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Before She Was Taken | A nail-biting mystery thriller
She travels back in time to learn who kidnapped her sister—only to be taken in her place
The gripping thriller that will keep you up all night.
What happened to Sadie? This question has plagued 25-year-old Rebecca Danser for 19 years. Imagine if at the age of six, you had ditched your four-year-old sister to go play with your friend … and then you never saw her again.
In the intervening years, now living in Silicon Valley, Rebecca has made a mess of her life. She hates her job, has no career prospects, and has never had a successful relationship unless you count sex with a relative stranger during her time jumps into the past.
But soon she realizes this strange ability she recently gained, allowing her to cast her consciousness back into a younger version of herself, can be used to discover who took Sadie that fateful day.
She must travel back in time to witness the event with her 6-year-old eyes. But what she learns leads her into a remote forest in the Sierra Mountains… where the monster responsible for the destruction of her family lies in wait for her.
More titles in this series
Before the Killing A nail-biting mystery thriller ( 9782386191022)
The gripping thriller that will keep you up all night.
What happened to Sadie? This question has plagued 25-year-old Rebecca Danser for 19 years. Imagine if at the age of six, you had ditched your four-year-old sister to go play with your friend … and then you never saw her again.
In the intervening years, now living in Silicon Valley, Rebecca has made a mess of her life. She hates her job, has no career prospects, and has never had a successful relationship unless you count sex with a relative stranger during her time jumps into the past.
But soon she realizes this strange ability she recently gained, allowing her to cast her consciousness back into a younger version of herself, can be used to discover who took Sadie that fateful day.
She must travel back in time to witness the event with her 6-year-old eyes. But what she learns leads her into a remote forest in the Sierra Mountains… where the monster responsible for the destruction of her family lies in wait for her.
More titles in this series
Before the Killing A nail-biting mystery thriller ( 9782386191022)
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
About the author
Margie Benedict
24 books8 followersAward-winning novelist Margie Benedict writes emotionally resonant, genre-defying fiction rooted in the power of second chances. From coastal suspense to time-twisted mysteries and sweeping speculative worlds, her stories follow characters who rise, reclaim their agency, and rewrite their destinies.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2026
When Rebecca was 6, her 4 year old sister, Sadie, went missing. Leaving no sign of what happened to her. Feeling survivors guilt, this had a lasting effect on Rebecca's life and relationships.
19 years later, Rebecca has gained a gift that allows her to travel back to past points in her life. She realises that she finally has a chance to try and find some answers to the question of, what happened to Sadie?
The time travel side of this story, reminded me a little bit of Quantum Leap. With Rebecca jumping through time to try and solve something and she doesn't know when the leap will end. Her new question now is how much danger is Rebecca willing to put herself in, in order to find out what happened to Sadie?
The story is full of twists and turns right up to the end and is sure to keep you reading past your bedtime.
I didn't realise it was a series, therefore I hadn't read the first book but it still worked well on its own as a stand alone book.
19 years later, Rebecca has gained a gift that allows her to travel back to past points in her life. She realises that she finally has a chance to try and find some answers to the question of, what happened to Sadie?
The time travel side of this story, reminded me a little bit of Quantum Leap. With Rebecca jumping through time to try and solve something and she doesn't know when the leap will end. Her new question now is how much danger is Rebecca willing to put herself in, in order to find out what happened to Sadie?
The story is full of twists and turns right up to the end and is sure to keep you reading past your bedtime.
I didn't realise it was a series, therefore I hadn't read the first book but it still worked well on its own as a stand alone book.
February 5, 2026
Overall I really enjoyed the book. The characters are well crafted, and the main character goes through both external as internal conflict, what tbh is not something that ive seen too many times in this genre. So I absolutely appreciate this aspect!
There are a few instances where I felt the dialogues to be unnatural, and theres unnecessary commentary of something that is being shown. “Her right hand shakes holding her purse, as it sometimes does when she’s nervous.” The whole paragraph before is already telling and showing that shes nervous, no need to clarify what the trembling of her hand means. That is just one example of many.
To end on a positive note, the relationship of Rebecca and Martin felt organic, and not cringeworthy at all!
Id definitively read another book of Margie Benedict!
There are a few instances where I felt the dialogues to be unnatural, and theres unnecessary commentary of something that is being shown. “Her right hand shakes holding her purse, as it sometimes does when she’s nervous.” The whole paragraph before is already telling and showing that shes nervous, no need to clarify what the trembling of her hand means. That is just one example of many.
To end on a positive note, the relationship of Rebecca and Martin felt organic, and not cringeworthy at all!
Id definitively read another book of Margie Benedict!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
I received a free copy of this book from DP publishers to review.
I’m an avid thriller reader & also enjoy a good time travel story too, so was interested in reading this book.
This book is fast paced, and keeps you reading and wanting to find out more. It really is an edge of the seat type of read, and the plot work is very strong. The ending is superb and overall the book was written very well with a fmc that is likeable and easy to root for.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I’m an avid thriller reader & also enjoy a good time travel story too, so was interested in reading this book.
This book is fast paced, and keeps you reading and wanting to find out more. It really is an edge of the seat type of read, and the plot work is very strong. The ending is superb and overall the book was written very well with a fmc that is likeable and easy to root for.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
April 11, 2026
Great read
This was a great read.
The storyline had me gripped from begining to end, the back and forth through time travel was easy to navigate.
It was an intense, thrilling and thought provoking experience from begining to end.
The female lead character is believeable.
The whole book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
The twist at the end was a great addition.
5 stars from me.
This was a great read.
The storyline had me gripped from begining to end, the back and forth through time travel was easy to navigate.
It was an intense, thrilling and thought provoking experience from begining to end.
The female lead character is believeable.
The whole book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
The twist at the end was a great addition.
5 stars from me.
March 27, 2026
WOW
Although some parts of this book were a bit farfetched, it was definitely one I could not put down! I can't wait to read more by this author, I only hope they are as good as this one is.
Although some parts of this book were a bit farfetched, it was definitely one I could not put down! I can't wait to read more by this author, I only hope they are as good as this one is.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews