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Trafficked Dreams
Winner of the Barbara Hammond Trophy for Best Self Published Novel
“Help me… please.”
Three words will launch Inspector Briana Ryu of the San Francisco PD into the forefront of an investigation into the darker side of her city. When a young boy reaches out to Bri, begging her to save him and his sister, but then vanishes into the night, Bri thinks that will be the end of it—that is, until he is found dead six months later.
Catapulted into the violent and horrifying world of human trafficking, Bri races against time to find his missing sister.
Will she manage the unfathomable task, or will the girl be swallowed up by the city Bri holds dear?
“Help me… please.”
Three words will launch Inspector Briana Ryu of the San Francisco PD into the forefront of an investigation into the darker side of her city. When a young boy reaches out to Bri, begging her to save him and his sister, but then vanishes into the night, Bri thinks that will be the end of it—that is, until he is found dead six months later.
Catapulted into the violent and horrifying world of human trafficking, Bri races against time to find his missing sister.
Will she manage the unfathomable task, or will the girl be swallowed up by the city Bri holds dear?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2020
7 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Heather Osborne
29 books128 followersHeather Osborne was born and raised in California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Victimology, as well as coursework in Early Childhood Education. In 2009, she moved to Scotland. Heather has been writing short stories for as long as she can remember. She also has written and directed several plays. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, writing (of course!), theatre, as well as caring for her young son.
She also reviews for Readers' Favorite.
She also reviews for Readers' Favorite.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 17, 2020
I have read previous books by Heather and enjoyed them, but she has upped her game with this novel. This is an interesting and at times, highly emotive story that will have you rooting for Briana to solve the case and hunt down the bad guys. I particularly liked the inclusion of short chapters that focus on Lina, the young woman that Briana is trying to find. They give an insight into what Lina is going through, and work well alongside knowing how the investigation is progressing.
If you enjoy faced paced crime fiction that isn't afraid to face the dark side of human nature, then I recommend you grab a copy.
If you enjoy faced paced crime fiction that isn't afraid to face the dark side of human nature, then I recommend you grab a copy.
May 30, 2020
I agree with the previous reviewer! Heather Osborne has certainly upped her game! I read a lot of crime detective series, and this book is right up there with the best of the best. I enjoyed getting to know Inspector Ryu, and loved the interplay and camaraderie with both Inspector Billy Trent and the ME Cat Hayes.
As I am from Northern California, I enjoyed the familiar landmarks and cities such as Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), South San Francisco, Pier 39, North Beach, and more. The author has her degree in Criminology and Victimology, and it is obvious that she did further research in several areas, including the workings of a law enforcement agency, as well as the sad truth about human trafficking.
The relationship between Bri and her grandfather was so sweet and heartfelt, and Heather Osborne did a fantastic job conveying the love between the two. The book kept me reading, even in the middle of the night and I was sad when I finished the book. I look forward to reading the second book of this series.
As I am from Northern California, I enjoyed the familiar landmarks and cities such as Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), South San Francisco, Pier 39, North Beach, and more. The author has her degree in Criminology and Victimology, and it is obvious that she did further research in several areas, including the workings of a law enforcement agency, as well as the sad truth about human trafficking.
The relationship between Bri and her grandfather was so sweet and heartfelt, and Heather Osborne did a fantastic job conveying the love between the two. The book kept me reading, even in the middle of the night and I was sad when I finished the book. I look forward to reading the second book of this series.
October 22, 2020
I have read previous books by this author so I was super excited to see she was writing a new series.
Inspector Briana Ryu is approached by a young boy for help for him and his sister. He disappears before she gets a chance to help him. Bri knows she has to do everything she can to find out what happened these children.
This story is brilliantly written. It’s not an easy read in that the subject matter is tough but a story that needs to be told. The author had me gripped and I can’t wait to read more from her.
Inspector Briana Ryu is approached by a young boy for help for him and his sister. He disappears before she gets a chance to help him. Bri knows she has to do everything she can to find out what happened these children.
This story is brilliantly written. It’s not an easy read in that the subject matter is tough but a story that needs to be told. The author had me gripped and I can’t wait to read more from her.
September 14, 2020
Briana Ryu, a San Francisco PD Inspector, is about to catch a train home after a long shift when she is approached by a child: “Help me… please.” Max was trafficked to the US from Ukraine with his sister, Lina, who is now missing. But as Bri takes him to her office and tries to establish some basic facts, her boss arrives, and Max bolts.
Six months later, Bri and her partner Billy Trent are on a routine patrol when they are called to a suspected homicide. The body dumped behind a school building is Max.
Between chapters of Bri and Trent working on the case are snippets narrated by Lina, who is still alive, though as she describes some of what is happening to her, it’s no surprise when she says she wishes she wasn’t.
A second body is found a few days later, a young woman – with the same missing teeth and fingertips seen on Max’s remains. FBI agent Robert Kastner is also at the scene, and a cautious agreement is reached to work together to find the perpetrators after discovering more fully what the girl went through before she died.
There are twists and turns and frustrations on the way through the rest of the story, but the character of Bri in particular - who so often reflects the reader's thoughts on the case - carries us through. The ending is tough and emotional, but human trafficking is a subject that defies easy answers and cosy resolutions, so it’s surely right that Trafficked Dreams closes the way it does.
It’s a fast, no-nonsense read, with plenty of compassion for its characters, and a solid start to a series.
Six months later, Bri and her partner Billy Trent are on a routine patrol when they are called to a suspected homicide. The body dumped behind a school building is Max.
Between chapters of Bri and Trent working on the case are snippets narrated by Lina, who is still alive, though as she describes some of what is happening to her, it’s no surprise when she says she wishes she wasn’t.
A second body is found a few days later, a young woman – with the same missing teeth and fingertips seen on Max’s remains. FBI agent Robert Kastner is also at the scene, and a cautious agreement is reached to work together to find the perpetrators after discovering more fully what the girl went through before she died.
There are twists and turns and frustrations on the way through the rest of the story, but the character of Bri in particular - who so often reflects the reader's thoughts on the case - carries us through. The ending is tough and emotional, but human trafficking is a subject that defies easy answers and cosy resolutions, so it’s surely right that Trafficked Dreams closes the way it does.
It’s a fast, no-nonsense read, with plenty of compassion for its characters, and a solid start to a series.
November 21, 2020
On a recommendation
The first book I’ve read by this author on a recommendation. Fundamentally a good story that could have gone deeper and darker. I found it a bit flat. It really needed some shock factors. I found myself thinking it’s going to drag me in any moment but I struggled to stay with it. I’d try this author again though
The first book I’ve read by this author on a recommendation. Fundamentally a good story that could have gone deeper and darker. I found it a bit flat. It really needed some shock factors. I found myself thinking it’s going to drag me in any moment but I struggled to stay with it. I’d try this author again though
August 26, 2021
Good read
I loved the subject and was very interested in the story. I am retired Law Enforcement in California and found some of the details and procedures of SFPD and FBI lacking.
Interviewing suspects is an art form and could have been improved in the book to hook the reader better. Thanks
I loved the subject and was very interested in the story. I am retired Law Enforcement in California and found some of the details and procedures of SFPD and FBI lacking.
Interviewing suspects is an art form and could have been improved in the book to hook the reader better. Thanks
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews