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DI Jo Shaw #2
The Stolen Girl
Detective Inspector Jo Shaw is bored, desk-bound, and absolutely not supposed to answer the phone call that sends her to a body in an empty house. Thrown in at the deep end after an injury that almost killed her, she’s determined to prove she’s fit to work. And while a case full of unclear motives and multiple suspects isn’t quite what the doctor ordered, being back in a relationship with her favourite doctor certainly won’t hurt.
When the investigation takes a chilling turn and the Serious Crime Team struggles to connect the dots, Jo asks Isla Munro to help her follow the slenderest of leads. It’s a lead that will take her away from Moorside’s deprived streets and into the lives of the rich and privileged. But these people will do anything to preserve their own interests, and Jo is putting herself—and those closest to her—directly in their line of fire.
When the investigation takes a chilling turn and the Serious Crime Team struggles to connect the dots, Jo asks Isla Munro to help her follow the slenderest of leads. It’s a lead that will take her away from Moorside’s deprived streets and into the lives of the rich and privileged. But these people will do anything to preserve their own interests, and Jo is putting herself—and those closest to her—directly in their line of fire.
312 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2025
17 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Cari Hunter
12 books541 followersCari Hunter lives in the northwest of England with her wife, their cats, and a field full of sheep. She works full-time as a paramedic and dreams up stories in her spare time.
Cari enjoys long, wind-swept, muddy walks in her beloved Peak District. In the summer she can usually be found sitting in the garden with her feet up, scribbling in her writing pad. Although she doesn’t like to boast, she will admit that she makes a very fine Bakewell Tart.
She has written eleven novels, including the Dark Peak series, and has won multiple Goldie and Rainbow awards. In 2024, she won the Best LGBTQ Mystery Lambda for A Calculated Risk, the first book in the DI Jo Shaw series.
The Stolen Girl, the second book in the DI Jo Shaw series, will be released in June, 2025.
Cari can be contacted at: carihunter@rocketmail.com, via her blog: http://carihunter.wordpress.com/, or by dropping by and saying hallo on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cari.hunter.9
Cari enjoys long, wind-swept, muddy walks in her beloved Peak District. In the summer she can usually be found sitting in the garden with her feet up, scribbling in her writing pad. Although she doesn’t like to boast, she will admit that she makes a very fine Bakewell Tart.
She has written eleven novels, including the Dark Peak series, and has won multiple Goldie and Rainbow awards. In 2024, she won the Best LGBTQ Mystery Lambda for A Calculated Risk, the first book in the DI Jo Shaw series.
The Stolen Girl, the second book in the DI Jo Shaw series, will be released in June, 2025.
Cari can be contacted at: carihunter@rocketmail.com, via her blog: http://carihunter.wordpress.com/, or by dropping by and saying hallo on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cari.hunter.9
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 18, 2025
5 ⭐️
A new book by Cari Hunter? I have to have it. And as I love series, I was waiting for the next book with Joe Shaw and Isla Munroe.
At the end of the first book, Isla had to perform the most difficult operation of her life: patching up Jo. The second book begins shortly afterwards. Jo is still handicapped by her injury, but she can do desk duty. However, when a call comes in, she and the rookie on the team are the only ones available. Another nerve-wracking case awaits.
As always with Cari Hunter, the police work and the initial care of the victims are described in detail and told excitingly. The story is dramatic, dark, frustrating, powerful, and lively—with lots of emotions, both good and bad. A realistic thriller that captivated me from the start. Jo's team is good, hard-working, caring, and you can tell that most of them have been working together for a long time and know each other well. The banter between them and all the treats mentioned lighten the mood again and again.
An important subplot takes place in the clinic where Isla works. A case of sexual harassment of young women by a higher-ranking colleague, unfortunately, is a story that happens far too often. But Isla and Jo use their contacts and set out to stop the harasser.
The love story between Jo and Isla is the third storyline. The soulful and emotional revival of their friendship and coming to terms with the past are important parts, and the mix of thriller and romance complements each other perfectly. It's nice to see how they grow closer again and both realize that their love for each other has never faded. The attraction is as strong as ever, and it's only a matter of time before they can no longer resist each other. I was cheering for them.
Jo's recovery process also plays an important role. She is a very complex personality, good and competent at her job, equipped with good people skills, and she has a strong character. She is also caring and sensitive. The trauma she suffered has shaken her deeply and made her vulnerable; her emotions are sometimes all over the place. But Isla is her great support and helps her on her way back.
Cari Hunter repeatedly succeeds in making the emotions and atmospheres palpable through her language and style of expression. Fascinating. A story that moved and touched me deeply. I'm already waiting for part 3.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
A new book by Cari Hunter? I have to have it. And as I love series, I was waiting for the next book with Joe Shaw and Isla Munroe.
At the end of the first book, Isla had to perform the most difficult operation of her life: patching up Jo. The second book begins shortly afterwards. Jo is still handicapped by her injury, but she can do desk duty. However, when a call comes in, she and the rookie on the team are the only ones available. Another nerve-wracking case awaits.
As always with Cari Hunter, the police work and the initial care of the victims are described in detail and told excitingly. The story is dramatic, dark, frustrating, powerful, and lively—with lots of emotions, both good and bad. A realistic thriller that captivated me from the start. Jo's team is good, hard-working, caring, and you can tell that most of them have been working together for a long time and know each other well. The banter between them and all the treats mentioned lighten the mood again and again.
An important subplot takes place in the clinic where Isla works. A case of sexual harassment of young women by a higher-ranking colleague, unfortunately, is a story that happens far too often. But Isla and Jo use their contacts and set out to stop the harasser.
The love story between Jo and Isla is the third storyline. The soulful and emotional revival of their friendship and coming to terms with the past are important parts, and the mix of thriller and romance complements each other perfectly. It's nice to see how they grow closer again and both realize that their love for each other has never faded. The attraction is as strong as ever, and it's only a matter of time before they can no longer resist each other. I was cheering for them.
Jo's recovery process also plays an important role. She is a very complex personality, good and competent at her job, equipped with good people skills, and she has a strong character. She is also caring and sensitive. The trauma she suffered has shaken her deeply and made her vulnerable; her emotions are sometimes all over the place. But Isla is her great support and helps her on her way back.
Cari Hunter repeatedly succeeds in making the emotions and atmospheres palpable through her language and style of expression. Fascinating. A story that moved and touched me deeply. I'm already waiting for part 3.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2025
This is an excellent installment in the series starring Manchester detective Jo Shaw, this time with her relationship with surgeon Isla Munro more advanced. As usual, the author masterfully integrates the cold and damp Manchester atmosphere into the narrative, making it palpable to the reader and adding to the other sensations that comprise the cruel and horrific criminal plot. The investigation unfolds progressively, without cheap tricks, unpredictable twists, or deceptions. The inclusion of Jo and Isla's romantic relationship is a welcome addition; they deserve their moments of rest and happiness amidst so much stress and suffering. I am very happy to have another opportunity to reconnect with this series.
Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to send me a copy via NetGalley for an honest review
Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to send me a copy via NetGalley for an honest review
June 18, 2025
Because of Cari Hunter books, I fell back into reading detective stories, her Dark Peak series pulling me in with a vengeance. What I like best about the author’s books is the humanity. Sure, there are bad guys doing heinous acts and Detective Jo Shaw and her team are determined to bring them to justice. But the author makes certain the victims are always front and center, their characters well developed so we know who the individuals are or were and what this all means to those who lived and the families of those who did not.
Jo herself is tough and vulnerable and prone to getting hurt. Thankfully, Ms. Isla Munro, trauma surgeon extraordinaire, is there by her side to support her and patch her up as needed. I enjoy watching this couple’s relationship grow more serious and look forward to more of Isla and Jo. They are such a special couple.
The specifics of the book include teens, the evils of entitlement, and good people surviving the worst. Lots of action, crazy cold weather, and humorous banter between Jo and her partner, DI Mark Tully. Newbie DC Zainab Kosar is someone who caught my attention and I hope we see her in future stories. Easy five stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Jo herself is tough and vulnerable and prone to getting hurt. Thankfully, Ms. Isla Munro, trauma surgeon extraordinaire, is there by her side to support her and patch her up as needed. I enjoy watching this couple’s relationship grow more serious and look forward to more of Isla and Jo. They are such a special couple.
The specifics of the book include teens, the evils of entitlement, and good people surviving the worst. Lots of action, crazy cold weather, and humorous banter between Jo and her partner, DI Mark Tully. Newbie DC Zainab Kosar is someone who caught my attention and I hope we see her in future stories. Easy five stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Read
June 4, 2025This sequel picks up right where A Calculated Risk ended. DI Jo Shaw is recovering from her knife wound Her team gets assigned a new murder case of a teenager in an abandoned house. Isla Monro, her reunited girlfriend, operates on another victim of the killer. There is a side story of a predatory doctor who is drugging and raping interns.
Jo is her usual self, chasing after the bad guys with no regard for her own safety. She takes a lot of abuse in this story and Isla is there to patch her up. I liked the story and the mystery of finding the killers. It was suspenseful and intense at times. Hunter puts a lot of British words in her stories which I liked. Always fun to learn new words. Jo and Isla are a great couple and I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Jo is her usual self, chasing after the bad guys with no regard for her own safety. She takes a lot of abuse in this story and Isla is there to patch her up. I liked the story and the mystery of finding the killers. It was suspenseful and intense at times. Hunter puts a lot of British words in her stories which I liked. Always fun to learn new words. Jo and Isla are a great couple and I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 13, 2025
Superb book, but please Cari, give the poor woman some sort of break. Her body is like a pin cushion. Love the characters, how they all mesh. Class, though just this side of WTF.
July 3, 2025
I’ll just read anything Hunter writes and N Vincent narrates. The end.
June 2, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
this one carries on from the last book but its also a stand alone book that can be read at any time
jo has initially recovered from her injuries though the nightmares dont stop shes on desk duty but when a call comes in she is the only one present and try as she might she cant get hold of anyone from her team so with a new rookie she attends a scene and boy does it turn out to be a doozy....
when the identity of the body is discovered everyone is shocked to their core.... is there a drug turf war going on that they didnt know about....
when another victim is found with similar injuries its all hands on deck and when some vital evidence is found it comes with a shocking discovery.....
omg this book though dark in places also was the sort of book that had you on the edge of your seat.... i couldnt put this book at all and i look forward to the next book in this series
this one carries on from the last book but its also a stand alone book that can be read at any time
jo has initially recovered from her injuries though the nightmares dont stop shes on desk duty but when a call comes in she is the only one present and try as she might she cant get hold of anyone from her team so with a new rookie she attends a scene and boy does it turn out to be a doozy....
when the identity of the body is discovered everyone is shocked to their core.... is there a drug turf war going on that they didnt know about....
when another victim is found with similar injuries its all hands on deck and when some vital evidence is found it comes with a shocking discovery.....
omg this book though dark in places also was the sort of book that had you on the edge of your seat.... i couldnt put this book at all and i look forward to the next book in this series
July 8, 2025
Another great addition to the DI Jo Shaw series. Hunter pulls us in with what appears to be a pointless murder in an abandoned house. Jo and her team have very little evidence to work with until another body is discovered in a similar setting. It's a tough and at times brutal set of crimes to solve and the author keeps us guessing on motives and means until the end.
Isla Munro is dealing with her own challenges at work which need the help of Jo and her contacts to resolve.
Loved watching Jo and Isla continue to cement the relationship they renewed in A Calculated Risk, the first book in this series.
Edge of your seat thriller ending. Satisfying read
Isla Munro is dealing with her own challenges at work which need the help of Jo and her contacts to resolve.
Loved watching Jo and Isla continue to cement the relationship they renewed in A Calculated Risk, the first book in this series.
Edge of your seat thriller ending. Satisfying read
May 30, 2025
One of my all time favourite authors, Cari Hunter, has once again delivered a gripping and utterly captivating read with The Stolen Girl. From the very first page, I was completely immersed in a narrative that excels in its descriptive power, painting vivid scenes and emotions. This is a book that doesn't just tell a story; it makes you feel it.
Detective Jo Shaw has instantly cemented herself as one of my all-time favourite characters, a testament to Hunter's masterful character development. Jo is a wonderfully complex individual: fiercely strong and capable, yet possessing a deep sensitivity that makes her incredibly relatable and endearing. Having just returned to work after a near-fatal incident in the previous book, her rattled state adds a compelling layer of vulnerability and realism to her otherwise formidable presence. This ongoing recovery arc is handled with a delicate touch, showcasing her resilience while acknowledging the lingering impact of past trauma.
What truly elevates The Stolen Girl to exceptional status is its flawless balance between a nail-biting thriller and a tender, compelling romance. A significant part of this emotional depth comes from the beautiful reconnection between Jo and Isla. Their journey back to each other, as they realise their love never truly faded, is handled with such authenticity and warmth, making the romantic thread incredibly satisfying and integral to the overall narrative.
Beyond the main plot, a well-integrated side story involving Isla helping a colleague who is a victim of sexual harassment makes a good addition. It adds another layer of contemporary relevance and showcases Isla's character and compassion, enriching the world Hunter has built without distracting from the central mystery.
And finally, for anyone who appreciates a truly authentic setting, this novel is an absolute delight in its utter Britishness! From the nuanced dialogue that rings true to the delightful mentions of everyday snacks and cultural touchstones, every detail contributes to a wonderfully immersive and distinctly British atmosphere. It's these small, perfectly observed elements that make the world of the book feel so real and lived-in.
In The Stolen Girl, Cari Hunter has crafted a truly excellent novel that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. I can’t wait for the next book in the series - that cliffhanger!! Highly recommended!
Detective Jo Shaw has instantly cemented herself as one of my all-time favourite characters, a testament to Hunter's masterful character development. Jo is a wonderfully complex individual: fiercely strong and capable, yet possessing a deep sensitivity that makes her incredibly relatable and endearing. Having just returned to work after a near-fatal incident in the previous book, her rattled state adds a compelling layer of vulnerability and realism to her otherwise formidable presence. This ongoing recovery arc is handled with a delicate touch, showcasing her resilience while acknowledging the lingering impact of past trauma.
What truly elevates The Stolen Girl to exceptional status is its flawless balance between a nail-biting thriller and a tender, compelling romance. A significant part of this emotional depth comes from the beautiful reconnection between Jo and Isla. Their journey back to each other, as they realise their love never truly faded, is handled with such authenticity and warmth, making the romantic thread incredibly satisfying and integral to the overall narrative.
Beyond the main plot, a well-integrated side story involving Isla helping a colleague who is a victim of sexual harassment makes a good addition. It adds another layer of contemporary relevance and showcases Isla's character and compassion, enriching the world Hunter has built without distracting from the central mystery.
And finally, for anyone who appreciates a truly authentic setting, this novel is an absolute delight in its utter Britishness! From the nuanced dialogue that rings true to the delightful mentions of everyday snacks and cultural touchstones, every detail contributes to a wonderfully immersive and distinctly British atmosphere. It's these small, perfectly observed elements that make the world of the book feel so real and lived-in.
In The Stolen Girl, Cari Hunter has crafted a truly excellent novel that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. I can’t wait for the next book in the series - that cliffhanger!! Highly recommended!
October 5, 2025
Excellent mystery/suspense story telling with characters you root for. I had to laugh at some of the English language, it's been a while since I have heard the terms wazzock and pillock 😆
I listened to the audio, great to discover another UK narrator 🙂
I listened to the audio, great to discover another UK narrator 🙂
January 8, 2025
Putting *5 in advance because I can't wait!
June 3, 2025
Brilliant. Pacing, humour, social commentary and real people. I'm torn because I want Jo and Isla to be safe. Move to a Scottish Island..... Isla could be the island Doctor, Jo, the Island cop.... . I think Hunter, with her understanding of people, their challenges, their solutions, their humanity and lack of it, could make it gripping! That wish however is just so they don't get hurt more.....but I love this series, and hope book 3 is not too far away!
December 13, 2025
It's Cari Hunter, you can't go wrong. I, obviously, loved this book.
June 30, 2025
4.25 stars, great sequel.
May 27, 2025
Cari Hunter has rapidly become one of my all-time favourite authors. I absolutely love her gripping British police procedurals and always seem to find myself sucked into the story from the get-go. The Stolen Girl is certainly no exception and lead to a very late night as I simply could not put it down. It is gritty, suspenseful, dark and absolutely chock full of atmosphere. I particularly love the way that she manages to weave in some lighthearted moments amongst the drama and I also like the fact that the romance is not the main focus of the story. Instead, it's all about the suspense.
The author manages to draw on her own experiences as a paramedic in northern England to bring a high sense of realism to the story, including the local use of language, and reflection of the grim reality of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on much of the community, including a swipe at a certain former British Prime Minister!
As always, the characters use of language and ways of speaking is typical for that part of England and I absolutely can't wait for this one to come to audio, narrated by the fabulous Nicola Victoria Vincent, a master of the relevant accents. Once released, this one will go straight to the top of my Audible Wishlist.
I am grateful to the author, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author manages to draw on her own experiences as a paramedic in northern England to bring a high sense of realism to the story, including the local use of language, and reflection of the grim reality of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on much of the community, including a swipe at a certain former British Prime Minister!
As always, the characters use of language and ways of speaking is typical for that part of England and I absolutely can't wait for this one to come to audio, narrated by the fabulous Nicola Victoria Vincent, a master of the relevant accents. Once released, this one will go straight to the top of my Audible Wishlist.
I am grateful to the author, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 16, 2025
This was my first foray into a book written by Cari Hunter. I could not put it down. I was intrigued, invested, and even holding my breaths at times. The characters are friends and people you want to meet, and that you care for and root for on the way to solving a well written mystery.
There is a second-chance romanse sub-plot that is going alongside. I love the interactions between the main characters and the secondary characters. It was a solid found family.
I have to go and get A Calculated Risk so I can catch up with Jo and Isla from the beginning. But even more interested is the setup for another book to come in DI Jo Shaw series.
There is a second-chance romanse sub-plot that is going alongside. I love the interactions between the main characters and the secondary characters. It was a solid found family.
I have to go and get A Calculated Risk so I can catch up with Jo and Isla from the beginning. But even more interested is the setup for another book to come in DI Jo Shaw series.
May 24, 2025
I am a sucker for British crime books so when I got a chance to read more about DI Jo Shaw I screamed of excitement. I listened to the first book about Jo Shaw and that was amazing. Now reading the 2nd book was great but I am sure it will be even better as an audiobook, I think I need someone else guiding me through all the horrible stuff Jo is encountering in her job.
At the start of this 2nd book about Jo she is recuperating after getting stabbed on the job, she is struggling both mentally and physically. Fortunately, she has her best friend and colleague DI Mark Tully to lean on and of course Isla that she slowly is getting closer to after a 15-year gap. Jo is slowly back to work, but desk duty only is assigned after her trauma. Then a call comes in and nobody else is around so of course Jo takes it, and a quite horrible case start to unravel. Murder, rape, torture, drugs and so much more and it all involves young people. Reading about Jo trying to cope after her own trauma is so hard to read, much more difficult to disassociate now. She will not bail out though since she is so intent to get the bad guys and make them pay for what they did.
In the middle of the crime case that is the focus of the book we can also follow the budding romance with Isla, them finally getting back together after 15 years and it is so sweet. I love to see those workaholics finally find their way back together and would like to read so much more about that.
Overall, a great read I can really recommend, and I will grab the audiobook when available.
I received a fee ARC via NetGalley and I leave a review voluntarily.
At the start of this 2nd book about Jo she is recuperating after getting stabbed on the job, she is struggling both mentally and physically. Fortunately, she has her best friend and colleague DI Mark Tully to lean on and of course Isla that she slowly is getting closer to after a 15-year gap. Jo is slowly back to work, but desk duty only is assigned after her trauma. Then a call comes in and nobody else is around so of course Jo takes it, and a quite horrible case start to unravel. Murder, rape, torture, drugs and so much more and it all involves young people. Reading about Jo trying to cope after her own trauma is so hard to read, much more difficult to disassociate now. She will not bail out though since she is so intent to get the bad guys and make them pay for what they did.
In the middle of the crime case that is the focus of the book we can also follow the budding romance with Isla, them finally getting back together after 15 years and it is so sweet. I love to see those workaholics finally find their way back together and would like to read so much more about that.
Overall, a great read I can really recommend, and I will grab the audiobook when available.
I received a fee ARC via NetGalley and I leave a review voluntarily.
May 26, 2025
Well I have to say the wait for the second instalment of DI Jo Shaw (and Dr Isla Munro’s ‘adventures’) was so worthwhile.
Right from the first page the story drew me in and enthralled me.
The storyline is gritty, heart wrenching, suspenseful and dark!! However, Cari Hunter also manages to include some light hearted moments that put together lifts the book to another level.
The developing relationship between Jo and Isla while secondary to the crime thriller also keeps you on your toes so that you are hoping they will over come everything that is thrown at them individually and together.
I love the down to earth characters in Cari Hunters books, the camaraderie and banter and the everyday relationships and life is so relatable. I loved chocolate sponge and pink custard at school!!
I wish I had more superlatives to write about The Stolen Girl but I can highly recommend it.
I can’t wait for the next Cari Hunter book.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it before my paperback arrives and give an honest review.
Right from the first page the story drew me in and enthralled me.
The storyline is gritty, heart wrenching, suspenseful and dark!! However, Cari Hunter also manages to include some light hearted moments that put together lifts the book to another level.
The developing relationship between Jo and Isla while secondary to the crime thriller also keeps you on your toes so that you are hoping they will over come everything that is thrown at them individually and together.
I love the down to earth characters in Cari Hunters books, the camaraderie and banter and the everyday relationships and life is so relatable. I loved chocolate sponge and pink custard at school!!
I wish I had more superlatives to write about The Stolen Girl but I can highly recommend it.
I can’t wait for the next Cari Hunter book.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it before my paperback arrives and give an honest review.
May 30, 2025
this has sucked me back into crime fiction oh my god, the lesbians were so cute and the plot was insane. great commentary on class and male entitlement that especially comes with it. i love the friendship between tully and jo too!! i need a third book NOW.
*free arc received but my own review*
*free arc received but my own review*
July 17, 2025
4 stars. New Cari Hunter! I liked this a bit more than book one but I still wasn’t all that into the romance between Jo and Isla unfortunately. That’s unheard of for me with this author. Something is just missing for me between them. I did though absolutely love the plot. It was brutal and gritty as hell and kept me absolutely hooked. I always love how Hunter doesn’t hold any punches and isn’t afraid to put characters through terrible shit. I thought the pacing was great and I was never bored. I also did really like how it ended. I’m not sure if there’s going to be another book in this series but I’m already excited to see what Hunter releases next. She’s still very much one of my favorite author’s.
June 29, 2025
Absolutely loved this. Looking forward to the next one ❤️
June 23, 2025
Cari Hunter’s The Stolen Girl is a taut, compassionate thriller that unspools like a winter wind—biting, relentless, and oddly poetic in its aftermath. Set against the cold grit of northern England, the novel refuses to be pigeonholed: it's part crime drama, part psychological journey, and part exploration of fractured identity.
Detective Jo Shaw, battling her own past traumas, is assigned to a case where a woman has been brutalized and left for dead. What begins as a routine investigation quickly swells into something far more complex, spiraling into the dark territories of memory manipulation, abuse, and the resilience of those society refuses to judge, the upper crust who can afford the very best lawyers.
Hunter’s greatest strength lies in her emotional authenticity. Jo is a study in subtle suffering—sharp-witted but quietly aching. Through her lens, the reader grapples with questions of morality, justice, and the fuzziness between victimhood and survival. The dialogue crackles with grit and gallows humor, yet there’s a gentleness in the way Hunter tends to her characters’ vulnerabilities. She never exploits trauma for narrative tension; instead, she excavates it with respect, creating a space where healing feels tentative yet radical.
The plot’s pacing mimics memory itself: nonlinear, fragmented, and filled with moments that bleed into one another. At times, the narrative veers close to disorientation—but this is precisely the point. To read The Stolen Girl is to become complicit in the puzzle of identity, to feel the terror of being unmoored and the fragile triumph of reclaiming your story.
What emerges is not just a mystery unraveled but a testimony to endurance and human connection. It’s not the kind of book that offers easy closure or cathartic revelations—but it lingers, like a bruise that reminds you where you’ve been and why it mattered.
If you're drawn to emotionally layered storytelling with a raw, suspenseful edge, The Stolen Girl doesn’t just ask to be read—it demands to be felt.
I read thousands of police procedurals a year, and I rank the novels of Cari Hunter (especially this Jo Shaw series) to be among the very best.
One very minor criticism, is that a female detective were to burst into tears as frequently as Jo does (or even ONE time in front of her team members, regardless of what past trauma she had been through - she would immediately lose the respect of her male coworkers and those she managed. It would just never be overlooked.
That said, I delighted in this novel and was glad that Jo, albeit beaten, scarred (both physically and emotionally) is back investigating crime. I also especially enjoy the rare occasions she is almost prescient - when she is so in tune with an investigation that she knows to call in help a bit before she is 100 percent aware of the need for it.
Wonderfully written novel by a stellar author.
Detective Jo Shaw, battling her own past traumas, is assigned to a case where a woman has been brutalized and left for dead. What begins as a routine investigation quickly swells into something far more complex, spiraling into the dark territories of memory manipulation, abuse, and the resilience of those society refuses to judge, the upper crust who can afford the very best lawyers.
Hunter’s greatest strength lies in her emotional authenticity. Jo is a study in subtle suffering—sharp-witted but quietly aching. Through her lens, the reader grapples with questions of morality, justice, and the fuzziness between victimhood and survival. The dialogue crackles with grit and gallows humor, yet there’s a gentleness in the way Hunter tends to her characters’ vulnerabilities. She never exploits trauma for narrative tension; instead, she excavates it with respect, creating a space where healing feels tentative yet radical.
The plot’s pacing mimics memory itself: nonlinear, fragmented, and filled with moments that bleed into one another. At times, the narrative veers close to disorientation—but this is precisely the point. To read The Stolen Girl is to become complicit in the puzzle of identity, to feel the terror of being unmoored and the fragile triumph of reclaiming your story.
What emerges is not just a mystery unraveled but a testimony to endurance and human connection. It’s not the kind of book that offers easy closure or cathartic revelations—but it lingers, like a bruise that reminds you where you’ve been and why it mattered.
If you're drawn to emotionally layered storytelling with a raw, suspenseful edge, The Stolen Girl doesn’t just ask to be read—it demands to be felt.
I read thousands of police procedurals a year, and I rank the novels of Cari Hunter (especially this Jo Shaw series) to be among the very best.
One very minor criticism, is that a female detective were to burst into tears as frequently as Jo does (or even ONE time in front of her team members, regardless of what past trauma she had been through - she would immediately lose the respect of her male coworkers and those she managed. It would just never be overlooked.
That said, I delighted in this novel and was glad that Jo, albeit beaten, scarred (both physically and emotionally) is back investigating crime. I also especially enjoy the rare occasions she is almost prescient - when she is so in tune with an investigation that she knows to call in help a bit before she is 100 percent aware of the need for it.
Wonderfully written novel by a stellar author.
June 14, 2025
Another new Cari Hunter book! Squee! This is the second in a series, so go read A Calculated Risk first if you haven’t already. You could read this as a standalone, but Hunter brilliantly builds relationships over her series, so you would be missing some important details if you start here.
Detective Jo Shaw is stuck on desk duty while she recovers from, well, the first book. She and Isla have settled into friendship and while there is some lingering questioning on what is best for both of them, they are clearly both still interested. Isla continues to be a rockstar surgeon and spends much of this book looking out for Jo and some younger female colleagues who are being harassed. When a call comes into the station that nobody is around to respond to, Jo finds herself back in the field prematurely, with her new trainee, Zainab. So begins this twisty tale of a sadistic criminal that Jo, Tully, Zainab, and the rest of the gang need to stop before more people are egregiously hurt.
I love these characters so much and am simultaneously excited for the next book and sad that we aren’t going to get more time with these characters (although Safia reappearing gives me hope that this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jo and Isla). Jo is smart, sincere, morally upright, and a little broken, in this book at least. I enjoy her working out problems, anticipating what the perps are going to do next, throwing herself into situations, and figuring out the best ways forward that negatively impact the fewest number of people. I wish all police forces were filled with Jo clones. Her relationships with her co-workers are also fantastic and I continue to adore Tully while also enjoying newcomer Zainab. I also, uhm, love and am terrified by Maslin - probably a common sapphic response. Isla is a steady ship in a storm, both for Jo and for others in the hospital system. She seems to play more of a supporting role in this book on the whole, but I love her overarching role as protector.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Jo Shaw is stuck on desk duty while she recovers from, well, the first book. She and Isla have settled into friendship and while there is some lingering questioning on what is best for both of them, they are clearly both still interested. Isla continues to be a rockstar surgeon and spends much of this book looking out for Jo and some younger female colleagues who are being harassed. When a call comes into the station that nobody is around to respond to, Jo finds herself back in the field prematurely, with her new trainee, Zainab. So begins this twisty tale of a sadistic criminal that Jo, Tully, Zainab, and the rest of the gang need to stop before more people are egregiously hurt.
I love these characters so much and am simultaneously excited for the next book and sad that we aren’t going to get more time with these characters (although Safia reappearing gives me hope that this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jo and Isla). Jo is smart, sincere, morally upright, and a little broken, in this book at least. I enjoy her working out problems, anticipating what the perps are going to do next, throwing herself into situations, and figuring out the best ways forward that negatively impact the fewest number of people. I wish all police forces were filled with Jo clones. Her relationships with her co-workers are also fantastic and I continue to adore Tully while also enjoying newcomer Zainab. I also, uhm, love and am terrified by Maslin - probably a common sapphic response. Isla is a steady ship in a storm, both for Jo and for others in the hospital system. She seems to play more of a supporting role in this book on the whole, but I love her overarching role as protector.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2025
Gritty Thriller
Jo is out to prove she is fit for work and finds herself embroiled in a case the Serious Crime Team are struggling with. Calling on her partner Isla to help, they soon find themselves at the centre of these chilling crimes.
Loved being back with Jo and Isla! I was excited for what the future held after A Calculated Risk and Cari delivered an amazing story to follow up. What worked so well was the fact this story, although part of a series, works great as a standalone story. From the very first chapter where Jo was bored by the restrictions of her injuries, I just knew she’d end up involved. She’s a great detective but this case had her a bit thrown. It was very dark and covered some most unpleasant moments, but probably only if you are really squeamish like me. Still, I carried on because Cari really delivers strong stories that focus on grim realities of crime and those that work in the services protecting and saving lives.
