I wish I had read an earlier book in this series, as it was well written. A new mom leaves her new baby in the care while she runs into a market - surprise - the baby is missing when she returns. This begins a really good mystery. I will be back for more. Thank you #NetGalley #servernhousepublishing #TheSufferingofStrangers

Police detectives Costello and Anderson investigate a kidnapping and mysterious exchange of babies, and a cold case of rape respectively, but keep running into each other, insinuating correlation. The storyline was interesting, but there were lots of characters that became confusing in what is the ninth book in the series, something not shared until the end of the book and not at all on NetGalley. Dear Reader following the series would definitely appreciate the continuation of the series in this intriguing and unique tale. Although Severn House Publishers graciously offered this story through NetGalley, they should have informed potential reviewers that it was a series.

Her six-week-old son will not stop crying. Desperate for a bit of peace, Roberta drives all over town. The baby finally falls asleep. At her husband’s urging, Roberta pops into a store with big windows where she knows the owner to pick up a bottle of champagne. In spite of the two of them keeping a close eye on the car, when she returns the car is gone and her baby with it. When the car is recovered shortly afterwards, there is a baby there–but it is not hers. The new child is the same age, but with Down Syndrome.

DI Costello is assigned to work the case. She’s amazed at the level of planning required to pull something like this off, and soon realizes that this signifies the existence of a larger organization. Sure enough, she begins to discover other missing babies, not to mention suspicious adoptions. The race is on to find Roberta’s child before he is sold and disappears. On top of that, DI Costello has become aware of a child from a wealthy family who nonetheless strikes her as being at great risk. Her attempts to rescue him may lead her further than she realizes.

Meanwhile, DCI Anderson has been moved to the cold case department, where he is investigating a 20 year old rape. The case leads him back in contact with old friends from college, but it also seems to have some weird echos from that of DI Costello’s. Could the two be connected? If so, how?

The Suffering of Strangers is the 9th book in a series I’d never heard of before. How? That’s rhetorical of course, but at the same time, for someone who enjoys police procedurals as much as I do, I’m a little dismayed. I enjoyed the book a lot and was able to fill in blanks that obviously referred to previous books without any problem. And adding 8 more books to my TBR pile isn’t a problem, right? Author Caro Ramsey creates believable characters who are easy to invest in. At this point, I can highly recommend this book. I’ll let you know what I think of the other 8.

I did not get the chance to finish this before the file expired. However, I have just bought a copy as I was enjoying it so much. Well written and engaging plot.

Caro Ramsey has provided a plot, characters, and mood comparable to the great classic British mystery/suspense novels. It's got well-developed characters who are easy to like, suspect or sympathize with and the plot is so multi-layered that the reader is kept guessing which way it will turn next. Great for cozying up for a nice winter read by the fire. Loved this book and will be digging into others by this author!

Thanks to Netgalley, Ms. Ramsey and her publisher, Black Thorn for this opportunity to read and write an honest review!

I read this book, blissfully unaware that it was 9th in the series.
That did not put me off and I believe that this book can be read as a standalone, as I did not struggle to read it.

This book does contain trafficking and child abuse so it could put some people off. however, as i am used to reading this sort of book, it did not put me off.

I will be seeking to read the rest of the series!

The Suffering of Strangers is a very readable detective story. The characters are diverse, interesting and human. The plot was intricate but the story well told so it was never confusing. And that ending! There will definitely be another and I’d love to read it. Highly recommended..

Where the hell have I been!? I am new to Caro Ramsay’s Anderson & Costello series and I am so sad that I’ve missed out on some amazing stories! I mean seriously. This book had me all twisted up inside and taken on an incredible roller coaster of twists and turns. It’s a fast-paced, page turning, edge of your seat police procedural that will leave you begging for more. Literally.

From the beginning, Ramsay draws the reader in with well chiseled characters. The emotions instantly fly with this one. I mean seriously. I was angry with Roberta almost instantly for one little thing she did that started the intense, white knuckle gripping, gotta-see-what-happens-next events of this story. Just when I think I would have it all figured out, Ramsay threw me another twist to the story and bam. I had to back track and start all over again to see if I could figure it out.

That’s an incredible 5 star worthy read, if you ask me. Filled with some hard hitting life lessons, and gripping characters, Ramsay knows what to throw new readers to make them want to come back. This is a series that I will be going back and reading from start to finish. Ramsay will have you captivated, fully, from first page to last and won’t let your shackles go until you reach the very last word.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and I really enjoyed it, I had read a similar one before this but wow this was on a whole new level I was hooked and needed to know what was happening and I couldn't read it quick enough didn't guess anything coming up either. Excellent

Having not read the previous books in the series I found the characters and plot hard-going. A very clever and well-thought-out plot complex and intriguing. I would recommend that you read the books in order to fully appreciate the storyline.

Jumps around a lot and contradicts themselves multiple times in one sentence. Very disorganised style of writing and there was so feeling to any of the characters.

The Suffering of Strangers by Carl Ramsay is about the abduction of a baby who is replaced by another baby. While investigating, it appears it may be connected to a rape case as well. The book is highly recommended and well-written. It had a good plot. There were many characters and the action was occasionally hard to follow. This is the first time I have read this author but will look into some of her other books. Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advanced reader’s copy for review.

A brilliantly rollercoaster of a read. Read this in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon and evening. I was exhausted the next day but totally worth it. Really good.
4/5 on goodreads.

I love this series of storylines and always look forward to the next instalment. As always this one did not disappoint. It was another excellent story by the author. It was a great plot with lots of twists and turns. Would highly recommend it.

While I enjoyed this book, I found it quite confusing at first as I didn’t realize it was the ninth book in a series and the first one I’ve read. My fault entirely, and I would definitely recommend reading some of those previous novels before starting this one as there is some unexplained backstory. With an interesting case and good writing this ended well with hints of another book in the series.

This is book 9 in the Anderson & Costello series, I have not read any of the others and can say from reading this one that it can be read as a standalone. There are a lot of characters in this book and lots of POV but you need those for this story.
This book kept me captured from the opening scenes. I do like a good crime mystery, the investigation of it and the solving; it makes your own brain tick!
I like both Anderson and Costello’s characters, they were well developed. Since reading this I have began the series from book 1.

I wish I had previously read the other books in this series because perhaps I wouldn’t feel so confused and behind. I liked this book despite my above statement however I feel you should probably read some of the previous books before tackling this one. The back and forth shifting of point of view-sometimes seemingly mid-paragraph was a little off putting but I got used to it. Also most plot threads were wrapped up in the end-not all-but most. It definitely feels as if the storyline will carry on in the next of the series. The setting and the cast of characters in the legal team are very interesting and I feel that I would like to know more about them. The plot is very imaginative and completely different from any other I have encountered being about a couple with a baby selling business who identify young pregnant girls who want to earn money to have their babies and in exchange give them to women who can’t get pregnant. Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read #thesufferingofstrangers in exchange for a review.

This was a really good story, and I am glad to have a new series to catch up on.
When a healthy baby is stolen and a replaced with another, DI Costello stumbles on a baby selling organisation
I enjoyed the characters in this book and will be reading the rest in the series..

Set in Glasgow, this is the ninth book in the series featuring police detective team of DI Costello and DCI Colin Anderson. The team was forced to split up when DCI Anderson, who is suffering from PTSD, was put on cold case files while Costello was placed in the domestic violence unit.

DI Costello is called in to investigate a kidnapping that took place in just minutes when the mother of a six-week-old infant ran into the village store for wine. The car was found up the street with the baby still strapped inside. At first it looks like a cruel joke, until the mother realizes that the baby inside is not her son. Her son Sholto has been replaced with a Down syndrome baby.

Soon after, Costello is called in on another baby gone missing case and this time the mother does a bunk while talking to child services. Are the two cases related?

Anderson is working on a rape case that takes him back to his own past. He knew Sally Logan when they were at university together. She was attacked and raped during that time and her attacker was never found.

I had a difficult time getting into this story at first. I'm so glad I stuck with it because suddenly I couldn't put it down and I'm wishing that I had started with book one so I could see what these characters have been through in the past. I'll go directly to read book one now. I'm happy to have found an interesting new series.

When an exhausted new mum leaves her sleeping six-week-old baby in the car while she nips into the shop she is horrified to discover that her car and baby are gone when she gets back just a few minutes later. She is flooded with relief when a call comes in to say the car has been spotted just a couple of streets away. When she got there the baby isn't hers. This baby has downs syndrome.
Although this is the 9th book in the series I seemed to pick out the core story without any problems, although there was a huge number of characters in the book. It is recommended though to read the series in order to fully understand all the subplots that keep coming up from other cases.
I really took to Costella and Anderson, two Scottish detectives that are at the beginning of the story working on different cases from different timelines but they keep coming together like a pair of magnets. This police procedural ticks all the right boxes connects all the dots and opens up something much bigger than either of them could have dreamed up.
Brilliant characters, super location, and a fabulous plot.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.