Trafficked by M.A Hunter is the third in The Missing Children Case Files series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins UK (One More Chapter) - in particular Claire Fenby, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Emma Hunter is an investigative journalist who is now a best-selling author. Between her friend and literary agent Maddie, and her best friend from college Rachel, Emma has a good support team, although she wishes they got along.    DC Jack Serrovitz  is now a cold case review officer, and his boss DCS Jagtar Rawani has invited Emma to come and work with Jack as a Public Liaison.  Emma's sister has been missing for over 20 years, but she is still looking for her.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Jack and Emma have been examining the videos from Turgood, and trying to identify the children in them.  Turgood is in prison for the physical abuse of those under his care at the St Francis Home for Wayward Boys, but upon capture, his hard drive had a mountain of disturbing pictures and videos.  They are currently looking into the case of 11 year old Jemima Hooper, who was taken off the street, tortured, and her dead body found a year and a half later.

When her publishers suggest she look into the case of 10 year old French Aurélie Lebrun, who went missing from a beach while on holidays with her parents 13 years ago, Emma is not sure.  But the now 23-year old Aurélie has just showed up in a hospital in England, with signs of torture, and Emma cannot help but think that her story could be Anna's.  She jumps at the chance to interview this poor young woman. 

Unfortunately, Emma is not particularly welcomed by the police.  It's a good thing that Aurélie's father insists that she remain.  Aurélie also seems to like Emma, and she seems to have information that may help with the cold cases.


My Opinions:
Although this book explains quite a bit from previous books, it is really best that you read these in order.   I think you would miss a lot if you didn't read all of them, as the re-caps do not get into the "feelings" of the characters at the time, and the emotions are a big part of why this series works.

Although I am not a "romance" fan, I wish Emma and Jack would just get together and end this teenage-like angst.  I like both characters, but this is sort of ruining it for me.  Actually, although Rachel is still a little selfish,  I am starting to accept the deep friendship between her and Emma.

This book had a really good plot, and it definitely kept me turning the pages.  I liked how the chapters alternated between Emma and Aurélie.

The book is about child abduction, trafficking, and abuse.  It is about how the family deals with the pain of losing a child, and getting that child back.  It is about how the child relates to the kidnapper, even after escape.  In one way it is so sad, and so scary, but it also brings hope.  The author has displayed high sensitivity over some abominable topics.

I know that the author plans for a total of six books in this series, so I am definitely looking forward to the remaining three.

Another amazing suspense novel by M.A.Hunter. This is the third book I have read in the series and each book gets more exciting than the last. The main characters are the same throughout the series and with each new book we learn more about them. The victim of this book is a well thought out character and the author has done a great job creating her. She is deeply damaged from her horrendous ordeal but she finds a connection between herself and Emma, the main character who gives her the strength and comfort needed to tell the whole story.

M.A.Hunter has written a book (series of books) that is emotionally packed and it covers a deeply troubling topic. The books are not graphic yet I felt all the horror that the victim went through. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much, I don’t need to read all the details, that is what my imagination is for. The reader is given a view of these crimes from the victims point of view along with that of Emma who is like a family member’s view seeing as her sister went missing and has never been found.

I highly recommend this book along with the rest in the series. You won’t want to put it down and I read late into the night to finish this book. I thank NetGalley and Avon Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Book three of the series
Another great book will keep you hooked to the end.
Hoping Emma and Jack eventually get together
Should read the first two as they are great too.
Thanks NetGalley

For some reason I forgot to review this before moving on to the next book in the series but as always this is a great read and I really love this series but wish they wouldn’t end on a knifes edge of a cliff hanger and then make me sit waiting very impatiently for the next one

Just like with the previous books, I went straight into this third installment of The Missing Children Case files from Case 2 because I couldn’t get enough. This book opens with a young woman making a panicked escape from a nightmare situation deep in a forest. Her parents call in Emma Hunter, to find out where she has been and to work on sharing her story. But we soon find out there is much more than meets the eye, it is not simply the story of a young girl, taken 10 years ago. The case starts to crack things open for Emma, and her cold case liaison Jack. Along with Emma’s best friend, and investigative reporter Rachel, they uncover more than just bones. How many secrets will they unearth? And will Emma find the answer to the one mystery that has been haunting her for nearly 20 years?

I devoured this book. I had the story unraveled page by page, with just enough hook to keep me tantalized, and frantically flipping the page to find out what happened next. As soon as I finished I swept onto Case 4. I don’t know if I could have coped had I had to wait for the books, there is too much leaving you hanging, and wanting, for Emma’s sake, to get to the bottom of the common thread that weaves through all the books. There is a fantastic job done of bringing the bigger picture through, even with all of the smaller cases, and seeing the connections happen over time. Another gripping read!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.

This is the third book I have read in the series and I think this is the best so far. Had me racing through to the end, fast paced, at times heart wrenching but with an overall ending still left open.

Aurelie, a French girl, on holiday with her family, was abducted 13 years ago. She suddenly turns up in a hospital after all those years and the story begins to unravel as both the police, an Emma, a famous true crime writer, begin to investigate what exactly happened.
Emma has a close connection to cases such as these as her sister went missing many years ago as well. She has been involved in the uncovering of cases of previous sexual abuse years ago in a children's home and it appears that not only is there possible a link between that case and aurelie, but also a number of other missing children's cases.
At first Aurelie states that she did have contact with Emma's sister. However time indicates that Aurelie is deeply traumatised from recent events, leaving her psychologically damaged. Emma must decide whether the hunt for her sister may expose her to have suffered similiar experiences.

Absolutely loved this book, highly recommend.

This is book 3 in the The Missing Children Case Files. Investigative journalist Emma Hunter has another case on her hands when a young French girl kidnapped from the beach stumbles out of a forest in Poole a decade later. Emma is asked to help by the girl's father to find out what happened. Through questioning the girl and they find where she was held and police discover human bones. Emma is very interested in this case as she is still hoping to get clues to the whereabouts of her own missing sister. A very disturbing story. Emma with her friend Rachel working with Police archivist Jack Serrovitz gets to grips with this case.

Trafficked is the third book in the Missing Children Case Files book and it’s my favourite book in the series YET. The plots, characters, the writing and Emma’s backstory make this such an addictive series to read. This also happens to be the darkest book in the series, it’s gritty and hard-hitting as it deals with tough subjects such as human trafficking and child abuse. However, the author shows sensitively to his subject and there aren’t any descriptions that are explicit. 

Emma has a heart breaking back story, her sister disappeared 21 years ago and has never be found. The author teases the reader as each book produces new leads but never reaches a conclusion. And that’s what makes the series such an addictive one, as you are desperate to find out what happened to Emma’s sister. Trafficking follows the story of  Aurélie LeBrun who suddenly reappears after being taken thirteen years previously. Emma is asked by Aurélie’s father to investigate her disappearance and to find whoever is responsible for the abduction. Emma is a character that you can’t help but warm too, she’s determined in her quest to finding missing children.

Although Trafficked is a crime/mystery novel I was surprised at the emotion Aurélie’s story’s evokes, the author describes the emotions, the guilt, shame, anger and horror that she and her family face as her story unfolds, this not only adds depth to the story but also makes it far more credible and horrifying. Trafficked is a tense and gripping crime/mystery thriller that has you following the twists and turns with breathless anticipation in this compelling read. Highly recommended.

This, the third book in the Missing Children Case Files series, is the best one yet. A young woman stumbles out of a forest and finds herself at...a hospital where she promptly collapses. It is clear she has been seriously abused over a one period. At first she can not even speak and eventually a bilingual doctor twigs that her first language is French. Things soon fall into place and the woman is identified as Aurélie LeBrun, the daughter of the former French Trade Minister who has been missing for 13 years. She was abducted from a beach during a short visit to England when she was ten years old.

Her father Remy LeBrun asked Emma Hunter, author of several non-fiction books about missing children and child abuse, to talk to his daughter with a view to writing her story. When Emma arrives at the hospital she finds herself being confronted by the one person who is not a fan of hers - DS Zoe Cavendish, who is tasked with finding the person who held Aurélie captive. Zoe would like to banish Emma from the hospital completely. But soon the ‘old crew’ is back together as DCS Rawani sends PC Jack Serrovitz from London to Poole to see if this case has any links to the missing children his team have been trying to locate. Emma’s best friend Rachel, a journalist, has also been sent by her paper to cover the story. So the scene is set.

Poor Aurélie, people are barging into her hospital room at all hours with questions, questions. But Emma finds her reactions to be a little off at times. When the traumatised young woman turns into a formidable aggressor claiming her father may have been the cause of her abduction you realise that things are not as they seem. And you have to trust me that that was not a spoiler! Aurélie has hidden strengths but the story takes a darker turn before it is resolved.

Meanwhile it seems that Zoe and Jack used to be an item at the police training facility and Zoe wouldn’t mind rekindling something. Emma finds herself inexplicably upset about that. Wake up girl, everyone can see it but you. These two were made for each other but Zoe isn’t ready to admit it. Further meanwhile, Arthur Turgood, the paedophile ringleader of the boy’s home that Emma exposed in her first book has died in prison. This leads Freddie, one of his victims, to do something crazy brave and very naughty but which may well provide some of the vital evidence that will help track down what happened to Emma’s sister 20 years ago. This series is slated to be six books and we seem to be making little bits of progress in each book towards Emma’s goal of finding her sister. As each book builds on the previous ones the series has been getting more interesting and somewhat darker so I’m keen to read further. Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and M. A. Hunter for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins for a review copy of Trafficked, the third novel to feature Weymouth based true crime author, Emma Hunter.

When a French woman stumbles into Poole Hospital it is clear that she has been the victim of abuse. What is more disturbing is that DNA reveals that she vanished a a ten year old thirteen years ago. Emma is invited to hear her story and thinks that this woman may be able to shed light on a more recent disappearance she and her friend Jack are investigating and perhaps on her own sister, Anna, who disappeared twenty years ago.

I enjoyed Trafficked which has an interesting plot and several unexpected twists. It is told mostly from Emma’s point of view, but the woman, who introduced herself as “Four” gets to tell her tale in flashback memories, although how reliable these memories are is open to question. It should be noted that Four has a harrowing tale to tell and that this novel may not be for every reader. Having said that I think the author does a great job of portraying a physically and psychologically damaged young woman.

The plot revolves around Four with DS Zoe Cavendish trying to establish who took her and where she was kept. Emma is more interested in telling her story, but she is also interested in gathering information about her sister and other potential abuse victims. Four is damaged but there may be more to her story than meets the eye. Everyone has their own agenda and that what makes the novel so absorbing and fascinating.

I don’t think that Four progresses Emma’s hunt for her sister, an ongoing thread in the series, but others do so she draws a little closer in every novel.

Trafficked is a good read that I can recommend.

Another good installment, yet not as absorbing as others. I found myself not as engrossed. It still holds the same dual perspective quality that I have come to love from this author.

This one didn't fall flat as much as it didn't rise as high as the first two books did for me. I couldn't put them down whereas this one, I wasn't as invested.

The overall story was catching and intriguing enough to keep going. I was surprised by the way a few events unfolded.

I will continue with the series and hope that some much needed and deserved closure will be awarded to Emma. Though at this point, I'm not sure which would be worse, finding Anna alive or dead.

Thank you to Netgally and Harper Collins UK (One More Chapter) for the review copy.

A French woman stumbles out of a forest in Dorset more than a decade after vanishing from the English beach where she had been innocently building sandcastles under the not-so-watchful gaze of her holidaymaking parents.
Book n o 3 in the missing persons case files and my favourite so far.

WOW! Book 3 in the Missing Children's Case Files. Is a gripping read. This series is going from strength to strength.. When a girl escapes from captivity after being abducted 13 years prior then, who, why, what and where questions need to be answered. A mystery that kept me reading into the night . Emma Hunter, author investigating these missing children cases is at hand in this investigation. This book grabbed my attention from the start and didn't let go until the final page.. looking forward to the next book in the series.

This was a suspensful read that had me turning the pages so fast! I haven't read the other two books in this series, but I didn't feel lost at all. I do want to go back and read the others now though, because I feel extremely invested in this story!

While Emma is working to solve a case, she also has the mystery of her missing sister, and I like that there is something happening in her personal life that will string the book series together. I am looking forward to the next book!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Such a heart wrenching story of depravity and courage. Following a victim of abduction and abuse and how she escapes into a world she no longer knows. A cops search for her own sister in the underground ring of abuse and in the process reuniting victims with their families. This is a series and I cannot wait to read the next one. Very well written with raw emotional characters that you can't help but root for.

Thank you netgalley for this arc.

