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Detective Ellie Reeves #5
Stolen Angels
Twisting her hands together, she bites back a sob. She only turned her back for a second, and then her daughter was gone. Every mother in town would be hugging their children tighter tonight.
Lara is baking cupcakes when her daughter Ava runs to catch the school bus just one block away. Chasing after her, Lara sees the bus tumbling past, and waves. But Ava never turns up at school.
Detective Ellie Reeves is in a race against time to find her––in missing child cases, every second counts. Searching the small town of Crooked Creek, she finds the child’s bunny in the local park, the toy Ava carried around everywhere. Did Ava ever get on the bus?
While Ellie works around the clock, a local reporter gets a message: There are others missing girls out there. Digging into previous cases, Ellie discovers that another girl went missing on the same day the previous year. How many more children could there be?
Ellie is certain that the date means something––and that the person who sent the message is the key. But the community is up in arms, with everyone worried that their daughter will be next and blaming Ellie. The pressure is mounting, and time is running out to bring Ava home. Can Ellie solve the toughest case of her career––and save Ava––before it’s too late?
Lara is baking cupcakes when her daughter Ava runs to catch the school bus just one block away. Chasing after her, Lara sees the bus tumbling past, and waves. But Ava never turns up at school.
Detective Ellie Reeves is in a race against time to find her––in missing child cases, every second counts. Searching the small town of Crooked Creek, she finds the child’s bunny in the local park, the toy Ava carried around everywhere. Did Ava ever get on the bus?
While Ellie works around the clock, a local reporter gets a message: There are others missing girls out there. Digging into previous cases, Ellie discovers that another girl went missing on the same day the previous year. How many more children could there be?
Ellie is certain that the date means something––and that the person who sent the message is the key. But the community is up in arms, with everyone worried that their daughter will be next and blaming Ellie. The pressure is mounting, and time is running out to bring Ava home. Can Ellie solve the toughest case of her career––and save Ava––before it’s too late?
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2022
1927 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
326 books949 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
January 13, 2022
Well that was really an excellent story and very well done! Lara Truman is about to walk her 6 year old daughter, Ava, to the bus stop for school on the last day before Christmas when she smells burning and tells Ava to wait while she takes the cupcakes out of the oven. When she turns around Ava is already out the door. Lara sees the school bus passing by and sees a child that looks like Ava by the window so she goes back inside and takes her migraine tablets. When she wakes up she quickly ices the cupcakes and takes them to the school. But Ava is not there!
This is the start of the nightmare for the Truman family. Ellie Reeves is on the case straight away, an amber alert is issued and a search commenced but all to no avail. As the story progresses you learn that other little girls have disappeared. Exactly one year ago a little girl, Becky, disappeared and six months ago 6 year old Kaylee Wilkinson disappeared from a beach. Her mother was arrested for her murder despite the lack of a body. The mother Renee killed herself shortly after in prison.
Ellie starts to wonder about connections but nobody could have guessed how these children were really connected. Nevertheless Ellie is relentless in her pursuit of the girls. And it all comes to a head on Christmas Eve in a literal snowstorm.
It was a very sad story really. It’s hard to imagine a mother’s anguish at losing a child. But most of us would not resort to the extreme measures that occurred in this story. The characters are, by now, very familiar and feel like old friends - Ellie the tenacious investigator, FBI agent Derrick Fox and ranger Cord McLain who I think stillI Carrie’s a candle for Ellie. The plot was fast paced and very tense.
I give this book 4 stars. I might have rated it higher but I am burnt out from reading about abducted children (and women). If the next book is along the same lines I might have to pass which is a shame because I do like the characters. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
This is the start of the nightmare for the Truman family. Ellie Reeves is on the case straight away, an amber alert is issued and a search commenced but all to no avail. As the story progresses you learn that other little girls have disappeared. Exactly one year ago a little girl, Becky, disappeared and six months ago 6 year old Kaylee Wilkinson disappeared from a beach. Her mother was arrested for her murder despite the lack of a body. The mother Renee killed herself shortly after in prison.
Ellie starts to wonder about connections but nobody could have guessed how these children were really connected. Nevertheless Ellie is relentless in her pursuit of the girls. And it all comes to a head on Christmas Eve in a literal snowstorm.
It was a very sad story really. It’s hard to imagine a mother’s anguish at losing a child. But most of us would not resort to the extreme measures that occurred in this story. The characters are, by now, very familiar and feel like old friends - Ellie the tenacious investigator, FBI agent Derrick Fox and ranger Cord McLain who I think stillI Carrie’s a candle for Ellie. The plot was fast paced and very tense.
I give this book 4 stars. I might have rated it higher but I am burnt out from reading about abducted children (and women). If the next book is along the same lines I might have to pass which is a shame because I do like the characters. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
January 25, 2022
This is the fifth book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series and I was not disappointed.
Unlike in previous books, this time Ellie is not chasing a serial killer. This time, she has to find a six-year-old girl named Ava, who has probably been kidnapped. And she has to do it before Christmas.
This is a good, suspenseful story. You will definitely find some interesting twists. The whole story is kept in a Christmas vibe, which plays a big role in building the atmosphere. At the same time, it adds some tension and makes us feel how important it is for Ellie to find little Ava before the holidays. I also liked that Ellie and her coworkers catch some other serious criminals in the area while looking for Ava.
We spend the most time with Ellie. Although we sometimes accompany Cord or Derrick, but only from time to time. As in the other books in the series, we also have the POV of the villain. There is also POV of several children and their family members. While I don't usually like changing POVs, this time it didn't bother me. There was a balance between them, and events in between the POVs were not repeated.
Since this is a book about the kidnapping of a little girl, I do not recommend it to those who are extremely sensitive to child abuse. Although there are no vivid examples of physical violence against children here. You can also read this book without any fuss even if you haven't read the previous books in this series. There are some references to events in previous books, but with no details. Of all the books in this series, this one has the least focus on Ellie's life and past.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for entertainment, including those who have not read the previous books in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unlike in previous books, this time Ellie is not chasing a serial killer. This time, she has to find a six-year-old girl named Ava, who has probably been kidnapped. And she has to do it before Christmas.
This is a good, suspenseful story. You will definitely find some interesting twists. The whole story is kept in a Christmas vibe, which plays a big role in building the atmosphere. At the same time, it adds some tension and makes us feel how important it is for Ellie to find little Ava before the holidays. I also liked that Ellie and her coworkers catch some other serious criminals in the area while looking for Ava.
We spend the most time with Ellie. Although we sometimes accompany Cord or Derrick, but only from time to time. As in the other books in the series, we also have the POV of the villain. There is also POV of several children and their family members. While I don't usually like changing POVs, this time it didn't bother me. There was a balance between them, and events in between the POVs were not repeated.
Since this is a book about the kidnapping of a little girl, I do not recommend it to those who are extremely sensitive to child abuse. Although there are no vivid examples of physical violence against children here. You can also read this book without any fuss even if you haven't read the previous books in this series. There are some references to events in previous books, but with no details. Of all the books in this series, this one has the least focus on Ellie's life and past.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for entertainment, including those who have not read the previous books in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2024
Stolen Angels was another amazing addition to the Detective Ellie Reeves series following Ellie's search for a missing child.
When a child disappears during the one block walk between her house and the bus stop, Detective Ellie Reeves is in a race against the clock to find the girl before it's too late. While Ellie is working the case, a tip comes in about other girls that went missing on the same day in the past. As Ellie digs into the previous cases, it becomes clear someone has been targeting the girls of Crooked Creek. With pressure mounting from the public, Ellie needs to find Ava and the other missing children before someone else's daughter is taken.
The mystery in Stolen Angels immediately pulled me in and had me wondering what happened to Ava. Lara, Ava's mother, is devastated by Ava going missing and it was heartbreaking reading from her perspective. It was clear she had nothing to do with her disappearance and there were a few people offered up pretty early on as possible suspects but none that I really bought as the kidnapper. Once the tip comes in about the other girls going missing previously, the pacing of the story really picked up. Now Ellie knows this isn't an isolated incident which makes finding Ava quickly even more imperative as the persons responsible clearly have experience. The author once again does a great job keeping you guessing and I really liked how the reveal of everything played out. Overall the mystery in this was solid and I was happy with how everything turned out.
Ellie is an excellent main character and her skills as an investigator have come a long way since the first book in the series. I've enjoyed watching her become a better detective and seeing her investigative style evolve. Ellie is once again under a lot of pressure from the townspeople and I do consider it unfair how much she's blamed for what happens in the town. She can't stop everything and she goes to great lengths to keep people safe. It would be nice to finally see her appreciated for her efforts instead of blamed whenever something happens. Her relationship with Derrick continues to evolve and I'm continuing to enjoy their dynamic.
Overall Stolen Angels was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Hidden Bones, soon.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
When a child disappears during the one block walk between her house and the bus stop, Detective Ellie Reeves is in a race against the clock to find the girl before it's too late. While Ellie is working the case, a tip comes in about other girls that went missing on the same day in the past. As Ellie digs into the previous cases, it becomes clear someone has been targeting the girls of Crooked Creek. With pressure mounting from the public, Ellie needs to find Ava and the other missing children before someone else's daughter is taken.
The mystery in Stolen Angels immediately pulled me in and had me wondering what happened to Ava. Lara, Ava's mother, is devastated by Ava going missing and it was heartbreaking reading from her perspective. It was clear she had nothing to do with her disappearance and there were a few people offered up pretty early on as possible suspects but none that I really bought as the kidnapper. Once the tip comes in about the other girls going missing previously, the pacing of the story really picked up. Now Ellie knows this isn't an isolated incident which makes finding Ava quickly even more imperative as the persons responsible clearly have experience. The author once again does a great job keeping you guessing and I really liked how the reveal of everything played out. Overall the mystery in this was solid and I was happy with how everything turned out.
Ellie is an excellent main character and her skills as an investigator have come a long way since the first book in the series. I've enjoyed watching her become a better detective and seeing her investigative style evolve. Ellie is once again under a lot of pressure from the townspeople and I do consider it unfair how much she's blamed for what happens in the town. She can't stop everything and she goes to great lengths to keep people safe. It would be nice to finally see her appreciated for her efforts instead of blamed whenever something happens. Her relationship with Derrick continues to evolve and I'm continuing to enjoy their dynamic.
Overall Stolen Angels was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Hidden Bones, soon.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
April 4, 2022
My love for Ellie Reeves is far too much I fell in love with this series from book one. If you haven't read books one to four then read before you hit book five.
Ellie is on the case when a missing child is called in little Ava has gone missing after her mother thinks she saw her get on the school bus. But she didn't make it to the bus so Ellie finds herself at a loss where is Ava? Why did they take her?
I really enjoyed this installment of the series, I am so hooked with Ellie and her storyline I couldn't wait to start reading and I wasn't left unhappy! I found the fast pace of the story and short chapters had me completely suckered in. I honestly think this was one of the best books so far. Ellie gets a text saying there are mote missing girls out there, like what did that mean I honestly had no idea!!!! It was intense!!
The great thing about short chapters is it made it a very quick read. Rita Herron writes so well and keeps the reader engaged. I wanted to know who had the girl and why? I was completely lost and it wasn't until nearer the end of the book I had worked it out.
Reading the book from Ellie's POV makes it even better we do ofcourse hear from others but it's mainly Ellie. Her character is always so focused on the cases she takes that I felt on edge for her at times.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes I would but if you have any issues with child abuse it might be worth skipping this one. But otherwise its a great read an amazing case and jammed packed! 5 stars
Thank you to netgalley, Rita Herron and bookouture for the digital advanced copy of stolen angels in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
Ellie is on the case when a missing child is called in little Ava has gone missing after her mother thinks she saw her get on the school bus. But she didn't make it to the bus so Ellie finds herself at a loss where is Ava? Why did they take her?
I really enjoyed this installment of the series, I am so hooked with Ellie and her storyline I couldn't wait to start reading and I wasn't left unhappy! I found the fast pace of the story and short chapters had me completely suckered in. I honestly think this was one of the best books so far. Ellie gets a text saying there are mote missing girls out there, like what did that mean I honestly had no idea!!!! It was intense!!
The great thing about short chapters is it made it a very quick read. Rita Herron writes so well and keeps the reader engaged. I wanted to know who had the girl and why? I was completely lost and it wasn't until nearer the end of the book I had worked it out.
Reading the book from Ellie's POV makes it even better we do ofcourse hear from others but it's mainly Ellie. Her character is always so focused on the cases she takes that I felt on edge for her at times.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes I would but if you have any issues with child abuse it might be worth skipping this one. But otherwise its a great read an amazing case and jammed packed! 5 stars
Thank you to netgalley, Rita Herron and bookouture for the digital advanced copy of stolen angels in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
April 6, 2025
My favourite book of the series so far! It was nice to have a book that wasn’t just a murder and I hope the rest of the series varies too!!
January 12, 2022
This story follows Ellie as she searches for missing Ava, and in turn stumbles into something even darker. This is the 5th book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series. I have not read the previous 4 books, and while I know things/people from previous books were mentioned I was not confused at all while reading this one!
This book was a very fast paced, edge of your seat mystery that kept me turning the pages till the end! It was also so very heartbreaking. As a mother myself, I could totally sympathize with Lara and the other mothers in the book, and felt my heart breaking over and over for them. There was so much build up to what had happened, and then I felt that the ending was too rushed.
Thank you Bookouture for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is due for publication 1/27/22.
This book was a very fast paced, edge of your seat mystery that kept me turning the pages till the end! It was also so very heartbreaking. As a mother myself, I could totally sympathize with Lara and the other mothers in the book, and felt my heart breaking over and over for them. There was so much build up to what had happened, and then I felt that the ending was too rushed.
Thank you Bookouture for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is due for publication 1/27/22.
February 7, 2022
Stolen Angels is the 5th instalment in Rita Herron's Detective Ellie Reeves series set in the isolated town of Crooked Creek, Georgia.
The pacing moved along with alacrity and I loved the exciting plotline which had suspense, twists, intrigue and action in spades. Full of thrills and totally addictive, it held my attention from the very first chapter. Wonderfully executed by Rita Herron, the story is told by Ellie and her investigations, the unnamed kidnapper and a few members of families.
Stolen Angels was explosive and multifaceted. Ellie is a likeable central character with a pronounced sense of justice on behalf of victims, as well as determination and plenty of grit. Rita Herron's clever writing continued to wow me, resulting in my refusal to put this book down until the end with the revelation of the culprit. I'm already excited and eager for book six. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The pacing moved along with alacrity and I loved the exciting plotline which had suspense, twists, intrigue and action in spades. Full of thrills and totally addictive, it held my attention from the very first chapter. Wonderfully executed by Rita Herron, the story is told by Ellie and her investigations, the unnamed kidnapper and a few members of families.
Stolen Angels was explosive and multifaceted. Ellie is a likeable central character with a pronounced sense of justice on behalf of victims, as well as determination and plenty of grit. Rita Herron's clever writing continued to wow me, resulting in my refusal to put this book down until the end with the revelation of the culprit. I'm already excited and eager for book six. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 30, 2022
What a wild ride Stolen Angels takes you on!
Talk about twists and turns….this story has so many it will make you dizzy!
Detective Ellie Reeves has her hands full when a little girl disappears…..was it a kidnapping? Ellie runs into a situation where it looks like there other little girls that may also have disappeared mysteriously. FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox and Ranger Cord McClain come to help Ellie in her investigation.
Fast paced, great characters and suspenseful with a strong story line that will keep you intrigued until the very end.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Talk about twists and turns….this story has so many it will make you dizzy!
Detective Ellie Reeves has her hands full when a little girl disappears…..was it a kidnapping? Ellie runs into a situation where it looks like there other little girls that may also have disappeared mysteriously. FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox and Ranger Cord McClain come to help Ellie in her investigation.
Fast paced, great characters and suspenseful with a strong story line that will keep you intrigued until the very end.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
December 6, 2025
4.5 stars. Suspenseful page turner. Every parents nightmare, a missing child. Detective Ellie Reeves and FBI Agent Derrick Fox are on the hunt for little Ava, a missing 6 year old. Their investigation has them chasing leads that uncover a much bigger crime than they ever anticipated. Best book of the series so far.
February 1, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Stolen Angels' by Rita Herron.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Rita Herron, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 27th January 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the fifth book in the 'Detective Ellie Reeves' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Wildflower Graves' which is the second book in this series, 'The Burning Girls' which is the third book in this series and 'Frozen Souls' which is the fourth book in this series and I would highly recommend reading them.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Perfect for fans of fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot.' I am a huge fan of Melinda, Lisa AND Kendra so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Rita and if this is as good as 'Wildflower Graves', 'The Burning Girls' and 'Frozen Souls' it is sure to be an amazing read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 147 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in North America, USA 🇺🇸.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Detective Ellie Reeves and Special Agent Derrick Fox. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.
'Stolen Angels' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Rita discusses/includes child abduction and death.
WOW!!! JUST WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS RITA ON YET ANOTHER HUMONGOUS PAGE TURNING SUCCESS!!!!
OMG!!!!! What did I just read!!?!?!? Right, OK, hold on a minute let's start at the beginning!! First impressions after what attracted me to the book. 147 chapters!!! 448 pages!!! OK yep this is going to take me ages!! Ummmmm.... Nope!!! I need more!!! Absolutely flew by!!! The chapters range from one page to about four pages so please don't let the amount of chapters put you off, you will miss out on one of the best books I've read in a while!! I could not out this book down. I would read one chapter, tell myself one more, just to find the next one ended in a cliff hanger and there was no chance I was leaving it there!! Several chapters and hours later its 3am and I have finished the book without even noticing the time!!
The book is extremely smooth and well written so you just glide through the pages turning one after another and getting completely lost in them. The descriptions are vivid so I really did become lost in the woods with our characters. The storyline itself was scarily realistic which made it even easier to imagine everything going on. The cover and the synopsis all work perfectly well with the plot. Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. Anything that you need to know about previous cases, etc is explained in just the right amount of information, not too much to be too repetitive if you've read the previous books and just the right amount to understand what's happened if you haven't.
The storyline itself was extremely compelling and gripping. It was also unique and I haven't read one anything like this one. Get ready for one heck of a roller-coaster ride. Absolutely rammed full of suspense, secrets, shocks, plots, twists, turns, murder, tension and everything else that you love in a psychological thriller. This is not just one storyline, you are getting so many plots in this book that it will keep you guessing all the way. I have read sooo many crime novels now it is very hard for me to be surprised and shocked but that I was and very wrong on many occasions. Just as I thought I was a smart Alec and worked it all out thwack... Here comes another explosion. Honestly, just Wow!! I would have never guessed who was doing what and then it wasn't just one shocker there were several twists thrown in. You will take this book wherever you go because once your hooked that's it!! I don't think I've actually read a larger book so quickly in months!! This book covers some heartbreaking topics and you may want to get the tissues ready. Without saying too much it shows the absolute devastation that the loss of a child can have to families and is filled with absolute heartbreak. The ripple affect that came from one event tore so many families apart and Rita portrayed the suffering perfectly. I can't say anymore than that as it will give too much away but definitely clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready.
I absolutely loved meeting all the fantastic string characters again!!! I love the range of different characters, their personalities and all the different relationships they had... The hate, the secrets, the heartbreak, friendships and most definitely a spark of hidden love. Ellie Reeves you are a hero!!! Absolute wonderwoman!! I LOVE books that have such strong female leads and you cannot get much stronger than Ellie, that girl is a fighter!!! She goes through so many emotions and traumas yet isn't wrapped up in an institution but kicking butt!!! This book shows Ellie's softer side and you see her "maternal" side during a few events and it will be interesting to see if this leads anywhere. Do I think Ellie would make an amazing mother? 10000% Do I think she will become one? Sadly, no but you never know what will happen in future books. Derrick and Cord played their parts perfectly and I cannot wait to look back at the first book which I have yet to read and more ahead to see the history and future of all these fantastic characters. I love seeing the relationships between Ellie and Derrick and Ellie and Cord and every book I keep wondering if this is the one where something happens but alas I am still left dangling. Although it has been quite a while since I've read 'Frozen Souls' and I've read loads of books since, as soon as I started reading this all the characters and cases came straight back to me which show how much of an impression Rita leaves with her books. Ellie, Derrick and Cord have become like friends to me know and I look forward to meeting them every time. Here's to hoping the next time won't be too far away 🥂
I have raved about this book long enough but I will tell you a few things to end. You WILL miss out of what is definitely one of the best psychological thrillers if you do not pick up this book. This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie. I CANNOT wait to read more books by this extremely talented woman.
This is why you are one of my favourite authors Rita and here is to yet another page turner and I am eagerly awaiting the next which will be hopefully coming soon 🥂
Overall a mind blowing, page turning, explosive psychological thriller that will keep you up at night.
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Police Procedural and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Melinda Leigh, Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, Tess Gerritsen, everyone and YOU!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!
448 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Review for 'Stolen Angels' by Rita Herron.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Rita Herron, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 27th January 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the fifth book in the 'Detective Ellie Reeves' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Wildflower Graves' which is the second book in this series, 'The Burning Girls' which is the third book in this series and 'Frozen Souls' which is the fourth book in this series and I would highly recommend reading them.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Perfect for fans of fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot.' I am a huge fan of Melinda, Lisa AND Kendra so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Rita and if this is as good as 'Wildflower Graves', 'The Burning Girls' and 'Frozen Souls' it is sure to be an amazing read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 147 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in North America, USA 🇺🇸.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Detective Ellie Reeves and Special Agent Derrick Fox. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.
'Stolen Angels' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Rita discusses/includes child abduction and death.
WOW!!! JUST WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS RITA ON YET ANOTHER HUMONGOUS PAGE TURNING SUCCESS!!!!
OMG!!!!! What did I just read!!?!?!? Right, OK, hold on a minute let's start at the beginning!! First impressions after what attracted me to the book. 147 chapters!!! 448 pages!!! OK yep this is going to take me ages!! Ummmmm.... Nope!!! I need more!!! Absolutely flew by!!! The chapters range from one page to about four pages so please don't let the amount of chapters put you off, you will miss out on one of the best books I've read in a while!! I could not out this book down. I would read one chapter, tell myself one more, just to find the next one ended in a cliff hanger and there was no chance I was leaving it there!! Several chapters and hours later its 3am and I have finished the book without even noticing the time!!
The book is extremely smooth and well written so you just glide through the pages turning one after another and getting completely lost in them. The descriptions are vivid so I really did become lost in the woods with our characters. The storyline itself was scarily realistic which made it even easier to imagine everything going on. The cover and the synopsis all work perfectly well with the plot. Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. Anything that you need to know about previous cases, etc is explained in just the right amount of information, not too much to be too repetitive if you've read the previous books and just the right amount to understand what's happened if you haven't.
The storyline itself was extremely compelling and gripping. It was also unique and I haven't read one anything like this one. Get ready for one heck of a roller-coaster ride. Absolutely rammed full of suspense, secrets, shocks, plots, twists, turns, murder, tension and everything else that you love in a psychological thriller. This is not just one storyline, you are getting so many plots in this book that it will keep you guessing all the way. I have read sooo many crime novels now it is very hard for me to be surprised and shocked but that I was and very wrong on many occasions. Just as I thought I was a smart Alec and worked it all out thwack... Here comes another explosion. Honestly, just Wow!! I would have never guessed who was doing what and then it wasn't just one shocker there were several twists thrown in. You will take this book wherever you go because once your hooked that's it!! I don't think I've actually read a larger book so quickly in months!! This book covers some heartbreaking topics and you may want to get the tissues ready. Without saying too much it shows the absolute devastation that the loss of a child can have to families and is filled with absolute heartbreak. The ripple affect that came from one event tore so many families apart and Rita portrayed the suffering perfectly. I can't say anymore than that as it will give too much away but definitely clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready.
I absolutely loved meeting all the fantastic string characters again!!! I love the range of different characters, their personalities and all the different relationships they had... The hate, the secrets, the heartbreak, friendships and most definitely a spark of hidden love. Ellie Reeves you are a hero!!! Absolute wonderwoman!! I LOVE books that have such strong female leads and you cannot get much stronger than Ellie, that girl is a fighter!!! She goes through so many emotions and traumas yet isn't wrapped up in an institution but kicking butt!!! This book shows Ellie's softer side and you see her "maternal" side during a few events and it will be interesting to see if this leads anywhere. Do I think Ellie would make an amazing mother? 10000% Do I think she will become one? Sadly, no but you never know what will happen in future books. Derrick and Cord played their parts perfectly and I cannot wait to look back at the first book which I have yet to read and more ahead to see the history and future of all these fantastic characters. I love seeing the relationships between Ellie and Derrick and Ellie and Cord and every book I keep wondering if this is the one where something happens but alas I am still left dangling. Although it has been quite a while since I've read 'Frozen Souls' and I've read loads of books since, as soon as I started reading this all the characters and cases came straight back to me which show how much of an impression Rita leaves with her books. Ellie, Derrick and Cord have become like friends to me know and I look forward to meeting them every time. Here's to hoping the next time won't be too far away 🥂
I have raved about this book long enough but I will tell you a few things to end. You WILL miss out of what is definitely one of the best psychological thrillers if you do not pick up this book. This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie. I CANNOT wait to read more books by this extremely talented woman.
This is why you are one of my favourite authors Rita and here is to yet another page turner and I am eagerly awaiting the next which will be hopefully coming soon 🥂
Overall a mind blowing, page turning, explosive psychological thriller that will keep you up at night.
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Police Procedural and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Melinda Leigh, Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, Tess Gerritsen, everyone and YOU!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!
448 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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June 26, 2022
Questa è una delle mie serie mystery preferite, ma nonostante questo mi ci sono voluti mesi per riuscire a leggere questo libro. Accidenti!
La storia ti tiene col fiato sospeso e sono contenta che per una volta la protagonista non rischi la vita. E mi sono piaciuti alcuni cambiamenti che riguardano i comprimari. Il tema è forte (rapimento di una bambina), ma per fortuna c'è il lieto fine. Ad agosto uscirà il prossimo libro, vediamo se stavolta evito di aspettare mesi a leggerlo...
La storia ti tiene col fiato sospeso e sono contenta che per una volta la protagonista non rischi la vita. E mi sono piaciuti alcuni cambiamenti che riguardano i comprimari. Il tema è forte (rapimento di una bambina), ma per fortuna c'è il lieto fine. Ad agosto uscirà il prossimo libro, vediamo se stavolta evito di aspettare mesi a leggerlo...
January 15, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for this gripping book
man oh man this book grips in no other way but terror, when its discovered that a little girl ava didnt make it to school or even manage to get on the school bus all hell breaks loose
detective ellie reeves is called to the scene with days to go till christmas its a race against time to bring ava home
its not helped with the fact that the dad isnt answering his phone and is missing and so is his girlfriend
and time is a factor with missing children....
this is edge of the seat stuff and i have to admit to water leaking from my eye at times...its that good but you wont get anything else done throughout the day as you cant put this book down.. who needs food...when you can read this book
cant wait for another book from this amazing author
man oh man this book grips in no other way but terror, when its discovered that a little girl ava didnt make it to school or even manage to get on the school bus all hell breaks loose
detective ellie reeves is called to the scene with days to go till christmas its a race against time to bring ava home
its not helped with the fact that the dad isnt answering his phone and is missing and so is his girlfriend
and time is a factor with missing children....
this is edge of the seat stuff and i have to admit to water leaking from my eye at times...its that good but you wont get anything else done throughout the day as you cant put this book down.. who needs food...when you can read this book
cant wait for another book from this amazing author
January 28, 2022
Wow. Such a thrilling page turner of a book. One I just could not put down. Absolutely addictive. A real treat. Just superb.
December 25, 2021
I cannot rave enough about this series. It’s almost Christmas and a girl has gone missing. Ellie, Derrick, and Cord race to track her down as the days slip past. I made the connection 3/4 of the way through the book. Herron deftly weaves several sub plots as well. I was totally absorbed the entire afternoon. The book was a refreshing change from the Dark overtones of the earlier books because there is survival in this one. I’m still Team Cord! Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the early read.
December 18, 2021
Detective Ellie Reeves is enjoying the reprieve the town is having from death and serial killers and is looking forward to the upcoming holidays. But that reprieve doesn't last long when a little girl is taken.
Ellie being the type of person she is throws herself into the hunt to find her. She's also not the only girl to have been taken and as the investigation digs deeper surprising twist are revealed.
This was another great suspense and I look forward to more in the series.
Ellie being the type of person she is throws herself into the hunt to find her. She's also not the only girl to have been taken and as the investigation digs deeper surprising twist are revealed.
This was another great suspense and I look forward to more in the series.
January 18, 2022
Another brilliant book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series.
Ellie and the team are called when a little girl goes missing one morning. Her mum thinks she got on the school bus but when she later goes to her school, she realises she’s not there.
Ellie knows time is of the essence and pulls out all the stops to try and find Ava.
A message is received about other girls that have been taken but Ellie does not know where to start.
One of the Mums of another missing girl reaches out to other mums on a Facebook group and they realise there are similarities with Ava’s case and theirs.
Eventually they get hold of Ellie and she realises there are other girls that have been taken and knows she needs to find them.
This is a fast paced thriller that had me racing through the pages.
A brilliant addition to the series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Ellie and the team are called when a little girl goes missing one morning. Her mum thinks she got on the school bus but when she later goes to her school, she realises she’s not there.
Ellie knows time is of the essence and pulls out all the stops to try and find Ava.
A message is received about other girls that have been taken but Ellie does not know where to start.
One of the Mums of another missing girl reaches out to other mums on a Facebook group and they realise there are similarities with Ava’s case and theirs.
Eventually they get hold of Ellie and she realises there are other girls that have been taken and knows she needs to find them.
This is a fast paced thriller that had me racing through the pages.
A brilliant addition to the series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
January 30, 2022
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews thank you to Bookouue for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via NetGalley. This is the 5th book in the Detective Reeves series but all books could be read as a standalone.
This case had me on edge from the very beginning. While I am not a mother, I cannot think of anything worse than your child being abducted. It seems like the cruellest thing someone could do to another human. I felt so much for those parents of the missing girls. My, heart breaks for them.
The story is full of suspense and tension. Who took these girls? Why did they take them? Will Ellie and the team find them in time? All these questions build up as you read page after page hoping against hope that the girls will be returned to their families.
I really enjoyed the short chapters. It made it very easy to read one more, and then one more and before you know if you've read half the book! I enjoyed seeing both sides of the story. Flicking between the investigation and seeing what was happing with the missing girls.
Rita shows us in this book how grief can affect people in different ways. You could feel the anguish coming off the page in this book.
This was a great addition to the Detective Ellie Reeves series. I feel like I know Ellie, Cord and Derrick well now and can tell how they will react to certain situations. I look forward to seeing them again in the next book.
This case had me on edge from the very beginning. While I am not a mother, I cannot think of anything worse than your child being abducted. It seems like the cruellest thing someone could do to another human. I felt so much for those parents of the missing girls. My, heart breaks for them.
The story is full of suspense and tension. Who took these girls? Why did they take them? Will Ellie and the team find them in time? All these questions build up as you read page after page hoping against hope that the girls will be returned to their families.
I really enjoyed the short chapters. It made it very easy to read one more, and then one more and before you know if you've read half the book! I enjoyed seeing both sides of the story. Flicking between the investigation and seeing what was happing with the missing girls.
Rita shows us in this book how grief can affect people in different ways. You could feel the anguish coming off the page in this book.
This was a great addition to the Detective Ellie Reeves series. I feel like I know Ellie, Cord and Derrick well now and can tell how they will react to certain situations. I look forward to seeing them again in the next book.
January 16, 2022
4 1/2 STARS!
An intricately woven tale of terror and deceit! Rita Herron picks up STOLEN ANGELS as the fifth book in her highly addictive Detective Ellie Reeves series at a similar timeframe to when the last book left off as a child goes missing and Ellie has to scramble to cover all of the bases in the hunt to find her. The intrigue was high and the emotions were heartstring pulling worthy. I felt that Ellie wasn't entrenched quite as personally in this book as she has been in all of the rest, but the emotions were solid none the less. Loving this series!
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a well plotted mystery with a town of characters always jumping into the midst of the drama to help the hunt, or antagonize the situation. Action packed and enthralling as always.
An intricately woven tale of terror and deceit! Rita Herron picks up STOLEN ANGELS as the fifth book in her highly addictive Detective Ellie Reeves series at a similar timeframe to when the last book left off as a child goes missing and Ellie has to scramble to cover all of the bases in the hunt to find her. The intrigue was high and the emotions were heartstring pulling worthy. I felt that Ellie wasn't entrenched quite as personally in this book as she has been in all of the rest, but the emotions were solid none the less. Loving this series!
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a well plotted mystery with a town of characters always jumping into the midst of the drama to help the hunt, or antagonize the situation. Action packed and enthralling as always.
February 6, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read Stolen Angels by Rita Herron. The next book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series, and is basically one of those series that will be an automatic have to read for me! Rita's books are always fast paced and suspenseful, and I am never disappointed. While others say you can read these as stand alone...I say start at the beginning of the series; you wont be disappointed!
November 5, 2024
Finally an Ellie Reeves book with a decently happy ending! After so many serial killers, it was refreshing to follow a kidnapping story where all the girls got home safe.
My one complaint? The slow burn nature of Ellie’s relationship with Derrick—and/or possibly Cord—is honestly horrific. This is book FIVE and she won’t even hold the man’s hand. This author needs to stop leading me on or get to the romance because I have about had it.
My one complaint? The slow burn nature of Ellie’s relationship with Derrick—and/or possibly Cord—is honestly horrific. This is book FIVE and she won’t even hold the man’s hand. This author needs to stop leading me on or get to the romance because I have about had it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
Rita just sucks you into her books with her words, creepy criminals and intense suspense. If my allowed, I could have easily finished this book in one sitting.
Ellie is called to the scene of a kidnapped little girl - Ava runs to the school bus but never makes it to school. Her mother, Lara, arrives at the school in the afternoon for the holiday party - only to find Ava never made it to school. What a nightmare for all parents.
Ellie works with Agent Fox to uncover leads - with the help of her sister, Angelica and her news reporting.
Only to discover Ava isn't the only little girl missing in Crooked Creek.
Highly recommend.
Ellie is called to the scene of a kidnapped little girl - Ava runs to the school bus but never makes it to school. Her mother, Lara, arrives at the school in the afternoon for the holiday party - only to find Ava never made it to school. What a nightmare for all parents.
Ellie works with Agent Fox to uncover leads - with the help of her sister, Angelica and her news reporting.
Only to discover Ava isn't the only little girl missing in Crooked Creek.
Highly recommend.
December 31, 2021
A thrilling ride of suspense! This case was heartbreaking and perplexing. The multiple perspectives added a nice touch. The writing was a bit clunky in places but overall, a quick suspenseful read!
June 13, 2022
Read in one sitting
I didn't think I'd be able to read Stolen Angels because of the story line but from the first paragraph I couldn't put it down.
I didn't think I'd be able to read Stolen Angels because of the story line but from the first paragraph I couldn't put it down.
December 29, 2021
This series gets better and better!
I stayed up well into the night to finish reading Stolen Angels; I really enjoyed it and didn’t guess what was happening until about 80% through - a great thriller!
I look forward to reading the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I stayed up well into the night to finish reading Stolen Angels; I really enjoyed it and didn’t guess what was happening until about 80% through - a great thriller!
I look forward to reading the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2022
Detective Ellie Reeves has had a lull in her cases until the call comes in about a missing child.
A sudden shiver rippled through her, and she thought of Ms. Eula, the old woman who lived on the hill and who insisted that she heard whispers of the dead.
This author has such a way with words it just sends a chill down your spine. The story was a pulse pounding fast paced ride from start to finish.
This whole story was not at all what I expected. Heartbreaking and tragic with a shocking ending.
Just another reason I love this author so much.
A sudden shiver rippled through her, and she thought of Ms. Eula, the old woman who lived on the hill and who insisted that she heard whispers of the dead.
This author has such a way with words it just sends a chill down your spine. The story was a pulse pounding fast paced ride from start to finish.
This whole story was not at all what I expected. Heartbreaking and tragic with a shocking ending.
Just another reason I love this author so much.
February 14, 2022
5th in the series, a bit lighter than the previous books.
December 31, 2021
Stolen Angels by Rita Herron begins with Detective Ellie Reeves, FBI agent Eric Fox, and Local Ranger Cord McCain in Crooked Creek, during the Christmas season. Little Ava Truman age six, is missing after she did not get on the school bus. Her mother Lara is frantic. Initially, it is believed that Ava's dad Jasper may know where she is, but he is ruled out as a suspect. In other recent cases, Kaylee Wilkinson and Becky Hornsby, (who are in the same age range as Ava) are missing. Can these sweet little girls be found or is it too late?
This book started off fast paced and ended with a bang. The middle was a bit repetitive and boring at times. If you can hang on till the end, you will be glad you read it. Overall, it is a good thriller. This is the fifth book in the "Detective Ellie Reeves" series. I have not read the other books, but this worked well as a stand alone read. "Stolen Angels will be published January 27, 2022.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book. Your books rock!!
This book started off fast paced and ended with a bang. The middle was a bit repetitive and boring at times. If you can hang on till the end, you will be glad you read it. Overall, it is a good thriller. This is the fifth book in the "Detective Ellie Reeves" series. I have not read the other books, but this worked well as a stand alone read. "Stolen Angels will be published January 27, 2022.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book. Your books rock!!
April 8, 2022
Rita Herron's Stolen Angels is the fifth book in her Detective Ellie Reeves series. I haven't read the previous books in the series but still I could follow most of the repeating characters' back stories and where they are now personally. This book can be classified completely as a crime thriller.
The story starts with a missing girl. She is presumed dead with her mother getting accused for criminal negligence. Going forward another year, to the day the original girl had disappeared, another little girl Ava disappears. Detective Ellie Reeves heads the investigation into the missing girl along with her team. She and her team of colleagues leave no stones unturned to find out what happened to her.
Surprisingly, further investigation into the case leads to information about other missing girls, one of whom went missing on the same day. This spurs the investigation into an unexpected direction. Who is the person that is kidnapping these girls? Are the girls alive or dead? What is the reason for these kidnappings? These questions are answered by the end of the book.
The story takes off in a brisk pace and never lets up. As I followed the investigation along with Detective Reeves, I was so much caught up into the story that I just couldn't stop reading the book. The story is like a insight into the steps and stages of a thorough investigation. It felt like I was watching a fast-paced Investigative thriller series and one, that I completely was hooked into.
However, it's not only the mystery element of the story which was engaging. The author has done a great job of bringing the reader into the hearts of the parents of the missing children; heart went out to them. She has also drawn a vivid picture of each and every character in the book; every one of them are real and human. What's impressive is she manages to do this in just a few sentences she dedicates for each character.
She has become one of my most favourite suspense writers and I definitely am going to check out her other books. I just can't wait for the next book in the series. If you are into pure, straight Investigative thriller stories, this book is the one for you. Do check it out definitely; I can't recommend it more.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC they provided in exchange for my honest review; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The story starts with a missing girl. She is presumed dead with her mother getting accused for criminal negligence. Going forward another year, to the day the original girl had disappeared, another little girl Ava disappears. Detective Ellie Reeves heads the investigation into the missing girl along with her team. She and her team of colleagues leave no stones unturned to find out what happened to her.
Surprisingly, further investigation into the case leads to information about other missing girls, one of whom went missing on the same day. This spurs the investigation into an unexpected direction. Who is the person that is kidnapping these girls? Are the girls alive or dead? What is the reason for these kidnappings? These questions are answered by the end of the book.
The story takes off in a brisk pace and never lets up. As I followed the investigation along with Detective Reeves, I was so much caught up into the story that I just couldn't stop reading the book. The story is like a insight into the steps and stages of a thorough investigation. It felt like I was watching a fast-paced Investigative thriller series and one, that I completely was hooked into.
However, it's not only the mystery element of the story which was engaging. The author has done a great job of bringing the reader into the hearts of the parents of the missing children; heart went out to them. She has also drawn a vivid picture of each and every character in the book; every one of them are real and human. What's impressive is she manages to do this in just a few sentences she dedicates for each character.
She has become one of my most favourite suspense writers and I definitely am going to check out her other books. I just can't wait for the next book in the series. If you are into pure, straight Investigative thriller stories, this book is the one for you. Do check it out definitely; I can't recommend it more.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC they provided in exchange for my honest review; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
February 19, 2022
Heart-rending kidnap-murder police procedural
This is my fourth Rita Herron book featuring Detective Ellie Reeves who hunts a serial kidnapper of young girls. It’s a successful tearjerker, although a bit repetitive, coming in at 448 pages. I’d hazard ~75 pages could’ve been cut. Overall this is a decent but angst-ridden book, but questions kept arising and interrupting my reading.
1. Parents owe a lot of money for their child’s liver transplant. Why no public appeals to raise money? No internet fundraising?
2. Why aren’t kidnapped child’s important medications never mentioned in appeals and bulletins?
3. Why is a child’s transplant—a life-changing milestone— never mentioned by parents, close relatives or police?
4. In British crime fiction, a lot of tea is made. Coffee rules in the US, so why do family members make tea?
6. A registered child sex offender lives in a house behind a family with a young daughter. Yes, really.
As a crime fiction buff, the many protocol and procedural problems bothered me,
1. Ellie allows the mom of a missing girl to witness a confrontation between estranged husband and his girlfriend, who is suspected of kidnap-murder.
2. A prisoner—accused of criminal negligence in the death of a child—sits across a table from a visitor, who gives the prisoner a can/bottle of soda.
3. The prisoner opens the soda container and drinks. Next day, her sister is told that the prisoner killed herself. There is no mention of method and cause of death.
4. No autopsy for the prisoner who “committed suicide.” Her sister didn’t insist on an autopsy.
5. Ellie is interviewed several times on TV, but she blithely goes undercover.
6. Ellie suspects a father of kidnapping his child, but she questions him in front of his estranged wife, child’s mom.
7. When AA gets new members, are newbies allowed to be sponsors to other newbies?
At best 3 stars.
This is my fourth Rita Herron book featuring Detective Ellie Reeves who hunts a serial kidnapper of young girls. It’s a successful tearjerker, although a bit repetitive, coming in at 448 pages. I’d hazard ~75 pages could’ve been cut. Overall this is a decent but angst-ridden book, but questions kept arising and interrupting my reading.
1. Parents owe a lot of money for their child’s liver transplant. Why no public appeals to raise money? No internet fundraising?
2. Why aren’t kidnapped child’s important medications never mentioned in appeals and bulletins?
3. Why is a child’s transplant—a life-changing milestone— never mentioned by parents, close relatives or police?
4. In British crime fiction, a lot of tea is made. Coffee rules in the US, so why do family members make tea?
6. A registered child sex offender lives in a house behind a family with a young daughter. Yes, really.
As a crime fiction buff, the many protocol and procedural problems bothered me,
1. Ellie allows the mom of a missing girl to witness a confrontation between estranged husband and his girlfriend, who is suspected of kidnap-murder.
2. A prisoner—accused of criminal negligence in the death of a child—sits across a table from a visitor, who gives the prisoner a can/bottle of soda.
3. The prisoner opens the soda container and drinks. Next day, her sister is told that the prisoner killed herself. There is no mention of method and cause of death.
4. No autopsy for the prisoner who “committed suicide.” Her sister didn’t insist on an autopsy.
5. Ellie is interviewed several times on TV, but she blithely goes undercover.
6. Ellie suspects a father of kidnapping his child, but she questions him in front of his estranged wife, child’s mom.
7. When AA gets new members, are newbies allowed to be sponsors to other newbies?
At best 3 stars.
January 2, 2022
Detective Ellie Reeves is back!
Ava Truman is excited about Christmas and her mother Lara promised to bake her cupcakes. But on that fateful day, Lara had a migraine that she thought she dropped off Ava at the school bus stop. Three hours later, when Lara gets well, she bakes cupcakes and takes them to Ava's school. But Ava was not in school. Worst of all, the bus driver confirms that Ava never got into the bus. Someone has kidnapped Ava.
And there's a sexual predator who lives right across from Ava's house. Now Ellie working along with FBI agent Derrick must find Ava and they both find out that Ava was not the first victim--another girl named Kaylee had gone missing on the day Ava went missing, few years ago. Did the same person who kidnapped Kaylee took Ava?
This is a fast paced thriller. Though there were about more than one hundred chapters, I didn't feel bored and I was literally hooked into the story. The chapters were short though there were some long chapters. The writing was really good, the author doing a good job drawing the reader into the story. There were so many twists and turns--and too many suspects that you have no idea who actually took Ava. Is it her own father? Or her father's girlfriend? Or that sexual predator who lives right across the street? Or was it some random stranger? It was so intriguing that I actually couldn't wait who had kidnapped Ava. The ending was unexpected and I stayed up all night reading the book!
Overall, this book is unputdownable, giving you a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns you never would expect! Worth five stars and I can't wait for the next one!
Ava Truman is excited about Christmas and her mother Lara promised to bake her cupcakes. But on that fateful day, Lara had a migraine that she thought she dropped off Ava at the school bus stop. Three hours later, when Lara gets well, she bakes cupcakes and takes them to Ava's school. But Ava was not in school. Worst of all, the bus driver confirms that Ava never got into the bus. Someone has kidnapped Ava.
And there's a sexual predator who lives right across from Ava's house. Now Ellie working along with FBI agent Derrick must find Ava and they both find out that Ava was not the first victim--another girl named Kaylee had gone missing on the day Ava went missing, few years ago. Did the same person who kidnapped Kaylee took Ava?
This is a fast paced thriller. Though there were about more than one hundred chapters, I didn't feel bored and I was literally hooked into the story. The chapters were short though there were some long chapters. The writing was really good, the author doing a good job drawing the reader into the story. There were so many twists and turns--and too many suspects that you have no idea who actually took Ava. Is it her own father? Or her father's girlfriend? Or that sexual predator who lives right across the street? Or was it some random stranger? It was so intriguing that I actually couldn't wait who had kidnapped Ava. The ending was unexpected and I stayed up all night reading the book!
Overall, this book is unputdownable, giving you a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns you never would expect! Worth five stars and I can't wait for the next one!
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