikely absurdity of some of the characters - it's a really good read.
Definitely worth a read.
Meet Jess, brought up by a single, hardworking and loving mum after her father left home. Jess settled down and married late (30-something), due to ensuring that the man she commits to is loving and loyal. Turns out her husband, Sheldon, is anything but - as she realises too late -when he absconds with their 5 year old son.
The story puts the reader, as the mother, through the wringer and is desperately worrying... then ensues a bit of a farse of bizarre almost stereotypical characters; the evil mother-in-law, the sexy young nanny, the attractive lawyer ... and after much ado the conclusion is reached.
This said it's a good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, I found it hard to put down. The start of the book is exceptional, and if you overlook the unlikely absurdity of some of the characters - it's a really good read.
Definitely worth a read.
November 10, 2021
Taken started off as a plausible page turner. I only picked it up less than twenty four hours ago and it's been very hard to put down.
When Jess Patterson allowed her son to go to Disneyland with his father for a long weekend, she thought nothing of it, but when she couldn't contact her husband she began to worry and when husband and son didn't come home, she became frantic.
The reader is thrown into the story almost immediately, there's no real build up, but there are a few flashbacks throughout to give the reader an insight into the Patterson's marriage.
The ending could have been executed much better. Too many unrealistic characters were added as well as an unnecessary blackmail subplot which detracted from the already engaging main plot of the book.
It would've had an extra star for sure had the ending been as realistic as the beginning of the book. However, it was an enjoyable read.
When Jess Patterson allowed her son to go to Disneyland with his father for a long weekend, she thought nothing of it, but when she couldn't contact her husband she began to worry and when husband and son didn't come home, she became frantic.
The reader is thrown into the story almost immediately, there's no real build up, but there are a few flashbacks throughout to give the reader an insight into the Patterson's marriage.
The ending could have been executed much better. Too many unrealistic characters were added as well as an unnecessary blackmail subplot which detracted from the already engaging main plot of the book.
It would've had an extra star for sure had the ending been as realistic as the beginning of the book. However, it was an enjoyable read.
February 14, 2017
Amazing Book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, found it hard to put down a lot of the time, wanting to know what had happened. Definitely 5 Stars and would recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, found it hard to put down a lot of the time, wanting to know what had happened. Definitely 5 Stars and would recommend.
March 27, 2010
A rather naïve, doting mum sees hubby and their son off on a short holiday but they don't return. The idea is a good one and the first few chapters were gripping. Unfortunately it then went fast downhill into a 'Woman's Weekly' tale of love and revenge. All the stereotypes are there: the sexy au-pair, the bitchy, rich mother-in-law, the ex-wife, the lawyer who gets a crush on the client and a couple of extras who are so unbelievable as to raise a smile.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
August 20, 2014
Este livro tem acontecimentos arrepiantes. Uma mãe que vê o seu filho desaparecer após umas mini-férias dele e do pai, com quem vive habitualemnte. Desde o início que me questionei «mas porquê??» a uma série de acontecimentos. Lê-se bem, prende-nos (queremos mesmo saber o que aconteceu e o que vai acontecer), mas acho que tem a ver com vidas que nunca poderiam ser as de quem vive em meu redor...
July 28, 2011
THIS BOOK DIDN'T KEEP MY ATTENTION....I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOOD AT ALL....
December 29, 2014
Read this book many years ago, another brilliant story by Bernardine Kennedy.
January 2, 2022
Borrowed from a neighbour, didn't think I'd finish it but persevered til the end to find out if Jess would get her own child back, a bit long and drawn out
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2009
Every mothers worst nightmare bought vividly to life
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews