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The Killing Hour #2
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
First published May 1, 2021
About the author
Margie Benedict
11 books16 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 6, 2026
There is absolutely no way I can tell you how amazing this book was without spoiling it. All I can say is, if I could give it six stars, I would. I finished it completely blown away, and I’m still on a book high.
Ever since I somehow stumbled across Invader—a sci-fi book I never expected to love—Margie Benedict hasn’t missed with me yet. She just keeps blowing my mind, and Before She Was Taken may be my favorite so far.
Ever since I somehow stumbled across Invader—a sci-fi book I never expected to love—Margie Benedict hasn’t missed with me yet. She just keeps blowing my mind, and Before She Was Taken may be my favorite so far.
November 24, 2021
It was a very simple storyline.
A girl has the ability to go back to any specific point and relive that point of time.
The writing style is very simple. Not a lot of fluff, not too many details to confuse the reader.
It makes an easy read.
It seems like it might be a debut novel by a new writer or even written by a young adult.
What I liked about the book
1. Interesting concept
2. Concept represented well without too many other confusion
3. Creates a curiosity in reader to learn what happens next
4. Clean book. The crimes were not excessively gory or very detailed bloody descriptions. There was not a lot of sex.
5. I like HEA and this was a happy ending
What I did not enjoy
1. In places the grammar seemed off. Some past and present tense combined
A girl has the ability to go back to any specific point and relive that point of time.
The writing style is very simple. Not a lot of fluff, not too many details to confuse the reader.
It makes an easy read.
It seems like it might be a debut novel by a new writer or even written by a young adult.
What I liked about the book
1. Interesting concept
2. Concept represented well without too many other confusion
3. Creates a curiosity in reader to learn what happens next
4. Clean book. The crimes were not excessively gory or very detailed bloody descriptions. There was not a lot of sex.
5. I like HEA and this was a happy ending
What I did not enjoy
1. In places the grammar seemed off. Some past and present tense combined
January 19, 2024
Easy listen
Great narrator who was able to make little kid voices not sound ridiculous or too whiny
I liked the MC and little sprinkle of “time travel” made things inter and propelled the story without being a sci fi primary ficus.
The love interest in Martin added to the story without seeming unnecessary.
The kidnapping was not a gruesome horrific situation but a sad circumstance
This was a great cleansing read after some bad books and over the top horrific ones.
I will read more by this author
Great narrator who was able to make little kid voices not sound ridiculous or too whiny
I liked the MC and little sprinkle of “time travel” made things inter and propelled the story without being a sci fi primary ficus.
The love interest in Martin added to the story without seeming unnecessary.
The kidnapping was not a gruesome horrific situation but a sad circumstance
This was a great cleansing read after some bad books and over the top horrific ones.
I will read more by this author
December 30, 2021
This was such an amazing novel to read. After reading book one in the Before series I was very much ready to see what this author had in store for me next.
The storyline was easy to read and follow. The characters were wonderfully written and very easy to like. I found myself unable to put it down, despite needing to sleep on occasion.
Rebecca is still heartbroken and guilt ridden 19 years after her sister was kidnapped from their home. If only she hadn’t ditched Sadie to play with her friend…..
When Rebecca discovers an ability to mind cast to the past, she come up with a way to finally find out what happened that fateful day when everything changed.
I really enjoyed reading Rebecca’s investigation and how she discovers little clues to her sister’s disappearance. Her tenacity and unwillingness to back down was so realistic.
This novel was a fast read for me and I greatly recommend it.
I can’t wait to continue in with the series in the future.
The storyline was easy to read and follow. The characters were wonderfully written and very easy to like. I found myself unable to put it down, despite needing to sleep on occasion.
Rebecca is still heartbroken and guilt ridden 19 years after her sister was kidnapped from their home. If only she hadn’t ditched Sadie to play with her friend…..
When Rebecca discovers an ability to mind cast to the past, she come up with a way to finally find out what happened that fateful day when everything changed.
I really enjoyed reading Rebecca’s investigation and how she discovers little clues to her sister’s disappearance. Her tenacity and unwillingness to back down was so realistic.
This novel was a fast read for me and I greatly recommend it.
I can’t wait to continue in with the series in the future.
Read
June 14, 2021A page turner with a surprise ending
Great for YA and adults too, blending a touch of realistic sci fi with a thriller. Strong female characters and a poignant story of two sisters separated at young ages. Highly recommend.
Great for YA and adults too, blending a touch of realistic sci fi with a thriller. Strong female characters and a poignant story of two sisters separated at young ages. Highly recommend.
December 1, 2021
Good book
This is a very good book. It’s strange because of the time travel. I would recommend this book to family members and friends.
This is a very good book. It’s strange because of the time travel. I would recommend this book to family members and friends.
May 14, 2022
Really really good
August 23, 2022
4,5 stars
April 19, 2023
Pretty good book.
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.
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.
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.
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.
September 26, 2025
I jumped straight into this book right after finishing the first one in the series, and it definitely didn’t disappoint me. A much different crime to solve from the first book, and I loved the twist at the end. I just downloaded the 3rd book and I bet I am done with it this weekend!
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 - 15 of 15 reviews