This was my first read by this author. It definitely had your heart stopping from the first page kidnapping of a little boy will do that to you.
This is part of a series and this is the first one I read I did not feel lost. Like I said it get you from the first page very tragic start. A lot of twist and turns definitely keeps you thinking.
Tori Hunter definitely keeps you thinking can just see her wheels turning.
If I had to say anything bad, it would be a little bit much with the dramatics of the gun scenes

This is book 7 in the Tori Hunter series but it’s my first. I didn’t feel I missed out on the backstory from not reading the others but it has definitely intrigued me. I found it to be extremely long and dragged out for the first half of the listen to the point I found my mind wandering and constantly had to drag myself back. It’s a great storyline once it gets going but it was just too slow paced for this kind of storyline. I really liked the characters and found them an endearing bunch. The narration was engaging for the most part but found the gunfire scenes annoying. The second half of the listen really ramped up and I really enjoyed how it unfolded. I would be interested to read others in the series.

3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review #TakenInTheCold

Action packed crime thriller!

Even though this is the 7th book in the series and only the second installment I’ve read (just #1), I can say that this is definitely one of the better ones out there. I enjoyed the plot and how the investigation came together with all of its twists and turns. I like the characters, especially Tori Hunter and Chief Detective Braddock. Despite the gap between 1 and 7, I never felt lost as there was plenty of backstory and I was able to catch up quickly.

Though this involves domestic terrorism and also a few other issues like embezzlement and kidnapping, it all flows well and moves quickly. I like the writing style and also the vivid descriptions of the Minnesota weather and the lakes areas.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC (both provided by the publishers) and I highly recommend you do that if you can. The narrator did a great job voicing all the characters and adding an appropriate amount of dramatic flair to the story. Listening while reading definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Can’t wait for the next in series. Only sorry that I missed 2 through 6! I’ve given up on many series lately but I’m making an exception with this one.

It starts out like any other morning, but soon two will be dead and a child will be missing. When Tori and Braddock arrive on the scene of the homicide, they realize a child is missing. To further the mystery, his father is missing as well. The question on everyone's mind is did he kill his ex-wife and her lover and take his son? Well you will just have to read it to find out. You will also need to fasten your seatbelt for a thrilling wild ride of a much more complex mystery than it first appears.

The suspense is off the charts. The pace is relentless as I tried to get to the root of where this book was headed. Nothing is ever as easy it appears, and that is certainly true in this taut mystery/thriller. Agent Tori Hunter is quickly becoming another one of my favorite fictional characters. I need a break now.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Part of a series featuring Detective Will Braddock and Tori Hunter,works as a standalone. Gripping thriller with many twists and turns,didn't know who dunnit till the end.

Acting as a consultant, Tori Hunter jumps in to help Will Braddock with a fast-moving case concerning the abduction of a child after the murder of his parents. As if the abduction wasn't pressing enough, Hunter & Braddock must race against the incoming blizzard, chasing unknown assailants across a treacherous snow-covered landscape of northern Minnesota.

I really enjoyed this one! As with each of the books in this series, you could definitely read as a standalone and not feel lost but as a fan of the series I enjoy knowing all of the backstory with the characters. I enjoy all of the books in this series but this one I especially loved for the setting. The incoming blizzard was written so vividly it could have been another character. It reminded me a lot of the way Ragnar Jonasson writes his books about Iceland and I absolutely loved it. I was reading this in New York in the warm beginning of fall but at certain points could feel like cold of Minnesota winter. Just really well done. I also really liked the layers of this case and how it took off in a direction I wasn't expecting. The only thing I didn't love was that it definitely felt like the first half of the book was almost completely separate from the second half in the way they each had their own complete arcs, it could almost have been two books. Still, it was really well done and kept me interested the entire time. If you're not already reading this author you're missing out, definitely pick up this series!

When gunshots shatter the calm of an exclusive family home, Detective Will Braddock responds to the scene to find ten-year-old Teddy missing and his mother and her new boyfriend dead. Tori is called in as a consultant, and police are quick to suspect Teddy’s father, believed to be bitter over the divorce, may have killed them and fled with Teddy.

As Tori interviews everyone who knew Teddy’s father, her instincts tell her he's not the killer. Her worst fears are confirmed when his body is discovered, leaving Tori devastated but more determined than ever. With a deadly blizzard bearing down on Manchester Bay, Tori and Will race against time to track down Teddy and the kidnappers before it’s too late.

This is a fast-paced, addictive read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait to follow Tori Hunter and Will Braddock in the next installment of this fantastic series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and author Roger Stelljes for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm sitting in my bed reading on a warm summer night when I stood to refill my water. I 1000 percent expected to see mounds of snow covering the ground with near white out conditions still falling from the sky. Roger Stelljis and his character Tori dragged me from my real world and into one of money, murder, an unyielding blizzard and a brave young boy! Taken in the cold gripped me from the beginning to the surprising killer reveal at the end! I was so enthralled in the book I found myself so deep in I could hear the gunfire and feel the fear eminating from the characters. The only downfall of this book I could find was that it ended and forced me back into the real world to impatiently await Tori's next adventure!

This is the kind of series where you can step in at any moment, but once you read one, you'll definitely want to read the entire series.

In Taken in the Cold, the first few pages set the tone for the rest of the book. We start with the murder and the kidnapping of a young boy. Tori, Braddock, and the rest of the team have their work cut out for them trying to figure out what the motive could be and how they are going to get the boy back alive and hopefully unharmed.

With literal nonstop action from start to finish this one kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next for Tori and Braddock what kind of crazy case they will end up in the middle of.

There are only a few thriller series that I religiously keep up-to-date with, and this is one of them! From the first book, I've always looked forward to catching up with Tori and Braddock. And Taken In The Cold is another action-packed and engaging thriller, with a snowy setting perfect for the colder months!

I usually read these books on my Kindle, but I opted for the audiobook this time, which was brilliantly narrated. It kept me invested throughout and made for a great listen on a lazy day at home, meaning that I could read it all in one go!

Stelljes is a great writer and I love that you can vividly picture every scene with his words. I wouldn't say that this is the most exciting book in terms of plot in the series so far, as many of the others have much more shocking twists and emotional investigations, but this instalment definitely works as a standalone, so it would work as a great teaser to the series. You're sure to want to go back to the start to see how it all began for Tori anyway! And I can't wait to see what happens to her next.

I have been waiting a long time for the new book in the adventures of Will Braddock and Tori Hunter. Sadly, this one didn't do the trick for me. Although it starts off with a bang and keep going on with many twists and turns, I just could not relate to the fact that the identity of the bad guys was revealed early on and the book seems to drag on as to understand the reason for the whole thing to have happened. I love this series and I hope to see more of Will and Tori though! Thank you NetGalley for the pleasure of an advanced review of this book.

</b>Former FBI agent Tori Hunter is back in another gripping mystery.</b>

4.5 stars rounded up.

When shots ring out at a posh mansion, two adults are found dead on the scene, and a ten-year-old boy is missing just before a huge winter storm is supposed to hit Manchester Bay, Minnesota, Tori Hunter, though now retired from the FBI, quickly jumps back into action and joins forces with her partner / local Sheriff Braddock to solve the mystery and try to find the child.

I only recently listened to "Silenced Girls", the first book in this series, and fell in love with Tori, Braddock and their local gang of crime-solvers in Manchester Bay. "Taken in the Cold" is book no. 7 in the series, but it works well as a standalone (I didn't have time to read books 2-6, though they are high on my TBR list, and I followed along any new developments just fine; plus, the necessary character backstories from book 1 get covered, helping anyone who is completely new to this series).

Overall, I'm still very much taken by the series. Tori is as fearless, capable and feisty as ever, and she and Braddock once again work well together. I was also totally sucked in by the mystery in this book, and flew through it in a single sitting because it kept me engrossed, though the ending felt a bit lackluster, maybe because of the books very eerie and sinister beginning that had me expecting the end of the world.

What I absolutely did not like about this particular book - and this is a small issue on my part - is that a lot of pages were wasted just repeating (mostly gunfire) sounds - i.e. "Pang pang pang!". I was willing to overlook it once or twice, but it was used so often in a few scenes that it started to grate on my nerves, and felt a bit like lazy writing (why not describe what the gunfire sounds like instead of simply printing the actual noise?).

Other than that, this was a near-flawless mystery in an excellent series that will have me coming back for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Taken in the Cold" is slated to be released on November 1, 2024.

Another excellent Tori Hunter book. I flew through this book and had no idea til it was revealed who'd done it. I feel like Braddock and Tori are getting close to sealing the deal on their relationship too! Loved the character of Teddy in this story and how Tori related to him through her own past. Overall great book 5 stars!

Roger Stelljes is in my top list of authors and as soon as I see a new book of his I request it straight away or purchase it without even reading the blurb. I have been reading his books for years and have never been disappointed.

Once again “Taken In the Cold” falls straight into this category. Constantly kept on the edge this book had me from page one and did not let up until the thrilling end, it is expertly crafted. The setting is chilling, not just in respect to the weather but also the story Roger has presented us with.

Detective Braddock and Agent Hunter have now got a serious case to solve, and the weather is going to make there work so much harder. Ten-year-old Teddy Marist has disappeared, his mother is beside herself, so the hunt is on to try to find out what has happened to this young child. The local police seem to think this is a domestic situation but as more facts come to light, Braddick and Hunter realise there is a lot more to this.

Full of action and suspense, this one had me reading late into the night, I did not want to put it down and once again the author does not disappoint. A fabulous thriller that really was a wild ride and another fantastic addition to this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

A Blizzard is on the way but that won’t stop a killer from taking the lives of two people and kidnapping a boy named Teddy! Hold onto your hats folks, because things are about to get dicey! Taken in the Cold is gripping, shocking, well thought out, captivating and tense. I loved the atmosphere. There is something about books which take places in snowy settings that get me every time. I love the chilling atmosphere and tension it provides. This book has a pulse pounding mystery and I was there for it every step of the way.

In Taken in the Cold, Agent Tori Hunter and Detective Braddock have their hands full. There is more going on than meets the eye in this book. As they dig deeper and follow leads, they learn that there is more to be learned as embezzlement also comes into play.

I loved the mystery and the investigation. I enjoyed getting both of their perspectives as they did their investigative work. This is not an easy case, but they pour everything they have into it. I love a well thought out plot and Roger Stelljes nailed it! He had me turning those pages, fully invested and wanting more.

This worked very well as a stand-alone book for me. I have recently listened to the first book in the series, Silenced Girls and thought it was extremely well done. It piqued my interest and when I saw this book was coming out, I jumped at the opportunity to read Taken in the Cold! I was thrilled that I did. I found this book to be well written, well thought out, perfectly plotted and full of tension.

I had both the audiobook and the kindle edition of the book which made for a fully immersive reading experience. I thought the narration on the audiobook was very well done. I am looking forward to reading more of Roger Stelljes books in the future!

Gripping, tense, atmospheric, and riveting!

I cannot get enough of this series! There is just something about Roger Stelljes’ writing style that leaves you wanting more.
Although you can read this as a stand alone, I fully recommend reading the full series! Full of action, twists & turns, you won’t be able to put this down!

I was lucky enough to receive ARC both as an ebook & an audiobook meaning when I couldn’t physically read I could listen, so I really couldn’t put this one down & finished it really quickly. I thought the narrator done a fantastic job & kept me engaged the full time.

I was really worried that this would continue from the other books and I hadn't read them in a while. Let me assure you, you don't have to and this book is phenomenal. On the edge from the very beginning and it only increased the further you get through the book. I love books written from the perspective of both people because it really carries you through the stories and perspectives. I really enjoyed the law enforcement and criminal perspectives. I"m obsessed with Tori and Braddock and I would really love to have a sequel that includes progressing in their story. This book was 5 stars for me because as former a LEO, I was not able to solve it before the end of the book. Outstanding read!

I absolutely love the characters of Tori and Braddock. As a double murder and kidnapping unfolds, they rush to solve yet another mystery. Before long, another murder is discovered and things become more dire and urgent. While the motive seems straightforward, nothing is as it seems. This book kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. #NetGalley

Always great to be back in Tori's world, and it is a snowy and dangerous place! This is a fact-paced thriller from the beginning until the end. Criminals are trying to make another criminal looking like a murderer and many other bad things, but some things go wrong on the way. Not everyone around loves cops, and the twists in this book makes the case dangerous, hard to crack, and entertaining for the reader. Excellent work, Roger Stelljes!

Former FBI Special Agent Tori Hunter is back again this time trying to solve a double homicide that occurs right before a large blizzard hits Manchester Bay. As the snow begins to fall the first morning, a jogger coming back from a run is shot in his garage and his girlfriend is shot in the kitchen. His girlfriend’s ten year old son is taken captive. Tori and Braddock are called to investigate. While initially they are drawn to the ex-husband, who is missing, they expand their search when he is found dead at the resort his father owned and committed suicide at. Tori, Braddock, and the rest of the gang race not only to bring the killers to justice, but to save ten year old Teddy Marist from his captors.

Mr. Stelljes seems to keep upping his game with this series. The book is a page turner, and the action is nonstop right from page one. There are so many layers to the plot, and just when you think the book is ready to end, another layer is revealed. This book is so much more than just a kidnapping. The way Mr. Stelljes strings you along is excellent and really keeps you engaged. The setting of Northern at the onset of a blizzard had me wishing for snow and cold weather. Tori and her gang are great characters that keep growing with each novel, but I found the villains in this novel to also be very intriguing and full of depth.

Each book in the series can be read by itself, but I would fully recommend diving into them all. The Tori Hunter series is one of the most underrated series out there, and Mr. Stelljes is excellent at telling a story. This was an easy five star, and a very quick read. You won’t regret picking this one up. Thank you to NetGalley, Roger Stelljes, and Bookouture for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.