This is the first book in the missing children case files. Emma Hunter is an investigative journalist who has published a bestselling true crime book about historic abuse of the children at the St Francis Home for Wayward Boys. Her star is rising since the trial and conviction of the perpetrators. Emma now wants to focus on writing a book about the disappearance of her sister 20 years ago but her publisher has other ideas.

Emma is approached by Templeton Lord Fitzhume to find his missing granddaughter. Emma is not keen, she is a writer not a private investigator, but her agent insists this is what the publisher wants. So she reluctantly accepts the commission. The child, Cassie Hilliard, disappeared a year ago when the chauffeur driven car she was in with her mother was hit with an RPG and Cassie was wrenched out of the wreckage.

A few days later there was a ransom demand for £2 million. Something went wrong at the exchange and the van Cassie was in exploded. Everyone assumes the child is dead but the grandfather insists she is not. Because of Lord Fitzhume’s ‘friends in high places’ Emma is given acces to the police files and PC Jack Serrovitz is assigned as her liaison.

Emma and Jack make a good team. Jack used to be a detective but stepped into uniform to be able to spend more time with his daughter but he still has the skills. Emma is dogged in her pursuit of the truth and makes many intuitive leaps. Together they uncover a very dark secret about Cassie’s disappearance - but is she still alive or not?

It was a pretty good story, the pace could have been a bit faster but there was always the underlying tension about whether the child would be alive, damaged or worse. I imagine Emma will get to investigate more missing children cases as there are more books to come in this series. It was an easy story to read and I haven’t read a book about a missing child for a while. I’ll be keen to see how the next book unfolds. Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One more Chapter and M. A. Hunter for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.

Ransomed marks the beginning of a New crime series by a new author to me M. A. Hunter. The series follows Emma Hunter, an investigative journalist who is known for her bestselling expose detailing historic abuse of children at a home for Wayward Boys. Emma is approached by the grandfather of a missing child asking her to look into the details surrounding his granddaughters disappearance one year ago. Despite her initial reluctance to get involved, Emma works with DC Jack Serravitz to review and recreate the investigation. Both have complicated histories which give them reason to solve the case. Although a child’s disappearance isn’t an original theme, it did make a change to have a journalist as the heart of the investigation as it meant Emma wasn’t bound by rules and red tape.

I liked Emma who has her own demons still haunted by the disappearance of her older sister twenty years ago, her disappearance is the thing that drives Emma to find missing children. As a person she carries a burden of guilt with her, that make her determined, resourceful and compassionate. I am hoping at some point in the series the author will tackle Emma’s sisters story head on. The plot is told across two timelines ‘then’ and ‘now’ which fit perfectly together. Ransomed is a strong start to what I believe will be an excellent series.

I read Trafficked first as a stand alone and it was amazing. I leapt at the opportunity to read the series from the start and book one didn't disappoint. Love it! I feel fully invested in this series now and the characters are full of rich emotion and draw you in to their world. The good and the bad. Can't wait to continue this exciting, emotional series.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to give this full series a rea!

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins for a review copy of Ransomed, the first novel to feature Weymouth based journalist Emma Hunter.

Fresh from the success of her first true crime novel Emma is approached by Lord Fitzhume, who asks her if she can find his six year old granddaughter, Cassie Hilliard, who was kidnapped a year ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ransomed, which is an engrossing read, full of developments and a big twist at the end. The novel has a split timeline, alternating between the present day where Emma investigates Cassie’s disappearance and a year ago with the events surrounding the kidnap and its aftermath. Each one builds logically and linearly offering the reader a broader view of events with Emma’s enquiries being fleshed out by the historical events. The historical events are told in the third person to give objectivity while the present day ones are in Emma’s first person voice. I’m not always a fan of all this switching about but in this case it works well and makes for a compulsive read. I would also like to comment that the writing is very clear and easy to follow and while I might sound like a pseud it is mission focused with no padding or extraneous, unnecessary detail.

Emma is no stranger to missing children as her sister, Anna, disappeared 20 years ago when she was nine. Her hunt for her sister consumes her and looks like being a thread in the series. I’m not overly enthusiastic about series threads as I’ve normally forgotten them by the time the next book arrives, so I’ll see. She’s not your normal protagonist as she is shy and awkward in the limelight her book has given her. I could empathise with her refusal to accept praise and need to shrug it off as teamwork.

Ransomed is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thank you to publisher and NetGalley. This was a fast paced book. Kept me guessing until very end. Can not wait to continue series!

Pub date:9/2020- definitely check this out!

E Book Review: Ransomed The Missing Children Case Files

Ransomed The Missing Children Case Files by M A Hunter and published by One More Chapter introduces you to Emma Hunter, the protagonist of this thrilling novel. She is a Times Best-Selling author and investigative journalist, who is reluctantly thrust into the limelight when she serves justice by compassionately telling the story of three victims who suffered unspeakable things at the hands of monsters who should have been the people protecting them. It is Emma’s tenacious publisher’s drive to make her a mega star that leads to the storyline in Ransomed. Her sudden, unwanted media attention means that Emma’s detective skills and empathy for the victims she writes about draws a prominent figure to her. This leads to Emma being strong armed into taking on her next case for Lord Fitzhulme. He is a prestigious (yet clearly in ailing health) man of royal descent who wants to find justice or at least closure for the supposed abduction and then consequent death of his granddaughter. He feels the case was botched by the police after a failed ransom exchange went horribly wrong. Together with DC Jack Serrovitz, a former detective assigned to take her through the case files, her best friend Rachel and her publisher, Maddie, Emma hesitantly begins to pick over the bones of a case that she feels has already come to its natural conclusion.

What I thought of the Book

Reading any crime story where an innocent child has been affected can be difficult and sometimes I shy away from novels like this because I find them too gut-wrenching. However, there is something that draws you to Emma Hunter through Hunter’s writing. It may be the humility she presents, or the staunch determination she shows to do the right thing, but my like and interest in this character, spurred me to read on as much as the plot of the book. Emma is not without her own demons weighing heavily on her shoulders and as the book progresses, you realise that her desire for justice is fuelled by the abduction of her older sister 20 years earlier, who was never seen again. While fighting in the day to make sure she tells the stories of those who have been lost and failed by the system and society, she scours missing person websites by night hoping that she can track down or find a lead to her beloved Anna. It’s this hope that Emma applies to her cases and where others might see a dead end, Emma’s detective nose sniffs out something underneath the surface. By throwing into the mix the highly dysfunctional family of the Hilliard’s, whose daughter Cassie is the one missing, you will be at the end of the book before you know it. Elizabeth Hilliard has been so badly affected by the disappearance of her daughter that she has simply given up and her estranged husband, Richard, has resigned himself to a life of addition. That leaves the doting grandfather who will stop at nothing in the pursuit of justice. However, as you know is often the case, there is a lot that lies beneath this dysfunctional family and Fitzhulme is not without some secrets of his own. The narrative of the book flits between ‘then’ and ‘now’ giving the reader the chance to apply their own detective skills as Emma unearths new leads and clues. I really enjoyed the book. Hunter’s characterisation makes you love, scorn and feel frustrated by the key characters in equal measure. Add to this what you feel is a subtle romantic connection between Emma and her police partner, Jack Serrowitz, and it hooks you in nicely for Emma’s continued adventure in book two of the series. One I am looking forward to joining her on.

How much is the book and how can you buy it?

Ransomed The Missing Children Case Files is available to buy from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ransomed-absolutely-gripping-favourite-thriller-ebook/dp/B086TS1ZK4/ref=nodl_ For 0.99p for the Kindle Edition and £7.37 for the paperback copy.



About the author

M. A. Hunter’s book was born out of Hunter being a huge fan of crime fiction since a young age which meant that Hunter always fancied the idea of trying to write one. That dream became a reality when One More Chapter signed The Missing Children Case Files.
Hunter was Born in Darlington in the north-east of England. After that Hunter moved to Southampton to study law at university. This is where Hunter fell in love and has been married for fifteen years. Hunter has two children and the family now live on the border of The New Forest where they enjoy going for walks amongst the wildlife. They regularly holiday across England, but have a particular affinity for the south coast, which formed the setting for the series, spanning from Devon to Brighton, and with a particular focus on Weymouth, one of their favourite towns.
When not writing, Hunter can be found binge-watching favourite shows or buried in the latest story from Angela Marsons, Simon Kernick, or Ann Cleeves.

This is the first book in a series that introduces an author who investigates historic true crime and writes books about them. It was an enjoyable read though I did find that the storyline didn’t really get going until over half way through and was a little far fetched in places. There was a big twist at the end and a good cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next in the series

I enjoyed this and I'm glad to see it's the first of a series. The book is very well written and the story gripped me from the start. I'll be looking out for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this as a start to a new series.
I enjoyed the characters and how the story unfolded. Emma Hunter is an investigative journalist hired to look into the missing granddaughter of a powerful man. None of the characters are quite what they seem.
I will be reading book two.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for an ARCi inexchange for an honest review.

Was so excited to see that this is the first book in a new series. Such a great start! I loved the main character, and found myself constantly rooting for her. A suspenseful storyline with great development, looking forward to reading the next installment!

I downloaded this one thinking I could get into it but unfortunately could not.

I just felt the book was not working for me.

This is the first book I've read from this author. I had expected a bit more based on the blurb. The comparison to <i>Murder She Wrote</i> hooked me, but, sadly, I didn't find the connection.

This is labeled as a mystery/thriller, but I found the pacing too slow. The characters weren't as developed as I expected. I didn't really care for many, if not most, of them. There was a twist or two I didn't expect, but the majority of things was somewhat predictable. The ending wrapped up a bit too neatly, especially for one with a sequel.

I love this genre, as I love to be kept guessing and given the chance to sleuth things out with the characters. Sadly, that wasn't the case with this book.

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A truly excellent first installment of another book series that I just know that I'm gonna love!
I was hooked from start to finish, and simply desperate for some answers!
Emma Hunter was flawed, determined, relentless and certainly has a nose for a story. Full of depth, and a childhood tragedy of her own - I just love her, and can't wait to read more from her!
I really enjoyed the past and present perspectives to the story, cleverly-written, and such a gripping page-turner!
And that ending?!?!
I'm going to immediately start the second book!

Emma Hunter is a journalist she has wrote a book and helped expose abuse in an boys orphanage and in doing so the police got an conviction.
She has been asked by Lord Fitzhume to look into the case of his missing granddaughter Cassie kidnapped one year ago. He believes that she is still alive. The police believe she was killed.
So she decides reluctantly to look into it.
This is told in two timelines the present and when Cassie was abducted.
This is a great read can't wait for the next book.
Thanks NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the arc of Ransomed by M.A Hunter.

4 star read for me- it was a quick read for me within 1 day, this had me hooked start to finish, it had me gripped as to why i read so fast, this is also a first in a series, I cant wait for the next installment of this, well written, such a great book, recommend to all.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A good and interesting read!

I would recommend this to everyone who loves a good story with captivating characters! Definitely a good read!

Emma Hunter is an investigative journalist. Much to her surprise, her book uncovering a dreadful story of child abuse has become a best seller. Her agent is already pushing her towards the next book. Whilst in London to publicise the book, she is approached by a man who wants her to investigate the disappearance of his grand-daughter. He is a man of wealth & influence & her agent thinks this will be an ideal subject, but the loss of a child is the last thing Emma wants to look into. She is haunted by the disappearance when they were children. However it seems she has no choice. Along with a police officer who investigates cold cases they find that young Cassie's family are decidedly dysfunctional.

This took a while for me to get into but eventually I was hooked & I'm already looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Emma Hunter is an investigative journalist whom never dreamed she would be a best selling author. Her book involved men who have abused children that are in homes. Lord Fitzhume asks Emma to investigate his granddaughter Cassie because she was kidnapped and killed a year prior but he believes she is still alive. Between past and present. Emma has a sister that was also abducted at a young age she was nine. Emma was only seven years old. As the story goes on it shows how Cassie's life played a part in her abduction.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

Oh wow!! This was a mysterious and twisted story with the missing child trope. Author M. A. Hunter gave me hours of delicious listening as the story took a life of its own and became the focus of my day.

Cassie was returning back from a party with her mother when she was abducted. Her parents were devastated. Her grandfather asked a brilliant investigative journalist/author Emma Hunter to find her.

This was Emma’s debut into the series where she had one investigation in her laurels and a bestseller book in which she had exposed years of child abuse. She herself had lost her sister 20 years ago and was searching for her. Her passion was fiery and came across when she diligently started digging through files and interviewing people. Author Stephen Edgar/M. A. Hunter was brilliant in her characterization, slowly writing up her backstory. She stood out like abeacon drawing me into the story.

When the author said in the afterwords that the characters spoke to him, I could see it in the story. Each of them was distinct and set in their ways. With dual timelines, I got a complete 360 degrees view of what happened on that fateful day and the investigation as it was now.

The plot lines had a few unanswered questions which led me to the final reveal long before I reached the last page. My suspect had already been narrowed down to one. I wanted to know if I was right.

Fast paced and entertaining, the author sure made it fun to travel the roads that Emma took, peppered with red herrings and clues. Emotions were stacked up well. But it was Emma’s story through and through. Hints of where the next case would head in the last line made me more eager to get to the second book in the Missing Children Case Files series.

The story is told in split times and from different perspectives. I didn’t take to the story or characters straight away and I think that’s due to the change from first person perspective in the present to the third person narrative in the past. Once I got used to it though, I was hooked!

Emma Hunter is a strong, likeable character and I found her easy to identify with. The fact that her introverted nature made her squirm with embarrassment when she was recognised from the media made me appreciate her all the more, as introversion and imposter syndrome are both things I can relate to. She has some interesting relationships within the book and I’m interested in learning more about her journalist friend, Rachel.

The Hilliard family came across as cold, spoiled and calculating to me and once opened, their personal can of worms just kept on wriggling out. I enjoyed the way the past and present were very cleverly linked together, even though I was at first puzzled as to how they were related.

I found this a fast-paced, page turner and would definitely recommend it to fans of Angela Marsons, Simon Kernick or Peter James.