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The Takings
In the murky swamps of central Florida, a boy vanished on the way home one night.
No one heard his screams.
No one saw him struggle.
And the police have no answers.
Can one man's visions reveal the truth?
From international award-winning author, Sandie Will, comes a psychological thriller that dives into the depths of a man's struggle with the events of the present that are conjuring up the pain from his past.
At age fifteen, Adrian Webster lost his younger brother in a tragic accident. He tried to mourn. He tried to move on. But all he could do was bury the pain.
Ten years later, his best friend’s son, Wyatt, vanishes while riding his bike through Green Swamp in Central Florida. Adrian's friend has already lost his wife, and he doesn’t want him to suffer the pain of losing a child, making Adrian obsess over finding Wyatt. So obsessed that he’s plagued by visions. Ones that creep into the corners of his eyes. Ones that reveal the truth. And ones that force Adrian to choose between his friendship and unleashing the memories of the past before Wyatt is gone forever and Adrian loses the one thing he loves most in life—his new family.
No one heard his screams.
No one saw him struggle.
And the police have no answers.
Can one man's visions reveal the truth?
From international award-winning author, Sandie Will, comes a psychological thriller that dives into the depths of a man's struggle with the events of the present that are conjuring up the pain from his past.
At age fifteen, Adrian Webster lost his younger brother in a tragic accident. He tried to mourn. He tried to move on. But all he could do was bury the pain.
Ten years later, his best friend’s son, Wyatt, vanishes while riding his bike through Green Swamp in Central Florida. Adrian's friend has already lost his wife, and he doesn’t want him to suffer the pain of losing a child, making Adrian obsess over finding Wyatt. So obsessed that he’s plagued by visions. Ones that creep into the corners of his eyes. Ones that reveal the truth. And ones that force Adrian to choose between his friendship and unleashing the memories of the past before Wyatt is gone forever and Adrian loses the one thing he loves most in life—his new family.
ebook
First published October 23, 2019
About the author
Sandie Will
3 books168 followersSandie Will is a multi-award winning author of psychological thrillers/horror. She loves tapping into people's fears to scare us all and make us cringe.
She lives in the Tampa Bay Area, and works as a geologist by day and a writer at night. Her down times are spent with her husband of over 30 years, family, and pets. Road trips with Sandie should be avoided as she’s been known to demand endless stops at road cuts to satisfy her geology cravings and teach her companions everything they never wanted to know about the Earth.
Sandie especially loves finding little bookstores and antique shops, tasting new wines and coffees, learning histories and cultures, exploring the Appalachians and Rockies, and writing in her back room nestled in the arms of an old oak.
Awards & Recognitions:
The Caging at Deadwater Manor
2020 Top Shelf Magazine Awards: First Place - Young Adult Horror
2018 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award: First Place - Young Adult/New Adult Fiction
2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards: Honorable Mention - Young Adult Horror
The Takings
2020 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award: Finalist in Blended Fiction
Follow Sandie Will:
sandiewill.com
Facebook: @authorsandiewill
Twitter: @SandieWillBooks
She lives in the Tampa Bay Area, and works as a geologist by day and a writer at night. Her down times are spent with her husband of over 30 years, family, and pets. Road trips with Sandie should be avoided as she’s been known to demand endless stops at road cuts to satisfy her geology cravings and teach her companions everything they never wanted to know about the Earth.
Sandie especially loves finding little bookstores and antique shops, tasting new wines and coffees, learning histories and cultures, exploring the Appalachians and Rockies, and writing in her back room nestled in the arms of an old oak.
Awards & Recognitions:
The Caging at Deadwater Manor
2020 Top Shelf Magazine Awards: First Place - Young Adult Horror
2018 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award: First Place - Young Adult/New Adult Fiction
2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards: Honorable Mention - Young Adult Horror
The Takings
2020 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award: Finalist in Blended Fiction
Follow Sandie Will:
sandiewill.com
Facebook: @authorsandiewill
Twitter: @SandieWillBooks
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 4, 2020
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) The Takings is a psychological thriller that will leave you angry but satisfied as a reader.
Overall: I enjoyed this book, mostly due to the main character, Adrian, who has a story that will make you fall in love with him. While the other characters, Jeremy and Lorelei, fell flat and didn’t build a ton of sympathy from me. I loved the villain in the story. I think the background to the creation of that character creates the validity behind the story. I would recommend this for age groups from young adults to adults, though I wouldn’t read it to Timmy or Lucy for a bedtime story. I think that Sandie Will has the makings of a great Author and look forward to reading more books from her. I hope that anyone who reads this review and buys the book will enjoy it as much as I did!
Comments on the Craft: The villain of the story is well rounded, and the 3rd person omniscient offers a lot of information to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the beauty in keeping the story in the present tense is that it doesn’t drown out the pertinent information with past tense observations. I think it’s an excellent call to write psychological thrillers in the present tense to maintain the suspense.
Overall: I enjoyed this book, mostly due to the main character, Adrian, who has a story that will make you fall in love with him. While the other characters, Jeremy and Lorelei, fell flat and didn’t build a ton of sympathy from me. I loved the villain in the story. I think the background to the creation of that character creates the validity behind the story. I would recommend this for age groups from young adults to adults, though I wouldn’t read it to Timmy or Lucy for a bedtime story. I think that Sandie Will has the makings of a great Author and look forward to reading more books from her. I hope that anyone who reads this review and buys the book will enjoy it as much as I did!
Comments on the Craft: The villain of the story is well rounded, and the 3rd person omniscient offers a lot of information to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the beauty in keeping the story in the present tense is that it doesn’t drown out the pertinent information with past tense observations. I think it’s an excellent call to write psychological thrillers in the present tense to maintain the suspense.
June 10, 2020
Okay, the ending is killing me, and that’s all I can say about that.
This was definitely an edge of your seat, heart in your throat, psychological thriller.
There are so many twists and turns and when it came to the reveal... I had my theories, but I didn’t think any would be right! And that wasn’t even the end, oh no, the narrative twisted into a whole new creature.
I reaaaaally hope there’s a sequel!
This was definitely an edge of your seat, heart in your throat, psychological thriller.
There are so many twists and turns and when it came to the reveal... I had my theories, but I didn’t think any would be right! And that wasn’t even the end, oh no, the narrative twisted into a whole new creature.
I reaaaaally hope there’s a sequel!
November 5, 2020
Gripping thriller!
Oh. My. Gosh! With deep psychological import, this is one truly gripping thriller.
It puts a refreshing, new twist on the Jekyll and Hyde trope.
The Takings takes on a journey into the unraveling of a man's mind.
The twists and reveals are fantastic.
Ten years ago Adrian Webster lost his brother in a tragic accident in the Colorado Rockies. All he could do was bury his pain.
Now he lives in Florida. On the same day he starts his new job he finds out his best friend's son, Wyatt, has gone missing.
This brings up old memories he doesn't want to relive.
Adrian begins to have visions concerning Wyatt.
Thus begins this twisty mystery that'll have you burning the pages. Very well-written!
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks Goodreads!
Oh. My. Gosh! With deep psychological import, this is one truly gripping thriller.
It puts a refreshing, new twist on the Jekyll and Hyde trope.
The Takings takes on a journey into the unraveling of a man's mind.
The twists and reveals are fantastic.
Ten years ago Adrian Webster lost his brother in a tragic accident in the Colorado Rockies. All he could do was bury his pain.
Now he lives in Florida. On the same day he starts his new job he finds out his best friend's son, Wyatt, has gone missing.
This brings up old memories he doesn't want to relive.
Adrian begins to have visions concerning Wyatt.
Thus begins this twisty mystery that'll have you burning the pages. Very well-written!
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks Goodreads!
December 7, 2020
This is the type of book I enoy. It didn't take long to figure out who abducted Wyatt. I would have enjoyed it more with more characters introduced giving it more suspense. Also I found TOO much repetition of Adrian going back and forth to Wyatt. The suprise ending was just that and have to assume that Adrian will try to continue to find the rest of his familly. All in all I did enjoy this book.
October 17, 2020
This is one of those on the edge of your seat can't wait to read more type of books. One you really don't want to miss out on if you haven't read it by now. Smooth reading with great characters and story plot!
November 19, 2019
Sinister! Breathtaking! Twisted!
The Takings is a twisted psychological thriller that will take your mind and emotions on a suspenseful journey that will leave your heart pounding as you race through the pages to see what will happen next. The reader is kept in suspense throughout the book and taken on a dark ride into the mind and life of a pathological character that leaves the reader's mind reeling. Just when you think you have it figured out, you’re taken on another ride into a more sadistic realm of reality. Sandie Will vividly paints a picture of each scene in such a way that you feel like you’re in the thick of the swamp, and the sights and smells described are tangible. The author's writing style flows effortlessly, and she has a unique understanding of the minds of psychotic characters. The characters were compelling and written in such a way that you felt like you were inside their heads. This book is a must read for anyone looking for a thrilling read!
The Takings is a twisted psychological thriller that will take your mind and emotions on a suspenseful journey that will leave your heart pounding as you race through the pages to see what will happen next. The reader is kept in suspense throughout the book and taken on a dark ride into the mind and life of a pathological character that leaves the reader's mind reeling. Just when you think you have it figured out, you’re taken on another ride into a more sadistic realm of reality. Sandie Will vividly paints a picture of each scene in such a way that you feel like you’re in the thick of the swamp, and the sights and smells described are tangible. The author's writing style flows effortlessly, and she has a unique understanding of the minds of psychotic characters. The characters were compelling and written in such a way that you felt like you were inside their heads. This book is a must read for anyone looking for a thrilling read!
November 10, 2019
Interesting plot!
This book reminded me , to a certain extent of Lovely Bones. This author was able to get the elements of suspense, mystery and psychological aspects woven into the story line. I will not spoil who the perpetrator is but I was able to figure out who it was early on mainly because I am a retired counselor. I smell a sequel.
This book reminded me , to a certain extent of Lovely Bones. This author was able to get the elements of suspense, mystery and psychological aspects woven into the story line. I will not spoil who the perpetrator is but I was able to figure out who it was early on mainly because I am a retired counselor. I smell a sequel.
December 23, 2019
Well, I didn’t see that coming. Will, has woven in a completely unpredictable spin on this psychological thriller. The ending caught me by surprise; something that I wasn’t expecting. It’s a page turner. If you like unpredictable events, then you will like this book.
November 1, 2019
Wow! So unexpected.
Wonderful book....so good that I couldn’t stop reading until the very end ♥️. Time to curl up to a great thriller
Wonderful book....so good that I couldn’t stop reading until the very end ♥️. Time to curl up to a great thriller
November 3, 2019
Edge of your seat stuff!
Loved the characters, the ease of reading.
Especially loved the ‘interaction’ between brothers.
I really wanted to read some more!
Loved the characters, the ease of reading.
Especially loved the ‘interaction’ between brothers.
I really wanted to read some more!
March 26, 2020
Adrian and his girlfriend lived together. She wanted to get married and have kids but he kept putting it off. His best friend next door neighbors son Wyatt went missing while out riding his bike. So Adrian helped hunt for him. Then later Wyatts dad Jeremy skipped town after being a suspect. New neighbors moved in shortly after their daughter went missing riding her bike. Adrians eyes kept getting blood shot, he didn't know from what. Finally going to the doctors he told him it was from so much stress and high blood pressure , he was to rest his eyes. He had just started a new job . Next day him and his co-worker had to go take water samples near where they hunted for Wyatt. Cant tell you anymore . You'll have to read the book . What a ending .
December 11, 2022
This book is a psychological thriller which takes suspense and twists to a whole different level of darkness inside the mind of a very deranged man with disturbing visions and multiple personalities who has lost his family in a very tragic accident when he was little. The setting of this book takes place in Central Florida (Green Swamp), so living only four hours away, along with the author's amazing style of descriptive and vivid writing, it felt like I was actually there myself, watching all the events unfold. Finally, the twist at the very end is very unexpected! I highly recommend this book for those of you who enjoy reading thriller/suspense genres..
January 17, 2020
I was really looking forward to this book, by the description. But then originality was thrown out the window.
The girlfriend is an idiot - blind/deaf/dumb (until it's "too late"), the workplace reception is a JOKE, sure they would let a friend of a victim into the investigation, no questions asked. Conflict of interest? What conflict of interest? That wouldn't contaminate anything.
I just found the entire storyline predictable. The "twists" were predictable as well.
Not a very original story - with 'twists' that have been done before with no originality.
The girlfriend is an idiot - blind/deaf/dumb (until it's "too late"), the workplace reception is a JOKE, sure they would let a friend of a victim into the investigation, no questions asked. Conflict of interest? What conflict of interest? That wouldn't contaminate anything.
I just found the entire storyline predictable. The "twists" were predictable as well.
Not a very original story - with 'twists' that have been done before with no originality.
November 4, 2020
I was super lucky to win this in a Goodreads giveaway, and i am so behind on reviews ... gotta play catch up ...any who ... i love the cover. not my normal genre to read on the daily ...but i enjoy a good horror read every once in a blue moon. had me curious. I wanna read more from Sandie soon. must read. enjoyable.
January 29, 2021
Sorry, could not finish ... DNF 40%. No depth of characters. The premise seemed interesting enough for me to give it a good try, but 60% in and I just couldn't last any longer. The writing was fair. Sentence structure was good. Not amateurish BUT wanting of substance.
April 24, 2021
One of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read
The depth of the main character and the twist of the plot were superb. This is definitely one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read.
The depth of the main character and the twist of the plot were superb. This is definitely one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read.
November 2, 2023
Wow! Just wow! I didn’t think I would like anything more than Will’s debut, The Cagings of Deadwater Manor, but this was excellent! I’m annoyed at the ending, but also happy because there is more to the story in the sequel.
November 9, 2023
Of all the outcomes I pieced together based on the clues provided throughout the story, none were close to the actual plot twist at the end! While I wish the narration had a bit more inflection, this story was such a great listen
November 24, 2023
Loved this book! Real page turner with great descriptions that enhance the movie running in my head.
I listened on Audible, the narrator is kind of blah, I think it would be best to read physical book or kindle for an even better experience.
I listened on Audible, the narrator is kind of blah, I think it would be best to read physical book or kindle for an even better experience.
October 30, 2020
The Takings
I won this book from Goodreads! A great thriller!! A lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing and in suspense!
I won this book from Goodreads! A great thriller!! A lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing and in suspense!
January 11, 2025
Atmospheric and evocative of “Old Florida”, The Takings takes the reader on a journey through a dark and twisted mind. Adrian, the main character, was complex and interesting. Recommended reading for anyone interested in suspenseful stories set in the midst of Florida’s swamps.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews