Taken: A Novel

by Thomas H. Cook

Based on the gripping ten-part   miniseries . . . .

Three people know the truth. Three families will be changed forever.

In the last days of World War II, a strange phenomenon saves a doomed Air Force pilot named Russell Keys—and plunges him into torment. In a place called Roswell, New Mexico, a man named Owen Crawford is drawn to a bizarre crash site in the desert, and into a government cover-up. And in a remote Texas town, a lonely woman named Sally Clarke finds a stranger hiding in her barn, and reaches out to touch him. . . . 

This epic novel spans sixty years of American history as the lives of three people are changed in an instant—and the consequences are played out over three generations of harrowing encounters and unexplained events. While the government lies, and a nation doubts, three families know they have been touched, know that something has been taken from them . . . something that will change their lives forever.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Aliens, Science Fiction Fantasy, Conspiracy Theories, Novels, Mystery

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

There is more than one author with this name on Goodreads.

Thomas H. Cook has been praised by critics for his attention to psychology and the lyrical nature of his prose. He is the author of more than 30 critically-acclaimed fiction books, including works of true crime. Cook published his first novel, Blood Innocents, in 1980. Cook published steadily through the 1980s, penning such works as the Frank Clemons trilogy, a series of mysteries starring a jaded cop.

He found breakout success with The Chatham School Affair (1996), which won an Edgar Award for best novel. Besides mysteries, Cook has written two true-crime books including the Edgar-nominated Blood Echoes (1993). He lives and works in New York City.

Awards
Edgar Allan Poe – Best Novel – The Chatham School Affair
Barry Award – Best Novel – Red Leaves
Martin Beck Award of the Swedish Academy of Detection – The Chatham School Affair
Martin Beck Award of the Swedish Academy of Detection – Red Leaves
Herodotus Prize – Fatherhood

Reviews

[Crystal]

It was interesting, then less interesting, then kinda suspenceful, then it ended.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this book while in Mexico. It is a quick read, and jumps quite a lot (to get 50 years or so into 355 pages it had to) -- I tried watching the television show, but got bored/lost, the book didn't lose me. I don't know how I feel about the end, it was eh. I liked the idea behind the abductions though.

Something that DID bother me...the back of the book (see picture) lists the three characters that start the book as Randall Keys, Owen Jones, and Sally Marsh -- inside the book, they are RUSSELL Keys, Owen CRAWFORD, and Sally CLARK -- how did this happen? I mean really??

[Katherine Oakley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best read in one go because the intertwined plot keeps you interested, but put it down and suddenly there’s too much to keep track of and some of that suspenseful element is gone.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

TAKEN: tinfoil hat not required to enjoy this book, just an open mind (or not!) to consider the possibilities of alien visitations/abductions. Have always thought it's the absolute height of arrogance to believe that Earth is the only planet with intelligent life in this vast universe. (lol, perhaps some planets have tadpole "people" while others are populated with green Einsteins.... not beyond the realm of reality, methinks.... [and are water/air necessary for their types of existence?]) Considering the millions of various life forms here on Earth, both living and extinct, the galaxy offers potential googolplexian brilliance. Government cover-ups have existed since the beginnings of governing... and will continue ad infinitum. (Will citizens ever become privy to the Roswell incident facts, for instance.) OK, the above ramblings are just my opinions. The book itself supplies a good cross-section of character personalities....some "Booo!"-able, some cheer-worthy. Some plausible scenarios, some credulity-breakers.

[Matty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the mini-series years ago and thought at times it dragged on a little. The book was more fast-paced, but I think the story overall gets a lot more muddled by the time Mary is an adult. The ending was really disappointing. Overall a good story with lots of twists, but doesn't live up to it's full potential. The ending was terrible.

[Shelley Welch · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise was interesting, but it wasn't well written, and not enough care was taken with the details. The ending was also anti climactic. There are better alien books out there.

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

ಎರಡನೆಯ ಮಹಾಯುದ್ಧದ ಕೊನೆಯ ದಿನಗಳು. ಬಾಂಬ್ ದಾಳಿಗೆ ಒಳಗಾದ ಬಾಂಬರ್ ವಿಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಪೈಲಟ್ ಒಂದು ಘಟನೆಯಿಂದ ಏನೂ ಗಾಯಗಳಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಪಾರಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ.ಯು.ಎಫ್.ಒ. ಕ್ರಾಶ್ ಆದ ಸೈಟಿಗೆ ಹೋದ ಆರ್ಮಿಯ ಆಫೀಸರ್ ಒಬ್ಬ ಇದಾಗಿ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಒಬ್ಬಳು ಏಕಾಂಗಿ ಮಹಿಳೆ ಅವಳ ಹೊಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನನ್ನೋ ಕಂಡು ಅದನ್ನ ಮುಟ್ಟ ಹೊರಟು ಗರ್ಭ ಧರಿಸುತ್ತಾಳೆ..
ಏಲಿಯನ್ ಎನ್ ಕೌಂಟರ್ ಗಳಿಗೆ ತುತ್ತಾದ ಈ ಮೂರೂ ಜನರ ಬದುಕು ಅದರಿಂದ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.ಅವರಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆಅವರ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯೂ ಅದರ ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳ ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
ಇದು ಸ್ಥೂಲವಾಗಿ Thomas h cook ನ taken ನ ಕತೆ. ‌ಇದು Steven Steinberg ನ‌ taken ನ ಆಧರಿಸಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ನನ್ನ ಕೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ ಅದನ್ನ ನೋಡುವುದೇ ಉತ್ತಮ. ಮೂರು ನಾಲ್ಕು ತಲೆಮಾರುಗಳ ಕತೆ ಮುನ್ನೂರು ಪುಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಹಳ ಗೊಂದಲಕ್ಕೀಡು ಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಷ್ಟಾಗಿಯೂ ಯು.ಎಫ್.ಒ ಅಥವಾ ಹಾರುವ ತಟ್ಟೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಇದ್ದವರಿಗೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಓದು.

[LeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

When you have a story that has been told so many times, you really need something to make it stand out from the crowd - whether it's the characters themselves, a new twist, a different point of view, whatever. Unfortunately, this book lacked all those thing. There were way too many clichés for my taste. I haven't seen the mini series this is based on, and maybe its fantastic, but if that's the case then this book did not do it justice. Found some of the ideas intriguing, enough so that I wouldn't say it deserves a 1 star, but overall I was just ready for the book to be over so I could move on to something else.

[I A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't seen the TV series this was based on, but it's quite apparent that this story is better told via a TV medium rather than a novel medium.

The pace was way too fast. If you even skimmed a line or two ahead, you were at a loss as to what had just happened. Not to mention there were a few noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes. Plus I was often getting similarly named characters mixed up

The actual story itself is interesting enough and assumably the same as the TV series. But yeah, I think I need to watch the TV series to enjoy this more.

[Joey Patapas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I was going to give the book a solid 4 stars until the end…which wasn’t an end at all but a cliffhanger. A lead up to resolution with no actual resolution. The book should include the note “To be continued” at the very end. Left me very annoyed having it end this way.
Otherwise the story is great with very compelling characters, with understandable motives. I will probably go back and watch the series in which the book is based on.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book based on the mini-series of the same name which I also enjoyed. I love stories that take what happened in Roswell to new levels, What was hidden and what does that mean to people living years after the aliens visited and out government tried to prevent anyone from believing?

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it maybe 3.5 stars. I wanted to rate it at least a full 4 stars if not more but the ending kinda ruined it for me. I actually stayed pretty interested throughout for the most part but I was very disappointed with the way this book ended smh 😔

[Megan Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book which was adapted from a TV series. I watched the series years ago. I think the TV series was way better than the book. The storyline was good, but the ending was very anticlimactic and disappointing.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept but I just couldn’t get into therefore I didn’t finish it.

[Cyrix Instead · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Didi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok

[Anthony Padilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was hoping it went into more detail than the show, instead it's a recap of the show

[Rick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard read, stupid ending. Hopefully the TV miniseries was better.

[Sandy Lazarovici · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift, in German. I remember receiving the book and reading it, but I can't remember what it was about or even if I liked it, so it must mean I didn't like it...

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Bad ending.

[The Unwanted Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting at first, but it tends to drag.

[Michael Thurnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Taken". I know that this was a TV mini-series but I never got the chance to watch it, so this was a real treat. I couldn't put the book down. I found it intriguing. Well written and fast moving. I highly recommend it.

[Taksya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quando la serie tv "Taken" arrivò sugli schermi nostrani resistetti fino alla terza, forse quarta puntata. Anche durante le varie repliche (non molte a dire il vero) non sono mai riuscita ad andare oltre.
Storia noiosa, personaggi non in grado di fidelizzare, forse poco interesse riguardo i rapimenti alieni... non saprei dire quale fattore non ha fatto scattare la scintilla.
Oggi posso dire che anche la novellizzazione lascia molto a desiderare.
La storia, fin dove la ricordavo, viene riproposta fedelmente. Una carrelleta di scene e di dialoghi, un effetto simile ad una visione di diapositive ma senza troppi collegamenti tra loro.
Non ci sono descrizioni, i personaggi sono piatti e bidimensionali, non passa nessun coimvolgimento e nessun pathos. Se non si è vista la serie non si riesce neppure a visualizzarli, non c'è una descrizione fisica che sia una.
Una delle peggiori novellizzazioni lette, con l'aggravante di una storia che, all'origine, non era proprio un granché.
Un fallimento su tutta la linea.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken by Thomas Cook is based on the 2002 TV miniseries of the same name. It spans five decades and four generations. The story centers on three families. The Keys, who have been taken by aliens. The Crawfords, who are trying to cover up the truth about aliens. And finally, the Clarkes, who took in one of the survivors from the crash.

I read this simply because I loved the miniseries. I watched it for the first time almost two years ago and it was just simply amazing. The story, the acting, all just great. The book, too, has the same great story, but it moves at a very fast pace. The book is only 355 pages and it has to cover from 1945 to 2002, so it's no surprise how quickly the book moves along.

I think it might have worked better if instead of one book, there would have been more. The descriptions could have been longer and it wouldn't have had to move so quickly. However, the book is still good. Still enjoyable and it makes me want to watch the miniseries again.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, not the best but not the worst. At times it was frustrating and boring, and at others it was engaging and entertaining. The book suffered from lack of detail, and most of the time characters would skip around from scene to scene. If you’ve seen the series first or even read it in tandem while watching it, it’s a little more easier to grasp what’s happening and to get the drama needed to stay interested.

Aliens create this long winded project to breed emotion back into their bloodline and accidentally make a super powered child who wants nothing to do with them. The all powerful race cannot be killed all that easily yet die off very quickly. You follow around the humans involved in the mess and it just drags on.

[Melvyn Foo · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is not written in a very captivating manner, although the events in the story are very interesting. This genre of science-fiction is vividly imaginable, as the story is backed by countless number of rumors and other unexplained mysteries such as that of the crop circles, and the lights in the sky. Personally, I found it rather eerie as I read through the book and was sometimes rather spooked when reading it alone. This kind of fiction is generally not my type, and has definitely brought a fresh view of novel-writing, despite the fact that I did not really enjoy reading this book all that much.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the mini-series and then remember picking his up, assuming the movie was based off the book instead of the other way around. So I wasn't quite expecting the book to follow the miniseries so faithfully, but it did. The only advantage of the book is that it provides insight into the minds of the characters and the motivations of the characters are much clearer. Other than that, if you see the movie you've read the book. Still, it's good and believe it or not, for me at least, faster than watching the miniseries.

[Indigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall an excellent book. A warning to survivors of extreme abuse: there is a lot of content in here that may be triggering. Deals with decades of a covert secret government agency and the lives effected.

This may be fiction, and about an alien cover-up conspiracy, but enough is on the mark to seriously affect certain survivors.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt that this book was hard to follow. I goes through 3-4 generations of multiple families in a few hundred pages. I felt that the book had an incredibly fast pace and I could not always keep up with what was going on. To add to the confusion, there were not many 'big' plot points that I could focus on. I wish this book had more action and the plot was spread out into a trilogy or series.

[Cody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just looking at it you can tell exactly what this is. You can’t possibly cover an entire 15 hour miniseries in a 300 odd page book. Get that out of your mind immediately. If you want the epic show condensed down to the most easily digestible form that still gets the jist of each episode across with little of the detail, this book is for you.