The Taken Ones is another winner by Jess Lourey.

I love how she uses real cases for inspiration and creates rich stories where you recognize the real-life case but never guess where the story will go.

One of her signatures is the use of past and present timelines, and it shines in The Taken Ones. I'm always drawn to the past timelines in thrillers—I find they reveal more and are just plain more interesting. In Jess Lourey's books, past and present are in tough competition, and that is primarily because of the way she integrates the common characters between the timelines into the present day.

We also have to discuss Van and Harry's relationship. I am very happy we have more Steinbeck and Reed stories, as there is so much to explore here.

I'm at the point where all I need to see is Jess Lourey's name on a book and I'm sold - she is an auto-read author for me!

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

Two girls vanish in 1980. A woman is found buried alive in 2022 holding a heart charm necklace belonging to one of the vanished girls. Cold case detective Van Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck have to work together to uncover the connections that link these two cases in order to find the killer.

I thought The Taken Ones was the first book in the Steinbeck and Reed series, but after I started listening, I realized that I had previously read and enjoyed Catch Her in a Lie, part of the Getaway series of short stories which was actually the start of Steinbeck and Reed.

I was invested in this storyline from the start and liked the way it all unraveled with the final revelation being quite creepy and different.

There is a lot of backstory which some may find distracting, but I think it was necessary to understand our main female protagonist especially since this will be a series. Van has a history of childhood abuse and trauma which unmistakably shapes her identity as an adult and adds depth to her character. Harry is a bit more enigmatic. We get a glimpse of his past, but I am looking forward to learning more about him in the next book. 4 stars.

In the summer of 1980 three girls went into a Minnesota wood but only one returned with no memory of what happened. There's no trace of her friend and her younger sister who were with her and they become "the taken ones". In the summer of 2022 cold case detective Van Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck are assigned a disturbing homicide - a woman buried alive, clutching a heart charm necklace belonging to one of the vanished girls.

This book has been on my Netgalley shelf for over a year and now it's been joined on the shelf by the second book so I dusted Book 1 off and set about reading it. BUT, before I did that, on the recommendation of a GR friend, I read the prequel, Catch Her in a Lie, a very short story which is actually a part of the Getaway collection on amazon.

I enjoyed The Taken Ones much more than I was expecting to and I'm really looking forward to reading The Reaping, Book 2 in this series. I really like Van and Harry as characters and the story is spine-tingling and exciting. We're also treated to some looks into Van's own childhood trauma as a result of being raised on Frank’s Farm, a cult now disbanded. Van experiences lucid dreaming which helps her to gain insight into crimes. To be honest, this is probably what put me off reading the book before now but the dreaming incidents weren't too out there and were easy to accept. The book is a pretty quick read and it was hard to put down. It ends in a cliffhanger which I normally don't care for but since I have the next book lined up, it didn't bother me as much. After I finish the second book in this series I'd like to go back and read some of the author's previous works.

TW: Child abuse, cult practices

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this novel for review and my apologies for the lateness of that review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey is an absolute gem that seamlessly blends mystery, suspense, and the supernatural into a compelling and heart-pounding narrative. From the very first page, Lourey grabs your attention and doesn’t let go, weaving a story that is as chilling as it is captivating.

Set against the backdrop of a small town with dark secrets, The Taken Ones introduces us to a group of characters whose lives are intricately connected by a mysterious disappearance that happened decades ago. Lourey masterfully alternates between timelines, creating a tense atmosphere where every chapter brings new revelations and unexpected twists. The richly drawn characters are flawed, relatable, and utterly engaging, making you care deeply about their fates.

What sets this book apart is Lourey’s ability to craft an eerie, almost palpable atmosphere that keeps you on edge. The sense of dread builds with each turn of the page, and just when you think you have everything figured out, the plot takes another thrilling twist. The author explores human nature, trauma, and the impacts the past can have on the present.

The Taken Ones is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries with a supernatural twist. Jess Lourey has outdone herself with this gripping, unputdownable novel that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommend!

This was a very twisy story that kept me guessing the whole time! I’d say go into it blind, for a better experience. This author won’t let you down!

"The Taken Ones" by Jess Lourey held my interest until the end. The plot unfolded like a maze, where at certain times the reader is following a direction, and then finds themselves going down another direction. The ending was satisfying. I felt the characters came across as very real. It was stunning how someone with Van's background and the way she was raised could actually overcome the situation she lived, to become an individual who focused on helping others and pursuing justice. She had great determination and was an excellent protagonist.

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes crime and suspense novels. I am currently reading the sequel "The Reaping" because I enjoyed this book so much.

No one does dark and atmospheric like Jess Lourey. In fact, no one writes mysteries as well as she does. This is the first in the Reed and Steinbeck and I am hoping this becomes a very long running series. Missing girls, a woman buried alive and dark secrets from the past will keep you reading long into the night. And then you will keep the light on when you go to bed.

The Taken Ones is a thrilling book which begins with your heart racing! A woman is found buried alive by a homeless man who is unable to save her. This woman is linked to a cold case from the 1980's where 3 little girls disappear. Could she be one of the three girls taken in Leech Lake? The cold case is now wide open by BCA detective, Van. She ultimately takes you on a gut wrenching ride throughout the book. First, the past memories as she experiences a cult life childhood at Frank's Farm. Then, her crime solving visions regarding a political figure brought to justice --(Wowee) and finally, the Sweet Tea Killer who is yet to be caught.
The
entangled stories throughout require focus and time but in a "race to the finish", determined way!
The characters! The author uses descriptions so well that I can actually see them in my mind: how they look, how they dress, how they smell. Harry is an agent who is well put together and begins to understand Van as
and is linked to the cold case. The Kind family with their
"adult" parties, Rue's peculiar life because of past tragedy, the Bendy Man, etc. They are all vividly described to such a degree that you might recognize them on the street.
This book will be a best seller and available in September! I can't wait for more Van & Harry!
Thank you, Net Galley & the Jess Lourey Review Crew for the pre-read opportunity! This review is based on my own perceptions and opinions. I loved it!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the realm of psychological thrillers, Jess Lourey's "The Taken Ones" is the first in the Steinbeck and Reed series, and it weaves a complex tapestry of mystery and suspense that spans decades.

The story begins in the summer of 1980, when a trio of girls venture into a Minnesota forest, only for one to emerge, her memory wiped clean and her friends nowhere to be found. Fast forward to 2022, and we meet cold case detective Van Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck, who are thrust into a harrowing investigation after a woman is found buried alive, clutching a necklace linked to one of the missing girls from the past.

Lourey masterfully crafts a narrative that is as much about the characters' personal journeys as it is about the central mystery. Van Reed, with her troubled past and unorthodox methods, is a protagonist who commands attention, her depth and complexity adding layers to the unfolding drama. Harry Steinbeck, with his reliance on hard evidence, serves as the perfect counterbalance, grounding the story in a reality that is both stark and compelling.

The novel's pacing is relentless, with Lourey's prose driving the story forward at a breakneck speed that never sacrifices depth for thrills. The plot twists are cleverly executed, ensuring that readers are kept guessing until the very end. The backdrop of the Minnesota woods adds an atmospheric quality to the tale, its shadows harboring secrets that are as dark as they are intriguing.

"The Taken Ones" is a deep dive into the human psyche, exploring themes of memory, trauma, and the lengths we go to in order to uncover the truth. It's a story that stays with you, haunting in its intensity and brilliant in its execution.

In conclusion, Jess Lourey's "The Taken Ones" is a standout addition to the thriller genre, promising a series that is sure to captivate and enthrall. With its rich character development, intricate plot, and evocative setting, this novel is a must-read.

My first Jess Loury read and I am thoroughly impressed. I get the Bookstagram Craze! Loved her writing style, and can appreciate the fact the story didn't lag, and I was able to stay involved in the plot.

Reed and Steinbeck are an unusual pair and make for a powerful investigative team. This book takes us through a troubling mystery with several equally disturbing side and back stories to help deprive us of peaceful sleep for some time. There were some deeply touching moments of connection between characters which were incredibly sensitively and thoughtfully depicted by the author, aided by her knack for creating a context so clear you feel as though you are standing in the thick of it. Another amazing read from this talented author.

Jess Lourey is the champion of atmospheric and dark Minnesota mysteries at the moment, and this one was really well done. Tense, dramatic, and with great characters with interesting backstory. Can't wait for more.

Love Jess Lourey and her thrillers! This one was full of suspense, thrills, and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Check it out if you love thrillers with a side of mixed media!

Three girls go into the woods and only one comes back, shaken up, and standing in a traumatized stance in a ladies yard. Forty-two years later Van, a cold case detective, and Harry, a forensic scientist, are called to the case of a woman buried alive found with a necklace that belonged to one of those taken ones. Through solid character building, a good atmospheric setting, and an intriguing plot, the author takes the reader on a all around good detective mystery thriller. It is worth the read and has me wanting to read the author's backlist. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy for a honest review.

Thank you Netgalley , Thomas Mercer Publications and author Jess Lourey for the ARC.

In 1980 Three girls who had plans to enjoy hot Minnesota summer by swimming in the creak end up with two of them missing and the one rendered mute with shock , unable to recall what happened and ends up being famously tagged as Taken Ones Case. In current timeline the cops stumble onto a crime scene where a woman is buried alive and a chain from the missing girl is found next to this deceased woman ! Detectives Van Reed & Harry Steinbeck are on the case and soon figure out the past & present are connected. Will they be able to figure it all out before it becomes too late ?

I love reading Jess Lourey’s books, this is the first detective based / procedural thriller I am reading from her. Chapter narrated from the key characters of the story including the killers it’s fast paced with tons of twists and reveals that keep the reader turning pages. There is lot of back story on the detectives especially on Van Reed that play integral role to the storyline.

If you’ve read this author’s work before you know she tends to develop her character and inject a lot of emotions into them including the victims which as a reader makes me feel invested in the outcome, she does it here too and I love that about her.

There is also a paranormal aspect to the plot which although I understood was there to kind of explain some twists and turns but personally I did not enjoy it much as I was expecting straightforward action / cop / sleuthing kind of story. Nevertheless it remains interesting.
The author even leaves a sort of cliffhanger at the very end of the book , indicating she could possibly be writing a sequel or book #2 with the lead characters.

Overall this is a 3.5/5 🌟 read for me.

This one was a bit meh for me. I'm not sure if it will make more sense after I read the sequel but I didn't love it and I'm usually a fan of Lourey. I can pinpoint what exactly I didn't like, but it felt scattered and between genres and just didn't land. I plan to read the sequel, so I'll update this review if anything changes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Jess Lourey for ARC.

The Taken Ones was...fine. While I didn't dislike the story or the writing by any means, it just ticked the "fine" box for me. The story was paced very well and the villain was creepy as hell. However, of the two Lourey books I've read it's solidly in second place.

The Taken Ones is a typical police procedural, with an added bit of mystery with the FMC's psychic visions. The other Lourey book I read, The Quarry Girls, was so grounded in realism that the psychic nature of Van's visions took me out of the story whenever they happened. I consistently had a "Huh, that was definitely a choice," thought each time.

Knowing that this is a part of a series made the cliffhanger at the end expected, though still irritating.

This book had some of my fave things in it: a crazy murder and disappearance and a culty backstory. I love our FMC, Van and her very unique ability. She was such a badass and didn’t take anybody’s crap. I loved her relationship with her team and with Harry, the quirky forensic scientist. You could tell she was respected and just a damn good cop. Harry was so cute and interesting. He just seemed like an all around good guy. The murder in this book was wild and I was constantly guessing the murderer wrong. The disappearance and cold case is also crazy to hear about and how it intertwined with the current case is 🤯 🤯 This book had me racing to the end to see what the heck was going on. And the freaking epilogue….i cannot wait for book 2

I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

I loved the descriptive setting & characters, along with the intriguing mystery! I’m excited that this is the first in the series, and can’t wait to see where the detectives go next. This is as a great thriller!