Taken Girls - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Detective Amanda Steele is following in her police veteran father's footsteps as a leading homicide investigator, while her 14 year-old niece Ava's been inspired by both her aunt and grandfather's careers in hunting down killers.
This proves to be a unique trait that gets her into trouble, while providing a unique insight into the disappearance of her friend Nadine's elder sister Reese, the first of the eponymous victims.

Carolyn Arnold is the Queen of the Murder-Mystery-Thriller, whose brilliant characters and riveting storylines will focus your emotions intensely and grip you firmly by the imagination throughout, making Taken Girls, Detective Amanda Steele series' Book 8, absolutely unputdownable.
Grab a copy - and lots of coffee - you'll read all night!

Detective Amanda Steele book 8.

When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for schoolgirls missing sister, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reese left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.

Can Amanda find who did this before any more girls go missing?

I'm usually a fan of this series but unfortunately this one was just too predictable for me. It was still a great read but it just didn't book me like they normally do.

Detective Amanda Steele gets a call from her niece, Ava, her best friend sister, Reese, has been missing for 3 days. It’s the eve of Prom and there is no way Reese would miss it as she is Prom Queen.
Things turn bad pretty quickly when Reese is found at the Prom location dead.
Ava is in trouble as she lied to her mom, now she wants to prove that she can help solve Reese’s murder.
Add all this up and you will want to keep turning those pages.

4.5⭐

Detective Amanda Steel is back enjoying some well earned free time. Whilst her daughter Zoe has her first, ever sleep over.

But unfortunately for Amanda the free time doesn't last. When her niece Ava calls upset and begging for help. As her best friend Nadine's older sister Reese is missing and the pair have just discovered her phone abandoned in the Potomac River.

So, Amanda sets out to find Ava and Nadine and promises them she'll search for Reese. Who is due to attend her prom as prom queen that evening.

But just as Amanda starts looking for answers. So do Nadine and Ava. Who sneak in to the prom hoping that Reese will turn up. And she does, just not how they expected.

And so Amanda is caught between caring for her niece, a distraught sister begging for answers and solving a murder and things only get worse.

As Amanda and her partner Trent start their investigation. They learn disturbing truths about Reese and the day she disappeared and find another victim.

However, what they don't realise is that Ava is still investigating, and the killer has set their sights firmly on her.

But will Amanda and Trent realise this before it's too late? Or will the killer strike again?

And with great pacing, plenty of twists and turns and a thrilling confrontation. Taken Girls was a cracking addition to the series, and it's a story I would happily recommend to all.






































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When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing school friend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reese left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time. Chasing every lead, Amanda’s horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops. And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely.
The eighth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. Another well written fast paced book, which I found hard to put down & read until silly o’clock to finish it. I love Amanda’s doggedness but this case is near to home, she’s ably aided by Trent. There are a few suspects but also twists & turns, which all added to the mix. A gripping thriller, which I thoroughly enjoyed

A call from her niece, Ava, is the start of this case
Reporting her best friend's sister missing, disappeared without trace.
Reece left home three nights before
And they've not heard from her any more.

Reece is due to be the prom queen that night
So it is quite out of character to be hidden from sight.
On the prom night Reece's body is found
Dressed and posed, lips sealed, no sound.

This story is filled with family drama throughout
As Ava is determined to be detective and to go about.
With a killer who is determined not to be caught
And willing to kill again, this case will be fraught!

Another enthralling case involving Amanda and her team
Where things are never quite as they seem!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Trent investigate the murder of prom queen Reese.
Her niece Ava does a little investigating on her own and lands herself into a heap of trouble.
This is the 8th book in the series and can easily be read as a standalone. The book had some great twists and was hard to put down.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC that will be released June 20, 2023!

When a Prom Queen's body turns up in the venue's bathroom hours before the event, Amanda Steele gets pulled into the middle of an investigation at her niece's school. Working with Trent and sharing her personal life with Logan, Amanda continues to balance everything while racing to find a killer.

What can I say? I love everything about every book of the Amanda Steele series! The personal development this character experiences in this series is amazing and so perfectly built-- slowly and realistically. While I personally liked Amanda with Trent, Logan grew on me a lot in this installment. I did think this book started out a little bit darker and more uncomfortable than any of the other books given the age of the victim, but fortunately it wasn't a completely heinous drawn-out scene-- it's enough to be heart wrenching but not so gross as to turn your stomach, which I appreciated.

I don't even know what else I can say. It was awesome. Go read it!

I received an ARC through NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Amanda is at home getting a rare weekend off when she receives a call from her niece. Ava, her niece, asks her to come and meet with them immediately. When she gets there, she is told that the sister of Ava's friend, Nadine, has been missing for 3 days. In addition, they discovered the sister's phone in the river. Amanda learns that Reese, the missing girl, left and there has been no report filed. In addition, Amanda learns that Reese has been voted prom queen and the prom will be held shortly. Amanda has a feeling something is wrong and requests approval for working this case.

She then calls Trent, her partner, to help her. They then start their investigation by talking with Reese's parents and her friends. She discovered that there is friction between Reese and the runner-up. They have not had any luck and the day of the prom arrives and a discovery is made that changes everything. To top matters off, Ava and Nadine showed up at the prom looking for answers. Ava presence leads to major ramifications.

As Amanda and Trent are pursuing the killer, they discover another body. Using what information they found as a result of the second killing, they started closing in on the killer. Amanda had another concern as well at this time. Ava disappeared.

To discover who the killer was, what set him off, what actions Ava took that led to her disappearance, then you need to read this book. The ending is great.

Being prom queen isn’t all is cracked up to be, especially when she arrives in a very unusual fashion.
I always marvel at the horridness of the crimes committed, but I keep coming back for more.
I thought the burgeoning character of Ava was taking off.
I thought Kristen ached absurd for most of the book. But what really bugged me was Clarissa’s nonchalant attitude about her missing daughter. It was like la de da, not worried.
The sleuthing was good and gory.
Amanda makes a major decision at the end…..

Taken Girls is the eighth instalment in the Detective Amanda Steele series primarily set in Prince William County, Northern Virginia. Amanda and her police partner, Detective Trent Stenson, both of the Dumfries homicide department, are assigned to look into the case of Potomac High School Prom Queen, Reese Thompson, who three days earlier had vanished off the face of the earth. Reese is the sister of Amanda's niece's best friend, Nadine, so there is an extra incentive in attempting to find the missing eighteen-year-old even though she usually doesn't do missing-person cases. Reese had stormed out of the house late on Wednesday night after an argument that ended in her shouting that she didn't ever want to see her mother again, yet strangely, her mother hasn't bothered to report it as she assumes it was her daughter just being a "drama queen" again. Ava and Nadine have also found Reese's phone in a case encrusted with blue rhinestones spelling out her initials dumped in the river.

The prom is tonight, so why would someone so excited to attend that it was all she had talked about for weeks prior not respond to any calls about it? But Reese will get her prom moment after all, just not the type she or anyone else envisaged. Sadly, it wouldn't be anywhere close to as dignified as that. However, Ava's determination to find and punish those responsible for the crime could be putting her in more danger than she could ever know. This is a compelling and addictive police procedural from the get-go. Moving at a rapid-fire pace, the narrative has it all - endless suspense, nefarious characters, a recurring cast with depth, drama, grit, action galore and edge-of-your-seat twists and turns. The authentic depiction of police procedures was another aspect I loved, as often they are not true to real life as they seem to be here, and this adds to the vice-like grip it comes to have over you. Arnold is a writer you can always rely on to get your blood pumping and your cogs whirring.

A killer, a missing teenager, and a prom may be common elements of many stories. However, the way Carolyn Arnold weaves them into the Taken Girls is not routine. This gripping police procedural and crime thriller is the eighth book in the series and it packs a punch. The setting largely takes place in Prince William County in northern Virginia and features Detective Amanda Steele. Amanda, a seasoned detective, is partnered with Detective Trent Stenson.

Even though Amanda and Trent are homicide detectives, they start looking for a missing teen, Reese Thompson, the older sister of a friend of Amanda’s niece, Ava Rollins. Reese left home three nights ago after an argument with her mother. She was voted prom queen so everyone is still expecting her to show up for the prom. She does show up, but not as expected. Meanwhile Amanda and Trent are chasing down leads, but nothing is straightforward and everyone seems to be hiding something.

Amanda continues to balance work and family. Amanda’s flaws and struggles made her seem realistic. She shows growth and depth as the story progresses, but seems a little too quick to disregard some of Trent’s suggestions. It was great to have Sergeant Malone, their boss, back on the job. Trent is loyal, funny, and always has Amanda’s back. Readers learn more about Amanda’s relationship with her sister Kristen and niece Ava in this story.

The author brings suspense, action, and intense moments to the novel. The story builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. As usual, Arnold starts with an outstanding prologue that is chilling and grabs readers’ attention. The plot is intriguing, full of chasing down leads and interviewing suspects and witnesses in anticipation of identifying the killer. However, there are also threads of her personal life, scenes with the killer, and scenes with Ava that keep readers turning the pages.

This fast-paced novel is full of angst and a sense of urgency as well as some action scenes. The antagonist’s thought processes have a terrifying realism. The plot twists and surprises will keep readers on their toes. The author weaves murder, relationships, family dynamics, grief, bullying, embarrassment, friendship, and more into a finely crafted tale.

Overall, this novel was riveting, thought-provoking, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Amanda and Trent. I recommend this series to those that like police procedurals and crime thrillers with relatable and likeable main characters.

Bookouture and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 20, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This was a twisty, jet-fueled thriller that explodes from page one. The scene is macabre and brutal as we view the scene through the eyes of a disturbed killer. This is another winner for Carolyn Arnold in this wildly popular series, but it is not good for those with a weak stomach. This killer is vicious in their quest for their own brand of justice. Someone was not treated well in high school, and they have misplaced revenge on their plate.

This one gets a little personal for Detective Amanda Steele when her niece, Ava, asks for her help to find her friend's missing sister, Reece. Reece disappeared three days ago after a horrid fight with her mother and has not been seen since. Amanda is disturbed when she finds that Reece's mother has not even reported her missing. Her mother believes she has just run away. She basically calls her daughter a drama queen. However, Amanda sees that things are not adding up. First, they find her phone dumped in the water, and everyone knows a teenager will not go anywhere without their phone. Secondly, Reece was ready to take the throne as the prom queen, and that is all she had talked about for weeks. Now she is just going to skip out on her moment of glory? I do not think so. She will end up at her prom on a throne with a crown, but not the kind she dreamed of sitting on. When Reece's body is found posed in a vile fashion at her prom, they know that this is the work of a very disturbed individual with a lot of hate spewing out in their actions.

The case rockets forward after that discovery, and the team knows they are on the clock to find justice for Reece. If you enjoy a good police procedural, you will not find a better author to read. Amanda Steele is one of my favorite fictional characters. She has suffered a great loss in her life, but she keeps living and serving the citizens of Prince William County by seeking justice for those who deserve it. Her niece, Ava, played a larger part in this story. This girl is a handful, but she will make a great detective one day. Blue runs in this family's veins. There are always plenty of suspects to choose from and red herrings scattered throughout the story. Just when you think you have it figured out, another twist comes out of nowhere.

I know when I pick up a Carolyn Arnold book that I will not be satisfied until I close the book, so just know that you will happily abandon, work, sleep and life as you race to the end of this mystery and close the book and pick your jaw up off the floor.

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

🔍Terrific suspense set in suburban Virginia🚾😳

Altogether a riveting read!

This author had me hooked throughout the story. It was really hard to put down for even a short break. Amanda Steele, the police detective main protagonist, really came through though she was working two different battles. One to find a cruel killer of a prom queen and the other to keep her niece Ava out of trouble as Ava decides that her amateur investigative skills are also needed to crack the case. Amanda was a great, dedicated, strong and empathetic female protagonist.

Ava her niece is so realistic in her naive belief that she can handle anything, even the killer of her best friend's older sister, and comes up with constant ruses to flout her mother's rules. Her mom is only trying to rein her in to keep her safe but Ava won't be sidelined when her friend Nadine needs help. Plus, I love how Ava, though only in the ninth grade, has already decided she will follow her grandfather and aunt into law enforcement and make police chief some day. She does have some skills already but that adolescent impulsiveness and belief in her own invulnerability work against her. And get her Aunt Amanda blamed for her own recklessness!

This book has plenty of suspense as the police focus on suspects changes time and again, with the end result a big twist. The characters are engaging; Amanda's personal life sees some development but does not swamp the murder investigation; and there's dangerous pursuit action, particularly at the story climax.

I also liked the revolving change of perspective from Amanda to Ava and occasionally to the killer. Even going inside the murderer's head does not give away their identity and I was left shocked when the truth was finally revealed.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I adore this author and the characters she brings to life in each story. The cast of this series feels like family by now. This book picks up like a rollercoaster chugging up to that very first, very high peak. Your stomach is in knots knowing something big is coming. That peak is horrifying beyond words. A Gruesome and heart stopping event tips you over that edge and you are plunged into this fast paced book. Twist and turns with every chapter. This one moves quickly so you will want to devour every last page before putting it down. An absolute wild ride of terror.
Absolutely brilliant

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Taken Girls’, book 8 in the Detective Amanda Steele series written by Carolyn Arnold, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Reese, the Potomac High School Prom Queen, has been missing for three days and Detective Amanda Steele is asked by her niece Ava if she can find her as Reese is the sister of her best friend Nadine. A body identified as that of Reese is found in a rest room cubicle where the event is taking place and Amanda is keen that with her partner Trent Stenson they’re allowed to investigate. Ava is keen to follow in her aunt’s footsteps and decides to do some investigating on her own but doesn’t realise the danger she could be in.

‘Taken Girls’ is a powerful and totally addictive thriller that’s had me in its thrall from page one and unable to stop reading with its action-packed plot, suspense, drama and heart-in-the-mouth twists and turns. The further I’ve read the more involved I’ve become and despite trying I’ve been unable to guess who amongst the suspects could possibly be the killer. I’ve enjoyed reading more of Amanda’s relationship with Logan, her family, and her adopted daughter Zoe. This has been a fantastic book written by a very talented author that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and I’m hoping there’s going to be another in the series.

Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold is the 8th book in her terrific Detective Amanda Steele series. I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition. Taken Girls was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down.

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department. Amanda’s niece, asks her to locate her best friend’s sister, who has been missing for 3 days. Though Amanda is a homicide detective, she agrees to look into this. Eighteen-year-old Reece left home three nights ago after having a fight with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. Reece is the prom queen for the upcoming prom, leaving people stumped why she would runaway before the prom; her body is discovered at the venue, brutally murdered; with a tiara on her head, dressed in a gown, and her lips silenced. Amanda takes control of the case, now that it is a homicide.

Steele and Trent (her partner) investigate a murder which is close to home, becomes and a race against time to find the murderer before they kill again. Amanda’s niece, Ava, wants to become like her aunt, and decides to do her own investigation; which in time will lead the killer to target her. When Ava goes missing, Amanda is urgently trying to identify the killer, as her and Trent are working without stop, as they are desperate to find the killer before Ava becomes a victim.
What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller. I always liked Amanda and Trent as they were great partners, though this case was very personal for Amanda. The last third of the book was fast-paced, intense, exciting thriller, with many twists along the way. To say too much more would be spoilers.

Taken Girls was another fantastic crime thriller that held our breath throughout. Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective. was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

This is the eighth book in the Detective Amanda Steele series. I started in the middle of this series and had no problems getting to know the characters, so I think this book works well as a standalone. Amanda's niece is worried about a friend's older sister who is missing. Amanda and her work partner, Trent Stenson, begin looking into the disappearance, but discover the teenager has been murdered. Amanda is determined to solve this difficult case. She gets help from her fourteen-year-old niece Ava, whether she wants it or not. I enjoyed her involvement at first when she stuck to passing along information to Amanda that would help the case. However, I didn't like that as the book progressed, she went off on her own investigation and trying to find clues. I wish there had been more Trent and less Ava! 

The book shows the extremes some people may go to after being bullied and the story is sometimes hard to read. I like the tension and suspense of the story, but not the more graphic descriptions of the crimes. I powered through those scenes since I do like the main characters and the mystery was intriguing. There are some developments in Amanda's personal life that I have mixed feelings about, but I may be in the minority. The book is great for new readers, but those following the series will be especially interested in what happens at the end.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Bookouture, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Taken Girls is another great installment in the Detective Amanda Steele series. As always, the story is full of suspense, mystery and lots of cliffhanger moments.
Amanda and her partner, Trent, have their hands full trying to figure out the death of a young teenage girl. The circumstances have them going in circles.
I wasn’t overly thrilled with the role of Amanda’s niece, Ava. She kept putting herself in very dangerous situations. I understand she is interested in becoming a detective but the way she is going about it is just cringy and stupid to me. She needs to learn to stay out of the way of a murder investigation is all I am saying.
The story did keep me on the edge of my seat(especially Ava’s antics).
Carolyn Arnold always gives her readers a solid police procedural.
*I recommend reading the series in order. Lots of backstory to Amanda will help you know her better.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and author, Carolyn Arnold, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book eight in the Detective Amanda Steele series, I have been following this series since book three and this is another fab edition to this engaging police procedural drama.

Amanda and her side kick Trent are tasked with finding the killer of a teenager girl who after being reported missing is found dead at her high school prom and for Amanda this case sees the involvement of her niece Ava (a budding detective in the making).

An action packed read full of tension and drama.