There was so much going on with the case to keep the story busy, but there were slower moments where Jo and Isla connected. They helped to lighten the mood from time to time and showed just how much their relationship had grown. They make a fantastic team and Isla really brings out the best in Jo when she is struggling or frustrated, which in this, she was quite a bit.
Really enjoyed this despite the dark nature of the chilling crimes being committed. Those helped to ground the story in a reality though and provide perspective for just how taxing Jo’s and Isla’s careers are and how strong they are mentally to cope with it all and still find time to just be with one another.
Jo is out to prove she is fit for work and finds herself embroiled in a case the Serious Crime Team are struggling with. Calling on her partner Isla to help, they soon find themselves at the centre of these chilling crimes.
Loved being back with Jo and Isla! I was excited for what the future held after A Calculated Risk and Cari delivered an amazing story to follow up. What worked so well was the fact this story, although part of a series, works great as a standalone story. From the very first chapter where Jo was bored by the restrictions of her injuries, I just knew she’d end up involved. She’s a great detective but this case had her a bit thrown. It was very dark and covered some most unpleasant moments, but probably only if you are really squeamish like me. Still, I carried on because Cari really delivers strong stories that focus on grim realities of crime and those that work in the services protecting and saving lives.
There was so much going on with the case to keep the story busy, but there were slower moments where Jo and Isla connected. They helped to lighten the mood from time to time and showed just how much their relationship had grown. They make a fantastic team and Isla really brings out the best in Jo when she is struggling or frustrated, which in this, she was quite a bit.
Really enjoyed this despite the dark nature of the chilling crimes being committed. Those helped to ground the story in a reality though and provide perspective for just how taxing Jo’s and Isla’s careers are and how strong they are mentally to cope with it all and still find time to just be with one another.
June 8, 2025
This is the second book in the D.I. Jo Shaw mystery series and I am all in, totally committed to the series. This book takes place close after A Calculated Risk (Sept 2023). Detective Inspector Jo Shaw has barely recovered from her injuries sustained in that book. The afternoon she is cleared for work she is the lone person available to take a call regarding a dead body. This is the beginning of a great police procedural novel. When a second person is found barely alive with some similar injuries Jo starts to put pieces together.
While all this is going on Jo is reconnecting with her first love Dr. Isla Munro. They were together fifteen years ago before Isla’s mother broke them up. Their relationship was beginning to spark in the previous book and I love that they continue forward cautiously with texting and check-ins. But Jo has a hard time staying out of the ER and Isla has connections that are helpful for her case. Isla also has a police matter for Jo to handle at her hospital as well. I love that it didn't linger too long in the will they wont they. I wanted them together in the last book and was happy to see it here.
I can’t mention enough that I love how very English this is. The titles, acronyms, slang that I mostly get from watching mysteries on my BritBox. The case moves quickly and there is danger. I was on the edge of my seat. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
While all this is going on Jo is reconnecting with her first love Dr. Isla Munro. They were together fifteen years ago before Isla’s mother broke them up. Their relationship was beginning to spark in the previous book and I love that they continue forward cautiously with texting and check-ins. But Jo has a hard time staying out of the ER and Isla has connections that are helpful for her case. Isla also has a police matter for Jo to handle at her hospital as well. I love that it didn't linger too long in the will they wont they. I wanted them together in the last book and was happy to see it here.
I can’t mention enough that I love how very English this is. The titles, acronyms, slang that I mostly get from watching mysteries on my BritBox. The case moves quickly and there is danger. I was on the edge of my seat. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
August 17, 2025
I thought I had read the other one in this series, but according to Good reads I hadn't. Jo is a detective, prone to injury who likes to take risks. As this book starts, she has just returned to work having had serious injuries in a previous case. Her love life is complicated, certainly now that a previous girlfriend is back in her life after she (Isla) disappeared years ago. Jo has good relationships with her team, her boss seems to consider her to be a loose rocket (with justification)
The book is set in Oldham/Saddleworth , an area I know reasonably well. The description of the area with vast estates of social housing, drugs problems and dealing as people try to make ends meet is well done and give a realistic picture of life in this area. The stark contrast with a private school, the pupils who go there is also well described. In the middle there are families working hard to make ends meet and doing the best for their families. A lot of moments of recognition for me through the descriptions of people and locations.
Where the book maybe fell down for me was Jo's recklessness in her work and her ability to get through very hair raising situations. Saying that, I liked her feistiness and the action. The plot is well thought out, some links I guessed quite early on, others were a suprise.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read, will definately look out for more from Cari
The book is set in Oldham/Saddleworth , an area I know reasonably well. The description of the area with vast estates of social housing, drugs problems and dealing as people try to make ends meet is well done and give a realistic picture of life in this area. The stark contrast with a private school, the pupils who go there is also well described. In the middle there are families working hard to make ends meet and doing the best for their families. A lot of moments of recognition for me through the descriptions of people and locations.
Where the book maybe fell down for me was Jo's recklessness in her work and her ability to get through very hair raising situations. Saying that, I liked her feistiness and the action. The plot is well thought out, some links I guessed quite early on, others were a suprise.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read, will definately look out for more from Cari
May 25, 2025
DI Shaw investigating again: atmospheric, gritty, gripping
British police procedural, set in North England: language, details, setting were very real and took me totally in. No much sleep that night. Had to finish the book. What a grand read!
It is a bleak, cold winter. DI Jo Shaw starts a new investigation in the seedier parts of Manchester where the cost of living crisis hits hard. Jo barely survived her last case (if you haven‘t read A Calculated Risk treat yourself!). Now she stumbles into another investigation: graphic, gritty, heart-rendering crime. Consider all trigger warnings on.
What starts off as a slow poking around quickly turns into a deathly search.
Cari Hunter is a master of atmosphere: there is the harsh, desolate crime investigation balanced and made bearable by the strong bonds between Jo and her colleagues of the Serious Crime Team, the first responders and her growing relation with Dr. Isla Monroe.
I was glued to the book. Certainly not an easy, cozy read, but a gripping, insightful and well-written glimpse into the grim reality of fighting crime in Northern England.
I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
British police procedural, set in North England: language, details, setting were very real and took me totally in. No much sleep that night. Had to finish the book. What a grand read!
It is a bleak, cold winter. DI Jo Shaw starts a new investigation in the seedier parts of Manchester where the cost of living crisis hits hard. Jo barely survived her last case (if you haven‘t read A Calculated Risk treat yourself!). Now she stumbles into another investigation: graphic, gritty, heart-rendering crime. Consider all trigger warnings on.
What starts off as a slow poking around quickly turns into a deathly search.
Cari Hunter is a master of atmosphere: there is the harsh, desolate crime investigation balanced and made bearable by the strong bonds between Jo and her colleagues of the Serious Crime Team, the first responders and her growing relation with Dr. Isla Monroe.
I was glued to the book. Certainly not an easy, cozy read, but a gripping, insightful and well-written glimpse into the grim reality of fighting crime in Northern England.
I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
June 12, 2025
This is the first Cari Hunter book that I’ve read in a while and I’m slapping myself silly for waiting so long! The story is so good. I really enjoyed it, and even though I missed the first book in this series, the gaps were filled in nicely enough that I didn’t feel left-out.
The characters were diverse, it was clearly written and the story flowed smoothly. I felt for DI Jo, Shaw, just returning to work after recovering and immediately getting involved in solving a crime.
It was a messy situation with multiple incidents and bloodied victims before they got a handle on things. As the victims were hospitalized, we saw more of Isla, which was lovely to see how they were reconnecting.
As an American reader, I enjoyed the charming British language expressions that let you know where they were!
The highlight for me was the reconnection of Jo and Isla, and how Isla, being a doctor, was meshed into the story.
Now I need to go back and read the first book! But first I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were diverse, it was clearly written and the story flowed smoothly. I felt for DI Jo, Shaw, just returning to work after recovering and immediately getting involved in solving a crime.
It was a messy situation with multiple incidents and bloodied victims before they got a handle on things. As the victims were hospitalized, we saw more of Isla, which was lovely to see how they were reconnecting.
As an American reader, I enjoyed the charming British language expressions that let you know where they were!
The highlight for me was the reconnection of Jo and Isla, and how Isla, being a doctor, was meshed into the story.
Now I need to go back and read the first book! But first I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 10, 2025
Just 2 days ago I had not read any of Cari Hunter's books. This was my second.
This is the second in the DI Jo Shaw series - I recommend them.
It is well written, there's a good plot, everything is so well set up.
The characters are believable and well rounded, and as in any team in a high pressure job, get on well together as they depend on each other for their safety.
This is a new investigation - but the last one has not yet gone to trial - Jo is decidedly jumpy (who can blame her). Isla is still stitching Jo up (literally) and aside from the main crime there's also a pervy surgeon on the loose.
There is of course an epilogue - not only does this not contain any romantic whims, it sets up book 3. Perfect.
This is an honest review on exchange for an ARC.
I am already looking forward to Book 3, although I note that it might be a while.
Looks like I might have to go and start at the beginning of Cari Hunter's other books to pass the time.
This is the second in the DI Jo Shaw series - I recommend them.
It is well written, there's a good plot, everything is so well set up.
The characters are believable and well rounded, and as in any team in a high pressure job, get on well together as they depend on each other for their safety.
This is a new investigation - but the last one has not yet gone to trial - Jo is decidedly jumpy (who can blame her). Isla is still stitching Jo up (literally) and aside from the main crime there's also a pervy surgeon on the loose.
There is of course an epilogue - not only does this not contain any romantic whims, it sets up book 3. Perfect.
This is an honest review on exchange for an ARC.
I am already looking forward to Book 3, although I note that it might be a while.
Looks like I might have to go and start at the beginning of Cari Hunter's other books to pass the time.
July 16, 2025
Cari Hunter is a wonderful writer of crime based thrillers set in and around Manchester and this is the second to feature DI Jo Shaw, her girlfriend Dr Isla Munro and Jo's partner DI Tully a gay man with a husband and two kids. A detailed gritty thriller begins with the discovery of a body in a run down estate, leading to a complex violent case for Jo and Tully to solve, along with the other officers who tease each other along the way, whilst munching through various biscuits and deserts. The story is believable, the characters well developed and the relationships between them all keeps you reading. There is also a side sub plot featuring entitlement and medical misogyny. I enjoyed the humour and wondering what was going to happen next.
Highly recommended if you like crime books that also make subtle comments about class, poverty and neglect of Northern England.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommended if you like crime books that also make subtle comments about class, poverty and neglect of Northern England.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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