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Stolen
Jenna Brandt can't stay out of trouble for five minutes. When she sees one of her friends about to be abducted, she launches into action not thinking of the consequences. Detective Sergeant David Sawran doesn't know what to think; troublemaker or daredevil. The vehicle she stole has evidence from a cold case fifteen years and fifteen hundred miles away causing Sawran and the original detective to team up hoping they can catch a killer before he finds Jenna.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2021
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 18, 2021
KA Woodford has written an exciting crime thriller. It is suspenseful, fast-paced, and riveting. She did incredible research on police procedurals, created believable characters, and kept me up through the night to finish it this morning. Loved the book and highly recommend it. It is a complicated cold-case mystery - the story propulsive and dynamic to the last page. A 5-star home run for Stolen!
February 19, 2021
A Strobe Light Paced Beginning
This strobe light paced beginning eases into a more comfortable pace as the detectives realize Jenna has opened the door to a cold case. This debut novel captures the crime solving drama of a police procedure and blends it with a thriller. From edge of your seat to plodding through facts to screaming “look out!” This novel has many layers!
This strobe light paced beginning eases into a more comfortable pace as the detectives realize Jenna has opened the door to a cold case. This debut novel captures the crime solving drama of a police procedure and blends it with a thriller. From edge of your seat to plodding through facts to screaming “look out!” This novel has many layers!
July 28, 2022
Stolen is a gritty, realistic crime-thriller!
Woodford definitely did her research for this novel and it shows. The police procedures are written flawlessly, so much so that I felt like I was inside the unit with them trying to solve the crime. And of course, there’s a touch of romance as well.
There were a few issues with switching tenses and at times the multiple POV’s were hard to keep up with, but none of that stopped me from enjoying the book. I was entirely caught up in the story and the ending was intense!
I recommend this book to any fans of Sandra Brown or crime novels in general.
Woodford definitely did her research for this novel and it shows. The police procedures are written flawlessly, so much so that I felt like I was inside the unit with them trying to solve the crime. And of course, there’s a touch of romance as well.
There were a few issues with switching tenses and at times the multiple POV’s were hard to keep up with, but none of that stopped me from enjoying the book. I was entirely caught up in the story and the ending was intense!
I recommend this book to any fans of Sandra Brown or crime novels in general.
May 31, 2021
Wow! Nonstop action...from the first to the last page. There's a serial killer (or is it killers?) on the loose, and the police are at a loss. The disappearances keep piling up...then Jenna steps in and steals the killer's van...except it isn't the killer's van.
The killer always seems to be one step ahead of the police, who bump into dead-end after dead-end. Will the killer get away with multiple murders?
This is one you have to read...a thrilling thriller.
The killer always seems to be one step ahead of the police, who bump into dead-end after dead-end. Will the killer get away with multiple murders?
This is one you have to read...a thrilling thriller.
February 14, 2021
I am still amazed this is KA Woodford’s first novel. It is as exciting a crime thriller as I have read from much more seasoned authors.
Chased by a car on the way home, Jenna gets to a girlfriends’s house who doesn’t answer her texts. From behind a neighbor’s bushes, She observes a fight between Jake and Michael and fails to intervene or call for help. When Michael, a man about whom she has grave reservations, throws Jake’s unconscious figure into a van and breaks into a house, she jumps into the van to save Jake. And the reader is then treated to some of the most interesting and fast-paced action a first time author is capable of writing
Woodford has a talent for in-depth research and character development, in addition to writing believable dialogue and fight scenes.
This is an author to be watched, and I will. I highly recommend this book.
Unquestionably Five Stars!
Chased by a car on the way home, Jenna gets to a girlfriends’s house who doesn’t answer her texts. From behind a neighbor’s bushes, She observes a fight between Jake and Michael and fails to intervene or call for help. When Michael, a man about whom she has grave reservations, throws Jake’s unconscious figure into a van and breaks into a house, she jumps into the van to save Jake. And the reader is then treated to some of the most interesting and fast-paced action a first time author is capable of writing
Woodford has a talent for in-depth research and character development, in addition to writing believable dialogue and fight scenes.
This is an author to be watched, and I will. I highly recommend this book.
Unquestionably Five Stars!
March 20, 2021
I’ve read my fair share of debut novels and K A Woodford’s STOLEN is impressive. Her knowledge of police procedurals is extensive and shows the amount of research that has gone into producing an authentic account of a complicated murder enquiry.
The plot is complex, present day events linked to a cold-case that has personal associations for one of the lead detectives. It’s a credit to the author how well she has managed to pull this together. The interaction between the team involved is good and I also enjoyed the romantic element that found its way into the story, Sawran being instantly likeable whereas Jenna grew on me as the story progressed.
Aside from one or two hiccups with the change of tense early on in the book, it is otherwise well written, this being a minor criticism.
If you are a sucker for detail when it comes to police procedures you won’t be disappointed. The same goes for the pace as the detectives join forces to find the killer and uncover the old unsolved crime. What horrible specimens the bad guys turn out to be!
Ms Woodford is definitely a writer to watch out for and I look forward to her next contribution to the crime genre. A great debut novel 5*
The plot is complex, present day events linked to a cold-case that has personal associations for one of the lead detectives. It’s a credit to the author how well she has managed to pull this together. The interaction between the team involved is good and I also enjoyed the romantic element that found its way into the story, Sawran being instantly likeable whereas Jenna grew on me as the story progressed.
Aside from one or two hiccups with the change of tense early on in the book, it is otherwise well written, this being a minor criticism.
If you are a sucker for detail when it comes to police procedures you won’t be disappointed. The same goes for the pace as the detectives join forces to find the killer and uncover the old unsolved crime. What horrible specimens the bad guys turn out to be!
Ms Woodford is definitely a writer to watch out for and I look forward to her next contribution to the crime genre. A great debut novel 5*
July 11, 2021
A fast-paced thriller with a few editing issues
This is a good story. It’s not my usual genre to read but it sounded intriguing. I would recommend the author so a proof read and edit to correct the issues with changing from past to present tense that are scattered throughout the story. I’m still giving it four stars due to the fact it’s a good story.
This is a good story. It’s not my usual genre to read but it sounded intriguing. I would recommend the author so a proof read and edit to correct the issues with changing from past to present tense that are scattered throughout the story. I’m still giving it four stars due to the fact it’s a good story.
April 14, 2021
Thank you to the author for submitting this book for review!
Plenty of points for excitement, effort, and plot, but admittedly it could use an editor just to get it to that next level and help make it be the best it can be. The plot has a thrill to it laced with mystery, high stakes, a chase, and more, but the switching POVs weren’t always clear or easy to follow, the pacing was choppy, and while some moments I could visualize, feel, or follow just fine, others were lacking. The idea for this gritty crime-thriller is definitely there, but I think it needs just a bit more time and work to be the polished final manuscript I know it can be. Regardless, if you love crime shows or thriller mysteries, then this is a good choice to consider when hunting for your next read. It’s a quick book you can easily devour and get your crime drama fix! Hey, just look at the wealth of other reviewers on Goodreads who've loved it!
Plenty of points for excitement, effort, and plot, but admittedly it could use an editor just to get it to that next level and help make it be the best it can be. The plot has a thrill to it laced with mystery, high stakes, a chase, and more, but the switching POVs weren’t always clear or easy to follow, the pacing was choppy, and while some moments I could visualize, feel, or follow just fine, others were lacking. The idea for this gritty crime-thriller is definitely there, but I think it needs just a bit more time and work to be the polished final manuscript I know it can be. Regardless, if you love crime shows or thriller mysteries, then this is a good choice to consider when hunting for your next read. It’s a quick book you can easily devour and get your crime drama fix! Hey, just look at the wealth of other reviewers on Goodreads who've loved it!
June 21, 2021
A Fast Paced Read
There is a lot of dialogue and action going on that well put together. It kept my interest and I found Jenna and Michael to be two interesting and relatable characters in the book!
There is a lot of dialogue and action going on that well put together. It kept my interest and I found Jenna and Michael to be two interesting and relatable characters in the book!
April 8, 2021
Stolen by K.A. Woodford is a fast-paced and thrilling read that hits all the buttons and starts off with a frenetic car chase.
Coincidentally, as I was reading this book in the passenger seat, the highway exit for the street mentioned in the book flashed by my car window. Life imitating art?
If you enjoy reading crime thrillers and want to get inside the head of the victim and the antagonist, this well-done debut will take you on a crazy ride! It was written with a ton of police procedural research and it showed, which I appreciate immensely.
The dialogue was solid and I am hoping will only get better and more authentic in the next one.
Stolen was realistic, entertaining, easy to read and totally believable. If you're looking for the philosophy of life, this book isn't it. if you want to straight up be entertained, or in the mood for watching a blockbuster film on a Saturday night, then you will love it.
Coincidentally, as I was reading this book in the passenger seat, the highway exit for the street mentioned in the book flashed by my car window. Life imitating art?
If you enjoy reading crime thrillers and want to get inside the head of the victim and the antagonist, this well-done debut will take you on a crazy ride! It was written with a ton of police procedural research and it showed, which I appreciate immensely.
The dialogue was solid and I am hoping will only get better and more authentic in the next one.
Stolen was realistic, entertaining, easy to read and totally believable. If you're looking for the philosophy of life, this book isn't it. if you want to straight up be entertained, or in the mood for watching a blockbuster film on a Saturday night, then you will love it.
May 17, 2021
This was a fantasticly gripping debut novel. KA Woodford shows a great deal of promise and talent in writing crime thrillers.
The story was well paced and full of suspense, characters with depth and a good amount of background which adds to the story. The author has clearly researched extensively as the detail in the procedures and the police dealings are explained very thoroughly.
I did get a little confused in a couple of parts when the characters actions seemed to jump about a bit, I couldn't quite follow Micheals storyline in the garage. Also the change in tense from he/she to 'I' for one character took a bit of getting used to. That is just a small tweak though for future books.
All in all I was very impressed with this debut novel and look forward to seeing her future work!
The story was well paced and full of suspense, characters with depth and a good amount of background which adds to the story. The author has clearly researched extensively as the detail in the procedures and the police dealings are explained very thoroughly.
I did get a little confused in a couple of parts when the characters actions seemed to jump about a bit, I couldn't quite follow Micheals storyline in the garage. Also the change in tense from he/she to 'I' for one character took a bit of getting used to. That is just a small tweak though for future books.
All in all I was very impressed with this debut novel and look forward to seeing her future work!
February 18, 2021
If you want a tense and gritty crime thriller, then "Stolen" is the book for you. I loved KA Woodford's writing, the plot is compelling, and the characters are written with a realism that brings the story to life. I hope this is the first book of many by this author - I'll be first in line for the next one.
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
April 19, 2021
Captivating Read
With little evidence, multiple cases around the states go cold, but when a brave woman reports a kidnapping attempt and brings in a stolen van, detectives will find that many of these disappearances connect. Can the detectives find the perpetrators before it's too late? This story was thrilling and suspenseful. A brilliant page turner, the character’s story and the shocking twists and turns were very captivating.
With little evidence, multiple cases around the states go cold, but when a brave woman reports a kidnapping attempt and brings in a stolen van, detectives will find that many of these disappearances connect. Can the detectives find the perpetrators before it's too late? This story was thrilling and suspenseful. A brilliant page turner, the character’s story and the shocking twists and turns were very captivating.
February 6, 2021
This story is a remarkable blend of an edge-of-your seat crime thriller and a heartwarming romance. The author nailed police procedure and her research on the subject shines through. Her characters are well-developed and her descriptions detailed. I especially loved the epilogue. It ties the story up with a bright red bow. I'm looking forward to more page-turners by K.A. Woodford.
March 3, 2021
This book is amazing! It grabs you by the front of your shirt and plunges you into the action. It is a heart stopping thriller that is exciting from the start. The characters are well developed and beautifully written. You will find yourself pacing as you read, hoping for answers. With a gripping outcome this book is a definite must read! Come for the suspense and stay for the fear!
May 9, 2021
A gritty and realistic thriller, this story picks up quickly from the beginning, plunging the reader into a tense situation. Pov shift at times separated me from the MC’s perspective; nonetheless, a suspenseful debut novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I look forward to reading future works from the author.
January 12, 2021
Gripping
Ms Woodford brings emotion to a harrowing story of serial killer Michael and his victims. The dynamic between Sawran and Walker is brotherhood by fire. Jenna is a stupidly brave heroine. I'd recommend this book to anyone who reads crime thrillers/mystery.
Ms Woodford brings emotion to a harrowing story of serial killer Michael and his victims. The dynamic between Sawran and Walker is brotherhood by fire. Jenna is a stupidly brave heroine. I'd recommend this book to anyone who reads crime thrillers/mystery.
May 21, 2021
Full of suspense!
This story had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. Jenna goes through so much and stays strong. The intricacies of the detective work was really good. I really enjoyed how it all came together in the end.
This story had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. Jenna goes through so much and stays strong. The intricacies of the detective work was really good. I really enjoyed how it all came together in the end.
March 20, 2021
Loved it very exciting read!
March 29, 2021
Stolen by K.A. Woodford is the story of Kellie, a teenager who is kidnapped but the police couldn’t find any clues to trace her. She is presumed dead and the story moves to another case but Kellie’s presence can be felt through out the book in various forms – tugging at your heart, drawing intense emotions, as you meet insensitive predators who attack innocent girls to give vent to their frustrations and wrath.
