The Taken Ones: A Novel (Steinbeck and Reed)

This was my first book by Jess Lourey. My first thought after reading it was I wish I had a buddy reader. I loved this book so much and just wanted to talk to someone about it. It is currently sitting at 4.35 on goodreads so I know there are plenty who agree with me.

You can read the synopsis online but to get it out of the way: In the summer of 1980 three young girls go into the woods and only one comes out. Nobody has a clue what happens and this eventually goes into a unsolved cold case. Fast forward to the present and we are introduced to Cold Case Investigators Van Reed and Harry Steinbeck. They are assigned to a brutal murder and there are connections to that crime and the two missing girls from 1980.

Ok, what follows is nothing but a solid crime thriller. But beside that we are introduced to two great characters in Van and Harry. I love these characters so much. Van suffers from dreams/nightmares and we learn she has a very troubled upbringing. Possibly because of that she is a loner and suffers from a little social anxiety and prefers to spend her spare time caring for dogs at a local shelter.

The mindset of these characters as they try and solve this crime is incredible. There are some twists and one absolutely turns this story onto it's head towards the middle. It is a great "Holy Shit!" moment. Plus this book is just creepy and scary in places. In a good way.

I can't recommend this book enough and it leaves you with so many questions in the end...... There has to be a sequel. I have no idea how the future with Van and Harry will go on. I just need it too.

I really appreciate Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free for a honest review and it has a publication date of September 19, 2023.

Good series starter. Has a light paranormal element. The lead, Detective Van (Evangelina) Reed, is a 10 year veteran on the force. Former homicide. Now cold case. Had an abusive childhood and carries a lot of trauma. She has a good. Kyle is a young detective she is mentoring. The forensic science team led by Harry Steinbeck. A buried alive murder has ties to a 1980 cold case, dubbed the Taken Ones. Three young girls went into the woods, one came out, so deeply traumatized, she couldn't tell the police what happened. Van is forced to work with a former colleague in homicide, who made it clear she was not welcome after the loss of her partner. The case is stirring demons from Van's childhood. She is having visions. Young children and a baby in abusive and dangerous situations. A powerful politician involved. Without her former partner's help, she doesn't know how to use the visions and save them before it is too late. Harry knows something more is going on with Van, and he has some suspicions. Van visions have ties to her current case. Can she put the pieces together before it's too late. Good story overall. Liked Harry and Van. Added the second in the series to my TBR. I'm curious about what Harry wants to tell Van.