What do you think?
Rate this book
Stolen
11 hours, 29 minutes
You thought she was safe. You were wrong…
Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst.
The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie?
Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.
Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?
You thought she was safe. You were wrong…
Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst.
The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie?
Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.
Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2021
303 people are currently reading
4936 people want to read
About the author
Tess Stimson
22 books636 followersTess Stimson is the author of fifteen novels - including international bestseller The New House - which have been translated into dozens of languages, plus two non-fiction books. Her new book, The Perfect Accident, will be published in April 2026.
A former British journalist and reporter, Stimson was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Florida in 2002 and moved to the US. In addition to writing fiction, she continues to work as a journalist and teaches reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the Northeastern US. She now lives in Vermont with her husband, and is visited intermittently by her three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
For more information, visit Tess's website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
A former British journalist and reporter, Stimson was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Florida in 2002 and moved to the US. In addition to writing fiction, she continues to work as a journalist and teaches reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the Northeastern US. She now lives in Vermont with her husband, and is visited intermittently by her three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
For more information, visit Tess's website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
August 6, 2021
It’s been awhile since I’ve had so many different “Look over here!” moments whiplashing my brain back and forth. Tess Stimson could open her own fish market with the number of red herrings she packed in this book. Ah, but they were all delicious!
The story sets up brilliantly with a prologue that prepares you for a riveting finale. The sense of dread is palpable from the get-go, and the rest of the story the reader is along for the ride just waiting to get back to that prologue and make sense of it.
Lottie Martini is a willful, stubborn, preternaturally clever three-year-old girl who demands every ounce of energy her mother Alexa, a high profile attorney, can give her. Alexa doesn’t come by mothering naturally - Lottie wasn’t planned - but she would give life and limb for this little ball of fire she gave birth to. After losing her ex-husband and Lottie’s father, Luca, in an accident, she’s doing all she can to raise her daughter, but things don’t always go as planned:
Like the day of her friend’s wedding. The day her daughter disappears.
The judgement of Alexa’s parenting is swift, as was the case in the referenced real-life case of Madeline McCann. Why wasn’t Alexa watching her more closely at the wedding reception instead of having a romantic interlude with a handsome fellow attendee? Mothers, of all people, should know where their child is every second of every day, right? Life doesn’t work that way, but tell the media/social media “jurors” that.
Alexa’s journey through judgement, pain, madness and fear as she searches for Lottie is agonizing, and as the years go by, you feel her pain and desperation, even if she isn’t always likable in her pursuit. You want the happy ending, but you’re never sure if you’re going to get it, and as the story progresses, you’re increasingly unsure you can believe any of the narrative presented to you, which kept me off-kilter enough to not guess the ending. Stimson threw one major twist at me that had me doubting every single event I’d read up to that point, and I LOVE when authors can do that!
While child abduction stories are never fun and light, this was a fantastic and dynamic, edge-of-your-seat story that had me rooting for Alexa the whole way. The ending requires some suspension of disbelief, but it totally worked. If you like twisty turny, flip-you-on-your-head mystery/suspense, I highly recommend this!
★★★★ ½
Many thanks to Avon UK Publishing, NetGalley, and author Tess Stimson for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This is due for publication August 5, 2021.
This and all my other reviews can be found at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
The story sets up brilliantly with a prologue that prepares you for a riveting finale. The sense of dread is palpable from the get-go, and the rest of the story the reader is along for the ride just waiting to get back to that prologue and make sense of it.
Lottie Martini is a willful, stubborn, preternaturally clever three-year-old girl who demands every ounce of energy her mother Alexa, a high profile attorney, can give her. Alexa doesn’t come by mothering naturally - Lottie wasn’t planned - but she would give life and limb for this little ball of fire she gave birth to. After losing her ex-husband and Lottie’s father, Luca, in an accident, she’s doing all she can to raise her daughter, but things don’t always go as planned:
Like the day of her friend’s wedding. The day her daughter disappears.
The judgement of Alexa’s parenting is swift, as was the case in the referenced real-life case of Madeline McCann. Why wasn’t Alexa watching her more closely at the wedding reception instead of having a romantic interlude with a handsome fellow attendee? Mothers, of all people, should know where their child is every second of every day, right? Life doesn’t work that way, but tell the media/social media “jurors” that.
Alexa’s journey through judgement, pain, madness and fear as she searches for Lottie is agonizing, and as the years go by, you feel her pain and desperation, even if she isn’t always likable in her pursuit. You want the happy ending, but you’re never sure if you’re going to get it, and as the story progresses, you’re increasingly unsure you can believe any of the narrative presented to you, which kept me off-kilter enough to not guess the ending. Stimson threw one major twist at me that had me doubting every single event I’d read up to that point, and I LOVE when authors can do that!
While child abduction stories are never fun and light, this was a fantastic and dynamic, edge-of-your-seat story that had me rooting for Alexa the whole way. The ending requires some suspension of disbelief, but it totally worked. If you like twisty turny, flip-you-on-your-head mystery/suspense, I highly recommend this!
★★★★ ½
Many thanks to Avon UK Publishing, NetGalley, and author Tess Stimson for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This is due for publication August 5, 2021.
This and all my other reviews can be found at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
August 9, 2021
What makes a true page turner?* For me, it’s often when an author absolutely nails the formula of shorter chapters that each end on mini cliff hangers.
Who writes a true page turner? Tess Stimson! In her latest thriller, Stolen, I never shook the urge to read “just one more chapter.”
The plot certainly isn’t groundbreaking. Single mum Alex loses her young daughter and is naturally shamed for her life choices rather than given the sympathy and support she needs to track down her missing child. Stimson lays out the story in such a way though that readers are never sure what truly happened until the very end, and you want to get there as quickly as possible. Just. One. More. Chapter.
Alas, as many prior readers have pointed out, the ending is a bit of an over-the-top turd. But as with life, books can be more about the journey than the destination.
My journey with Stolen was via the audiobook that’s primarily performed by one female narrator who’s voice seemed a bit more mature than Alex’s 29 years. I probably would have read her differently on the page, but otherwise I enjoyed experiencing the book in this format. I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK Audio and the author for providing me with a gifted review copy via NetGalley.
*Print purists, settle down. I realize that an audiobook doesn’t have literal pages and therefore can’t truly be a “page turner.” If anyone has any suggestions on what the audio equivalent of that is, I’m all ears. ;)
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
Who writes a true page turner? Tess Stimson! In her latest thriller, Stolen, I never shook the urge to read “just one more chapter.”
The plot certainly isn’t groundbreaking. Single mum Alex loses her young daughter and is naturally shamed for her life choices rather than given the sympathy and support she needs to track down her missing child. Stimson lays out the story in such a way though that readers are never sure what truly happened until the very end, and you want to get there as quickly as possible. Just. One. More. Chapter.
Alas, as many prior readers have pointed out, the ending is a bit of an over-the-top turd. But as with life, books can be more about the journey than the destination.
My journey with Stolen was via the audiobook that’s primarily performed by one female narrator who’s voice seemed a bit more mature than Alex’s 29 years. I probably would have read her differently on the page, but otherwise I enjoyed experiencing the book in this format. I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK Audio and the author for providing me with a gifted review copy via NetGalley.
*Print purists, settle down. I realize that an audiobook doesn’t have literal pages and therefore can’t truly be a “page turner.” If anyone has any suggestions on what the audio equivalent of that is, I’m all ears. ;)
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
August 5, 2021
Go On!
You can join the rest of the World, as sympathy turns to judgment of Alexa Martini.
The story is immediately engaging as a refreshingly imperfect mother, Alex, and her shall we say “willful” three year old daughter, Charlotte Perpetua Martini, are traveling from London to Florida for a destination beach wedding.
Alex is friends with the groom and little “Lottie” is to serve as a bridesmaid-her role-one of the flower girls.
All goes surprisingly well, and the adult guests are enjoying cocktails, dancing and other activities, while the little girls, all dressed in pink, are running around at the closed event.
So, how could Lottie disappear without a trace?
The investigation begins locally, but soon becomes a Worldwide search after the U.S. President mentions what happened to the young tourist in a speech he is giving. Compared to the earlier (real life) case of Madeleine McCann, this makes Lottie’s disappearance seem like it could be an actual case as well.
As more details emerge, Public Opinion becomes divided with some continuing to think that what happened is tragic, while many decide to use the case as a referendum on Alex’s mothering-and still others use it to start a conversation about if children of color, and/or those less affluent, receive as much media attention.
Taking up the charge, is a former war correspondent-a journalist named Quinn, who becomes obsessed with the case.
For MOST of the book, I was completely enthralled, despite this trope being overused.
I felt Alex’s despair and the misdirection kept me intrigued which is why I am giving this 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up instead of down.
Unfortunately (SIGH) I do agree with the other early reviews-the ending which could’ve been believable, went too far, and became pretty implausible-disappointing me after what had been an otherwise entertaining and credible story.
Will I be reading the author’s next book? Absolutely!
Now Available!!
I received a gifted copy.
August 5, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Alex Martini and her 3-year old daughter, Lottie, travel from London to Florida to attend the wedding of Alex’s friend, Marc. Everything is going swimmingly until Lottie disappears during the reception.
The authorities are quickly brought in, and the story of missing Lottie swiftly makes the news. As the media and public are quick to take sides on whether they think Alex is involved in her daughter’s disappearance, or a bad mother regardless, Alex has one thing on her mind: Finding out who took Lottie and what happened to her.
The case eventually makes international news, and while more leads come in, more suspicion also falls on Alex.
She decides that nothing will stop her from trying to find her daughter, no matter how long it takes.
This is such an engrossing and pretty original take on the missing/kidnapped child trope, and I really enjoyed it up to about 80% of the way. It touches on social media/news media slandering, support based on race, and the hardships of a working woman raising a child on her own. I couldn’t wait to see how it all came together.
However, while the ending had a twist I didn’t see coming, it was such a colossal letdown. It was implausible and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. In addition, it made me realize there were a few plot holes in other parts of the story.
Overall, I’d still recommend this as Tess Stimson is a fantastic author and it could’ve easily been a 4 or 5 star read.
3.5 stars rounded up because loving a book 4/5 of the way through is better than the alternative.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with a widget for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Alex Martini and her 3-year old daughter, Lottie, travel from London to Florida to attend the wedding of Alex’s friend, Marc. Everything is going swimmingly until Lottie disappears during the reception.
The authorities are quickly brought in, and the story of missing Lottie swiftly makes the news. As the media and public are quick to take sides on whether they think Alex is involved in her daughter’s disappearance, or a bad mother regardless, Alex has one thing on her mind: Finding out who took Lottie and what happened to her.
The case eventually makes international news, and while more leads come in, more suspicion also falls on Alex.
She decides that nothing will stop her from trying to find her daughter, no matter how long it takes.
This is such an engrossing and pretty original take on the missing/kidnapped child trope, and I really enjoyed it up to about 80% of the way. It touches on social media/news media slandering, support based on race, and the hardships of a working woman raising a child on her own. I couldn’t wait to see how it all came together.
However, while the ending had a twist I didn’t see coming, it was such a colossal letdown. It was implausible and didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. In addition, it made me realize there were a few plot holes in other parts of the story.
Overall, I’d still recommend this as Tess Stimson is a fantastic author and it could’ve easily been a 4 or 5 star read.
3.5 stars rounded up because loving a book 4/5 of the way through is better than the alternative.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with a widget for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
August 28, 2021
Damn this was cray!
Alex never planned on motherhood, but she loves her daughter Lottie with every fibre of her being.
But 3 year old Lottie is a terror, and since the tragic death of her husband Alex is struggling with widowhood and being a single parent.
An invite to a destination wedding in Florida proves extra stressful, with the long flight and difficult people. At the wedding, Alex asks a friend to keep an eye on Lottie. This turns out to be a terrible mistake as at that moment Lottie goes missing.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. The missing child trope is very common in thrillers. However this one did a great job, short chapters, plenty of red herrings and lots of suspects.
It was a little over the top in places but I can live with that if the plot is good. And in this instance, the plot was very good!
*******************************
Copy won via Facebook giveaway.
Thank you Avon Books, I can’t wait to dive in!
Alex never planned on motherhood, but she loves her daughter Lottie with every fibre of her being.
But 3 year old Lottie is a terror, and since the tragic death of her husband Alex is struggling with widowhood and being a single parent.
An invite to a destination wedding in Florida proves extra stressful, with the long flight and difficult people. At the wedding, Alex asks a friend to keep an eye on Lottie. This turns out to be a terrible mistake as at that moment Lottie goes missing.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. The missing child trope is very common in thrillers. However this one did a great job, short chapters, plenty of red herrings and lots of suspects.
It was a little over the top in places but I can live with that if the plot is good. And in this instance, the plot was very good!
*******************************
Copy won via Facebook giveaway.
Thank you Avon Books, I can’t wait to dive in!
December 15, 2021
Really engaging and kept me reading late into the night. The ending totally fell flat for me.
What I liked:
The overall premise was great, I loved that the book is set up right away for the sense of dread to build--you know that the child is going to disappear and I just kept waiting for it with a feeling of foreboding.
I liked the examination of judgment on Alexa for her parenting. The armchair judges felt incredibly true-to-life, as was Alexa's determination to find her daughter at any cost.
There are a couple of amazing twists here that I totally didn't see coming. Love it when that happens, so that made the book more exciting.
What I didn't like:
The ending. It is terrible. Both over the top in some ways, and not enough in others. The entire climax of the drama OCCURS OFF THE PAGE. We get pages and pages and pages of exciting buildup and then...oh here is what happened a month ago to wrap up this three year long mystery. And yet also the events are just so implausible and full of holes that it is just head-shaking.
Weirdly, the book breaks the fourth wall at times saying things like "Reader, I married him--twice." This was super jarring to me and felt so off.
I absolutely hated Lottie. First of all, she didn't come across as a three-year-old at all. Maybe eight, but I couldn't buy three. And I thought that even for Alexa's awful parenting, she put up with more from the little brat than she should have. I was fuming when they were on the airplane and she was kicking the seat in front of her and Alexa did nothing. I get that the author was trying to paint her as a bad parent, making the point that even though she wasn't a great parent she still didn't deserve what happened to her and Lottie. She also should have been asking more questions about the strange comments Lottie was making, and how about hang up the phone and pay attention to your kid.
Overall, it's a wild ride if you can ignore the strange ending and unlikable characters. The book has an exciting plot that will keep you engaged and wanting to know exactly what is going on, and features a couple of great twists.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
What I liked:
The overall premise was great, I loved that the book is set up right away for the sense of dread to build--you know that the child is going to disappear and I just kept waiting for it with a feeling of foreboding.
I liked the examination of judgment on Alexa for her parenting. The armchair judges felt incredibly true-to-life, as was Alexa's determination to find her daughter at any cost.
There are a couple of amazing twists here that I totally didn't see coming. Love it when that happens, so that made the book more exciting.
What I didn't like:
The ending. It is terrible. Both over the top in some ways, and not enough in others. The entire climax of the drama OCCURS OFF THE PAGE. We get pages and pages and pages of exciting buildup and then...oh here is what happened a month ago to wrap up this three year long mystery. And yet also the events are just so implausible and full of holes that it is just head-shaking.
Weirdly, the book breaks the fourth wall at times saying things like "Reader, I married him--twice." This was super jarring to me and felt so off.
I absolutely hated Lottie. First of all, she didn't come across as a three-year-old at all. Maybe eight, but I couldn't buy three. And I thought that even for Alexa's awful parenting, she put up with more from the little brat than she should have. I was fuming when they were on the airplane and she was kicking the seat in front of her and Alexa did nothing. I get that the author was trying to paint her as a bad parent, making the point that even though she wasn't a great parent she still didn't deserve what happened to her and Lottie. She also should have been asking more questions about the strange comments Lottie was making, and how about hang up the phone and pay attention to your kid.
Overall, it's a wild ride if you can ignore the strange ending and unlikable characters. The book has an exciting plot that will keep you engaged and wanting to know exactly what is going on, and features a couple of great twists.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 3, 2021
It takes only a single moment….or in this case four hours. And poof, a child is gone.
Alex has flown half-way around the world, from the UK to Florida to attend a destination wedding of her best friend Marc. Alex’s three year old daughter, Lottie is to be one of the bridesmaids.
It happened in the blink of an eye. All it took was for Alex to look away and Lottie vanished into thin air.
The nightmare begins, the clock is ticking…
No stone left unturned.
Is Alex going to un-cover the mystery of what happened to her dear Lottie? Am I going to spill the beans and reveal anything? Of course not! Pick it up and find out for yourself!🤣
Tess Stimson writes a crafty, taught psychological thriller that will keep you guessing all the way through.
Once again, I was duped thinking I had this figured out nearly from the start. And couldn’t have been more wrong!🤦🏻♀️
The ending is a bit ‘out there.’ So be prepared to suspend some believability. I was also left with a few unanswered questions. Overall, this book grabbed my attention and held it throughout. Hope it will do the same for you!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
Alex has flown half-way around the world, from the UK to Florida to attend a destination wedding of her best friend Marc. Alex’s three year old daughter, Lottie is to be one of the bridesmaids.
It happened in the blink of an eye. All it took was for Alex to look away and Lottie vanished into thin air.
The nightmare begins, the clock is ticking…
No stone left unturned.
Is Alex going to un-cover the mystery of what happened to her dear Lottie? Am I going to spill the beans and reveal anything? Of course not! Pick it up and find out for yourself!🤣
Tess Stimson writes a crafty, taught psychological thriller that will keep you guessing all the way through.
Once again, I was duped thinking I had this figured out nearly from the start. And couldn’t have been more wrong!🤦🏻♀️
The ending is a bit ‘out there.’ So be prepared to suspend some believability. I was also left with a few unanswered questions. Overall, this book grabbed my attention and held it throughout. Hope it will do the same for you!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
August 12, 2021
Three-year-old Lottie disappears at a beach wedding, and the worst is feared. Before long the court of public opinion falls on the mother, Alex. What kind of mother is she to lose sight of her daughter? Spoiler alert: normal. Until you find out what Alex was doing and then she loses some sympathy. But still. I’m a mom, and know you can lose sight of your toddler in the blink of an eye.
I appreciated the message that highlights the pressure on women to be the perfect mother, and the commentary on the criticisms women receive on their parenting skills. While I have empathy, I have zero tolerance for whining and melodramatic prose where a reader is subjected to every overwrought thought of a character. For years. Repetitively. The same thoughts. Over and over.
A narrator who thinks it’s a good idea to ACT out her overwrought emotions in the audio production is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Her breathy emotional narrative made me want to poke a hole in my eardrums.
I was invested enough to finish it, to find out what happened to Lottie, but I didn’t love it. The introduction of a couple of hot button social issues didn’t endear this story to me, nor did the wildly out-of-nowhere implausible ending.
• I received a copy of the audiobook via HarperCollinsUK audio. All opinions are my own.
I appreciated the message that highlights the pressure on women to be the perfect mother, and the commentary on the criticisms women receive on their parenting skills. While I have empathy, I have zero tolerance for whining and melodramatic prose where a reader is subjected to every overwrought thought of a character. For years. Repetitively. The same thoughts. Over and over.
A narrator who thinks it’s a good idea to ACT out her overwrought emotions in the audio production is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Her breathy emotional narrative made me want to poke a hole in my eardrums.
I was invested enough to finish it, to find out what happened to Lottie, but I didn’t love it. The introduction of a couple of hot button social issues didn’t endear this story to me, nor did the wildly out-of-nowhere implausible ending.
• I received a copy of the audiobook via HarperCollinsUK audio. All opinions are my own.
October 7, 2022
Good beginning/OTT ending
Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre ,Josie Dunne,11 hrs and 29 min, Library loan
Little Lottie has wandered off.....
Her mom is frantic and the search begins....
I was intrigued enough to finish. There was misdirection and red herrings along the way. I had a few theories (all were wrong). Overall, it was too long for a missing child story. I was more than ready for the "wrap up"! The narration also became too frantic and dramatic. Alex seemed like she was about to unravel at any second and her voice was making me anxious. I kept thinking, "Please find her before I lose my mind".
If you don't mind the plot holes and an OTT end, it might be entertaining enough.
I think I've read too many books with this trope, so I'll give it a rest.
Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre ,Josie Dunne,11 hrs and 29 min, Library loan
Little Lottie has wandered off.....
Her mom is frantic and the search begins....
I was intrigued enough to finish. There was misdirection and red herrings along the way. I had a few theories (all were wrong). Overall, it was too long for a missing child story. I was more than ready for the "wrap up"! The narration also became too frantic and dramatic. Alex seemed like she was about to unravel at any second and her voice was making me anxious. I kept thinking, "Please find her before I lose my mind".
If you don't mind the plot holes and an OTT end, it might be entertaining enough.
I think I've read too many books with this trope, so I'll give it a rest.
April 25, 2022
Una pena que una novela que me estaba gustando más que bastante haya recurrido a ese final. Un final que, como dicen en mi pueblo, “está más visto que el TBO, y encima, no cuela”. Lo siento, iba para 4 sólidas estrellas, pero el cabreo me hace dejarla en 3. Creo que esta novela no merecía esa conclusión. Y como no puedo decir nada sin hacer spoiler, el que quiera que la lea, pues sé que muchos lectores no van a estar en absoluto de acuerdo conmigo. De hecho, a los que habéis ya publicado reseña no perece que os ha chirriado. A mí me ha estropeado una gran lectura. Y, por lo que veo en su revisión en inglés, que es como yo la he leído, a otros muchos de aquellos pagos también.
Por lo demás, y hasta esa conclusión, he disfrutado tanto de la narración como de los personajes. Alex me parece una madre muy sólida y muy creíble. Todo lo que realiza en la novela está bien reflejado. Es una madre que no ha sentido que la maternidad haya sido lo mejor de su vida, pero que intenta hacer su papel lo mejor que puede, y se esfuerza, aunque su trabajo no le permita dar lo mejor de sí en ese papel. Con Lottie tuve algunos problemas, pero como sale poco no me incomodó demasiado, aunque creo que no está bien caracterizada para la edad que se supone que tiene, que son 3 años. La inclusión de las opiniones en chats, entrevistas y redes sociales al final de determinados capítulos también me parece un acierto, y tan real como la vida misma. La repercusión mediática, llegando incluso a comparar el caso con el de la tristemente célebre de Madeleine McCann creo está bien traído. En ese sentido la novela es algo más que un thriller al uso, pues refleja claramente las corrientes de opinión de un caso como este, que, aunque no sea real, se corresponde con otros que, desgraciadamente, sí lo han sido.
El papel de Quinn, la periodista (y rambo reportera, como dice muy bien mi amiga LolaF), ex corresponsal de guerra venida a menos es otra historia. El giro que da a su carrera para intentar ayudar a Alex no me parece del todo convincente. Pero no desentona demasiado, y al final eliges creértela sin muchos remilgos. No se hace de querer, pero es tolerable.
Capítulos cortos, muy interesantes y bien escritos. El ritmo no decae en ningún momento. La persona que yo estaba convencido que había secuestrado a la chiquilla no fue tal, y reconozco que la autora me lo ha colado bien.
Pero llega el final y ahí Stimson intenta un golpe de varita mágica. Un toque que deje a los lectores descolocados. Descolocado, y, en mi caso, cabreado. Lo que podría haber sido una novela perfecta desemboca en déjà vu visto y leído hasta la saciedad, y encima, sin una explicación lo suficientemente coherente como para que la pueda digerir. Un grandísimo error (siempre en mi modesta opinión, por supuesto), que hará que mi calificación no pase de las tres estrellas. Un anticlímax total en comparación con el resto de la novela. Creo que la autora ha dejado pasar una gran oportunidad. Y veo (extrañamente más en su versión original que en su traducción al español) que muchos lectores de su versión en inglés coinciden con mi opinión, lo cual me alivia, pues veo que el disgusto ha sido bastante generalizado.
Por lo demás, y hasta esa conclusión, he disfrutado tanto de la narración como de los personajes. Alex me parece una madre muy sólida y muy creíble. Todo lo que realiza en la novela está bien reflejado. Es una madre que no ha sentido que la maternidad haya sido lo mejor de su vida, pero que intenta hacer su papel lo mejor que puede, y se esfuerza, aunque su trabajo no le permita dar lo mejor de sí en ese papel. Con Lottie tuve algunos problemas, pero como sale poco no me incomodó demasiado, aunque creo que no está bien caracterizada para la edad que se supone que tiene, que son 3 años. La inclusión de las opiniones en chats, entrevistas y redes sociales al final de determinados capítulos también me parece un acierto, y tan real como la vida misma. La repercusión mediática, llegando incluso a comparar el caso con el de la tristemente célebre de Madeleine McCann creo está bien traído. En ese sentido la novela es algo más que un thriller al uso, pues refleja claramente las corrientes de opinión de un caso como este, que, aunque no sea real, se corresponde con otros que, desgraciadamente, sí lo han sido.
El papel de Quinn, la periodista (y rambo reportera, como dice muy bien mi amiga LolaF), ex corresponsal de guerra venida a menos es otra historia. El giro que da a su carrera para intentar ayudar a Alex no me parece del todo convincente. Pero no desentona demasiado, y al final eliges creértela sin muchos remilgos. No se hace de querer, pero es tolerable.
Capítulos cortos, muy interesantes y bien escritos. El ritmo no decae en ningún momento. La persona que yo estaba convencido que había secuestrado a la chiquilla no fue tal, y reconozco que la autora me lo ha colado bien.
Pero llega el final y ahí Stimson intenta un golpe de varita mágica. Un toque que deje a los lectores descolocados. Descolocado, y, en mi caso, cabreado. Lo que podría haber sido una novela perfecta desemboca en déjà vu visto y leído hasta la saciedad, y encima, sin una explicación lo suficientemente coherente como para que la pueda digerir. Un grandísimo error (siempre en mi modesta opinión, por supuesto), que hará que mi calificación no pase de las tres estrellas. Un anticlímax total en comparación con el resto de la novela. Creo que la autora ha dejado pasar una gran oportunidad. Y veo (extrañamente más en su versión original que en su traducción al español) que muchos lectores de su versión en inglés coinciden con mi opinión, lo cual me alivia, pues veo que el disgusto ha sido bastante generalizado.
April 25, 2022
A great novel … but with a terrible ending. Implausible after such an effort with an enjoyable and credible plot. The last pages were a total letdown in comparison with the nearly 400 prior ones. Besides, not all your questions will be answered.
So, “Stolen” was a wild ride of a more than compelling novel, till that ridiculous end sent me raging and wanting to throw the book away. But it was too late. I had already read it.
So, “Stolen” was a wild ride of a more than compelling novel, till that ridiculous end sent me raging and wanting to throw the book away. But it was too late. I had already read it.
May 17, 2021
Alex and her three year old daughter Lottie fly out to Florida for her best friend Marc’s wedding to Sian. During the post wedding celebrations Lottie goes missing and what ensues is a two year world wide search to find her daughter with Alex never giving up hope. The story is told by Alex and journalist Quinn who becomes obsessed with the story.
The inspiration for this novel comes from the real life case of Madeline McCann and the author mirrors judgements made on Alex’s career, parenting and reactions in the various forms of media in the narrative. Alex knows she’s not a perfect mother but she does love her daughter and this is not in question. Lottie is a pretty little girl but by no means an easy child which some of the excellent dialogue between mother and daughter bears witness to. This is a well written novel, the style is lively and engaging and I especially like the short, punchy chapters. The pace for much of the book is fast and there are good twists and red herrings to keep you constantly questioning, wondering and pondering! The portrayal of Alex is very good, her panic, terror, fear, guilt and culpability with added suspicion of the authorities and others is well done. The press firestorm is very good and we see Alex ripe for the picking as it becomes a tabloid worthy, red top headline story with all the ensuing speculation. Quinn is a great character too, a real larger than life personality with a terrific backstory. Her importance in the storytelling is a good call by the author as it allows for the inclusion of other overlooked missing children stories that take a back seat to those that do get the focus, usually pretty white girls like Lottie. I like the juxtaposition of Alex, a human rights lawyer confronting the white privilege in the story and I love how she fights back against those judgements and the steps she takes as a consequence. There is a good amount of breath taking tension in the first three quarters, there are some shocking jaw dropping discoveries and revelations as you go through this emotional rollercoaster read.
However, then we get to the ending and I’m sorry to say that I don’t like it much at all which is a real pity as up to this point it’s a five star read in my opinion. I just don’t buy it, there are too many far fetched and unbelievable elements and one persons involvement is far too left field for me to accept. After how authentic the rest of the book feels, it simply doesn’t fit.
Overall, until the ending this is a brilliant read and that’s what I’ll take away from it and I’ll always want to read Tess Stimson’s books.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books UK for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review
The inspiration for this novel comes from the real life case of Madeline McCann and the author mirrors judgements made on Alex’s career, parenting and reactions in the various forms of media in the narrative. Alex knows she’s not a perfect mother but she does love her daughter and this is not in question. Lottie is a pretty little girl but by no means an easy child which some of the excellent dialogue between mother and daughter bears witness to. This is a well written novel, the style is lively and engaging and I especially like the short, punchy chapters. The pace for much of the book is fast and there are good twists and red herrings to keep you constantly questioning, wondering and pondering! The portrayal of Alex is very good, her panic, terror, fear, guilt and culpability with added suspicion of the authorities and others is well done. The press firestorm is very good and we see Alex ripe for the picking as it becomes a tabloid worthy, red top headline story with all the ensuing speculation. Quinn is a great character too, a real larger than life personality with a terrific backstory. Her importance in the storytelling is a good call by the author as it allows for the inclusion of other overlooked missing children stories that take a back seat to those that do get the focus, usually pretty white girls like Lottie. I like the juxtaposition of Alex, a human rights lawyer confronting the white privilege in the story and I love how she fights back against those judgements and the steps she takes as a consequence. There is a good amount of breath taking tension in the first three quarters, there are some shocking jaw dropping discoveries and revelations as you go through this emotional rollercoaster read.