Jenna is in the throes of a broken relationship and feeling the sting of rejection when her friend introduces her to Michael. Something in his eyes make her cringe and a feeling of repulsion connects her with a distant memory. Has she met this man? Where? Keep guessing, as the revelations are slower than your speculations.
Interesting at places, this book could have been better paced in the hands of an incisive editor, as there are unnecessary details, a long drawn-out investigation, repetitive narrative, a sudden change in POV and the story oscillates between past and present incidents, which don’t blend well.
However, keeping in view that this is a debut novel, it is well written, with powerful police investigations. The characters have been crafted with a realistic stroke and all girls could relate to Jenna. There is a subtle comment on irresponsible parenting that turns Michael into a “raging sociopath.” The critic within me would like to reiterate that this book needs another round of editing to turn it into a brilliant page-turner.
Jenna is in the throes of a broken relationship and feeling the sting of rejection when her friend introduces her to Michael. Something in his eyes make her cringe and a feeling of repulsion connects her with a distant memory. Has she met this man? Where? Keep guessing, as the revelations are slower than your speculations.
Interesting at places, this book could have been better paced in the hands of an incisive editor, as there are unnecessary details, a long drawn-out investigation, repetitive narrative, a sudden change in POV and the story oscillates between past and present incidents, which don’t blend well.
However, keeping in view that this is a debut novel, it is well written, with powerful police investigations. The characters have been crafted with a realistic stroke and all girls could relate to Jenna. There is a subtle comment on irresponsible parenting that turns Michael into a “raging sociopath.” The critic within me would like to reiterate that this book needs another round of editing to turn it into a brilliant page-turner.
March 6, 2021
When Jenna Brandt impulsively intervenes to save her friend Jake from being kidnapped, she has no idea how sick and sordid the man after Jake really is. But the discovery of “trophies” in the back of the would-be abductor’s van warns Detective Sergeant Dave Sawran that Jenna has put herself in serious danger. As the case develops, a string of missing girls stretching back fifteen years brings Sawran and his team together with Detective Wilson Walker, a man with a personal interest in knowing what happened to one of them.
Full of tension and suspense, Stolen keeps you turning the pages, as a good crime thriller should. What is unique to the novel, however, is its focus on contemporary methods of criminal investigation and police procedure. Woodford’s use of detail in this regard makes you feel you are there, that you are part of what is going on, keeping you invested in a frustrating case. She shines a light on the difficult work of obtaining evidence sufficient to arrest sociopaths and other dangerous individuals, people clearly guilty of something, for actual, specific crimes and helps us better appreciate the efforts of those who are charged with protecting us from them.
Full of tension and suspense, Stolen keeps you turning the pages, as a good crime thriller should. What is unique to the novel, however, is its focus on contemporary methods of criminal investigation and police procedure. Woodford’s use of detail in this regard makes you feel you are there, that you are part of what is going on, keeping you invested in a frustrating case. She shines a light on the difficult work of obtaining evidence sufficient to arrest sociopaths and other dangerous individuals, people clearly guilty of something, for actual, specific crimes and helps us better appreciate the efforts of those who are charged with protecting us from them.
April 1, 2021
This is a realistic psychological thriller!
A great page turner, KA Woodford takes readers down dark and twisted roads with Detective Wilson Walker and Detective David Sawren at the helm of a decade’s old cold case with a serial killer on the loose who is still committing heinous crimes. Jenna Brandt steals a van to save her friend from the would be attacker, but now she has to contact law enforcement.
Jenna forms a toasty relationship with Detective Sawren and they become romantically involved. Will Detective Sawren be able to keep Jenna safe now that she is on the killer’s radar? For Detective Wilson Walker, one victim’s disappearance hits close to home. Can he find the criminal and bring justice to the victims of the unsolved cases? To find out, you must read this fantastic psychological thriller for yourself.
KA Woodford brings the story to life with plenty of action, dialogue, great characters and edge of your seat suspense portraying the cruel and warped minds that hide in our world. She tosses in some humor and a romance, creating a well-rounded read to please most anyone. Bravo!
A great page turner, KA Woodford takes readers down dark and twisted roads with Detective Wilson Walker and Detective David Sawren at the helm of a decade’s old cold case with a serial killer on the loose who is still committing heinous crimes. Jenna Brandt steals a van to save her friend from the would be attacker, but now she has to contact law enforcement.
Jenna forms a toasty relationship with Detective Sawren and they become romantically involved. Will Detective Sawren be able to keep Jenna safe now that she is on the killer’s radar? For Detective Wilson Walker, one victim’s disappearance hits close to home. Can he find the criminal and bring justice to the victims of the unsolved cases? To find out, you must read this fantastic psychological thriller for yourself.
KA Woodford brings the story to life with plenty of action, dialogue, great characters and edge of your seat suspense portraying the cruel and warped minds that hide in our world. She tosses in some humor and a romance, creating a well-rounded read to please most anyone. Bravo!
February 16, 2021
Stolen the debut novel by KA Woodford wastes no time in delving into the action of the story. Jenna, the naively brave heroine of this story has witnessed an altercation between her friend/love-interest Jake and a creepy psycho guy named Michael. The altercation took a turn for the worse and became violent. With Jenna's adrenaline-pumping fast thinking, she decides to steal Michael's van that held Jake's injured body when Michael stepped away into his house. After her own altercation with Michael, she manages to get away from his clutches and she drives herself and Jake to the local hospital. Of course, this is not the last we hear from Michael.
This book is dripping with raw emotion by the characters such as rage, excitement, sympathy and a dash of an impassioned love triangle. The author also did her research on with her attention to detail of police procedure and the psychological nature of murderers and victims. Watch out for more from this author, she definitely has the makings of a future best-selling writer. Kudos!
This book is dripping with raw emotion by the characters such as rage, excitement, sympathy and a dash of an impassioned love triangle. The author also did her research on with her attention to detail of police procedure and the psychological nature of murderers and victims. Watch out for more from this author, she definitely has the makings of a future best-selling writer. Kudos!
January 14, 2021
When a writer does the groundwork required to create a storyline that is believable, it shows. This novel is a crime thriller researched and written so well it shows at each and every page turn.
Soak up the feeling of desperation as the police hunt a serial killer, how an intended victim realises she is a target and feel the sheer desperation of people whose kids have fallen victim to a stone-cold killer. A monster with no remorse, only a hungry desire to kidnap, torture and kill the hapless and terrified victims.
A superb first-time novel from this author and I know her next will be equally as thrilling as Stolen is.
Soak up the feeling of desperation as the police hunt a serial killer, how an intended victim realises she is a target and feel the sheer desperation of people whose kids have fallen victim to a stone-cold killer. A monster with no remorse, only a hungry desire to kidnap, torture and kill the hapless and terrified victims.
A superb first-time novel from this author and I know her next will be equally as thrilling as Stolen is.
August 2, 2021
This crime thriller is the type of book that stays with you. Not always in a good way! Meaning, it keeps you on your feet and realizing that there are sick people in the world. Yes, I know this is a work of fiction but the way the author tells this compelling story gave me chicken skin. I really feel this was written so well and had detail that I would never have thought of. The story made me think of a kidnap that happened when I was growing up. You could feel the desperation of those trying to find the young girl and then the realization of a monster on the loose. I was very impressed with KA Woodford and hope she puts more novels out. Though they don't help with sleeping easy!!!
February 23, 2023
A very fast-paced page-turner. Both the characters and action are intensely vivid, to the point of the reader feeling very much a direct spectator as events unfold in this thriller. With compelling dialogue and graphic descriptions, the author has a gift for establishing heightened emotional tension and suspense. The book juxtaposes elements of both thriller and romance, while weaving together the detectives’ investigation of both past and present crimes. Interrogations figure quite heavily in this story, providing what feels like a “bird’s eye view” of investigative procedure as it possibly (or probably) occurs in the real world. Overall a very compelling read.
February 24, 2022
This book covered a lot of ground. I enjoyed all the research that the author must have done regarding police work, as it shined through in reading Stolen. Couldn’t help but like Jenna, the main character, a gutsy woman in some ways, but in others the complete opposite, a unique character. What I enjoyed most was how so much was woven into one story, covering many years, many miles and the coming together of diverse strangers that all makes sense by the end. Good read.
July 24, 2021
Mesmerizing!!!
From the moment I began reading this book, I couldn't put it down! Woodford is well on the way to becoming a best-seller with this one.
The story lines and characters are believable, and endearing. I was on the edge of my seat from the start. The ending was worth the wait and not what I expected.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!!!
From the moment I began reading this book, I couldn't put it down! Woodford is well on the way to becoming a best-seller with this one.
The story lines and characters are believable, and endearing. I was on the edge of my seat from the start. The ending was worth the wait and not what I expected.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!!!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews