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The Girl Who Was Taken [Dramatized Adaptation]
The bestselling author of Twenty Years Later delivers a chilling thriller where nothing is at it seems and each reveal is more shocking than the last…right up to the jaw-dropping final twist.
Two abducted girls—one who returns, one who doesn't.
The night they go missing, high school seniors Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald are at a beach party in their small town of Emerson Bay, North Carolina. Police launch a massive search, but hope is almost lost--until Megan escapes from a bunker deep in the woods...A year later, the bestselling account of her ordeal has made Megan a celebrity. It's a triumphant story, except for one inconvenient Nicole is still missing.
Nicole's older sister, Livia, a fellow in forensic pathology, expects that one day soon Nicole's body will be found and her sister's fate determined. Instead, the first clue comes from another body--that of a young man connected to Nicole's past. Livia reaches out to Megan to learn more about that fateful night. Other girls have disappeared, and she's increasingly sure the cases are connected.
Megan knows more than she revealed in her book. Flashes of memory are pointing to something more monstrous than she described. And the deeper she and Livia dig, the more they realize that sometimes true terror lies in finding exactly what you've been looking for...
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
Two abducted girls—one who returns, one who doesn't.
The night they go missing, high school seniors Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald are at a beach party in their small town of Emerson Bay, North Carolina. Police launch a massive search, but hope is almost lost--until Megan escapes from a bunker deep in the woods...A year later, the bestselling account of her ordeal has made Megan a celebrity. It's a triumphant story, except for one inconvenient Nicole is still missing.
Nicole's older sister, Livia, a fellow in forensic pathology, expects that one day soon Nicole's body will be found and her sister's fate determined. Instead, the first clue comes from another body--that of a young man connected to Nicole's past. Livia reaches out to Megan to learn more about that fateful night. Other girls have disappeared, and she's increasingly sure the cases are connected.
Megan knows more than she revealed in her book. Flashes of memory are pointing to something more monstrous than she described. And the deeper she and Livia dig, the more they realize that sometimes true terror lies in finding exactly what you've been looking for...
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
- GenresThriller
9 pages, Audible Audio
Published May 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 14, 2026
4.25⭐
I have had this book on my TBR for quite some time and I have to admit it was totally worth the wait. It was a fantastic read but listening to the GraphicAudio version really took things to an unexpected level. Charlie Donlea has a storytelling style that is quite unheard of in the thriller genre because his unmatched attention to detail makes you actively root for the characters while placing you directly in their shoes. The graphic audiobook brought it all to life with immersive music and sound effects and an entire cast of narrators that gave each person a very distinct personality. It felt just like listening to a movie in my head and I enjoyed almost every single minute of it.
The story centers around a medical examiner still reeling from the unsolved disappearance of her sister. The craziest part is her sister was abducted the exact same night as a classmate but the classmate managed to escape while her sister remains missing. Whenever she gets a call that a new body is ready for an examination she hopes and prays that it is her sister so she can finally get some answers. Meanwhile the escapee is trying to move on with her life post-kidnapping while struggling to remember the missing pieces from her time in captivity. The book constantly changes perspectives between the medical examiner, her sister and the escapee and I was on pins and needles trying to piece it all together.
The mystery was so full range that it stretched on until the very last pages. There really was not a single dull moment to be had and that kept me wanting to pick the book up time and time again. I loved all the forensic speak because it was like watching an old episode of CSI and I can only imagine the sheer amount of research it took to get everything right so Donlea gets an A+ for that. The lead-up to the end was filled with suspenseful twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and the final reveal of who was responsible totally blew my mind. My only complaint was that a certain aspect of the ending was left open-ended and it rubbed me the wrong way. I wanted a little more closure but that was just a tiny disappointment in a book that had so few flaws. This was a smart read and I am so glad I finally got around to it.