This was gripping from the very beginning. It was a real page turner keeping me up reading late into the night.Her parents never expected to see her again yet Aurelie stumbles out of a forest in Dorset 10 years after she disappeared from under her parents' nose while building sandcastles on a beach. Author Emma Hunter is asked to investigate and becomes instantly interested as the case bears so many similarities to that of her own sister who also disappeared. This story is part of the Missing Children Case files. It is a continuation of the previous two stories but can also be read independently. It is fast paced, tense and filled with suspense. I highly recommend it.

A young French woman stumbles out of the forest and into a hospital, injured and terrified. Aurelie hasn’t been seen in more than a decade, since being kidnapped in broad daylight from a southern English beach when she was 10 years old. Asked to look into her story, true crime author Emma Hunter can’t resist - especially when Aurelie’s disappearance bears so many similarities to that of Emma’s sister, Anna. And when Aurelie admits to seeing other girls over the years, at the auction where she was sold and the place where she was held captive, Emma’s all-in on the story.

This is the third book in the Missing Children Case Files series, and though each book does ‘solve’ a case in full, the overall story arc of Emma’s hunt for answers about Anna’s disappearance means there is a lot of backstory I think you’d struggle to pick up on if you tried to step in and start reading the series here. The good news, however, is that the whole series is fantastic, and there is a sense of steadily rising urgency and tension as it progresses. With a planned 6 books in the series, I know I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next one.

The subject matter here is harrowing, with children being abducted, trafficked, sexually abused and forced to appear in explicit videos. However, it’s treated very sensitively and there is no violence or abuse explicitly described on the page. Aurelie is thoroughly gaslit by her captor, and after 13 years no longer has any real understanding of how to relate to the outside world (or indeed people who mean her no harm) and her mental issues are sometimes difficult to read about. The book ends on a note of hope for Aurelie as justice is finally done and it’s clear she will be provided the help she needs, and her suffering also leads to Emma and her investigative helpers finding a treasure trove of documents which may lead them to more victims, dead or still alive and in need of help.

I’m fascinated by this series: M.A. Hunter has created a compelling everywoman of a heroine in Emma, and I’m absolutely dying to know what happened to Anna, and hoping Emma eventually is able to find closure. Five stars, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next!

I love the story of this stolen girl who suffered the worst kind of treachery and cruelty. Her need for survival and freedom was palpable the entire book. However, the timeline for this books leaves a lot to be desired. It was a mess going from then and now, and a lot of back story was repeated in later chapters. But the story of human trafficking is still a huge, relevant, and current issue, so I pressed on to complete this.

I think this could have been a stand alone book because it did read this way. I think this was the next even in the Missing Children Case Files series. Hence, I did not read the two books of the series because I did not know it existed until someone from the publisher contacted me for an honest review. Thank you to Claire Fernby for providing me a link to download this book on Netgalley and to 1 More Chapter for the ARC copy.

Still recommended. May read the first books of the series and then read this book over. Idk. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Already available: 1/7/21

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.

Having read the first two books in this series, I can definitely say that this series is shaping up to be one of my very favourites!
I've been captivated from the very beginning, and this book, not only delivers another dark nail-biting case, but also develops Emma's story nicely. Her tragic search for her missing sister adds that extra mystery to the books that makes me desperate to read further books.
An unputdownable read that is most definitely a must-read! Highly recommend! Can't wait for the fourth book!

Trafficked is another fabulous addition to the already brilliant Emma Hunter series.

Since her publication of Monsters Under the Bed, investigative journalist Emma Hunter has been invited to work as public liaison with cold case review officer PC Jack Serrovitz in identifying missing youngsters found on horrific videos and which she hopes will help in her search for her missing sister Anna too.

After over a decade of being missing a young French woman suddenly reappears and Emma is asked by the father to investigate and to find whoever is responsible for the abduction.

A tense, nail biting and at times an emotional read that will grip you from the very first page and never let up as the hunt for the perpetrator begins and hopefully more clues can be found that will lead Emma to news of her missing sister.

With engaging, true to life characters and a brilliant storyline, I love the way the author uses the duel time lines of Then and Now to recount this tightly plotted Mystery / Thriller, I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Trafficked comes highly recommended as do the first 2 novels in the series Ransomed and Isolated.
Many thanks to Netgalley and OneMoreChapter for an ARC for my honest review.