I did not read Taking Candy by Robert Lalonde through an educator lens, but just for personal enjoyment. I did not realize that the book was based on true crimes when I read it. The book was a mix of fast moving places and parts that were much slower than I usually like that were too detailed oriented. The characters need more developing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc.

I enjoyed this book a lot when I was sitting down to read it but I didn’t have the urge to constantly want to pick it up. Overall, the book was well written and it was easy to follow along with the story!

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC! I tried to love this book! It was all over the place with the characters and plot. The story was hard to follow and not captivating. I rate this book a 1.9

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I read about 30 percent of it and just couldn’t get into it. The writing was good and the plot seemed interesting but it just didn’t grab my attention and I felt lost reading it at times. Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this book. . #TakingCandy #NetGalley

Interesting characters. The book flowed nicely and plot moved along well. Some unexpected twists. Enjoyablecread. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Taking Candy by Robert Lalonde is a mystery with police procedures. This book and the characters were extremely interesting, and the plot moves along quickly. The story is set in Canada and Detective Scappini has spent many years on the police force, and he has dedicated his career to putting criminals behind bars. When a local Judge is gunned down in cold blood Detective Scappini is put on the case.
Scappini is quickly on the tail of Lester Sapp who is extremely dangerous as a career criminal and who has a record of killing in cold blood so as not to leave any witnesses behind who can identify him. The body count goes up after Sapp looks in the notebook of the judge and sees his lawyers name with a note of money payments. There are also a couple of crooked police officers mixed in which adds to the suspense.
The author Robert Lalonde lets the readers feel they are at the scene of the crimes, and realistically keeps the reader engrossed by the chain of events. I enjoyed this book, liked the characters, and found them professionally written. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.



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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Unfortunately it was a DNF for me. I couldn’t get into it at all.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Taking Candy.
Two murders take place - a home invasion and prominent judge. Are these crimes related and what is coming next.
A local detective is determined to solve one murder but starts to think the other may be connected to his case. Will he survive this case or be a victim too.
Good police procedural 3 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book and how the narration shifted perspectives. The crime and story was well built but I believe the ending 25% of the book felt out of place, based on the characters, and rushed.

There are a spate of home invasions. No survivors.
A senior judge is travelling in his car when it is ambushed and he is murdered.
What is happening in the local area?

Two detectives investigating the crimes know who the perpetrator(s) are. How do they find the evidence?

This book is set in Canada just before (in fact almost into) the pandemic of 2020, although no mention at all is made of this. The premise is that a police detective, grizzled Detective Scappini, has the death of a judge to solve - the judge was murdered in his car. His colleagues are working on a series of home invasions where the perpetrator leaves no one alive to tell tales.

Apparently it is based on true crimes, although I didn't realise that when I read it. I found the plot fairly turgid - somehow it just never got traction and depth for me. The characters remained fairly one dimensional, and indeed it felt more like a regurgitation of facts rather than a story one would read for pleasure.

A bit disappointing really; the tale itself is an interesting one but nothing really drew me in.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This crime novel was quite interesting, some twists were surprising, others not as much as intended, but I couldn't really get into he writing style that reads somehow like a police report.

In "Taking Candy," Robert Lalonde crafts a profoundly moving narrative that explores the themes of resilience, friendship, and the strength to overcome adversity. This heartwarming tale takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, highlighting the transformative power of human connections and the ability to find solace in unexpected places.

"Taking Candy" tells the story of Candy, a young girl who has endured unimaginable hardships and finds herself navigating a world filled with uncertainty and loneliness. Lalonde masterfully captures the essence of Candy's vulnerability and her determination to forge her own path, painting a vivid portrait of resilience in the face of immense challenges.

One of the book's strengths lies in Lalonde's ability to weave a captivating narrative while addressing sensitive and thought-provoking subjects. Through Candy's journey, Lalonde explores themes such as trauma, loss, and the healing power of genuine human connections. Lalonde's prose is imbued with compassion and sensitivity, drawing readers into Candy's world and evoking a range of emotions.

"A poignant tribute to the indomitable spirit of resilience and the unbreakable bonds of friendship."

"Robert Lalonde's 'Taking Candy' is an emotional rollercoaster that will tug at your heartstrings."

"Experience a journey of hope and healing in this captivating tale of survival and self-discovery."

"An unforgettable story that reminds us of the extraordinary strength that resides within the human soul."

"Lalonde's masterful storytelling transports readers to a world where brokenness is mended by the power of love and friendship."

Lalonde delivers a powerful message about the importance of finding solace and support in the face of adversity through Candy. The friendships she forms along her journey reveal the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for growth and healing, even in the darkest of times.

Lalonde's prose breathes life into the characters, making them relatable and endearing. Candy's transformation is both inspiring and heartrending, as she discovers her own inner strength and learns to trust in the kindness of others. The narrative is expertly paced, keeping readers engaged and invested in Candy's fate until the very last page.

"Taking Candy" is an emotionally charged novel that will leave a lasting impression on readers. Lalonde's ability to tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity and grace is commendable, making this book a must-read for those seeking a tale of resilience, friendship, and the healing power of the human spirit.

This was a DNF (did not finish) for me. I just couldn't get into it.
I was given a copy via NetGalley. this opinion is my own and not a reflection on the writing style or the plot. It just didn't grab my attention.

True crime at its finest! This book reminded me to keep my door lock and the light on! I did not see the twist coming and I loved that! Not being able to guess the twist! I will definitely read more!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were interesting and the plot moved quickly. I felt like the twists at the end were unexpected and still fit in with the story line without leaving giant plot holes. I usually don't like police procedurals, but this was quite good and I was pleasantly surprised. I will check out other things by this author after how much I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastic book, so well-written and engrossing. This story would make a fabulous film. A recommended read.

Wowzer! I read this book so fast that I lost track of time. Robert Lalonde truly knows how to write a mystery with police procedures. You have a Judge who is murdered, a detective fully involved ready to investigate, and an additional two detectives from another department who all believe they know who the murderer is . Add in more murders and voila you have a mystery that needs answers quickly. But can they find the true murderer? Is the guy they think responsible really the one? This is an action packed story that does not stop with the twists and turns. I was so engrossed with the authors story telling ability. The characters were so well developed and invested that they meshed so well together. I would love to see this made into a movie!


5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I didn’t love this book as much as I wanted to. It felt sort of slow to me and the premise of a true crime as a fiction book was kind of strange to me. I firmly believe that it’s just a personal preference. The writing style was great and the story itself was very interesting. I enjoyed the ending and solving the mystery.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, revenge, A great who done it, great police work and some really crazy twists and turns that i did not see coming! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!