This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

I loved the first book I read by Jess Lourey so I couldn’t wait to read her newest release! I really enjoy the way this book is about a Cold Case and has several other factors going on at the same time to keep you wondering if they’ll ever come together for a final ending or if all these strange stories and past events are just coincidence as they happen to people so close together. I really loved the FMC in this book, she was a powerful MC and stood her ground. I enjoyed learning about her past and how that made her who she was today, and aided in helping her solve this very old cold case. There’s also a little mind blowing story about dreams and visions that really threw me for a loop, but it was kind of cool to see how it played out in the end. This story is action packed and I can’t wait to read more by Jess Lourey, highly recommend if you’re a lover of Mystery and True Crime because her books feel like you’re reading on an actual cold case!

This book was completely a Jess Lourey book filled with suspense and thrill! I enjoyed every part of the book and it kept me guessing for more. I really enjoyed all the suspense in the book and loved that you never knew what was coming.

I read this so fast and it solidified Jess Lourey as a solid thriller author for me. She needs more hype! You know those thrillers that cause you to be annoyed you have to be a responsible adult and do things like put a book down to sleep so you can function and take care of your kids the next day? This is one of those. I just kept wanting to turn the page and turn the page, etc etc. because I was HOOKED until the very last page. That being said, it didn't feel exceptionally unique in it's plot which is why it is a 4 start and not a 5 for me. Regardless it was plenty captivating enough and I'm assuming this is going to be part of a series and absolutely plan on reading the next.

Huge fan of Jess Lourey, she creates a world that I feel is real.

Maybe it’s because this is a part of a series, but I didn’t feel as connected to this story as I usually am to Jess Lourey’s books. The characters were great and the story kept me interested and invested, however I was in a hurry to finish it. It felt like it went back and forth and a lot was happening but it was almost predictable.

I’d still recommend this read because Jess creates storylines and characters that you feel you’d be watching or reading about in the newspaper. I love her style.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A true crime mystery that reads like a popcorn thriller. Was I here for it? Absolutely.

It’s creepy, mysterious, heart wrenching (check trigger warnings), and strong female leads. I was trying to put the puzzle together but ultimately didn’t figure it all out! A quick read. Past and present.

Good writing, good storyline - kept my interest and kept me guessing. Loved the ending! I have never heard of this author until this one, and once I did, I realized my friends had recommended and loved her writing. Will definitely be checking out more.

This book was really good. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a typical series start up through. There is a lot of back story and a lot of details. I enjoyed reading about them, but I don't enjoy the romance in the background. I felt like it distracted me from the story. This was a well written book, but just didn't fit me personally.

I’m officially a Jess Lourey fan. I loved her last book I read, and loved this one as well. She knows how to write a compelling psychological thriller that’s for sure

I really enjoyed this book, and am excited it’s a series! I love Jess Lourey’s writing! The somewhat psychic abilities were interesting to the story, and the same for both main characters backstory’s. I can’t wait to learn more about them, and hopefully new cases in upcoming books!

Where has this author been for my life?! This was gooooood! I loved this book and I am glad its a new series because I love these characters. This was well written, gripping, twisty and more!

This book was very good. I read it very quickly since I wanted to know who did it. The story starts off with a murder of a woman being buried alive. They realize that it’s connected to a cold case of two girls being taken 30-40 years ago. People were stunned that these girls could still be alive. The story grows through the perspective of the main cold case detective Van and her younger self Evangeline. Highly recommend this book.

This book was AMAZING! This is the first time I have read this author and I will certainly be looking for more asap. The Taken Ones was such a wild ride from page one and held my attention all the way through. I think it is a great book for people to read around Halloween as it gives off so many spooky vibes. Thank you for my arc copy.

1980 - Three young girls enter the woods, only one comes out.

Summer 2022 - Cold case detective Van Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck are assigned a case of a women found dead after being buried alive. She is wearing a necklace matching from one of the missing children.

Could this women be related to the taken ones case from 1980?

I absolutely loved this book! Expect an unputdownable, shocking police procedural, psychological thriller. I cannot wait for the sequel. The author did a wonderful job building tension while going between past and present timelines. I loved the characters Van and Harry working together and the added spooky superstition of the Bendy Man.

This is my first book by Jess Lourey but will definable not be my last. I’m on a mission to read her backlist now.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and @netgalley for an advanced reading copy.

Bendy Man will forever live in my nightmares! Oh my gosh this book was incredible and I loved it, if your looking for a a book that’s perfect for spooky season this is it!
It’s the summer of 1980 in Leech Lake Minnesota and it’s incredibly hot, three young girls Rue and her younger sister Lily and also Amber a new friend to Rue, go into the woods to swim in the creek. When something terrible happens. Rue comes out with with no memory what happened and Lily and Amber have disappeared. Rue is discover walking barefoot with her feet burned from the pavement in complete shock and refuses to talk. The missing girls are called the Taken Ones.
Fast forward and it’s now 2022, the police are called to a horrific crime scene a homicide, where a woman was discovered to have been buried alive. The woman is found to be holding a necklace, and to their surprise the necklace is connected to the Taken Ones case. Cold Case detective Evangeline but she’s called “Van” is called and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck are assigned to the case. Van has her own past that she’s dealing with and sometimes she is shown visions, she’s determined to uncover what happened that day in the woods and how this woman is connected to the missing girls, the more she investigates she keeps hearing about the urban legend Bendy Man how is he connected, is he even real? We follow Van and Harry as they investigate along with the killers POV. I truly couldn’t put this book down!

I’m a big fan of Jess Lourey’s work, and eagerly await each of her new releases! This was a great read, even though it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I loved following the cold case, and enjoying getting to know Van and Harry as characters. Hoping there’s another book coming after that ending!

Detective Van Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck form an alliance as they delve into a criminal investigation that unveils a gruesome revelation: a woman buried alive 42 years ago. This book left an indelible impact, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The narrative transports us to the summer of 1980, set in the scorching heat of Leech Lake, Minnesota. Three young girls, Rue and her younger sister Lily, are joined by their new friend, Amber, as they venture into the woods for a refreshing creek swim. However, a horrifying incident occurs, and Rue emerges from the woods with a memory gap, unable to recall the events that transpired. Lily and Amber have vanished, earning the collective name "the Taken Ones." Rue, traumatized and unwilling to communicate, is discovered walking barefoot with scorched feet from the blistering pavement.

Fast forward to the year 2022, where the police are called to a gruesome homicide scene. A woman has been found buried alive, clutching a necklace that shockingly links back to the Taken Ones case from 1980. The Cold Case detective, known as Evangeline but referred to as "Van," and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck are assigned to the case. Van grapples with her own troubled past and has the ability to experience visions. She is determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding that fateful day in the woods and discern the connection between this buried woman and the missing girls. As their investigation deepens, they encounter mentions of the elusive urban legend known as Bendy Man and question his relevance and existence.

The story unfolds through the perspectives of Van and Harry as they methodically investigate, interspersed with the point of view of the unidentified killer. This book serves as a promising beginning to a new detective series that has left me eagerly anticipating more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jess Lourey's "The Taken Ones" is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. This novel weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological drama, creating a narrative that keeps readers enthralled from the very first page.

The story centers around the lives of two women, Liv and Cam, who share a tragic connection: they were both abducted and held captive in a remote cabin by a sadistic kidnapper. After enduring unimaginable horrors, they manage to escape, but the scars of their past continue to haunt them. Years later, they find themselves drawn back to the cabin, driven by a shared determination to uncover the truth about their captor and find closure.

One of the novel's standout features is the way it handles the complexities of trauma and its aftermath. Lourey does a commendable job in portraying the emotional struggles and resilience of the two main characters, Liv and Cam. Their narratives are both heart-wrenching and empowering, providing an authentic portrayal of trauma survivors reclaiming their lives.

The plot is expertly structured, with a dual timeline that alternates between the past and the present, revealing the harrowing events of the abduction alongside the characters' current journey of investigation and self-discovery. This narrative approach heightens suspense and keeps the reader engaged, with each revelation shedding light on the enigmatic kidnapper's identity.

Lourey's writing is both atmospheric and suspenseful. She effectively creates a sense of dread and tension, transporting readers to the eerie and isolated cabin where the most horrifying events of the characters' lives took place. The remote Minnesota wilderness becomes a character of its own, adding to the overall unsettling atmosphere.

While "The Taken Ones" is a compelling and well-crafted thriller, some readers may find the pacing slightly uneven, with moments of intense action followed by slower, introspective segments. Additionally, the novel occasionally relies on certain thriller conventions and tropes, which may make some aspects of the plot feel somewhat predictable.

Overall, "The Taken Ones" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged thriller that explores themes of survival, resilience, and the enduring bond between survivors. Jess Lourey's sensitive treatment of the effects of trauma and her ability to maintain suspense make this novel a worthy addition to the psychological thriller genre. If you're a fan of thrillers that delve into the human psyche and celebrate the strength of survivors, "The Taken Ones" is a compelling and unforgettable read that will keep you hooked until the very end.

The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey
Steinbeck & Reed #1

Terrifying, twisted, and terrific ~ Couldn’t put it down.

What I liked:
* Evangeline “Van” Reed: difficult childhood, bright, left police to work cold cases at Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, lucid dreams that prove to be true, has a bit of PTSD, has a secret, Intriguing
* Harry Steinbeck, forensic scientist, seeks facts, dapper dresser, caring, kind, tenacious, has a secret that I want to know
* That Van and Harry seem opposites who work well together – eager to see what they tackle next
* The supporting characters that work with Van and Harry – would like to get to know Kyle, Johnna and Deepty better
* The police procedural aspects of the story and how the cold case was solved
* That the cold case of the girls kidnapping, and the case of the woman buried alive were both solved by the end of the story
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to
* Thinking about how warped and twisted the criminals were…and there were quite a few in this book
* The closed ranks of the police and the way they treated Van

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer & Jess Lourey for the ARC of The Taken Ones.

Wow another winner by Jess Lourey. She never misses at grabbing my attention from the get go and this book was no different. A master at pulling at my heart strings and dealing with unsettling themes while providing a really entertaining thriller from start to finish.