Authors: Jess Lourey
Genre: Thriller
Published: 2023
Rating: 3 stars
Summary
Detective Van Reed is ready to take on her first cold case. After a year behind the desk, it’s finally time to put her skills back to good use. The only problem? She has to work closely with the local PD. These same officers were once her co-workers before they abruptly ran her out of the office after the death of her beloved partner. Unsure if she’s ready to confront the past, Van pushes forward.
Like the start of any true crime novel, this one starts with a body. A middle-aged woman is found in a bizarre set of circumstances. She has been buried alive. Despite the best efforts of a local, she passed before she could be saved. This body holds another secret, though. In the woman’s hand, the detectives discover a necklace linked to a long-ago cold case.
In 1980, three young girls walked into the woods, ready for a day of swimming in a local creek. Hours later, only one girl walked out with absolutely no memory of what happened to the other two. Her memory has remained blocked in the years since.
Van works to untangle the mystery and find out what happened all those years ago while also battling her own disturbing past.
Themes
Impact of the Past
Van grew up in a tough situation. She spent the early years of her life under the rule of a local cult leader. Over several years, he had perfected his control over several women and their children, slowly moving the men out. While Van was rescued when she was a young girl, the impact of her childhood has stuck with her. She remembers the beautiful moments spent with her sisters and remembers a simple life spent living off the land. She also can’t forget the rage in her captor’s eyes and his torturous methods for maintaining control. These memories stick with her as she tries to find the truth of what happened all those years ago.
Trust Matters
When Van first joined the local PD, she had an incredible partner. He listened to her hunches and provided key guidance along the way. Their partnership led to incredible results. They solved case after case together. When he passed, Van was left on her own. There was no longer anyone she could trust and none were willing to take the place of her previous partner. This led Van to exit the job quickly.
She soon transitioned to a new role. As she unravels this case, she connects with the forensic scientist on the case. A new partnership is born. Through the ups and downs of the following days, Van and Harry learn to trust each other.
Secrets, Secrets Everywhere
In this novel, no one is really what they seem at first glance. Even Van hides several secrets about her past and present. Their evil villain hides in plain sight while Van discovers a few secrets about the head detective. Van has certainly learned that very few people are telling the entire truth.
Quotes
“Forgetting is the best thing.”
“’Being nice isn’t a personality trait,’ I said, a tingling sensation returning to my fingers. ‘It’s a strategy. Never trust someone just because they’re acting nice.’”
Final Thoughts
Like any thriller, The Taken Ones moves quickly and leaves readers waiting until the very end for the resolution they so desperately want. The overall plot is intriguing and kept me captivated. Overall, it’s a solid read.
What I didn’t like:
- Van is not the most relatable character. Call me old, but I like my detectives honorable and committed to doing things the right way. Van is a gray character combatting the challenges of her youth, her incredible hunches, and her need to stop the evil she sees in the world.
- A few loose ends. There were a few loose ends that distracted in the moment but never got resolved. DNA found on the shoe ended up being useless but we never really found out how it got there. We’re also left with very little about what actually happened in the woods. Maybe I skimmed the ending too fast, but we got very few details about that day.
What I liked:
- A decent plot. I’ve read too many detective novels and thrillers to count. When there’s a good villain involved, I can usually see him coming. This book introduces you to the killer early on, but it builds well to the final encounter between him and Van.
If you’re looking for your next thriller, this is a solid choice!
Keep reading…
About the Author
Hello, fellow bibliophiles! I’m Aubrey, the current voice behind A Novel Philosophy.
Since the day I could first string letters into words, I’ve been captivated by the written word. I love the power and emotion a single phrase can elicit, and don’t get me started on the incredible characters I’ve met along the way. There’s something so unique about watching a story unfold page after page.
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