I have had this book on my TBR for quite some time and I have to admit it was totally worth the wait. It was a fantastic read but listening to the GraphicAudio version really took things to an unexpected level. Charlie Donlea has a storytelling style that is quite unheard of in the thriller genre because his unmatched attention to detail makes you actively root for the characters while placing you directly in their shoes. The graphic audiobook brought it all to life with immersive music and sound effects and an entire cast of narrators that gave each person a very distinct personality. It felt just like listening to a movie in my head and I enjoyed almost every single minute of it.
The story centers around a medical examiner still reeling from the unsolved disappearance of her sister. The craziest part is her sister was abducted the exact same night as a classmate but the classmate managed to escape while her sister remains missing. Whenever she gets a call that a new body is ready for an examination she hopes and prays that it is her sister so she can finally get some answers. Meanwhile the escapee is trying to move on with her life post-kidnapping while struggling to remember the missing pieces from her time in captivity. The book constantly changes perspectives between the medical examiner, her sister and the escapee and I was on pins and needles trying to piece it all together.
The mystery was so full range that it stretched on until the very last pages. There really was not a single dull moment to be had and that kept me wanting to pick the book up time and time again. I loved all the forensic speak because it was like watching an old episode of CSI and I can only imagine the sheer amount of research it took to get everything right so Donlea gets an A+ for that. The lead-up to the end was filled with suspenseful twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and the final reveal of who was responsible totally blew my mind. My only complaint was that a certain aspect of the ending was left open-ended and it rubbed me the wrong way. I wanted a little more closure but that was just a tiny disappointment in a book that had so few flaws. This was a smart read and I am so glad I finally got around to it.
Read
April 4, 2026Gave it a 4.5 stars. It kept my interest with all the twists and turns. Well written and will be reading more of his books.
June 8, 2026
I don’t know how much to say because I don’t wanna give away spoilers, but I loved this story and this dramatic adaptation audio performance!! I mean FMC is doing her training to become forensic pathologist who is trying to find her missing sister after missing her phone call the night she went missing. Two teenage girls go missing at an after high school school end of summer party.
This story, both dives into the two girls passed, and what happened in the weeks accumulating in their disappearance, the therapy sessions of one of the girls/the one who was found a couple weeks after the disappearance during pleasant day and the FMC who is the sister of the girls who is still missing. I loved both the past and the present and I loved have a FMC both was doing the investigation and was doing her work and her both pots fit into the twists and turns in this book this was really fun and completely enjoyable one sitting can’t put down read.
This story, both dives into the two girls passed, and what happened in the weeks accumulating in their disappearance, the therapy sessions of one of the girls/the one who was found a couple weeks after the disappearance during pleasant day and the FMC who is the sister of the girls who is still missing. I loved both the past and the present and I loved have a FMC both was doing the investigation and was doing her work and her both pots fit into the twists and turns in this book this was really fun and completely enjoyable one sitting can’t put down read.
July 25, 2026
I have to admit, I have a soft spot for Charlie Donlea's books. They're like a great summer popcorn action movie- not the smartest or most sophisticated thrillers out there, but they're ridiculously entertaining and incredibly easy to binge.
The girl who was taken follows two intertwined stories: one of a girl who managed to escape her kidnapper, and another of a woman whose sister wasn't so lucky. As they dig deeper into the disappearances, the mystery slowly unravels, and it's hard not to keep turning the pages to find out what's really going on.
This is a genuine page-turner with plenty of suspense and enough twists to keep the momentum going. I listened to the GraphicAudio edition, and as always, the production value was phenomenal. The full cast, sound effects, and music made the story feel even more immersive and brought the tension to life.
If you're looking for a fast-paced, entertaining thriller rather than a deeply literary mystery, this one definitely delivers.
The girl who was taken follows two intertwined stories: one of a girl who managed to escape her kidnapper, and another of a woman whose sister wasn't so lucky. As they dig deeper into the disappearances, the mystery slowly unravels, and it's hard not to keep turning the pages to find out what's really going on.
This is a genuine page-turner with plenty of suspense and enough twists to keep the momentum going. I listened to the GraphicAudio edition, and as always, the production value was phenomenal. The full cast, sound effects, and music made the story feel even more immersive and brought the tension to life.
If you're looking for a fast-paced, entertaining thriller rather than a deeply literary mystery, this one definitely delivers.
June 18, 2026
4.5🌟
Wow Wow Wow!
2 Girls Taken
1 Girl Returns….
I love a twist that has me wanting to immediately start the book over knowing what I know now!
I loved this book!
I felt like it was a slow burn thriller that kept getting hotter and hotter until the end when we ended up with a blazing inferno!
I listened to the Graphic Audio of this one and it made the whole story come alive! I highly recommend that you choose this version if you are going to do audio!
Wow Wow Wow!
2 Girls Taken
1 Girl Returns….
I love a twist that has me wanting to immediately start the book over knowing what I know now!
I loved this book!
I felt like it was a slow burn thriller that kept getting hotter and hotter until the end when we ended up with a blazing inferno!
I listened to the Graphic Audio of this one and it made the whole story come alive! I highly recommend that you choose this version if you are going to do audio!
July 23, 2026
2.5 ⭐ I honestly didn't know what to rate this one. It was literally sooooo slow to being with and I just didn't care because NOTHING was happening and the characters were so unlikeable. Then we got to the last like 20% and it was so thrilling and action-packed and everything was revealed which was obviously the best part. But I still think this was super unrealistic and unhinged so I fear I can't increase my rating.
July 17, 2026
HIRED?!?!?
NO... I went through *so many* theories. Mr Steinman, Dr Colt, Nate (Caseys friend), Kent & Sanj.. but I never would have guessed it was Megan's dad.
Then Livi went with them to collect a body whom they thought could be Nicole... And there was no confirmation. It just ended there????
This one was great, but that ending.. UGHHHH. 😅
NO... I went through *so many* theories. Mr Steinman, Dr Colt, Nate (Caseys friend), Kent & Sanj.. but I never would have guessed it was Megan's dad.
Then Livi went with them to collect a body whom they thought could be Nicole... And there was no confirmation. It just ended there????
This one was great, but that ending.. UGHHHH. 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
I expected every person to be the perv except the actual perv. I did guess the kidnapper pretty early on, but the ending did surprise me. I am not a huge murder mystery fan, but I do enjoy a book once in a while.
The book keeps your interest, and I do believe the 4.09 is a good review for murder mystery lovers.
The book keeps your interest, and I do believe the 4.09 is a good review for murder mystery lovers.
June 6, 2026
Wow this one was kind of too morbid at first, but such a good mystery with several crazy twists. I'm a little confused though as to whether this is the start of a series. The ending kinda left you hanging, but the main mystery was resolved at least.
June 17, 2026
Apparently I’ve read this before. Don’t remember and wonder why I gave it 3 stars. I didn’t leave a review so I must have been distracted while reading. Fully entertaining this time around!
Yikes, does this mean that the book is not memorable, or am I forgetful?
Yikes, does this mean that the book is not memorable, or am I forgetful?
June 11, 2026
Kept me interested
June 14, 2026
Overall: 4 stars • Performance: 5 stars • Story: 4 stars
June 19, 2026
I was a little unsure in the beginning but the ending made up for it and listening to it in graphic audio made it stand out.
July 1, 2026
Started a little slow but the ending was great!
July 21, 2026
Excellent! Well written with good character development. Big plot twist at the end, but there are some tiny clues along the way.
July 30, 2026
Definitely worth the read. It was hard to follow the back-and-forth, but once you get the hang of who they’re talking about and when they’re talking about I enjoyed it
Read
July 31, 2026Interesting concept. I found it difficult to concentrate on the actual story. too much unnecessary background music. I ended up downloading the original audiobook.
August 2, 2026
A must read. The twists were great and just when I thought I knew what would happen next, nope something else.
August 5, 2026
One of my new favorite murder mystery books the book cover is absolutely amazing 😍
Review of advance copy
Great book! It kept me on the side of my seat the whole time.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews