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Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne #7
The Stolen Ones
In Richard Montanari's chilling new suspense novel, a sealed-off network of secret passages connects all of Philadelphia to the killer hidden within.
Luther Wade grew up in Cold River, a warehouse for the criminally insane. Two decades ago the hospital closed it doors forever, but Luther never left. He wanders the catacombs beneath the city, channeling the violent dreams of Eduard Kross, Europe's most prolific serial killer of the 20th century.
A two-year-old girl is found wandering the streets of Philadelphia in the middle of the night by detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano. She does not speak, but she may hold the key to solving a string of murders committed in and around Priory Park. As the detectives investigate, more bodies are found at Priory Park, and they're drawn closer and closer to the doors of Luther's devious maze and the dark secrets of Cold River.
Luther Wade grew up in Cold River, a warehouse for the criminally insane. Two decades ago the hospital closed it doors forever, but Luther never left. He wanders the catacombs beneath the city, channeling the violent dreams of Eduard Kross, Europe's most prolific serial killer of the 20th century.
A two-year-old girl is found wandering the streets of Philadelphia in the middle of the night by detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano. She does not speak, but she may hold the key to solving a string of murders committed in and around Priory Park. As the detectives investigate, more bodies are found at Priory Park, and they're drawn closer and closer to the doors of Luther's devious maze and the dark secrets of Cold River.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published July 4, 2013
80 people are currently reading
2217 people want to read
About the author
Richard Montanari
26 books886 followersRichard Montanari is the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rosary Girls, The Killing Room, The Stolen Ones and the upcoming thriller, The Doll Maker.
Series:
* Jack Paris
* Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne
Series:
* Jack Paris
* Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
December 26, 2023
Glad to be back into Balzano/Byrne. This time they are chasing a very mysterious suspect. It's about murder, an old asylum, the "dream merchants", crawlspaces. The case leads back to Estonia. Will our two main detectives be able to track a subject down? Is the case really over in the end or might there be some more adventures inside? Montanari comes up with a very chilling tale full of bizarre killings and madness. What is the pattern here? Why are former members of the asylum killed and how can the murderer be stopped? Couldn't put this one down and am looking forward to the other books on the two detectives I haven't read so far. This author is among the very best thriller authors. Highly recommended!
October 29, 2025
I often buy books that are marked down in price. They are just so pricy these days. I have to admit I have a knack of finding what I like without knowing too much about them. Goodreads though is helping me become more and more aware of books that I think I will like so hunting has gotten a bit easier. With regard to this book though I just saw it marked at $6 and read the captioning and was intrigued. I had no idea that it was number 7 in a series so lets get that out of the way because that doesn't matter at all. The book has an intriguing premise dealing with dreams and a former psychatric hospital where things went bad. It deals with the underground networking of a city (tunnels and the like through the waterways). Having worked at a mall it is reminiscent of the behind the scenes hallways for moving incoming goods into a mall. I have read a few books that deal with this aspect of the city. I think Montanari stretched it a bit with then being able to get into the houses but I tend to roll with fiction and give quite a bit of leeway. I won't put up with utter nonsense but to me this aspect was kind of intriguing. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I even appreciated the formatting with regard to it. I read this after reading 1450 pages of The Stand with very small print and small pages. The type set, spacing and overall breath of the book was much appreciated. It is something I kind have always been aware of when buying a book but after The Stand I appreciate it even more. If you want an easy, intriguing read then have a read of this one. I will definitely be following up on this series!
April 10, 2014
Do You Dream?
The Stolen Ones is the 7th installment of Richard Montanari's novels featuring Philadelphia Detectives Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne. These detectives have been are brought in on a case after a wealthy businessman was found murdered in Priory Park. Before long, a series of murders and a mute two-year old girl bring them up against a man named Luther. Luther is the one person left behind after the closing of the Delaware Valley State Hospital.
First off let me start by saying that I am so happy to finally become acquainted with this author. The Stolen Ones is the definition of what I look for in crime fiction. The pace is fast, characters are interesting, and the thrills come often. At times it felt I was reading a horror novel mixed with crime fiction, topped off with psychological suspense. And thankfully, those independant genres fuse well.
Montanari does well to provide a 7th novel that doesn't read like there's something missing. There isn't a whole chunk of history in the two starring detectives lives that is eluded to and breezed over making the reader feel confused. Both Balzano and Byrne are well developed, interesting, and complementing of each other.
As the novel shifts between the past and present, we are introduced to a man named Luther and the people who crossed his path... for better or worse. His preferred travel method makes for some sleepless nights in the hopes of nothing being in my closet. Seriously. This novel had the perfect amount of suspense and sheer creepiness that I tried to steal a moment whenever I could to get back to the story.
Ultimately, The Stolen Ones by Richard Montanari is a great way to spend the day reading. It fuses many genres seamlessly and introduces the world of dreams to the unsuspecting. This is one nightmare I would never want to live through. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Copy provided by Mulholland Books via a Goodreads Giveaway
The Stolen Ones is the 7th installment of Richard Montanari's novels featuring Philadelphia Detectives Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne. These detectives have been are brought in on a case after a wealthy businessman was found murdered in Priory Park. Before long, a series of murders and a mute two-year old girl bring them up against a man named Luther. Luther is the one person left behind after the closing of the Delaware Valley State Hospital.
First off let me start by saying that I am so happy to finally become acquainted with this author. The Stolen Ones is the definition of what I look for in crime fiction. The pace is fast, characters are interesting, and the thrills come often. At times it felt I was reading a horror novel mixed with crime fiction, topped off with psychological suspense. And thankfully, those independant genres fuse well.
Montanari does well to provide a 7th novel that doesn't read like there's something missing. There isn't a whole chunk of history in the two starring detectives lives that is eluded to and breezed over making the reader feel confused. Both Balzano and Byrne are well developed, interesting, and complementing of each other.
As the novel shifts between the past and present, we are introduced to a man named Luther and the people who crossed his path... for better or worse. His preferred travel method makes for some sleepless nights in the hopes of nothing being in my closet. Seriously. This novel had the perfect amount of suspense and sheer creepiness that I tried to steal a moment whenever I could to get back to the story.
Ultimately, The Stolen Ones by Richard Montanari is a great way to spend the day reading. It fuses many genres seamlessly and introduces the world of dreams to the unsuspecting. This is one nightmare I would never want to live through. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Copy provided by Mulholland Books via a Goodreads Giveaway
September 25, 2013
Before I write this review, I need to clarify 2 things.
Firstly, I love Montanari's books, I eagerly await them every year.
Secondly, I am a psychiatrist.
With regards to the book; fast paced, with Montanari's usual variety of perspectives. The characters have grown and developed throughout the series, but remain true. As can be expected, there is a roller-coaster-ride's worth of plot twists; however, some are predictable and based on Montanri's own work, there are tricks he has tried before.
With regards to psychiatry. Where does this research come from? Yes, I know full well that psychiatry has a very checkered past, but this depiction lives up to a stereotype previously seen in Shutter Island. Yes, psych hospitals tend to be large; no, catacombs are not routine. Yes, some patients never recover fully but most do. Chronic patients are usually placed in group facilities. Male and female patients are separate. Staff know there patients. As for the dream experiments, it's an interesting concept- the transfer of the unconscious from one person to another; but not possible. Psychiatry is a medical profession, Drs and nurses who treat patients. This dark- glamour attached to psychiatry may be related to its past (pre medication) but is continually perpetuated my books and films that explore only this depiction and no other.
So sadly, I was disappointed by this book- 3 stars.
Firstly, I love Montanari's books, I eagerly await them every year.
Secondly, I am a psychiatrist.
With regards to the book; fast paced, with Montanari's usual variety of perspectives. The characters have grown and developed throughout the series, but remain true. As can be expected, there is a roller-coaster-ride's worth of plot twists; however, some are predictable and based on Montanri's own work, there are tricks he has tried before.
With regards to psychiatry. Where does this research come from? Yes, I know full well that psychiatry has a very checkered past, but this depiction lives up to a stereotype previously seen in Shutter Island. Yes, psych hospitals tend to be large; no, catacombs are not routine. Yes, some patients never recover fully but most do. Chronic patients are usually placed in group facilities. Male and female patients are separate. Staff know there patients. As for the dream experiments, it's an interesting concept- the transfer of the unconscious from one person to another; but not possible. Psychiatry is a medical profession, Drs and nurses who treat patients. This dark- glamour attached to psychiatry may be related to its past (pre medication) but is continually perpetuated my books and films that explore only this depiction and no other.
So sadly, I was disappointed by this book- 3 stars.
July 23, 2016
http://www.mybookishways.com/2014/03/...
When The Stolen Ones opens, Jessica Balzano is in law school and eventually plans to leave the force, but she still works in the Special Investigations Unit in homicide. She catches a case that involves a businessman, Robert Freitag, who was found in Priory Park in early 2013 with a railroad spike through the head. His apartment has been sealed until now, and of course Jessica jumps at the chance to gather more evidence. The only problem is, the evidence they do have (which is minimal and at times, nonsensical) was put together by the detective working the case at the time, John Garcia, who suffered from a brain tumor that eventually killed him. She and her partner, Kevin Byrne, first visit the original crime scene, then head to Freitag’s apartment, where they uncover a few things that might have a chance of leading them to his killer. Meanwhile, a man named Luther roams Philadelphia’s underground, and his ties to a killer named Eduard Kross is leading him to his next victims. When more bodies start to appear in Priory Park, the case ramps up very, very fast. If things weren’t already strange enough, a mute little girl is found in the middle of the road with ties to a past case, and a retired detective is pulled back into a nightmare that he never escaped from.
This is my first experience with Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano of the Philadelphia Police Dept., and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, I plan to catch up the first six as soon as I can! Most of the narrative follows Balzano and Byrne as they pick apart the puzzle that is Luther, but we also get glimpses into Luther’s past at Cold River, where he was born into very tragic circumstances, and of the diabolical dream studies and experiments that were conducted there. The making of a killer is a fascinating thing, and Montanari tackles the subject, and his detectives’ race against the clock to catch him, like the seasoned pro that he is. I like the fact that Balzano is a smart, busy wife and mother who is trying to get her law degree in addition to her day job, and she does it with dedication and humor (and more than a little exhaustion.) Byrne is quiet and methodical and the two form a great partnership, one of absolute trust and loyalty. As a newcomer to the series, I never felt that I was missing anything I needed in order to fully enjoy the story, so it can definitely stand on its own. If you enjoy creepy thrillers that move at a blistering pace and have more than their share of the macabre, THE STOLEN ONES should be on your must read list. Also, the ending gave me chills-can’t wait for the next one!
When The Stolen Ones opens, Jessica Balzano is in law school and eventually plans to leave the force, but she still works in the Special Investigations Unit in homicide. She catches a case that involves a businessman, Robert Freitag, who was found in Priory Park in early 2013 with a railroad spike through the head. His apartment has been sealed until now, and of course Jessica jumps at the chance to gather more evidence. The only problem is, the evidence they do have (which is minimal and at times, nonsensical) was put together by the detective working the case at the time, John Garcia, who suffered from a brain tumor that eventually killed him. She and her partner, Kevin Byrne, first visit the original crime scene, then head to Freitag’s apartment, where they uncover a few things that might have a chance of leading them to his killer. Meanwhile, a man named Luther roams Philadelphia’s underground, and his ties to a killer named Eduard Kross is leading him to his next victims. When more bodies start to appear in Priory Park, the case ramps up very, very fast. If things weren’t already strange enough, a mute little girl is found in the middle of the road with ties to a past case, and a retired detective is pulled back into a nightmare that he never escaped from.
This is my first experience with Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano of the Philadelphia Police Dept., and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, I plan to catch up the first six as soon as I can! Most of the narrative follows Balzano and Byrne as they pick apart the puzzle that is Luther, but we also get glimpses into Luther’s past at Cold River, where he was born into very tragic circumstances, and of the diabolical dream studies and experiments that were conducted there. The making of a killer is a fascinating thing, and Montanari tackles the subject, and his detectives’ race against the clock to catch him, like the seasoned pro that he is. I like the fact that Balzano is a smart, busy wife and mother who is trying to get her law degree in addition to her day job, and she does it with dedication and humor (and more than a little exhaustion.) Byrne is quiet and methodical and the two form a great partnership, one of absolute trust and loyalty. As a newcomer to the series, I never felt that I was missing anything I needed in order to fully enjoy the story, so it can definitely stand on its own. If you enjoy creepy thrillers that move at a blistering pace and have more than their share of the macabre, THE STOLEN ONES should be on your must read list. Also, the ending gave me chills-can’t wait for the next one!
May 6, 2015
Excellent entry in the Byrne-Balzano series about the lasting effects of secret medical experiments that took place at a now-closed mental hospital some twenty years ago and the hospital's connection to a series of murders. Gripping from beginning to end and filled with enough police procedural talk to please the most die hard enthusiast. The epilogue was a bit of a stretch, but that's just minor quibbling. Solid effort throughout, and fans of Montanari will be happy they picked this one up. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2021
Meiner Meinung nach der beste Teil der Reihe!
July 14, 2022
A mysterious man by the name of Luther is murdering people who seemingly have no connection. And what does his killings have to do with an old psychiatric asylum? And what does it have to do with another serial killer who has been operating since the 1930s in Estonia? And what does it have to do with a couple of young girls 16 years ago being visited by a mysterious man in his closet? And what does it have to do with a young real estate agent, Rachel? Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano get involved when a recent cold case is given to them in relation to a man with a railroad spike driven into his head.
This book is just all over the place. It's clear the author himself had a timeline of when everything was happening, and why it was happening, but that all gets lost, because he chops it all up and delivers it in little bits of pieces, featuring different characters in different time periods. Basically, I was sitting in the dark for the most of the book until the final quarter finally starts to explain how all the discrete elements fit together, because the author was being delibrately confusing. Even then, it was all a bit muddled, something to do with dream therapy that makes a person think they're somebody else and carries out killings. But why Kross (the ultimate villian) was doing any of this remains frustratingly vague, even once the book is over.
Montanari is a fine writer and this had a few good moments here and there, but it was a struggle to get through, and I can't help but feel it stole ten days of my life that I could have spent reading other more interesting, less deliberately confusing books.
This book is just all over the place. It's clear the author himself had a timeline of when everything was happening, and why it was happening, but that all gets lost, because he chops it all up and delivers it in little bits of pieces, featuring different characters in different time periods. Basically, I was sitting in the dark for the most of the book until the final quarter finally starts to explain how all the discrete elements fit together, because the author was being delibrately confusing. Even then, it was all a bit muddled, something to do with dream therapy that makes a person think they're somebody else and carries out killings. But why Kross (the ultimate villian) was doing any of this remains frustratingly vague, even once the book is over.
Montanari is a fine writer and this had a few good moments here and there, but it was a struggle to get through, and I can't help but feel it stole ten days of my life that I could have spent reading other more interesting, less deliberately confusing books.
April 11, 2017
One of my fav series to read. Balzano and Byrne are good strong characters, who compliment each other well. Another great story, with a few twists and turns, keeping you interested right to the very end.
October 22, 2013
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the review copy.
Destroyed by fire years ago, the infamous Philadelphia State Hospital was a warehouse for the criminally insane.
But one man never left.
A bizarre killer is at work in darkest Philadelphia and Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano must stop him. But first they must find him ....
Now I have been in from the start of the Balzano and Byrne stories so I was looking forward to this one and was very excited to get a copy. As usual I was in no way disappointed. Richard Montanari has a very distinct voice in the writing world and has become over the years a master of the craft - this particular instalment has become one of my favourites (my absolute still being "The Skin Gods" - Book 2 of the series) due to the complex and very intense storyline.
Jessica is investigating a cold case which very quickly becomes a hot potato - with Kevin on board they find themselves chasing a very dangerous man...and will have to unravel a mystery with its roots in the past.
I loved the flow of this one - snapshots of age old events give clues to what is happening in the present and the plot twists and turns in typical Montanari style until you are not sure if you are coming or going...and the ultimate resolution was one of the best so far.
Ok, I can see why some readers who are also mental health professionals have been a bit down on this one - some of the visuals if you like on asylums and what goes on in them (at least in this fictional world) are often disturbing. However the key word here is "fictional". This is a story, dramatic license is allowed and indeed required to make a compelling tale - it is in no way implied that any of this is fact.
It is disconcerting and frightening crime fiction. If you want rainbows and kittens this is not the book for you, however if you love crime fiction with bite and have not yet delved into this world then I would recommend them - The Rosary Girls would be where to start.
Happy Reading Folks!
Destroyed by fire years ago, the infamous Philadelphia State Hospital was a warehouse for the criminally insane.
But one man never left.
A bizarre killer is at work in darkest Philadelphia and Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano must stop him. But first they must find him ....
Now I have been in from the start of the Balzano and Byrne stories so I was looking forward to this one and was very excited to get a copy. As usual I was in no way disappointed. Richard Montanari has a very distinct voice in the writing world and has become over the years a master of the craft - this particular instalment has become one of my favourites (my absolute still being "The Skin Gods" - Book 2 of the series) due to the complex and very intense storyline.
Jessica is investigating a cold case which very quickly becomes a hot potato - with Kevin on board they find themselves chasing a very dangerous man...and will have to unravel a mystery with its roots in the past.
I loved the flow of this one - snapshots of age old events give clues to what is happening in the present and the plot twists and turns in typical Montanari style until you are not sure if you are coming or going...and the ultimate resolution was one of the best so far.
Ok, I can see why some readers who are also mental health professionals have been a bit down on this one - some of the visuals if you like on asylums and what goes on in them (at least in this fictional world) are often disturbing. However the key word here is "fictional". This is a story, dramatic license is allowed and indeed required to make a compelling tale - it is in no way implied that any of this is fact.
It is disconcerting and frightening crime fiction. If you want rainbows and kittens this is not the book for you, however if you love crime fiction with bite and have not yet delved into this world then I would recommend them - The Rosary Girls would be where to start.
Happy Reading Folks!
March 16, 2014
This book defines 'thriller' for me. The edge-of-your-seat tension and creepy (in a good way) premise make this the kind of book that has you looking over your shoulder and trying desperately to solve the mysteries. Montanari's writing is excellent and I am pleased to learn there are many more in this series. I won this on Goodreads and had not read this author previously. This is my honest review (Goodreads makes us say that); this book would be perfect for a plane or train ride--the time will fly because you will be so engrossed in this pulse pounding book.
February 18, 2018
Wow, absolutely wow, this book has left me speechless and in awe of the author. It just amazes me how the author continues to keep coming up with these amazing plot ideas.
This is an edge of ure seat gripping crime thriller, I could not put this book down, was completely taken in by the story from beginning to end.
As always I love the characters in this ongoing series of books. :-)
This is an edge of ure seat gripping crime thriller, I could not put this book down, was completely taken in by the story from beginning to end.
As always I love the characters in this ongoing series of books. :-)
November 25, 2013
3.0 out of 5 stars - It is a rainy and stormy season in Philadelphia. A man is found with a railroad spike driven into his head in Priory Park, close to the old shut down Delaware Valley State Hospital at Cold River which used to hold many insane and homeless patients. It closed its doors forever more than twenty years ago but a man who was perhaps a patient there, Luther Wade, never left, and roams the catacombs, sewer and storm drainage tunnels beneath the city, and now commits horrific crimes. He seems to be targeting people who once were associated with that old hospital. Why them? Why now? And is there a connection to a toddler found in the middle of the street one night? Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano, long time partners with the PDD, are assigned to the case.
This book was creepy and quite hard to follow at times with the jumps back and forth in time and the characters and their relationships to each other both past and present. I found it confusing but the excellent writing kept me glued to the pages trying to see what would happen next. To tell you the truth, I am still not quite sure I understand completely who did what and all that went on from the asylum to the current murders. The last couple of chapters helped tie it up a bit, but the end of the investigation still didn't completely explain everything to my satisfaction -- or maybe I need to reread with the ending still fresh in my mind.
I found the description of Cold River and the practice of psychiatric "care" there quite unnerving and mostly unbelievable, even for fiction. I know that conditions at some of those homes for the insane bordered on inhumane and bedlam, but I'd like to think that perhaps there were one or two good staff who had an idea of patients who were dying in hallways, giving birth in corridors, and escaping regularly.
I did like the book, but feel that the non-linear narrative made it hard to completely grasp all the motivations of the criminal(s) and their history. I liked the partnership of Jessica and Kevin and wonder how the author will handle that in the future. I loved the police procedural details as well. I'd read another by this author.
*Part of a series that I have not read previously. This seemed to stand alone but perhaps the book was a bit confusing to me because I didn't know all the previous history of the main characters. The ending of this one seems to leave room for yet another installment in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the eBook ARC to review.
This book was creepy and quite hard to follow at times with the jumps back and forth in time and the characters and their relationships to each other both past and present. I found it confusing but the excellent writing kept me glued to the pages trying to see what would happen next. To tell you the truth, I am still not quite sure I understand completely who did what and all that went on from the asylum to the current murders. The last couple of chapters helped tie it up a bit, but the end of the investigation still didn't completely explain everything to my satisfaction -- or maybe I need to reread with the ending still fresh in my mind.
I found the description of Cold River and the practice of psychiatric "care" there quite unnerving and mostly unbelievable, even for fiction. I know that conditions at some of those homes for the insane bordered on inhumane and bedlam, but I'd like to think that perhaps there were one or two good staff who had an idea of patients who were dying in hallways, giving birth in corridors, and escaping regularly.
I did like the book, but feel that the non-linear narrative made it hard to completely grasp all the motivations of the criminal(s) and their history. I liked the partnership of Jessica and Kevin and wonder how the author will handle that in the future. I loved the police procedural details as well. I'd read another by this author.
*Part of a series that I have not read previously. This seemed to stand alone but perhaps the book was a bit confusing to me because I didn't know all the previous history of the main characters. The ending of this one seems to leave room for yet another installment in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the eBook ARC to review.
February 5, 2017
Stolen Ones deals with the "Cold River" hospital for the criminally insane, and I think only the patients of such an asylum would be able to enjoy this book.
The story revolves around several murders that take place around Priory Park and are committed by a mental patient named Luther who navigates the city via underground tunnels. The murders are being investigated by Detective Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne.
I was not aware that this was part of a series of books until I went to add it to my GoodReads list. I'm not sure if this is why Jessica's introduction seemed rushed. Reading it as a stand alone her introduction where she was going to be a lawyer then her brother died and so she wasn't but now she's taking classes so she is was not only rushed but unnecessary; nothing relating to her classes really added to the story so I'm not sure why it was included. Her partner Kevin Byrne wasn't super developed and I still don't have a real sense of his character.
As for the story itself, it is so full of plot holes I'm not sure where to begin.
This story left more questions then answers, it felt as if the author decided that if he set the story at a mental institution he could half a$$ the story and chalk it up to being 'crazy.' This was definitely a disappointing story.
The story revolves around several murders that take place around Priory Park and are committed by a mental patient named Luther who navigates the city via underground tunnels. The murders are being investigated by Detective Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne.
I was not aware that this was part of a series of books until I went to add it to my GoodReads list. I'm not sure if this is why Jessica's introduction seemed rushed. Reading it as a stand alone her introduction where she was going to be a lawyer then her brother died and so she wasn't but now she's taking classes so she is was not only rushed but unnecessary; nothing relating to her classes really added to the story so I'm not sure why it was included. Her partner Kevin Byrne wasn't super developed and I still don't have a real sense of his character.
As for the story itself, it is so full of plot holes I'm not sure where to begin.
This story left more questions then answers, it felt as if the author decided that if he set the story at a mental institution he could half a$$ the story and chalk it up to being 'crazy.' This was definitely a disappointing story.
February 9, 2015
A cold case comes to live with the discovery of a new body, a new murder, and multiple new connections. A two-year-old child is found standing in the middle of the street. A mysterious man in ragged clothing appears in a little girls closet completely out of nowhere. A woman disappears from her basement without having left her house. With the help of the rest of the experts in the Philadelphia Police Department, Detectives Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne unravel a chilling series of dream-like murders.
The Stolen Ones is book 7 of a series of detective novels. At the time of request, I was unaware of this fact, and I hoped that I would not be confused because I hadn’t read the others. I’m happy to say that I had no trouble at all getting lost in this story. I am totally in love with Kevin Byrne and his snarky Irish attitude, and Jessica’s tough-girl-who-is-here-to-kick-ass mentality.
The story was incredibly complex, and a few times I found myself stopping and saying “wait, what? I’m confused.” I had to check to make sure I hadn’t skipped a track in the audiobook. I hadn’t, all was well… there were just some jarring sections that I think were hard to interpret because it was audio instead of printed. however all things considered it wasn’t enough to negatively affect the story.
The performance by William Hope was very good. I liked his voices and interpretations of the characters a lot, especially Kevin Byrne. He has done quite a few audiobooks, and his experience is obvious; he reads with a good authority, pace, and energy.
There were some gruesome details of violence so it is not for the faint of heart or stomach. It was enough to shock me, but it wasn’t anything I would regret listening to. I’d definitely recommend it to ages 18+ who are into the crime thriller genre.
The Stolen Ones is book 7 of a series of detective novels. At the time of request, I was unaware of this fact, and I hoped that I would not be confused because I hadn’t read the others. I’m happy to say that I had no trouble at all getting lost in this story. I am totally in love with Kevin Byrne and his snarky Irish attitude, and Jessica’s tough-girl-who-is-here-to-kick-ass mentality.
The story was incredibly complex, and a few times I found myself stopping and saying “wait, what? I’m confused.” I had to check to make sure I hadn’t skipped a track in the audiobook. I hadn’t, all was well… there were just some jarring sections that I think were hard to interpret because it was audio instead of printed. however all things considered it wasn’t enough to negatively affect the story.
The performance by William Hope was very good. I liked his voices and interpretations of the characters a lot, especially Kevin Byrne. He has done quite a few audiobooks, and his experience is obvious; he reads with a good authority, pace, and energy.
There were some gruesome details of violence so it is not for the faint of heart or stomach. It was enough to shock me, but it wasn’t anything I would regret listening to. I’d definitely recommend it to ages 18+ who are into the crime thriller genre.
July 12, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
I started reading The Stolen Ones, hoping I’d enjoy the book. The plot sounded great. An asylum for the criminally insane, catacombs, a serial killer channeling violent dreams, a mix of supernatural and psychological thriller. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, it wasn’t all that great.
We get introduced to main characters Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano, two detectives, rather shortly, which is all right, considering this book is number eight in a series. However, I didn’t mind, I got a well-enough grasp of the characters to figure out their personalities and quirks. Luther, the bad guy, was intriguing too. He was led by the dreams of serial killer Eduard Kross due to some psychiatric experiment gone wrong.
However, the writing was formulaic and too descriptive. The pacing was too slow, and for the most part, the book wasn’t suspenseful at all. I didn’t feel invested in any of the murdered characters. The main characters were likeable, but too standard. They don’t stand out from the dozens of other police officers and detectives playing roles in suspense novels. The conditions in the psychiatric hospital aren’t believable at all. I’m okay with embellishing things, or making things worse to fit the story, but it was way over the top here. That facility, Cold River, sounded like something from Shutter Island, or from American Horror Story.
The plot went in all kinds of directions, and it was disjointed as well. Not one of my favorite detective novels, I’m afraid.
I started reading The Stolen Ones, hoping I’d enjoy the book. The plot sounded great. An asylum for the criminally insane, catacombs, a serial killer channeling violent dreams, a mix of supernatural and psychological thriller. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, it wasn’t all that great.
We get introduced to main characters Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano, two detectives, rather shortly, which is all right, considering this book is number eight in a series. However, I didn’t mind, I got a well-enough grasp of the characters to figure out their personalities and quirks. Luther, the bad guy, was intriguing too. He was led by the dreams of serial killer Eduard Kross due to some psychiatric experiment gone wrong.
However, the writing was formulaic and too descriptive. The pacing was too slow, and for the most part, the book wasn’t suspenseful at all. I didn’t feel invested in any of the murdered characters. The main characters were likeable, but too standard. They don’t stand out from the dozens of other police officers and detectives playing roles in suspense novels. The conditions in the psychiatric hospital aren’t believable at all. I’m okay with embellishing things, or making things worse to fit the story, but it was way over the top here. That facility, Cold River, sounded like something from Shutter Island, or from American Horror Story.
The plot went in all kinds of directions, and it was disjointed as well. Not one of my favorite detective novels, I’m afraid.
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July 3, 2021Πριν ξεκινησω, να πω ότι λατρεύω τον Μονταναρι και περιμένω πως και πως να πιάσω το επόμενο βιβλίο του.
Όπως πάντα, μια σκηνή άσχετη φαινομενικά και ο δολοφόνος να μιλάει σε κείμενο italic.
Αυτήν την φορά ξέρουμε από την αρχή ποιος είναι. Ή έστω, νομίζουμε ότι ξέρουμε εν τέλει.
Πάντα είμαστε ένα βήμα πριν τους ντετέκτιβ (ναι καλά 🤣) , όλα μας δίνονται (φαινομενικά) στο πιάτο και πάλι, πας να ενώσεις τα κομμάτια και Ω τι εκπληξις!
Το κίτρινο που πας να το ενώσεις με το κίτρινο, είναι λεμόνι με καναρίνι, το μπλε είναι σιελ με γαλάζιο, το ροζ είναι φούξια και ματζέντα. Μοιάζουν αλλά δεν είναι τα ίδια.
"Traumen Sie?"
"Ναι γιατρέ, ονειρεύομαι."
Ο Λούθερ είναι ένα ανθρώπινο φάντασμα, δεν υπάρχει πουθενά και όμως εμφανίζεται παντού. Τι μια στιγμή τον βλέπεις, την άλλη εξαφανίζεται. Σαν τυφλοπόντικας ξέρει όλες τις υπόγειες κατακόμβες κάτω από την πόλη. Το παρελθόν του άγνωστο, το παρόν του αμφίβολο.
Τα όνειρα τελικά πόσο μπορούν να είναι χειραγωγισιμα ή να χειραγωγείται κάποιος μέσω αυτών?
Με κούρασε όμως πολύ αυτό το βιβλίο οφείλω να ομολογήσω. Ζοριστηκα να το τελειώσω. Ελπίζω το επόμενο να με αποζημιώσει περισσότερο...
Όπως πάντα, μια σκηνή άσχετη φαινομενικά και ο δολοφόνος να μιλάει σε κείμενο italic.
Αυτήν την φορά ξέρουμε από την αρχή ποιος είναι. Ή έστω, νομίζουμε ότι ξέρουμε εν τέλει.
Πάντα είμαστε ένα βήμα πριν τους ντετέκτιβ (ναι καλά 🤣) , όλα μας δίνονται (φαινομενικά) στο πιάτο και πάλι, πας να ενώσεις τα κομμάτια και Ω τι εκπληξις!
Το κίτρινο που πας να το ενώσεις με το κίτρινο, είναι λεμόνι με καναρίνι, το μπλε είναι σιελ με γαλάζιο, το ροζ είναι φούξια και ματζέντα. Μοιάζουν αλλά δεν είναι τα ίδια.
"Traumen Sie?"
"Ναι γιατρέ, ονειρεύομαι."
Ο Λούθερ είναι ένα ανθρώπινο φάντασμα, δεν υπάρχει πουθενά και όμως εμφανίζεται παντού. Τι μια στιγμή τον βλέπεις, την άλλη εξαφανίζεται. Σαν τυφλοπόντικας ξέρει όλες τις υπόγειες κατακόμβες κάτω από την πόλη. Το παρελθόν του άγνωστο, το παρόν του αμφίβολο.
Τα όνειρα τελικά πόσο μπορούν να είναι χειραγωγισιμα ή να χειραγωγείται κάποιος μέσω αυτών?
Με κούρασε όμως πολύ αυτό το βιβλίο οφείλω να ομολογήσω. Ζοριστηκα να το τελειώσω. Ελπίζω το επόμενο να με αποζημιώσει περισσότερο...
July 13, 2016
This was a rather strange story with a convoluted plot. It was fascinating to follow the thread going all the way back to mid-20th Century Estonia, then to a disreputable mental hospital in Philadelphia, following the experimental dream therapy in secret use, all somehow leading to a kidnapping and a series of gruesome murders. There were some VERY interesting characters, to say the least, and I did like the main detectives. I liked the book enough to make sure I finished it and will definitely read some of his other books.
July 29, 2015
Absolutely loved it. 5 stars for me. Completely gripping from the first page, with plenty of twists, developments and new characters to keep you hooked. I will admit that I did get slightly confused at times (if you've read the book, hopefully you understand what things were confusing to me!) but that's only a minor problem as I soon picked it up and sorted it out in my head.
This was the first Richard Montanari book I read; and it certainly won't be the last.
This was the first Richard Montanari book I read; and it certainly won't be the last.
May 31, 2018
This book was boring. I downloaded it. Opened to the first page. Read to the bottom of the page. Turned to the next page. I continued turning pages and reading them until I finished the book. I wondered why the author felt the need to detail every event the way I have just described reading his novel. Maybe he didn't have enough material to make a novel.
April 25, 2015
What can i say Richard Montanari certainly knows how to get you in was hooked from start to finish well written loved the main Characters Detective Kevin Byrne & jessica Balzano highly recommended this was my first read of this author will read more for sure
September 8, 2013
I read the whole book in two sessions and i love it.
March 16, 2014
A disappointing formulaic read and not nearly as good as his earlier books ..... The skin gods and The rosary girls I found myself bored and looking forward to the finish ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️
April 28, 2020
Εκπληκτικό μυθιστόρημα στο είδος του. Πλοκή, χαρακτήρες, εξέλιξη πραγματικά συγκλονίζουν
October 17, 2024
Eh. Plot was weird, didn’t flow well. Was confused at the end. Wouldn’t recommend:
July 26, 2018
I LOVED this, but at the same time I acknowledge that the last 150 pages were a hot mess that made me laugh hysterically while I was reading them.
This was definitely, for the most part, a firm return to form for the series. The two main characters (Byrne and Balzano) made decisions that sane people would make at every single turn, the crimes themselves were creepy and atmospheric and the sense of pressure was great. It was an absolute romp of a book, and exactly the quality that I've come to expect from this series.
The reason, then, why I detracted a star
So, yes. I truly, deeply loved this book. It was compelling, fun and genuinely reminded me just why I'm seven books into the series with the next two prominent on my TBR pile. The single, small problem with it is that the entire last quarter of the book is INSANE.
This was definitely, for the most part, a firm return to form for the series. The two main characters (Byrne and Balzano) made decisions that sane people would make at every single turn, the crimes themselves were creepy and atmospheric and the sense of pressure was great. It was an absolute romp of a book, and exactly the quality that I've come to expect from this series.
The reason, then, why I detracted a star
So, yes. I truly, deeply loved this book. It was compelling, fun and genuinely reminded me just why I'm seven books into the series with the next two prominent on my TBR pile. The single, small problem with it is that the entire last quarter of the book is INSANE.
December 4, 2017
This is a hard review for me to write as I am a bit biased being a huge fan of this series but this just didn't really work for me. I love Byrne & Balzano & really enjoy the inventive & gruesome death scenarios that Montanari comes up with. From the off I'm usually gripped but oddly in this case from the off I was confused by what was going on. To be fair I should have put the book down & returned to it afresh at a later date but I carried on, thinking everything would make sense as I progressed & once more I'd be hooked....but sadly it didn't & I wasn't. The story switched about too much, I couldn't tell who was who, real or dream, couldn't make sense of the man in the closet, Tuff, Bean - all as clear as mud! Even as the truth came to light things didn't come together in a very satisfactory manner & overall I found things quite disjointed & a bit of a struggle.
On the plus side Balzano & Byrne were as engaging as ever & I'm getting rather a soft spot for Helmut Rohmer too. As to the epilogue, well I've had to read it three or four times as I'm so surprised by it!
As I hadn't a clue what was going on for much of the book a two star review would seem the fairest score but I liked the idea of the storyline (even if I didn't like the execution of it) & I love the well-rounded lead characters so am settling at three. Fingers crossed that I'm back to five stars for the next book.
On the plus side Balzano & Byrne were as engaging as ever & I'm getting rather a soft spot for Helmut Rohmer too. As to the epilogue, well I've had to read it three or four times as I'm so surprised by it!
As I hadn't a clue what was going on for much of the book a two star review would seem the fairest score but I liked the idea of the storyline (even if I didn't like the execution of it) & I love the well-rounded lead characters so am settling at three. Fingers crossed that I'm back to five stars for the next book.
December 8, 2023
Μια ιστορία 500 σελίδων που στρέφεται γύρω από μια ομάδα ψυχιατρικών ερευνών που δρούσε σε ένα πλέον ρημάδι -κουφάρι, ερείπιο- στο Πράιορι Παρκ της Φιλαδέλφεια.
Οι ντετέκτιβ Κέβιν Μπερν και Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο -Ιταλοαμερικανίδα- οπωσδήποτε κάνουν ένα πολύ καλό δίδυμο. Οι Κλεμμένες ψυχές είναι ένα καλό ως πολύ καλό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, ο συγγραφέας έχει υπόβαθρο έρευνας μέχρι και σε λεπτομέρεια για την αστυνομία της Φιλαδέλφεια (που δεν είναι απαραίτητο να μας τα πει όλα αυτά που γνωρίζει, αλλά τέλος πάντων συνηθίζεται στις μέρες μας...) και φαίνεται πως την ακολουθεί πιστά.
Ομολογουμένως η "Ηχώ του κακού" του ιδίου μου είχε αρέσει περισσότερο, ίσως σε σημεία το στήσιμο της πλοκής πάει να γίνει φορμαλιστικό -formulaic, που λένε στ' αγγλικά-, αλλά απόλαυσα τόσο το ξετύλιγμα της υπόθεσης -το καθαρό procedural κομμάτι δηλαδή- όσο και την κάπως απότομη στροφή στο τέταρτο τμήμα του βιβλίου στη δράση.
Ο Μοντανάρι είναι ένας Αμερικανός συγγραφέας αστυνομικών θρίλερ που ανακάλυψα σχετικά πρόσφατα, αλλά έχει τον τρόπο του να σε κερδίζει και να στήνει αξιόλογες υποθέσεις. Μπόνους πόντους παίρνει για αναφορές στην αποτρόπαιη ιστορία της ψυχιατρικής "επιστήμης" και πρακτικής.
Ενδεικτική βαθμολογία: 3,75/5
Οι ντετέκτιβ Κέβιν Μπερν και Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο -Ιταλοαμερικανίδα- οπωσδήποτε κάνουν ένα πολύ καλό δίδυμο. Οι Κλεμμένες ψυχές είναι ένα καλό ως πολύ καλό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, ο συγγραφέας έχει υπόβαθρο έρευνας μέχρι και σε λεπτομέρεια για την αστυνομία της Φιλαδέλφεια (που δεν είναι απαραίτητο να μας τα πει όλα αυτά που γνωρίζει, αλλά τέλος πάντων συνηθίζεται στις μέρες μας...) και φαίνεται πως την ακολουθεί πιστά.
Ομολογουμένως η "Ηχώ του κακού" του ιδίου μου είχε αρέσει περισσότερο, ίσως σε σημεία το στήσιμο της πλοκής πάει να γίνει φορμαλιστικό -formulaic, που λένε στ' αγγλικά-, αλλά απόλαυσα τόσο το ξετύλιγμα της υπόθεσης -το καθαρό procedural κομμάτι δηλαδή- όσο και την κάπως απότομη στροφή στο τέταρτο τμήμα του βιβλίου στη δράση.
Ο Μοντανάρι είναι ένας Αμερικανός συγγραφέας αστυνομικών θρίλερ που ανακάλυψα σχετικά πρόσφατα, αλλά έχει τον τρόπο του να σε κερδίζει και να στήνει αξιόλογες υποθέσεις. Μπόνους πόντους παίρνει για αναφορές στην αποτρόπαιη ιστορία της ψυχιατρικής "επιστήμης" και πρακτικής.
Ενδεικτική βαθμολογία: 3,75/5
March 14, 2022
Unfortunately, this read didn’t do much for me. I found that the plot was quite convoluted and there were simply a lot of intricacies that seemed a bit too far fetched for the tone and reach of the plot.
The Stolen Ones is a crime fiction novel following the investigation of recent slough of murders in Philadelphia. The main detectives, Jessica and Kevin, are tasked with solving the series of murders that have ravaged their town, and are soon brought face to face with Luther, a citizen who grew up in the local “warehouse for the criminally insane.”
I just found this read really hard to get into. The plot seemed a little far fetched which made it hard to hold my attention. While I’m happy I finished it (I enjoyed the ending), I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a recommended read.
However, when I looked at fellow reviews on Goodreads, I did notice that several reviewers mentioned this book was an excellent continuation of the current series (this is the 7th installment of the series following the lives of Jessica and Kevin). Therefore, had I read the others, perhaps I would have had a different experience with this one.
The Stolen Ones is a crime fiction novel following the investigation of recent slough of murders in Philadelphia. The main detectives, Jessica and Kevin, are tasked with solving the series of murders that have ravaged their town, and are soon brought face to face with Luther, a citizen who grew up in the local “warehouse for the criminally insane.”
I just found this read really hard to get into. The plot seemed a little far fetched which made it hard to hold my attention. While I’m happy I finished it (I enjoyed the ending), I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a recommended read.
However, when I looked at fellow reviews on Goodreads, I did notice that several reviewers mentioned this book was an excellent continuation of the current series (this is the 7th installment of the series following the lives of Jessica and Kevin). Therefore, had I read the others, perhaps I would have had a different experience with this one.
May 1, 2020
The story links back to a serial killer who was previously carrying out murders in other countries and has passed this proclivity on to another country.
From the start we are introduced to the killer which of course the detectives and unaware of. This added character helps with the darkness of the killer and really makes them seem threatening. It links to the idea of dream therapy throughout the book.
I like the main detectives, I felt they were believable and human. I was pleasantly surprised when the current mystery was linked to a previous case.
Overall the case was well thought out, made sense and kept you hooked.
My reason for 4 star is just down to the ending which I felt was a little rushed and the lack of emphasis on the second killer. I actually had to flick back through the book to remember who they were.
From the start we are introduced to the killer which of course the detectives and unaware of. This added character helps with the darkness of the killer and really makes them seem threatening. It links to the idea of dream therapy throughout the book.
I like the main detectives, I felt they were believable and human. I was pleasantly surprised when the current mystery was linked to a previous case.
Overall the case was well thought out, made sense and kept you hooked.
My reason for 4 star is just down to the ending which I felt was a little rushed and the lack of emphasis on the second killer. I actually had to flick back through the book to remember who they were.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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