Ransomed

I loved this book! I only wish the next book was available because it sure leaves you hanging at the end. Emma Hunter is new to being a celebrity - she wrote a bestselling book about an investigation into terrible abuse that occurred at a boys home in the past. Because of her fame, she's been sought at by a wealthy Englishman whose granddaughter Cassie was kidnapped a year ago. He's determined that Emma is the one person who can figure out what happened to Cassie. At first she doesn't want to take the case, but because she herself had a family member disappear twenty years ago, she doesn't have the heart to say no. She's paired up with a police constable and given all of the files for Cassie's case to review. They revisit the scene of the crime and meet with the family and witnesses from the day she was taken. The more involved she becomes, the more Emma is determined to find out the truth. But will this already fragile family be able to live with what they learn?

I was drawn in right away to this story, the writing flows easily and Emma is a relatable heroine. I'm glad it will be a series, and I hope the next book and more will be available soon while this first one is fresh in my mind. There were some questions I was left with, and I expect they will be resolved further in the series. I love finding a new author I truly enjoy and this one is a keeper!

I really enjoyed this book, extremely well written and I was drawn into the story line from the very beginning.

Al the characters were well described and I look forward to reading more in this series and more about Emma.

I can thoroughly recommend this book and I look forward to the next in the series.

Through Net Galley, I read an advance copy of Ransomed: The Missing Children Case Files by M.A. Hunter. The first in a planned series that follows Emma Hunter, an investigative journalist fresh off the success of a bestselling expose detailing systemic abuse of children at the St. Francis Home for Wayward Boys.

A reluctant celebrity given the media attention her book received, 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 stalled investigation.

As Emma and Jack interview family members and witnesses, they come to realize that there is more going on than meets the eye. Both lead characters have complicated histories that drive them to in their pursuit of Cassie and her captors.

Fast paced and well written, I enjoyed this book immensely. There is much to like about the main characters, ample room for the characters to develop and the mystery kept me guessing right up to the end. Count me in for future entries in this series.

An ebook copy of Ransomed was the only compensation received in exchange for this review. My thanks to Net Galley and One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) for the opportunity to read this book and provide feedback.

I haven’t read anything by this author before, so wasn’t sure what to expect, but thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ransomed is a compelling story about a kidnapped young girl, a family’s devastation and the intriguing Emma Hunter, who won’t stop asking questions until she uncovers the truth. I really liked Emma’s complex history - involving her own kidnapped sister - and her strong principles, as well as her career as a journalist/author, alongside the discomfort she feels about her new role in the public eye.

The story unfolded at a good pace and the structure (in terms of the ‘now’ and ‘then’) worked well. Emma’s friendships are well drawn and there was an interesting tension between her and the police officer assigned to help her - something tells me he may make a reappearance! Coming from Dorset, I enjoyed the Weymouth setting but wanted more of it, as the book’s partially set in/around London.

All in all, this was a captivating book that kept me riveted. I guessed some but not all of the ending, and wanted all the threads tied up, but if M.A. Hunter did that there wouldn’t such a strong compulsion to read the next in the series - which I definitely want to do.

A great start to a.new series. I was gripped from the first page and it was very well written. I liked the main character Emma and the relationship between her and Jack, be interesting to see how that pans out. The ending is a good cliffhanger so can't wait to read the next in the series.

What a cracking start to a new series !!

Ransomed has all the elements of a great crime thriller, it's action packed, love the Then and Now scenarios so you get all the background to the present situation, a strong, determined protagonist you can relate to and a great plot and storyline.

Emma Hunter is an investigative journalist who wrote a best selling expose on a paedophile ring at a boys home. Now a well known figure, she is approached by the wealthy Lord Fitzhume to find his grand daughter, Cassie, who a year earlier after attending a school friend's birthday party was abducted on the drive home.

Pulled in to the story from the get-go, it had me totally gripped and wanting to keep turning those pages to find out more and I certainly didn't work out the unexpected and surprising twist at the end.

Definitely a recommended read- I Loved this novel and certainly look forward to the next in the series.

Many thanks to @OneMoreChapter @ Writer_MAHunter and @claire_fenby for an ARC for my honest review,