Taken by Lisa Stone is a gripping crime thriller that centers around the disappearance of eight-year-old Leila Smith. Leila lives on the Hawthorn Estate and often stays out late to avoid going home due to her troubled family life. One day, she vanishes without a trace, prompting a nationwide search.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Leila has seen and heard things no child should ever have to, and someone has been watching her. The novel delves into the dark and dangerous world surrounding Leila, keeping readers on edge as they uncover the truth behind her disappearance.

It’s a tense and emotional read that explores themes of neglect, danger, and the lengths people will go to protect or exploit the vulnerable.

Leila is an eight year old girl living with her alcoholic mother. She offer. Spends time on her own often having to look after herself and find food to eat. She is often sitting in the play area until late in the evening to stay out of her mums way when she has clients over.
When she goes missing, her mum doesn’t even notice straight away but falls apart thinking she may never see her again. She blames herself naturally and now the police need to find her and bring her home. Thankfully her sister comes and helps her try to sort herself out but is she only giving her what she needs.
A good storyline and book was a real page turner.

I really enjoyed the opening of this book and the premise was really interesting. Although based on a massively popular trope of a missing child, the execution was quite unique.


Unfortunately, I predicted the twist quite early on and felt that the clues about it were not quite subtle enough to keep the readers guessing. Therefore, this book became more of a crime drama than a thriller for me and if it weren't for the characters and wanting to know how their story ended, I may have DNF.

I felt like over the course of the novel I got to know Leila & Kelsey quite well. They were both likeable and sympathetic to an extent, though obviously Leila more so than Kelsey. However, Kelsey's back story and vulnerability did make me root for her. The character development in this story and it is definitely what propelled and motivated me to finish the book.

Overall, this book is well suited for readers who prefer gritty and complex character development over punchy and pacey storylines.

I enjoyed this book although I felt the story line was quite predictable . It was similar to other boos I had read

Gripping and compelling and quite different from the usual missing child story, especially as we know who the perpetrator is early on. It's a fast paced read with plentuy of twists and turns.

An intriguing read about an 8 year old little girl Leila who was "Taken" - a mothers worst nightmare..
Enjoyable easy read . Recommended

A gripping and compelling thriller, with multiple points of view that really kept me guessing throughout. I felt however it was a little obvious who the abductor was and what their motives were, which took some of the enjoyment away for me.

When starting this book it was straight in and you knew from the start who had been taken and who had done the taking and I was a little sceptical of where the book would go and would it keep me gripped, but it did and I was surprised by it and how the story line twists evolved. I really enjoyed it. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and it didn’t disappoint and I’ll look forward to reading more books written buy her.

Had me hooked from the beginning, quite a fast paced book, which was perfect for me.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I’ve not read this author before, but have a couple of her books sat on my shelf

After reading this book, I am slightly confused why I have not picked those books up and the author has not been on my radar as I absolutely loved this book

I flew through the book. Despite me guessing what had happened half way through, it was such an exciting and captivating read.

The book was fast paced to match the speed of the search for Leila

The book is very easy reading and draws you in from the very first page. I could see this book being made into a tv series, a successful one at that.

I highly recommend this book and have added more if this authors work to my shelves!

Wow what a book, I have since bought a copy for my Mum. Such a gripping read and so well written. I was turning the pages late into the night. Can't wait to read more by this author.

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a first read from this author, and I did like it. But there was just some things that I didn't expect. With most 'missing children' reads, I have a feeling of dread and desperation for the child to return home. I didn't have that with this one - infact I was actually hoping that Leila wasn't found, just so she didn't get to go back to her dreadful mother!
The pacing of the book was excellent, but there were certain plotpoints that were certainly questionable and far-fetched. I did guess early on who was the 'mastermind' behind it all, but I did read on because I did want to know what was gonna happen to Leila, and I felt very satisfied with the ending 😊
Overall, a read that had it's obvious flaws, but I would still like to read more from this author.

now this author i would definitely recommend i have read all her books by both alias names, this story has you gripped from the beginning, you almost believe you are there , cant wait for next book

This book wasn't at all what I expected but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It showed that you never know who is watching your child and just waiting until she is alone.

I enjoyed reading this book, and thought it was a good way to get back into thrillers - but I wouldn't particularly say it was "thrilling", but more "intriguing". I wanted to know what was going on, and what was going to happen, but nothing lasted long enough to really build up any tension or suspense. For the first half of the book I kept thinking, 'oh, that's happened already? What's going to happen in the rest of the book?', but I definitely think the plot got more interesting throughout.

It was a very enjoyable, easy read that kept me wanting to read more. I did think some of the plot points and dialogue, particularly involving Leila (the child who was kidnapped), were quite convenient and didn't always seem realistic or matched with how she spoke during the rest of the book.

I would recommend this book for people looking to get into thrillers who want something easy to read, a little mysterious and intriguing!

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

My first book by Lisa and won’t be my last.

When 8 year old Leila disappears from the local playground as hunt is on to find her. Her mother is a drug addict and a prostitute and has already had her other 4 children taken into care. A few twists and turns in who is responsible as not is all as it seems. Kept me hooked, short chapters so was an easy read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the loan of this book.
Ive read The Stalker by this author and enjoyed it so I wss looking forward to reading this one too. Leila is an 8 year old girl who's neglected by her drug addicted mother who doesn't seem to care where Leila is at any given time of day, until the day Leila disappears. Taken by a man who is her neighbour. But why did he take her? And where? With only her indifferent sister to comfort her, and the police having little sympathy, Kelsey despairs of ever seeing her daughter again. Will she ever see her again and make amends for how she's treated her? You'll have to read it to find out. Full of twists and turns this is ultimately a story of redemption and forgiveness. A good read.

Every parents nightmare- a child disappears.

Kelseys eight year old daughter Leila has gone missing. Was she Taken or has she run away. Mother and daughter relationship is bad with Leila being neglected.

This is a well written story that had me gripped.. I had to keep on reading to see what happened Leila. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Crime thrillers are my go too and Taken is definitely one of the better ones that I've read in a while.

Eight year old Leila Smith is a vulnerable child living with an alcoholic prostitute mum. Everyone aorund her can see that she is in danger but is the true danger really at home? Leila's mum , Kelsey, just cannot seem to turn her life around but when Leila is abducted can she finally turn a corner and get justice for her daughter?

Taken hits home because although it is dark and gritty the events that take place could be happening right now and I could picture some key plotlines clearly in my head.

What I found fascinating was that the book didn't seem to drag out but when halfway through there was almost a 'resolution' we knew it still wasn't the end. The true context and conspirators behind Laila's abduction meant that resolution still had to come in the most shocking way.

I was enthralled by this book because although most of the characters are not likeable there was still the overriding need for justice.

Lisa Stone never disappoints and I cannot wait to read her next offering. 100% recommended for crime thriller fans.

My review - also book description by the author below.....

** I did enjoy this book but if I’m being honest, it wasn’t as fast paced as I thought it would be. I guessed quite early on in the book what the outcome would be (don’t want to give spoilers) and I think maybe this spoiled it a bit for me. No surprise twist. That’s just my thoughts on it -
Everyone enjoys books differently.
I would read another of this authors books though - definitely deserves another go! **

Thanks #harpercollins & #netgalley for letting me read this book

Published - 23rd July 2020

TAKEN

Have you seen Leila?

8-year-old Leila Smith has seen and heard things that no child should ever have to. On the Hawthorn Estate, where she lives, she often stays out after dark to avoid going home.

But what Leila doesn’t know is that someone has been watching her in the playground. One day, she disappears without a trace…

The police start a nationwide search but it’s as if Leila has vanished into thin air. Who kidnapped her? What do they want? Will she return home safely or is she lost forever?

A gripping new thriller from internationally bestselling author Lisa Stone.