However, then we get to the ending and I’m sorry to say that I don’t like it much at all which is a real pity as up to this point it’s a five star read in my opinion. I just don’t buy it, there are too many far fetched and unbelievable elements and one persons involvement is far too left field for me to accept. After how authentic the rest of the book feels, it simply doesn’t fit.
Overall, until the ending this is a brilliant read and that’s what I’ll take away from it and I’ll always want to read Tess Stimson’s books.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books UK for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review
August 2, 2021
While you might think that the ‘missing child’ trope has become an overly popular theme in contemporary thrillers, this one puts an original spin on the story making for an interesting and engrossing read.
Lottie, the child who is missing, disappeared at a wedding in Florida. She had flown with her mother, Alex from London to be a flower girl at the beachside wedding of Alex’s good friend Marc. On the day itself Lottie was well behaved, performing her duties carefully in her little pink dress. After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party with a gaggle of tiny bridesmaids in pink dresses in tow, walked back across the beach to the reception at the hotel, followed by the wedding guests. Alex was sure she could see Lottie amongst the other little bridesmaids as they headed across the sand and again several times during the wedding buffet, and it was only later that she realised Lottie was missing.
Lottie is not the poster child for missing children, not in the least angelic in looks or nature, but a truculent, strong willed, overweight three year old, who is more than a handful for her mother. Alex had never had an easy relationship with her daughter, particularly since the death of her husband Luca who doted on Lottie. Left to bring up Lottie on her own, Alex has never thought of herself as a good mother. Busy juggling her career as a human rights lawyer she never seemed to have enough time, patience and energy left over to deal with a difficult child. When Lottie goes missing, it’s no wonder the police suspect Alex of being responsible in some way. Nevertheless, she loves her little girl with a vengeance and will do whatever it takes to find her. Eventually, with no new leads, Alex has to return to England, grief stricken but filled with determination to keep searching for Lottie for as long as it takes.
The novel paints a compelling picture of what it’s like to be the parent of a missing child who might never be found. In Alex’s case the pain, anguish and self-blame don’t diminish over time. Where some mothers will receive sympathy from the media, Alex will be judged for her less than perfect parental skills and for her behaviour at the wedding and subjected to more than her share of criticism by the press and social media. She will also be criticised for the time and money put into searching for Lottie, a white middle-class child, compared to the effort spent on missing children with darker skins from poorer homes.
For me, the ending of the novel was somewhat marred by an implausible and over-dramatic element in the climax, that seemed out of kilter with the rest of the plot and unnecessary for the resolution the author was seeking. Nevertheless, overall this is a thoughtful, considered novel about the impact of missing children on mothers and families and how difficult it is to move on.
With thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for a copy to read. Original review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/st...
Lottie, the child who is missing, disappeared at a wedding in Florida. She had flown with her mother, Alex from London to be a flower girl at the beachside wedding of Alex’s good friend Marc. On the day itself Lottie was well behaved, performing her duties carefully in her little pink dress. After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party with a gaggle of tiny bridesmaids in pink dresses in tow, walked back across the beach to the reception at the hotel, followed by the wedding guests. Alex was sure she could see Lottie amongst the other little bridesmaids as they headed across the sand and again several times during the wedding buffet, and it was only later that she realised Lottie was missing.
Lottie is not the poster child for missing children, not in the least angelic in looks or nature, but a truculent, strong willed, overweight three year old, who is more than a handful for her mother. Alex had never had an easy relationship with her daughter, particularly since the death of her husband Luca who doted on Lottie. Left to bring up Lottie on her own, Alex has never thought of herself as a good mother. Busy juggling her career as a human rights lawyer she never seemed to have enough time, patience and energy left over to deal with a difficult child. When Lottie goes missing, it’s no wonder the police suspect Alex of being responsible in some way. Nevertheless, she loves her little girl with a vengeance and will do whatever it takes to find her. Eventually, with no new leads, Alex has to return to England, grief stricken but filled with determination to keep searching for Lottie for as long as it takes.
The novel paints a compelling picture of what it’s like to be the parent of a missing child who might never be found. In Alex’s case the pain, anguish and self-blame don’t diminish over time. Where some mothers will receive sympathy from the media, Alex will be judged for her less than perfect parental skills and for her behaviour at the wedding and subjected to more than her share of criticism by the press and social media. She will also be criticised for the time and money put into searching for Lottie, a white middle-class child, compared to the effort spent on missing children with darker skins from poorer homes.
For me, the ending of the novel was somewhat marred by an implausible and over-dramatic element in the climax, that seemed out of kilter with the rest of the plot and unnecessary for the resolution the author was seeking. Nevertheless, overall this is a thoughtful, considered novel about the impact of missing children on mothers and families and how difficult it is to move on.
With thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for a copy to read. Original review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/st...
October 8, 2021
Sorry. I regret this book wasn't for me. I realize my reading experience puts me in the minority. Prospective readers should read the many positive reviews and not be influenced by my difficulties with it. The premise involves a three-year-girl who vanished from a destination wedding party in Florida while her widowed mother, a dedicated lawyer for refugees at their home in Britain, was otherwise occupied. The child, Lottie is described as highly intelligent but I thought she acted and spoke more like a willful, demanding, out-of-control seven-year-old. This is the type of story I usually enjoy, but I really struggled with this one. I would have stopped reading, but I was invested in the mystery of what happened to Lottie.
Narrated by the frenzied mother, Alex, this became tedious and disappointing for me. I understood her grief and pain, but after a strong start, the storyline started to fizzle out. The overwrought narration was an impediment and exhausting. The case of the missing toddler grew into a worldwide news sensation. Public sympathy turned against Alex with reports and speculation that she was a negligent mother. Told in an overly dramatic manner, I found the tension and suspense becoming tiresome. There were plot holes and implausible situations I found hard to believe. The characters were flawed and unappealing. There were plenty of twists, misdirections, various suspects cumulating in dead ends, and bad decisions.
The conclusion, where we discover what happened to Lottie was almost impossible to predict. It was bizarre and implausible. The story raised some social and criminal issues, such as a father's role is more forgiving than the responsibilities of a mother, child trafficking, and how abductions of a white child from an upper-class home are treated differently from a search for a missing minority child. This is my honest reaction to the story, but many readers will enjoy its twists and turns and surprises.
Narrated by the frenzied mother, Alex, this became tedious and disappointing for me. I understood her grief and pain, but after a strong start, the storyline started to fizzle out. The overwrought narration was an impediment and exhausting. The case of the missing toddler grew into a worldwide news sensation. Public sympathy turned against Alex with reports and speculation that she was a negligent mother. Told in an overly dramatic manner, I found the tension and suspense becoming tiresome. There were plot holes and implausible situations I found hard to believe. The characters were flawed and unappealing. There were plenty of twists, misdirections, various suspects cumulating in dead ends, and bad decisions.
The conclusion, where we discover what happened to Lottie was almost impossible to predict. It was bizarre and implausible. The story raised some social and criminal issues, such as a father's role is more forgiving than the responsibilities of a mother, child trafficking, and how abductions of a white child from an upper-class home are treated differently from a search for a missing minority child. This is my honest reaction to the story, but many readers will enjoy its twists and turns and surprises.
August 3, 2022
Destination wedding, anyone? There have been quite a few fictional ones that end in disaster lately and this one is full of surprises. I don't want to reveal too many details or provide spoilers. Here are some things I particularly loved about this book: 1) The diverse setting choices. 2) The character development of the mother. 3) Decisions made with dollars raised. 4) Surprising twists and turns in the plot. I am a Tess Stimson fan after reading this one. You will be, too. If you want to read some other titles with destination wedding blues, here are a few: The Guest List, The Guilt Trip, and The Wedding Night.
Tess Stimson has a new title that will soon be available: The New House. Check it out!
Tess Stimson has a new title that will soon be available: The New House. Check it out!
August 9, 2021
EXCERPT: 'You know why you're so frantic to get her back?' Harriet cries, shaking me off. 'It's not because you love her so much, Alex! It's because you didn't love her enough! You feel guilty because you never really wanted her! That's what all this is about!'
I reel as if I've been sucker-punched.
It's because you didn't love her enough.
Seven words that damn me to hell.
ABOUT 'STOLEN': You thought she was safe. You were wrong…
Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worast.
The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie?
Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.
Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?
MY THOUGHTS: For future reference: next time I have a Tess Stimson book to read, I will call in sick to work, or take a mental health day. I picked up Stolen and I didn't want to put it down. I fretted while I was at work, I fumed, I sulked. I did not want to be there. I wanted to be at home with Alex, having my mind tied into knots by all the twists and turns Stimson threw into the plot.
I admit to feeling quite smug. Early on I had an inkling as to who had taken Lottie. I continued to feel smug, secure in the certainty that I was right, until the very end, when I wasn't.
There is something about a missing child story that strikes fear into the heart of every parent. Put the story in Tess Stimson's hands, and it immediately becomes a terrifying rollercoaster of a read. Stimson has crafted a story of desperation, fear, and suspicion that had my mind spinning and my heart pounding. It's complex, twisty, and tense.
The characters are brilliantly depicted. The missing child, Lottie, isn't at all likeable. She is wilful, stubborn, gluttonous, clever and manipulative. Her mother, Alexa, never wanted a child. She is career oriented, and had left the bulk of the childcare to husband Luca, until his death in the Genoa Bridge collapse. Journalist Quinn, who gets a strange tingling in her spine when she is assigned to cover Lottie's abduction.
The resolution was highly unexpected, and entertaining. Movie potential.
There are a lot of books out there about missing and abducted children, but nothing that comes close to Stolen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#Stolen #NetGalley #tessstimsonauthor
I: @tessstimson @avonbooksuk
T: @tessjstimson @AvonBooksUK
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #mystery #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: I was born in Surrey, in the south of England, and read English at Oxford University.
Upon graduating I joined ITN as a news producer.
I reported and produced regional and world stories, travelling to hotspots and war-zones all over the
globe, before leaving bullets behind to become
a full-time writer.
Since then, I’ve written more than a dozen novels, numerous short stories, and two non-fiction books, which have been published internationally and translated into more than twenty languages.
In recent years, I’ve moved away from writing women’s fiction and towards darker psychological thrillers,
which seem to suit my personality better - make
of that what you will.
As well as writing fiction I continue to work as
a journalist, and also teach reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the North-Eastern US.
I live in Vermont with my husband, and am visited intermittently by my three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Stolen by Tess Stimson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I reel as if I've been sucker-punched.
It's because you didn't love her enough.
Seven words that damn me to hell.
ABOUT 'STOLEN': You thought she was safe. You were wrong…
Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worast.
The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie?
Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.
Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?
MY THOUGHTS: For future reference: next time I have a Tess Stimson book to read, I will call in sick to work, or take a mental health day. I picked up Stolen and I didn't want to put it down. I fretted while I was at work, I fumed, I sulked. I did not want to be there. I wanted to be at home with Alex, having my mind tied into knots by all the twists and turns Stimson threw into the plot.
I admit to feeling quite smug. Early on I had an inkling as to who had taken Lottie. I continued to feel smug, secure in the certainty that I was right, until the very end, when I wasn't.
There is something about a missing child story that strikes fear into the heart of every parent. Put the story in Tess Stimson's hands, and it immediately becomes a terrifying rollercoaster of a read. Stimson has crafted a story of desperation, fear, and suspicion that had my mind spinning and my heart pounding. It's complex, twisty, and tense.
The characters are brilliantly depicted. The missing child, Lottie, isn't at all likeable. She is wilful, stubborn, gluttonous, clever and manipulative. Her mother, Alexa, never wanted a child. She is career oriented, and had left the bulk of the childcare to husband Luca, until his death in the Genoa Bridge collapse. Journalist Quinn, who gets a strange tingling in her spine when she is assigned to cover Lottie's abduction.
The resolution was highly unexpected, and entertaining. Movie potential.
There are a lot of books out there about missing and abducted children, but nothing that comes close to Stolen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#Stolen #NetGalley #tessstimsonauthor
I: @tessstimson @avonbooksuk
T: @tessjstimson @AvonBooksUK
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #mystery #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: I was born in Surrey, in the south of England, and read English at Oxford University.
Upon graduating I joined ITN as a news producer.
I reported and produced regional and world stories, travelling to hotspots and war-zones all over the
globe, before leaving bullets behind to become
a full-time writer.
Since then, I’ve written more than a dozen novels, numerous short stories, and two non-fiction books, which have been published internationally and translated into more than twenty languages.
In recent years, I’ve moved away from writing women’s fiction and towards darker psychological thrillers,
which seem to suit my personality better - make
of that what you will.
As well as writing fiction I continue to work as
a journalist, and also teach reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the North-Eastern US.
I live in Vermont with my husband, and am visited intermittently by my three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Stolen by Tess Stimson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 24, 2022
No es lo que me esperaba, pero me ha gustado.
No sabría muy bien como calificarla. Tiene algo de thriller/intriga -hay un secuestro y una investigación- y algo entre simple narrativa tirando a novela negra -hay alguna crítica y un toque de atención a las relaciones familiares en torno a la figura del menor-.
Una niña ha sido secuestrada durante la celebración de una de esas bodas por todo lo alto, en un lugar paradisíaco y exclusivo en Florida donde todos los detalles están cuidados, toda una puesta en escena con el fin obtener unas imágenes perfectas para subir a las redes sociales y presumir de boda. El status manda. Los invitados tienen que acudir y estar a la altura: vestuario, peluquería, billetes de avión, ... ¿Os suena de algo?. Tranquilos, las invitaciones a estos eventos y el coste económico para los invitados no es la temática principal del libro.
Alex es una mujer joven e independiente, una profesional con un buen trabajo que le absorbe mucho tiempo. Conoció a Luca, un guapo italiano, se casaron y tuvieron una hija, Lottie. Cansada de que el fogoso de Luca le pusiera los cuernos, se separaron. Alex tuvo que empezar a hacerse cargo de una hija que hasta entonces había sido criada por el padrazo de Luca. Como os podéis imaginar, Lottie es una preciosa niña de tres años con un carácter fuerte, un tanto especial.
Alex acude a la boda de su mejor amigo con Lottie, todo está programado, las damitas de honor van todas juntitas, el hotel tiene un recinto cerrado donde se celebra el enlace, ...En este contexto y bajo la aparente seguridad, la boda es uno de esos momentos que se presentan para desconectar un poco, tomar unas copas y disfrutar de la vida. O ¿no? Hasta que Alex descubre con horror que Lottie ha desaparecido.
La investigación se convierte en una causa mediática. La opinión de la gente y los medios va cambiando, desde solidarizarse con el dolor de la madre hasta cuestionarla. Entran en juego otros factores: los ingresos por turismo, los recursos destinados a la investigación de una niña blanca inglesa de familia bien.
No solo Alex está afectada por lo que pudiera haberle ocurrido a su hija. Su entorno familiar acusa la falta de noticias y el contacto con la niña. Lottie era el "rayito de vida y de sol" de sus abuelos, hasta su salud se resiente.
Una campaña de donaciones permite iniciar una investigación privada a Álex. Veremos parte de los intereses de la gente que la dirige.
¿Hasta dónde puede llegar una madre desesperada para encontrar a su hija? ¿Qué serías capaz de hacer si crees que la has encontrado? Me ha gustado mucho el juego de estar en el otro lado, usar las mismas expresiones para hacerlo patente.
Quinn, una ex-corresponsal de guerra, inicia su propia investigación, tirando de contactos y favores, puenteanto incluso las órdenes que recibe. Es un personaje peculiar que me ha gustado su coraje y decisión. A Quinn nadie le dice cuando a de cerrar una investigación y Alex tiene claro que su objetivo es encontrar a su hija, pero no sé si me ha convencido el cambio en la relación y su papel protagonista en ese desenlace.
Es un libro redactado en primera persona, en el que se intercala algún reporte de RRSS y medios de comunicación que muestran y refuerzan esos cambios de opinión que he mencionado. Los capítulos son cortos, el ritmo es adictivo, la intriga es creciente aunque juegue un poco al despiste y se guarde un as escondido en la manga, un personaje que presumiblemente había sido descartado previamente, por tanto, me ha pillado de sorpresa. Durante la liberación ha mantenido la intriga, aunque ha sido un poco "peliculera" -es lo que menos me ha gustado-. El cierre ha sido acorde a los acontecimientos anteriores.
Por la sinopsis me esperaba un thriller de otro tipo, basado en la investigación. Incluso después de leer el primer capítulo me esperaba un thriller frenético. Para mí este libro es algo más, recoge muchos matices a base de pinceladas y toca bastantes cuestiones. Por eso me ha sorprendido y me ha gustado.
Valoración: 8,75/10
Lectura: abril 2022
No sabría muy bien como calificarla. Tiene algo de thriller/intriga -hay un secuestro y una investigación- y algo entre simple narrativa tirando a novela negra -hay alguna crítica y un toque de atención a las relaciones familiares en torno a la figura del menor-.
Una niña ha sido secuestrada durante la celebración de una de esas bodas por todo lo alto, en un lugar paradisíaco y exclusivo en Florida donde todos los detalles están cuidados, toda una puesta en escena con el fin obtener unas imágenes perfectas para subir a las redes sociales y presumir de boda. El status manda. Los invitados tienen que acudir y estar a la altura: vestuario, peluquería, billetes de avión, ... ¿Os suena de algo?. Tranquilos, las invitaciones a estos eventos y el coste económico para los invitados no es la temática principal del libro.
Alex es una mujer joven e independiente, una profesional con un buen trabajo que le absorbe mucho tiempo. Conoció a Luca, un guapo italiano, se casaron y tuvieron una hija, Lottie. Cansada de que el fogoso de Luca le pusiera los cuernos, se separaron. Alex tuvo que empezar a hacerse cargo de una hija que hasta entonces había sido criada por el padrazo de Luca. Como os podéis imaginar, Lottie es una preciosa niña de tres años con un carácter fuerte, un tanto especial.
Alex acude a la boda de su mejor amigo con Lottie, todo está programado, las damitas de honor van todas juntitas, el hotel tiene un recinto cerrado donde se celebra el enlace, ...En este contexto y bajo la aparente seguridad, la boda es uno de esos momentos que se presentan para desconectar un poco, tomar unas copas y disfrutar de la vida. O ¿no? Hasta que Alex descubre con horror que Lottie ha desaparecido.
La investigación se convierte en una causa mediática. La opinión de la gente y los medios va cambiando, desde solidarizarse con el dolor de la madre hasta cuestionarla. Entran en juego otros factores: los ingresos por turismo, los recursos destinados a la investigación de una niña blanca inglesa de familia bien.
No solo Alex está afectada por lo que pudiera haberle ocurrido a su hija. Su entorno familiar acusa la falta de noticias y el contacto con la niña. Lottie era el "rayito de vida y de sol" de sus abuelos, hasta su salud se resiente.
Una campaña de donaciones permite iniciar una investigación privada a Álex. Veremos parte de los intereses de la gente que la dirige.
¿Hasta dónde puede llegar una madre desesperada para encontrar a su hija? ¿Qué serías capaz de hacer si crees que la has encontrado? Me ha gustado mucho el juego de estar en el otro lado, usar las mismas expresiones para hacerlo patente.
Quinn, una ex-corresponsal de guerra, inicia su propia investigación, tirando de contactos y favores, puenteanto incluso las órdenes que recibe. Es un personaje peculiar que me ha gustado su coraje y decisión. A Quinn nadie le dice cuando a de cerrar una investigación y Alex tiene claro que su objetivo es encontrar a su hija, pero no sé si me ha convencido el cambio en la relación y su papel protagonista en ese desenlace.
Es un libro redactado en primera persona, en el que se intercala algún reporte de RRSS y medios de comunicación que muestran y refuerzan esos cambios de opinión que he mencionado. Los capítulos son cortos, el ritmo es adictivo, la intriga es creciente aunque juegue un poco al despiste y se guarde un as escondido en la manga, un personaje que presumiblemente había sido descartado previamente, por tanto, me ha pillado de sorpresa. Durante la liberación ha mantenido la intriga, aunque ha sido un poco "peliculera" -es lo que menos me ha gustado-. El cierre ha sido acorde a los acontecimientos anteriores.
Por la sinopsis me esperaba un thriller de otro tipo, basado en la investigación. Incluso después de leer el primer capítulo me esperaba un thriller frenético. Para mí este libro es algo más, recoge muchos matices a base de pinceladas y toca bastantes cuestiones. Por eso me ha sorprendido y me ha gustado.
Valoración: 8,75/10
Lectura: abril 2022
December 26, 2022
I read the book a while ago and still remember most of it. I have a tendency to forget books easily if they aren’t engaging so this stood out. Sometimes I wished the pace would have been a bit faster, but I also liked that I got to know the mother and the people around her. I could relate to her pain and desperation. I was also involved and interested, wanting to know who took her daughter. The twist was a bit unbelievable, especially some parts of it, but I was surprised all right.
April 20, 2022
Me encantan las novelas de desapariciones de niños, no puedo ser objetiva, pero esta historia es muy buena.
August 11, 2021
3.5 stars, rounding up. If you are looking for a book that has more twists than a korker ribbon, this could be a great read for you!
Story:
This was my first Tess Stimson book, and it left me with mixed feelings, though my final feelings are a bit skewed towards the positive side. The prologue provides a nice setting for the story, but it also leaks a tiny, albeit misleading, spoiler. The writing style is very quick especially in the first half, but soon it begins to get a little repetitive. There are twists galore, but some of them are quite farfetched. The book provides an equal number of “What???” and “What rubbish!” moments. I don’t want to go too much into spoilers but the rationale provided for some characters who did what they did was just tough to digest. The ending was especially over the top. I prefer thrillers where the twists aren’t easily guessable but still flow logically from the story, thereby giving you the satisfaction of making deductions and enjoying the process of the reveal. I didn’t enjoy the big turnaround twist in this book because it was impossible to guess.
The book covers some themes really well. How white privilege works when it comes to case investigations, how mothers face more flak than fathers, how career-oriented mothers are always asked to get their priorities right… These were all nicely incorporated within the storyline. But not everything is hunky-dory with the plot development. There are some obvious misses by the police investigating the kidnapping and these are quite glaring loopholes. How come experienced police officers miss out on such clear logical gaps that amateurs can detect easily? All is fair in love, war and contemporary thrillers, I guess.
The author’s choice of lead character was intriguing. Alex isn’t the perfect mother nor person. She loves to take personal time away from her daughter. Her career comes first. She’s not very likeable or down-to-earth. As such, she makes for a great protagonist in a thriller because you get mixed feelings about her at once: sympathy at her loss plus irritation at her behaviour. Lottie is interesting too, for whatever pages she appears in. I’ve never seen a three year old depicted in this devious way, and that is a very brave decision by the author. Most of the rest of the characters hardly make any impact as they come and go in the story on an if-need-be basis. The sole exception is Quinn, a journalist who is covering the Lottie kidnapping to get her career back on track. As is the common trope in most thrillers nowadays, there is at least one main character who is a drunken mess for at least a few pages, and in this book, that honour belongs to Quinn and as such, I didn’t like her character.
The audiobook description showed an ensemble cast, and this misled me into thinking that the book has multiple key characters. But the book comes only in two perspectives (Alex - 1st person and Quinn - 3rd person) and both of these are voiced by the same narrator. (I’m guessing this is Stephanie Racine.) The rest of the voice cast comes only on minor occasions to voice the public opinion on the kidnapping. This was a slight disappointment. Of course, I can’t take away anything from the main narrator’s performance. She was outstanding to listen to in this 11 hour audiobook as she voices Alex and Quinn perfectly, albeit similarly. But when you expect a multi-cast production and find only one main narrator, it’s like a let-down.
AUDIOBOOK SPOILER AHEAD:
My rating was at a steady 4.5 until about halfway in the book, and then it kept going up and down depending on the twist. The ending is what brought my rating down to 3.5 and kept it there.
You will like the book if you like twists that simply can’t be predicted. Overall, this is still one of the better thrillers I’ve read this year and it will be an entertaining read if you don’t question it too much.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Alex is a career-oriented lawyer who isn’t really fond of motherhood but loves her three year old to whatever extent she can. Her daughter Lottie is a precocious spoilt brat, with her every word and action revealing her stubbornness and wilfulness. But the mother and daughter still have a trusting connect with each other. So when Lottie disappears from a beach during a fancy wedding, Alex fears the worst and uses every resource she can to discover what happened to her child. Will she be able to find Lottie before it’s too late? Will the media attention on the high-profile case help or make matters worse?
This was my first Tess Stimson book, and it left me with mixed feelings, though my final feelings are a bit skewed towards the positive side. The prologue provides a nice setting for the story, but it also leaks a tiny, albeit misleading, spoiler. The writing style is very quick especially in the first half, but soon it begins to get a little repetitive. There are twists galore, but some of them are quite farfetched. The book provides an equal number of “What???” and “What rubbish!” moments. I don’t want to go too much into spoilers but the rationale provided for some characters who did what they did was just tough to digest. The ending was especially over the top. I prefer thrillers where the twists aren’t easily guessable but still flow logically from the story, thereby giving you the satisfaction of making deductions and enjoying the process of the reveal. I didn’t enjoy the big turnaround twist in this book because it was impossible to guess.
The book covers some themes really well. How white privilege works when it comes to case investigations, how mothers face more flak than fathers, how career-oriented mothers are always asked to get their priorities right… These were all nicely incorporated within the storyline. But not everything is hunky-dory with the plot development. There are some obvious misses by the police investigating the kidnapping and these are quite glaring loopholes. How come experienced police officers miss out on such clear logical gaps that amateurs can detect easily? All is fair in love, war and contemporary thrillers, I guess.
The author’s choice of lead character was intriguing. Alex isn’t the perfect mother nor person. She loves to take personal time away from her daughter. Her career comes first. She’s not very likeable or down-to-earth. As such, she makes for a great protagonist in a thriller because you get mixed feelings about her at once: sympathy at her loss plus irritation at her behaviour. Lottie is interesting too, for whatever pages she appears in. I’ve never seen a three year old depicted in this devious way, and that is a very brave decision by the author. Most of the rest of the characters hardly make any impact as they come and go in the story on an if-need-be basis. The sole exception is Quinn, a journalist who is covering the Lottie kidnapping to get her career back on track. As is the common trope in most thrillers nowadays, there is at least one main character who is a drunken mess for at least a few pages, and in this book, that honour belongs to Quinn and as such, I didn’t like her character.
The audiobook description showed an ensemble cast, and this misled me into thinking that the book has multiple key characters. But the book comes only in two perspectives (Alex - 1st person and Quinn - 3rd person) and both of these are voiced by the same narrator. (I’m guessing this is Stephanie Racine.) The rest of the voice cast comes only on minor occasions to voice the public opinion on the kidnapping. This was a slight disappointment. Of course, I can’t take away anything from the main narrator’s performance. She was outstanding to listen to in this 11 hour audiobook as she voices Alex and Quinn perfectly, albeit similarly. But when you expect a multi-cast production and find only one main narrator, it’s like a let-down.
AUDIOBOOK SPOILER AHEAD:
My rating was at a steady 4.5 until about halfway in the book, and then it kept going up and down depending on the twist. The ending is what brought my rating down to 3.5 and kept it there.
You will like the book if you like twists that simply can’t be predicted. Overall, this is still one of the better thrillers I’ve read this year and it will be an entertaining read if you don’t question it too much.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
July 24, 2022
I’ll try and keep this short. I did enjoy The New House, that was cleverly done and really had me fooled so I thought I’d go for another. This book started well too. I really liked Alex’s acerbic wit at the start. I’m a mother and I know that at times, while you may fiercely love your children, you may not always like them that much. They can be stubborn and unreasonable. Anyway Alex and 3 year old Charlie are off to Florida for her best friend Marc’s wedding. Charlie is to be a flower girl. After the beach wedding the whole group traipses up to the reception area for food and drink.
At the end Alex is trying to round up Charlie but there is no Charlie. Vague references of sightings turn out to be of a similar looking girl. But no one has seen the actual Charlie for over 4 hours. She has been taken. And now, finally, Alex wishes she had been paying more attention to her daughter.
Then there is a huge middle part of the book which I found long winded and repetitive. Any parent can imagine the heartbreak of having a child disappear, we don’t 200 pages telling us about it. The press though and the social media, they can get (unfairly in my opinion) very judgemental. It was really quite cruel how some of them behaved. Alex ended up with just one ally - a disfigured and pugnacious journalist called Quinn who never gave up when she her teeth into a story.
So then I was waiting for the big reveal, the unexpected twist, the jaw dropper. I was underwhelmed. I’m not even sure if it made sense. I didn’t love the book but it was pretty enjoyable until the ending which ruined it for me. I’ll give her books another go though.
At the end Alex is trying to round up Charlie but there is no Charlie. Vague references of sightings turn out to be of a similar looking girl. But no one has seen the actual Charlie for over 4 hours. She has been taken. And now, finally, Alex wishes she had been paying more attention to her daughter.
Then there is a huge middle part of the book which I found long winded and repetitive. Any parent can imagine the heartbreak of having a child disappear, we don’t 200 pages telling us about it. The press though and the social media, they can get (unfairly in my opinion) very judgemental. It was really quite cruel how some of them behaved. Alex ended up with just one ally - a disfigured and pugnacious journalist called Quinn who never gave up when she her teeth into a story.
So then I was waiting for the big reveal, the unexpected twist, the jaw dropper. I was underwhelmed. I’m not even sure if it made sense. I didn’t love the book but it was pretty enjoyable until the ending which ruined it for me. I’ll give her books another go though.
May 2, 2021
This is a sensitive and interesting missing child story that raises timely issues, with a heck of a twist.
If you’ve followed the Madeline McCann case at all, you’ll notice that the premise of this book bears some strong resemblances to that case. Alexa is a mom who never yearned or planned to be a mother. But when her daughter Lottie was born, she loved her fiercely. Similar to the McCann story, Alexa faces judgment and accusations of bad motherhood when her daughter is taken from a posh resort while being not-too-closely watched by friends (in this case, at a wedding). I really liked the way this story explored the fact that even an imperfect mother can be the victim of a kidnapping - but once the world realizes she’s made some serious mistakes in her parenting, the suspicion and judgment will all fall on her. Yet no one really faults the fathers of kidnapped children for their poor parenting or blames them for the crime.
I also liked the way the book took care to make Lottie a less traditionally attractive child, and pointed out the many ways in which beautiful white children get media coverage and sympathy in kidnappings while so many children of color and also children who aren’t instantaneously seen as “beautiful” do not.
I thought the first 3/4 of this book was an extremely thoughtful, introspective, and sensitive examination of a flawed (as we all are) mother’s anguish over her child’s kidnapping. The mystery was extremely compelling throughout, with great misdirections and red herrings. Was the kidnapper someone Alexa and Lottie knew, or a total stranger?
The ending comes with a legitimately shocking twist and I can’t say I loved it. For me, one particular aspect of the ending required a huge suspension of disbelief. (I think you’ll know it when you see it.) Nonetheless, this was a compelling and truly unputdownable read by a very talented and thoughtful writer. It was a 4 star plus read for me until the ending, which bumped it down to maybe a 3.75, but I still really enjoyed reading this thoughtful and timely book. Tess Stimson is now a writer whose books I will always read, blurb unseen - both this book and her last, One in Three, were so well-written and unputdownable. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
With thanks to Avon, NetGalley and the author for this thoughtful page-turner!
If you’ve followed the Madeline McCann case at all, you’ll notice that the premise of this book bears some strong resemblances to that case. Alexa is a mom who never yearned or planned to be a mother. But when her daughter Lottie was born, she loved her fiercely. Similar to the McCann story, Alexa faces judgment and accusations of bad motherhood when her daughter is taken from a posh resort while being not-too-closely watched by friends (in this case, at a wedding). I really liked the way this story explored the fact that even an imperfect mother can be the victim of a kidnapping - but once the world realizes she’s made some serious mistakes in her parenting, the suspicion and judgment will all fall on her. Yet no one really faults the fathers of kidnapped children for their poor parenting or blames them for the crime.
I also liked the way the book took care to make Lottie a less traditionally attractive child, and pointed out the many ways in which beautiful white children get media coverage and sympathy in kidnappings while so many children of color and also children who aren’t instantaneously seen as “beautiful” do not.
I thought the first 3/4 of this book was an extremely thoughtful, introspective, and sensitive examination of a flawed (as we all are) mother’s anguish over her child’s kidnapping. The mystery was extremely compelling throughout, with great misdirections and red herrings. Was the kidnapper someone Alexa and Lottie knew, or a total stranger?
The ending comes with a legitimately shocking twist and I can’t say I loved it. For me, one particular aspect of the ending required a huge suspension of disbelief. (I think you’ll know it when you see it.) Nonetheless, this was a compelling and truly unputdownable read by a very talented and thoughtful writer. It was a 4 star plus read for me until the ending, which bumped it down to maybe a 3.75, but I still really enjoyed reading this thoughtful and timely book. Tess Stimson is now a writer whose books I will always read, blurb unseen - both this book and her last, One in Three, were so well-written and unputdownable. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
With thanks to Avon, NetGalley and the author for this thoughtful page-turner!
January 1, 2022
Stolen by Tess Stimson is a thriller on every parent’s nightmare, an abducted child. This was originally published in August of ’21 with the paperback now coming in January. The story in Stolen is another that changes the point of view between characters in the book.
Alexa Martini is a single mother to her darling three year old daughter Lottie. Alexa has taken her daughter to the US to attend a wedding of a friend in Florida on the beach. Little Lottie is going to be participating in the ceremony, one of a few darling little flower girls.
The wedding goes off without a hitch along the beach and the participants and guests head back to the reception. Alexa watches as the girls follow along with the crowd as she continues to flirt with another guest. Time passes as Alexa goes to track down Lottie and can’t seem to find her with the police being called in.
Stolen by Tess Stimson was the type of book that I had a hard time stopping turning the pages needing to know just what had really happened to the little girl. The story felt like something on the news at this day and time with victim blaming (Alexa’s parenting) and then race (the little white girl making the news) which is exactly what happens these days. There were twists and turns and red herrings galore that made it even more compelling but of course reading as much as I do I did see the end coming but it was still a really fun ride to get there.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Alexa Martini is a single mother to her darling three year old daughter Lottie. Alexa has taken her daughter to the US to attend a wedding of a friend in Florida on the beach. Little Lottie is going to be participating in the ceremony, one of a few darling little flower girls.
The wedding goes off without a hitch along the beach and the participants and guests head back to the reception. Alexa watches as the girls follow along with the crowd as she continues to flirt with another guest. Time passes as Alexa goes to track down Lottie and can’t seem to find her with the police being called in.
Stolen by Tess Stimson was the type of book that I had a hard time stopping turning the pages needing to know just what had really happened to the little girl. The story felt like something on the news at this day and time with victim blaming (Alexa’s parenting) and then race (the little white girl making the news) which is exactly what happens these days. There were twists and turns and red herrings galore that made it even more compelling but of course reading as much as I do I did see the end coming but it was still a really fun ride to get there.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 26, 2021
Wow! Wow! Wow!
All child abduction novels are not created equal.
This compelling, character-driven novel is expertly crafted, heart-pounding, unputdownable, and gasp-worthy.
The book's first chapter hooks readers instantly: a 3-year old British girl (Lottie) is abducted at a posh destination Florida beach wedding.
Where did Lottie go and who took her? Why was Lottie taken?
As the search for Lottie intensifies, this gripping thriller boasts a whirlwind of twists/turns and many, many red herrings.
It's important to note that STOLEN is not just about the abduction of a child.
Instead, it is a book about devastating losses, betrayals, forgiveness, resilience, families, friendships, journalism ethics, and the power of a mother's love -- even when that mother isn't always perfect.
It's the conflicts and interplay between the book's two gutsy and vulnerable female protagonists, however, that sets STOLEN apart from other books in its genre.
Lottie's mom Alex and journalist Quinn are both "Type A" women relentlessly fixated on uncovering the truth and finding Lottie. Both women are deeply flawed in many different ways and pride themselves on eschewing conventional rules. When these women join forces, they become unstoppable and invincible.
Many GR readers panned STOLEN's ending and I agree, some aspects of the ending were far-fetched/implausible. Also, there was some repetitive content in the middle of the book that a skilled editor should have removed/changed. Overall, however, this book was an outstanding read and one of my very, very favorite books of 2021.
This is my second book by Tess Stimson. Tess Stimson WOWed me with ONE IN THREE and she did it again with STOLEN.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was superb. With an over-the-top plotline and narration, it was extremely difficult for me to tap the "pause" button on my phone and I finished this book in 2 days.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tess Stimson is now one of my "go-to" authors and I look forward to listening to her future titles.
All child abduction novels are not created equal.
This compelling, character-driven novel is expertly crafted, heart-pounding, unputdownable, and gasp-worthy.
The book's first chapter hooks readers instantly: a 3-year old British girl (Lottie) is abducted at a posh destination Florida beach wedding.
Where did Lottie go and who took her? Why was Lottie taken?
As the search for Lottie intensifies, this gripping thriller boasts a whirlwind of twists/turns and many, many red herrings.
It's important to note that STOLEN is not just about the abduction of a child.
Instead, it is a book about devastating losses, betrayals, forgiveness, resilience, families, friendships, journalism ethics, and the power of a mother's love -- even when that mother isn't always perfect.
It's the conflicts and interplay between the book's two gutsy and vulnerable female protagonists, however, that sets STOLEN apart from other books in its genre.
Lottie's mom Alex and journalist Quinn are both "Type A" women relentlessly fixated on uncovering the truth and finding Lottie. Both women are deeply flawed in many different ways and pride themselves on eschewing conventional rules. When these women join forces, they become unstoppable and invincible.
Many GR readers panned STOLEN's ending and I agree, some aspects of the ending were far-fetched/implausible. Also, there was some repetitive content in the middle of the book that a skilled editor should have removed/changed. Overall, however, this book was an outstanding read and one of my very, very favorite books of 2021.
This is my second book by Tess Stimson. Tess Stimson WOWed me with ONE IN THREE and she did it again with STOLEN.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was superb. With an over-the-top plotline and narration, it was extremely difficult for me to tap the "pause" button on my phone and I finished this book in 2 days.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tess Stimson is now one of my "go-to" authors and I look forward to listening to her future titles.
July 26, 2021
Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three year old vanishes from idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst. The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it's not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn't she watching Lottie?
Alex is a single mum. Her daughter Lottie had been a flower girl at a wedding being held at the Sandy Beach Hotel when she disappeared at the wedding reception. Alex is also dealing with some personal issues at home.
You can feel Alex Martini's emotions dripping from the pages. It's every parents worst nightmare to discover your child is missing, The story is realistically written and believable. This is a gripping and fast paced read. I was desperate to find out what had happened to Lottie. There is also a few references to abductions that have taken place in the real world. Filled with lots of twists and turns, you won't know who you can trust.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #TessStimpson for my ARC of #Stolen in exchange for an honest review.
Alex is a single mum. Her daughter Lottie had been a flower girl at a wedding being held at the Sandy Beach Hotel when she disappeared at the wedding reception. Alex is also dealing with some personal issues at home.
You can feel Alex Martini's emotions dripping from the pages. It's every parents worst nightmare to discover your child is missing, The story is realistically written and believable. This is a gripping and fast paced read. I was desperate to find out what had happened to Lottie. There is also a few references to abductions that have taken place in the real world. Filled with lots of twists and turns, you won't know who you can trust.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #TessStimpson for my ARC of #Stolen in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2021
Wow! This is so not your typical missing child thriller. While waiting for this one to arrive, I read Tess Stimson's "One in Three" so I had a good idea that there would be some wild twists in this one too - and there certainly was!
As a mother, this book touches on your worst nightmare - letting your child out of sight at a "safe" place, and your child disappearing seemingly into thin air. Alex is at a wedding with her daughter, Lottie, who is a flower girl, and when Alex leaves the reception briefly, her daughter disappears. Unfortunately, the mother-daughter relationship here has a few complexities, and Alex has not always been the most shall we say, present mother, and has a blight or two on her maternal record, and shade is quickly thrown at her. Such begins a twisty, head-spinning roller coaster of a tale that only grows more complicated, as almost every character seems to have motive and opportunity.
There were so many twists and red herrings that kept me constantly changing my mind on the kidnapper (although am I the only one who found the bit with "Flora" a bit confusing?). Told from the POVs of Alex, Quinn (a a journalist who takes a deep interest in Lottie's disappearance), and the voice of the kidnapper. I liked both Alex and Quinn, despite their flaws, and although I found myself questioning their motives at times, I was still rooting for them both. I also enjoyed Stimson's writing style, with short chapters interspersed with news articles and news reports, witness interviews, etc. The ending is the only part of the book that I found fault with. While I appreciate a good twisty, shocking ending, this one felt a little too out there in the unpredictable realm.
Overall though, this book kept me up way past my bedtime last night, and I woke up still thinking about it this morning - always the sign of a near perfect read! 4 stars.
As a mother, this book touches on your worst nightmare - letting your child out of sight at a "safe" place, and your child disappearing seemingly into thin air. Alex is at a wedding with her daughter, Lottie, who is a flower girl, and when Alex leaves the reception briefly, her daughter disappears. Unfortunately, the mother-daughter relationship here has a few complexities, and Alex has not always been the most shall we say, present mother, and has a blight or two on her maternal record, and shade is quickly thrown at her. Such begins a twisty, head-spinning roller coaster of a tale that only grows more complicated, as almost every character seems to have motive and opportunity.
There were so many twists and red herrings that kept me constantly changing my mind on the kidnapper (although am I the only one who found the bit with "Flora" a bit confusing?). Told from the POVs of Alex, Quinn (a a journalist who takes a deep interest in Lottie's disappearance), and the voice of the kidnapper. I liked both Alex and Quinn, despite their flaws, and although I found myself questioning their motives at times, I was still rooting for them both. I also enjoyed Stimson's writing style, with short chapters interspersed with news articles and news reports, witness interviews, etc. The ending is the only part of the book that I found fault with. While I appreciate a good twisty, shocking ending, this one felt a little too out there in the unpredictable realm.
Overall though, this book kept me up way past my bedtime last night, and I woke up still thinking about it this morning - always the sign of a near perfect read! 4 stars.
June 28, 2021
Have you ever had so much yard work to do that neighbors were giving you the side-eye? That's where I found myself this weekend. But they'll have to keep giving me the stink eye because I could not pull myself away from this book!
This twisty, riveting story of an abducted young girl breathes new and refreshing life into this crowded troupe. I loved how the author was able to dive deep into the impacts to the mother who lost her child - was she a bad person or just unfortunate?
The author blended in many realistic angles like the vileness of public opinion, the ruthlessness of the media, and the shameful truth about race when it comes to resources for missing children searches.
The ending is a bit OTT but I think fully plausible in Thriller World where we can suspend belief just a little. My only criticism is the character motivations behind the ending were quite weak.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book. #Stolen #NetGalley
Pub date: 8/5/21
This twisty, riveting story of an abducted young girl breathes new and refreshing life into this crowded troupe. I loved how the author was able to dive deep into the impacts to the mother who lost her child - was she a bad person or just unfortunate?
The author blended in many realistic angles like the vileness of public opinion, the ruthlessness of the media, and the shameful truth about race when it comes to resources for missing children searches.
The ending is a bit OTT but I think fully plausible in Thriller World where we can suspend belief just a little. My only criticism is the character motivations behind the ending were quite weak.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book. #Stolen #NetGalley
Pub date: 8/5/21
October 26, 2022
Audio - 5 stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
November 20, 2021
Widow Alexa (Alex) Martini and her 3-year-old daughter Charlotte (Lottie) are from London England and are attending a destination wedding in Florida at which Lottie is a bridesmaid. Lottie disappears and no one saw what happened even though there are many wedding guests and staff in the vicinity.
The prologue reeled me in and I could hardly wait to learn the story. I was totally prepared to dislike Alex after the opening chapter but as the story progressed I liked her more and more and realized I did what many others in the book did, judged her based on appearances and media reports. Lottie was a difficult child by the sounds of it and I would imagine her mother could get pretty frustrated but there's no doubt she loved her daughter. There were many gasp-out-loud moments and I can understand why reviewer Kat had brain whiplash. Once again my husband was looking at me dubiously. I had to stay up late to finish the book because I knew I wouldn't sleep without knowing the ending. When I finally turned out the lights my brain was awarding 5 stars but after sleeping on it and thinking about parts of the book I've decided on a 4-star rating. As many reviewers have said, there was one red herring after another and everybody came under suspicion but I now realize I wasn't too crazy about the ending. In retrospect it seems rather implausible and I feel like there were some other loose ends that weren't satisfactorily explained. A second read might clarify some of that but I don't have the time or patience to re-read it. Having said all that, I'd still recommend the book pretty highly. I haven't read anything by Tess Stimson previously but I'll be looking to remedy that.
Thank you to Avon Books UK via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. My apologies for not getting it read before publication date. All opinions expressed are my own.
The prologue reeled me in and I could hardly wait to learn the story. I was totally prepared to dislike Alex after the opening chapter but as the story progressed I liked her more and more and realized I did what many others in the book did, judged her based on appearances and media reports. Lottie was a difficult child by the sounds of it and I would imagine her mother could get pretty frustrated but there's no doubt she loved her daughter. There were many gasp-out-loud moments and I can understand why reviewer Kat had brain whiplash. Once again my husband was looking at me dubiously. I had to stay up late to finish the book because I knew I wouldn't sleep without knowing the ending. When I finally turned out the lights my brain was awarding 5 stars but after sleeping on it and thinking about parts of the book I've decided on a 4-star rating. As many reviewers have said, there was one red herring after another and everybody came under suspicion but I now realize I wasn't too crazy about the ending. In retrospect it seems rather implausible and I feel like there were some other loose ends that weren't satisfactorily explained. A second read might clarify some of that but I don't have the time or patience to re-read it. Having said all that, I'd still recommend the book pretty highly. I haven't read anything by Tess Stimson previously but I'll be looking to remedy that.
Thank you to Avon Books UK via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. My apologies for not getting it read before publication date. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 23, 2023
3,5
Un thriller que realmente tiene poco de original, muy visto ya que comienza con la desaparición de una niña de tres años… muy visto en el thriller…
.
Tras la desaparición, la madre no dejara de buscarla y no pierde las esperanzas ( aun pasando dos años eh?), una madre que va a generar mucha crítica, y es lo que más me ha gustado del libro, la crítica que hay en esa parte…
.
Algo que me ha gustado es que en ciertos momentos, hay diferentes mensajes de redes sociales, o noticias, de la gente hacia la madre, tanto críticos como no, llegando a cuestionar si es una buena madre, cosa que a la sociedad de hoy en día, nos encanta, criticar sin saber.
.
Novela narrada en primera persona, conociendo la angustia de la madre en todo momento. A veces puede llegar a ser muy lento, porque son 400 páginas de libro dándole la vuelta a lo mismo… tiene giros inesperados pero tampoco alucinantes, y el final no te lo esperas, porque es muy poco creíble 😂
.
Y los personajes pues bueno, tanto la niña como la madre son insoportables. Una historia entretenida con demasiadas páginas.
.
Un thriller que realmente tiene poco de original, muy visto ya que comienza con la desaparición de una niña de tres años… muy visto en el thriller…
.
Tras la desaparición, la madre no dejara de buscarla y no pierde las esperanzas ( aun pasando dos años eh?), una madre que va a generar mucha crítica, y es lo que más me ha gustado del libro, la crítica que hay en esa parte…
.
Algo que me ha gustado es que en ciertos momentos, hay diferentes mensajes de redes sociales, o noticias, de la gente hacia la madre, tanto críticos como no, llegando a cuestionar si es una buena madre, cosa que a la sociedad de hoy en día, nos encanta, criticar sin saber.
.
Novela narrada en primera persona, conociendo la angustia de la madre en todo momento. A veces puede llegar a ser muy lento, porque son 400 páginas de libro dándole la vuelta a lo mismo… tiene giros inesperados pero tampoco alucinantes, y el final no te lo esperas, porque es muy poco creíble 😂
.
Y los personajes pues bueno, tanto la niña como la madre son insoportables. Una historia entretenida con demasiadas páginas.
.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews