What do you think?
Rate this book
A Sidney Stone FBI Thriller #1
Stolen Innocence: A Sidney Stone FBI Thriller
Haunted by her brother's brutal murder, FBI Agent Sidney Stone races against time to unravel a chilling wave of child abductions that mirror her own traumatic past, pushing her to the brink of sanity as she confronts both ruthless criminals and her own demons.
FBI Agent Sidney Stone has dedicated her life to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, determined to prevent others from suffering the same fate as her kid brother, Ben. They were abducted when she was 16 and he seven. He was killed while she was let go. His death fuels her relentless pursuit of justice while struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
A wave of child abductions bears an eerie resemblance to the patterns of Sidney’s own abduction, pulling her deeper into a psychological battle. Partnering with Special Agent Alex Kane to co-lead the investigation, Sidney must navigate a complex web of clues and confront a network of sadistic criminals.
With the support of a dedicated team and her therapist Dr. Emma Blake, Sidney fights to balance her personal demons with her drive to save others. Each breakthrough brings her closer to dismantling the abductors’ sinister operation, but also to her own breaking point.
FBI Agent Sidney Stone has dedicated her life to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, determined to prevent others from suffering the same fate as her kid brother, Ben. They were abducted when she was 16 and he seven. He was killed while she was let go. His death fuels her relentless pursuit of justice while struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
A wave of child abductions bears an eerie resemblance to the patterns of Sidney’s own abduction, pulling her deeper into a psychological battle. Partnering with Special Agent Alex Kane to co-lead the investigation, Sidney must navigate a complex web of clues and confront a network of sadistic criminals.
With the support of a dedicated team and her therapist Dr. Emma Blake, Sidney fights to balance her personal demons with her drive to save others. Each breakthrough brings her closer to dismantling the abductors’ sinister operation, but also to her own breaking point.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2024
1041 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Julia Derek
104 books116 followersJulia Derek is originally from Sweden and is a trainer by day and writer by night. She's the author of several mystery and thriller books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 9, 2025
Super quick, 200-page read. If you like criminal minds, you’ll probably like this!
January 20, 2025
If you can ignore the super obvious timeline issues (like getting an invite to a super top secret human trafficking auction, which takes, generally, years of deep undercover work…in less than a few hours,) and the choppy sentence structure it had potential. I was super tempted to DNF it at first, then it became a rage read because of the implausibility, but it finished at a “meh” 3 stars- but I’d consider picking up the next one because of the vast improvement from the beginning to the end.
December 20, 2024
An interesting read. The story was fast paced and kept me reading. I finished it in a day. But some of the writing felt a little cliche. 16 times the protagonist steeled herself or a face was described as steely. I don’t know why but that repetition really bothered me.
November 22, 2024
This was wonderful for an independently published book. Sad story.
TW: Child Trafficking, Child death, Torture, Rape
TW: Child Trafficking, Child death, Torture, Rape
October 27, 2025
Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! Almost DNF’d it at first but it picked up pace & kept me interested to see what would happen next. I agree with other reviews - if you like Criminal Minds / SVU, you’ll like it. Downloaded the next book in the Sydney Stone series, will read that one too.
November 18, 2024
Sidney Stone is an FBI agent and when she was 16 and her brother Ben was 7 they were kidnapped from a park. Ben died and she was let free. An unnerving series of kidnaps begins echoing the ones which took place when she was young, and another agent Alex Kane is brought in alongside her to catch the perpetrators. She feels that this is a slight on her abilities to carry out her job as impassionately as she can.
There are a lot of unpleasant things described in this book, the details of small children being kidnapped, beaten, uncared for, crying, locked in underground rooms. It is a very unpleasant read at times, but through all of this Sidney and Alex manage to find those responsible and reunite some of the stolen children and dismantle a paedophile ring. I finished this a while ago and still feel emotional at the scenes described. It isn't a book for you if you have anything of a similar ilk in your backgrounds.
There are a lot of unpleasant things described in this book, the details of small children being kidnapped, beaten, uncared for, crying, locked in underground rooms. It is a very unpleasant read at times, but through all of this Sidney and Alex manage to find those responsible and reunite some of the stolen children and dismantle a paedophile ring. I finished this a while ago and still feel emotional at the scenes described. It isn't a book for you if you have anything of a similar ilk in your backgrounds.
January 27, 2025
This story starts off with a memory of an FBI agent's younger brother and the pain associated with an incident when she'd been kidnapped alongside her brother, Ben. But Ben didn't live to tell his traumatic story.
Years later, Sidney Stone starts to work on a case that involves missing children. She meets Special Agent Alex Kane who assists them on this operation so that Sidney is able to have an objective coworker, given the possible triggers from her traumatic background.
Whilst working the case and getting leads, the suspected perpetrator appears to be one step ahead of them each time. Sidney and Alex believe there's a traitor in their midst.
When Sidney embroils herself undercover, she doesn't expect for things to turn from bad to worse. The question is, will she live to tell the tale?
A page-turning story with an authentic plot, interesting characters, and a tragic yet real topic about child trafficking. Well worth the read.
Years later, Sidney Stone starts to work on a case that involves missing children. She meets Special Agent Alex Kane who assists them on this operation so that Sidney is able to have an objective coworker, given the possible triggers from her traumatic background.
Whilst working the case and getting leads, the suspected perpetrator appears to be one step ahead of them each time. Sidney and Alex believe there's a traitor in their midst.
When Sidney embroils herself undercover, she doesn't expect for things to turn from bad to worse. The question is, will she live to tell the tale?
A page-turning story with an authentic plot, interesting characters, and a tragic yet real topic about child trafficking. Well worth the read.
May 22, 2025
Emotional
A story that is full of emotion and anger.
Child traffickers are the target for Sidney Stone FBI Agent, especially after she was kidnapped and abused as a 16 year old and her little brother Ben was murdered.
The story is also about trust and how someone you’ve known for years can betray you, betray your trust and sap your morale and make you question everything.
Kane, an FBI Agent brought in from outside to help with the case and against Sidney’s wishes, and Sidney have an uneasy partnership but both are professional enough to put aside any misgivings they may have in order to achieve the objective they are both agreed upon. They become a good team.
The book grips you from the outset and the pages whizz by.
There are emotional moments in this book and I defy anyone reader not to have a tear in their eyes when reading through them.
This is the first book by Julia Derek that I’ve read but I’m certain I will be reading more.
A story that is full of emotion and anger.
Child traffickers are the target for Sidney Stone FBI Agent, especially after she was kidnapped and abused as a 16 year old and her little brother Ben was murdered.
The story is also about trust and how someone you’ve known for years can betray you, betray your trust and sap your morale and make you question everything.
Kane, an FBI Agent brought in from outside to help with the case and against Sidney’s wishes, and Sidney have an uneasy partnership but both are professional enough to put aside any misgivings they may have in order to achieve the objective they are both agreed upon. They become a good team.
The book grips you from the outset and the pages whizz by.
There are emotional moments in this book and I defy anyone reader not to have a tear in their eyes when reading through them.
This is the first book by Julia Derek that I’ve read but I’m certain I will be reading more.
January 6, 2026
Agent Sidney Stone…
A series starter with an FBI agent, who like too many of these agents seems to have experienced her own abduction, torture, and loss, is assigned to a case involving missing children. Given that she has to live daily with post traumatic stress of memories of her own abduction as well as her brother, a brother eventually separated from her, a brother who does not survive, it seems preposterous that any agency would have permitted and/or assigned her to such a case.
Drama ensues throughout including an abduction of Agent Stone, and the plot spirals. Unfortunately, the characters fall flat.
A series starter with an FBI agent, who like too many of these agents seems to have experienced her own abduction, torture, and loss, is assigned to a case involving missing children. Given that she has to live daily with post traumatic stress of memories of her own abduction as well as her brother, a brother eventually separated from her, a brother who does not survive, it seems preposterous that any agency would have permitted and/or assigned her to such a case.
Drama ensues throughout including an abduction of Agent Stone, and the plot spirals. Unfortunately, the characters fall flat.
January 28, 2026
rescue from the child traffickers
The main character and her brother are attacked while moving along the road. Sidney is a young teen. Her brother is a toddler. Her brother is taken as a product to sell while Sidney is captured and physically abused.
Sidney escapes and grows
to be interested in the police and their efforts to reduce crime. Capturing children and selling them becomes an area of interest. She is part of a
Team working to capture those running the business. Searching for missing children takes full time..
Sidney is captured by the same people who had stolen an killed her brother.
Plenty of action is this story.
The main character and her brother are attacked while moving along the road. Sidney is a young teen. Her brother is a toddler. Her brother is taken as a product to sell while Sidney is captured and physically abused.
Sidney escapes and grows
to be interested in the police and their efforts to reduce crime. Capturing children and selling them becomes an area of interest. She is part of a
Team working to capture those running the business. Searching for missing children takes full time..
Sidney is captured by the same people who had stolen an killed her brother.
Plenty of action is this story.
February 3, 2026
This was my first read by this author. I enjoyed the story. I kind of felt like I'd read it before, then I realized it was just after reading *No One Knows You're Here* by Bryn Greenwood. So, it seemed very similar in a way, minus the FBI. Not bad for a short read; it felt a little slow at times, and it may have been overanalyzing on my part due to my previous read. My conclusion to this book was: know who is on your team. If it seems quick and easy, there's almost always a reason why. That's all I'm saying without spoilers.
March 9, 2025
God bless our children
Sidney Stone, a remarkable FBI Agent, was abducted,along with her younger brother. She survived. He did not. She spent the majority of her life, intent upon finding and convicting their captors. Too many innocent children were taken then and still are today. It's devastating. It's incomprehensible.
We need to do more to keep our children safe from every and all dangers.
Sidney Stone, a remarkable FBI Agent, was abducted,along with her younger brother. She survived. He did not. She spent the majority of her life, intent upon finding and convicting their captors. Too many innocent children were taken then and still are today. It's devastating. It's incomprehensible.
We need to do more to keep our children safe from every and all dangers.
December 29, 2024
Wow I absolutely loved this book! Anything that has to do with exploiting innocent children is such a heart breaking read! I was captivated from the beginning and although the truth in these matters is hard to believe, the author did a great job of giving us all hope. In a real world situation my hope would be that these scoundrels be put out of commission and never see light of day again.
April 8, 2025
Informative fiction...
Stolen Innocence by Julia Derek was put together nicely. I liked how the reader was given a view of the many sides of child trafficking and had a good ending for a few children & their families. With prosecutions of some of the sellers & a scant few of the buyers.
Stolen Innocence by Julia Derek was put together nicely. I liked how the reader was given a view of the many sides of child trafficking and had a good ending for a few children & their families. With prosecutions of some of the sellers & a scant few of the buyers.
July 28, 2025
A good series starter. Sydney Stone is an FBI AGENT who was kidnapped with her younger brother Ben years ago. She escaped, Ben was killed. Now more children are being taken. Is this related to what happened years ago? I love Sydney and her partner Alex, and look forward to reading more books in this series.
November 30, 2025
so Real !!
This IS totally today’s headline… every where you look, listen or read - children are “ missing “ or a sex trafficking ring has been found .. there are a lot of sick, depraved people out there, and they look like a next door neighbor… So be vigilant and be on watch for your family !!
This IS totally today’s headline… every where you look, listen or read - children are “ missing “ or a sex trafficking ring has been found .. there are a lot of sick, depraved people out there, and they look like a next door neighbor… So be vigilant and be on watch for your family !!
December 19, 2024
Very solid thriller with tiny mistakes
Solid…can’t put it down thriller!! Little mistakes bothered me…such as Page 10 referred to Ben’s apple shampoo. Page 163 Ben’s strawberry shampoo. A tiny mistake but for a thriller the devil is literally in the details.
Solid…can’t put it down thriller!! Little mistakes bothered me…such as Page 10 referred to Ben’s apple shampoo. Page 163 Ben’s strawberry shampoo. A tiny mistake but for a thriller the devil is literally in the details.
January 4, 2025
Sidney seems a bit out of sorts with her emotional state and her drinking and Alex Kane is a bit touch feely for my liking but the story runs along nicely with good guys and bad guys clearly defined. The mole was a bit predictable but was necessary for the plot.
January 20, 2025
🤔
A heated scary subject, human trafficking.
Fast paced page turner.
Infiltration into the underbelly of human trafficking.
Some parts a bit unbelievable though. I get it, it's fiction.
A heated scary subject, human trafficking.
Fast paced page turner.
Infiltration into the underbelly of human trafficking.
Some parts a bit unbelievable though. I get it, it's fiction.
January 27, 2025
Couldn't Put This Book Down
A definite must read. Very impact filled. I especially loved the end but don't skip to it and read it before it's time or it will ruin the story for you.
A definite must read. Very impact filled. I especially loved the end but don't skip to it and read it before it's time or it will ruin the story for you.
February 6, 2025
definitely such a fast paced read that i also was able to read while at the bar, my book reviews are slowly becoming “would u recommend reading this when there’s a whole lot of commotion going on around you but you feel like being absorbed into a different story” and yes i would recommend
February 10, 2025
Great book
Very tense story that everyone can relate to; child trafficking in this situation was very emotional. Sidney being a victim and also investigator made the book very interesting.
Very tense story that everyone can relate to; child trafficking in this situation was very emotional. Sidney being a victim and also investigator made the book very interesting.
June 24, 2025
Spoilers - kind of
Felt very rushed. There’s no way the under cover mission could have happened that quickly. I like the idea of the book, if you enjoy any cop shows or under cover shows you’d enjoy it.
Felt very rushed. There’s no way the under cover mission could have happened that quickly. I like the idea of the book, if you enjoy any cop shows or under cover shows you’d enjoy it.
August 20, 2025
Book 1 of the Sydney Stone series about child abductions and the selling of children. A free book that was fast paced and kept me entertained throughout. The writing was adequate and made for a very quick read. I recommend it and will probably get around to book 2 in the series soon.
January 7, 2026
The lead character was interesting and the story had enough suspense though many plot turns were predictable. The story held my attention and was a quick read.
At the right price I might read another in the series.
At the right price I might read another in the series.
October 27, 2024
Such a sad story. Could be based on true events.
December 20, 2024
A very good story
This brought to light unspeakable crimes.against the most vulnerable of us, children. I will definitely read more from this author.
This brought to light unspeakable crimes.against the most vulnerable of us, children. I will definitely read more from this author.
January 5, 2025
consuming reading
This is a deep dark and hopeful story. Definitely worth reading. Make sure you have the time to read it as you’ll be caught up right away.
This is a deep dark and hopeful story. Definitely worth reading. Make sure you have the time to read it as you’ll be caught up right away.
January 17, 2025
3.5 stars
January 26, 2025
Gripping
I was drawn into the story straight away and couldn't put it down, great thriller story .Would highly recommend it to family and friends
I was drawn into the story straight away and couldn't put it down, great thriller story .Would highly recommend it to family and friends
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews