This was quite a long book for me however well worth the effort. 

Love the ongoing storyline of the team. This book had plenty to keep your attention. 

Already looking forward to the next in the series. 

4.5 stars

This is the 5th book in the DI Jackman series and it lived up to all my expectations. There is a good balance between the crimes being investigated and the personal lives of those doing the investigating. I like that DI Jackman works along with his team and takes their ideas and suspicions seriously. The crime here is really up to date, it is only in the last few years that young people would be mugged for their trainers and I found it realistic that the older members of the team find it difficult to understand. I always enjoy Joy Ellis' work and look forward to the next book in this series.

I was a bit slow downloading this, and it was unfortunately archived before I got a chance, so I bought a copy to review.

Great book, great characters, terrific writing. Enjoyed it a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for approving my request, and apologies for not downloading.

Oh my goodness Great read. I was hooked and the author made me care about the characters. I thought I had it figured out but nope not a chance. So many stories in one book and yet I was invested in each of the characters. I recommend this book for a disturbingly great read.

I know I’ve talked about my love of Joy Ellis before, but I can’t get over how well she takes seemingly normal-sounding plots and turns them into intricate, high-suspense thrillers. The Stolen boys is another hit in the Jackman and Evans series.

Saltern-le-Fen has some mysterious happenings afoot: first, boys are being robbed and, in at least one case, killed for their high-priced clothing. Then, a local woman spots some mysterious visitors out on the marsh late at night, which may be tied to some steroid smuggling. Finally, the hunt for Allistair Ashcroft, the villain of the previous Jack and Evans novel, is still on the loose. As the team digs into these issues, they discover that there could be much more going on rather than some random clothing robberies. And they’re right, though they can’t guess how sophisticated this operation truly is.

This book once again does a great job of balancing the central mysteries with the personal storylines for the characters that we have come to know well throughout the previous novels. Both elements are very interesting and suspenseful, which makes the novel some really good reading, with very little downtime.

This book also sets up what should be a confrontation with Ashcroft in the next book - something that should be really interesting, given how it’s done (no spoilers here!).

I don’t really have a lot to say other than fans of mysteries and thrillers will truly continue to enjoy this series. If you haven’t started reading Joy Ellis, you’re missing out. Get into it!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author, Joy Ellis, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Stolen Boys in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I really enjoy reading this author. I have never been left disappointed after reading one of her novels.
I thought the storyline was well written and suspenseful. I like how realistic the characters were. 3.5 stars.
Well worth a read for thriller fans.

THE STOLEN BOYS
by JOY ELLIS

Joffe Books

Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 12 Oct 2018


I am reviewing a copy of The Stolen Boys through Joffee Books and Netgalley:


A crime wave hits town, the target is a highly priced but sought after brand of street wear called Hybrid X.  The clothing cost a fortune and resales are expensive.  Houses are burglarized, young men are robbed on the streets and a young man is killed for a pair of shoes.


Another body is found in a pile of trash, and illegal steroids start to flood the streets.


A dark shadowy figure who goes by the name Darke and his group of young criminals are believed to be behind everything.



Detectives Jackman and Evans must take on this evil criminal, while they are still being haunted by Alistair the serial killer they were not able to catch.


I give The Stolen Boys five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Thank you Net Galley.  Another great installment of Jackman & Evans.  As always an exciting read, perfect anytime.

This is a modern day story of a gang of boys who steal designer clothing to order to either resell or send out of the country to an exclusive market. DI Jackman and DS Marie Evans have both returned to work after injuring themselves . They are trying to settle back into routine when the case of disappearing boys and stolen clothing lands on their desk. Then a problem from the past comes back to haunt them.
This is another great read from Joy Ellis . A book that is so easy to disappear into. Highly addictive.

Another excellent Joy Ellis book!  Thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next one!  Recommend anyone who loves a good thriller  to read this as they won't be disappointed.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is book 5 in the Jackman and Evans series and they just get better and better. One of the themes this time was about designer street clothing and the huge market for expensive designer wear. Others dealt with the theft and dispersal of the designer clothing and themes dealt with the imprisonment of young men. The main characters were also interesting and working hard in their various roles of fighting crime.
Highly recommended.

Great read, very relevant storyline for our times, you won't be disappointed, would recommend to anyone who loves police procedural books

I have been a fan of Joy’s books for months and months if not years and years.  I have read and loved each and every book that she has released.  I eagerly and (im)patiently wait for her next book to be released.  Well the wait is over because the next instalment in the series featuring Detective Inspector Jackman and Detective Sergeant Marie Evans, called ‘The Stolen Boys’ was released on 9th October 2018.  Bloody nora it is one hell of a read and I loved it but more about that in a bit.
I love the pairing of Detectives Jackman and Evans.  They work well together but equally they can work on their own.  They are totally at ease in each other’s company and they have each others back.  They are extremely loyal to each other as well.  In fact it appears as though Jackman & Evans are like a married couple only without the sex.  Both of them work well with each other but equally they can work just as well on their own.  This book sees them investigating the whereabouts of Alistair Ashcroft, who is actually a serial killer, who has managed to evade capture up until now.  At the same time they are asked to investigate a case where it appears that somebody has been killed literally for the clothes on their feet.  Will Jackman & Evans find Mr. Ashcroft?  Will Jackman, Evans and the team find out who is responsible for the killings?  Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
”The Stolen Boys’ is certainly one hell of a read and topical too in a society where possessions are often treasured more than life itself.  Yes the nature of the crimes are rather gruesome to say the least but the author has in no way glorified violence and the violence is not gratuitous in any way.  In fact the violence is more implied and left to the reader’s imagination.  The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn into the story and before you know it you are hooked on the book.  The author is much a like a spider tempting its prey into its web- once you are in, you can’t get out.  For me, the plot hit the ground running and maintained the pace throughout.  For me ‘The Stolen Boys’ really is a ‘CPID’ (can’t put it down) book.  The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hands but it might as well have been because I couldn’t put it down and it came everywhere with me.  I just couldn’t bear to be parted from the book and if I did have to put it down, I did so begrudgingly, whilst counting down the time until I could pick it up again.  I was completely wrapped up in the story and the investigation.  I binge read the book over the course of a couple of days which so worked with this book because it gave me a real sense of the intensity of the police investigation.  The author’s writing style and vivid descriptions really made me feel as though I was a member of the investigating team.  I found that I began to interact with the book.  Before anybody starts, I know that the book is a work of fiction but if I am convinced by the story and the writing is fantastic, then I ‘live’ the story.  I found that I was shouting out random comments or giving suggestions to the police on how to proceed in the investigation or the questions that needed  to be asked.  Get me- I watch every police television series (American & British) and I think I know it all!!  Just call me Ginger Book Geek Marple-Poirot.  Lol.
I absolutely loved reading ‘The Stolen Boys’ and I wholeheartedly recommend it to other readers.  I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.  The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Positive review posted to Amazon. Another great book by Joy Ellis, she just gets better and better and is moving up there with the crime writers I enjoy.Another outing for DI Jackman and DS Evans who are recovering from injuries sustained in the last book they are determined to catch Alistair Ashcroft . They are waylaid by a crime spree involving men’s high end designer gear being stolen and a young mans murder. The many threads build throughout with twists and turns creating tension. Look forward to the next one . Thanks for the opportunity to read this in advance.

This is the fifth book in Joy's Jackman and Evans series, of which I have now read three of them.  This can be read as a stand alone, although I would recommend reading at least one previous one so you can get the teams dynamic better.

It also helps if you have read the previous book as this one starts off with the team trying to recover from the previous book's serial killer, although they can't rest for long as soon a body is found and the victims trainers have been stolen.

The story line revolves around a gang of young homeless boys stealing designer clothing to be sold on for massive profits, along with child trafficking , gratuitous murders (although the details are left to your imagination most of the time)and the dealing in illegal steroids.

With this story the team have a lot on their hands so it doesn't help that Evans is distracted by someone from her past coming back to haunt her.  Fortunately the whole team work really well together with this investigation and all of the different threads come together nicely.

As I am not really into fashion I had no idea that people got mugged for their clothes in real life, which made parts of this story unbelievable, but in a good way as I learnt so much from it.

Overall I thought it was a brilliant book, once I got over how much clothes are worth,  and really loved the way the team worked together despite everything they have gone through int he previous book.  I would highly recommend this book and entire series.

I can honestly say I have not picked up a book by Joy Ellis and not been hooked from the first few pages of her books. They are Just Brilliant. So when The Stolen Boys came up to read and review I was there, and this book did not disappoint! Joy's books just get better and better........This is a book you just need to turn off your mobile, get comfy in your favourite chair and start to enjoy reading The Stolen Boys. You will feel connected with the characters. I can't wait for her next book. 

Highly recommend all of Joy Ellis books they are all a fantastic read.......Big fat 5 Stars from me.

Thanks to Joffe Books and Joy Ellis for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Fast-paced action with great reoccurring characters. The plot is somehow fresh even though it's a topic that was prevalent twenty years ago. This series gets better with each book. Those who haven't read the previous one may be a bit lost by a continuing story arc.

Saltern-Le-Fen has been hit by a crime wave that could have been ripped from the pages of a Charles Dickins novel. A modern day Fagan and his teams of young criminals are committing burglaries and mugging kids in the street. Not for their phones,wallets or jewellery but for a highly sought - after brand of clothing called Hybird X. Clothing that costs a fortune and sells for unbelievable prices. The muggings are swift and brutal,then one mugging goes wrong and a young man dies...all for the sake of his shoes.

Then another boy's body is found in a pile of rubbish,illegal steroids are flooding the streets and there appears to be suspicious,dark movements at night on the marshes.

Are the cases connected? Who is the mysterious person known only as Darke? Why are young boys mysteriously disappearing?

Jackman and his team must work fast and figure out the identity of the fiendish mastermind before anyone else dies.

DI Jackman,Marie Evans and the rest of the team are still struggling with the physical and mental damage that was inflicted on them during the Alistair Ashcroft case and the fact that they never caught him. They have vowed that they will do everything in their power to find him and are devoting as much time that they can spare into the search.With dead bodies,burglaries,muggings,illegal steroids,smuggling,missing people,no clues to the identity of their sinister adversary and Alistair Ashcroft constantly lurking at the back of their minds,the team are pushed to their limits.Even the normally unflappable Rory Wilkinson is affected by certain aspects of the investigations. Then to Marie's horror a ghost from her past reappears,hell bent on seeking revenge and making her life as hell as possible.One of the things I love about this series is the camaraderie and banter between all the members of the team.They are friends as well as colleagues,care about each other and work well together as a team.I love how each member of the team has the opportunity to contribute their own input into the investigations.I also like Rory Wilkinson the pathologist,I love his witty humour and sarcastic quips.

This gripping thriller has loads of twists and turns,keeps the reader guessing and has a unexpected twist at the end. Although this is the fogth book in the series and despite there being some references to events from the previous book,it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I love this series and can't wait to find out what Joy Ellis has planned for Jackman and his team's next investigation.

DI Jackman and DS Evans are still haunted from their previous case when they are tasked to investigate a spat of organised robberies involving a designer brand called Hybird X. The case takes a darker turn when a boy is killed after his trainers are stolen.

Another boy is found in a pile of rubbish, with no identifying traits and seemingly nobody looking for him.
If that didn’t keep them busy enough illegal steroids are flooding the streets. Will Jackman, Evans and their team figure out what’s going on?

So this is the fifth in Jackman and Evans series and to be honest you could read it as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading the previous book, The Guilt Ones, just because some elements of the story line do carry over.

Poor Jackman and Evans, they are really struggling! Jackman is suffering from low spirits after the escape of Alastair Ashcroft and compounded by the break up of his relationship. Evans is still struggling with her leg injury and to make matters worse an old nemesis who she thought she’d seen the last of pops up again, intent on making her life a misery.

There’s several different perspectives in the book including a runaway by the name of Mossy who’s story I found the most compelling. He’s smart but also neglected and thinks the only way he can help his friend Alice out of an abusive situation is to join the gang.

I have to be honest this started off a little slower in pace than the previous book. Also while I thought the designer clothes theft angle is original it just takes a little bit of time to wrap my head around (which Joy Ellis does make clear at the beginning of the book!) especially when I didn’t realise the clothes were called Hybird X not Hybrid X until about ten chapters in even though it was mentioned several times.

Overall The Stolen Boys is an original and engaging story with character you can’t help caring about, that will take you on a surprisingly emotional journey.

I’m a big Joy Ellis fan so wanted to read The Stolen Boys but after reading the publishers blurb I kind of had some reservations. I mean how interesting can a book about stolen clothes be? Boy was I wrong, this book was great, there was a lot of different sides to it and lots of twists that kept me guessing. It’s a lot more than stolen clothes, it’s about greed, poverty and depravity and there was more than one storyline that kept me interested and engaged and reading for hours at a time.

Joy Ellis made this book come alive, she has the knack of being able to draw you in to the story, her way of describing the characters and situations are very realistic and I found myself holding my breath on more than one occasion as the tension in the book mounted.

There is absolutely no way I saw the ending of this book coming, it blew me away, I was hanging on to every word literally turning pages so quickly I could hardly keep up. It was so riveting I couldn’t put it down. Mind blowing!

I have read some fantastic books this year and this is up there with the best of them, easily in my top 10 of 2018. That’s pretty good going considering I have read almost 100 books so far this year. I highly recommend The Stolen Boys, this is Joy Ellis at her best, weaving a web of intrigue, pulling you in and not letting you go until you reach the end exhausted but thoroughly satisfied.

If you want to read one more book this year, or give a book for Christmas, make it The Stolen Boys you won’t be disappointed!