I did enjoy this investigation and I also found the characters quite interesting. However, the narrator felt a bit too flat in his explanations and not always accurate as to what psychopathy really is. The conclusion was such that it made me want to read more! I will, and see how the second novel develops...
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and Storm Publishing, and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

Release date 13th October

I downloaded my free advanced copy of The Stolen Ones release date 13th October 2023, please see my honest review below

After reading all Gwyn’s previous books I was excited to receive my advanced copy and I certainly was not disappointed.

A brilliant read which made it more real for me as Jersey is also my home island I could picture myself being at all the locations mentioned.

You definitely get drawn into the two aspects of the storyline,
1. Saskia’s working relationship with DI Winter Labey, will a romance be brewing ?
2. Her relationship with her brother, will she help him to control his psychopathic behaviour? Maybe or maybe not?

Can’t wait for future books, keep them coming Gwyn

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy. This review is my opinion.
A psychological nightmare for the parents of four missing children and with no clues, DI Winter Labey has asked Saskia Monet a Forensic Psychologist to help profile the kidnapper. Is there a common denominator as to why were they abducted? A second ongoing story is the relationship of Saskia and her brother David and his psychopathic personality. Well written with backstory on the main characters. Look forward to more in what I hope will be a series.

The Stolen Ones is an easy, light read. Although it touches on serious topics (mental health, the prison system, family dynamics), there are no real challenges getting through the material. It starts out slow paced and plods along to the middle of the book. The pace picks up towards the end, however, most people might have lost interest by that time. The novel is presented as the first in the Saskia Monet series, although it seemed to me that DI Winter Labey was the actual protagonist. Saskia and Winter team up to solve the case of children who are seemingly being targeted for abduction. Winter works assiduously to find the missing children, with help from Saskia, a forensic psychologist with expertise in criminal psychopathy. Saskia, however, gets sidelined, more than once during the case and all but disappears from the heart of the book. There is the intriguing element of David (Saskia's brother) who's own psychopathy keeps you engaged in the story. But it doesn't take a genius to figure out who the culprit is. An okay read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC.

Pacy, Immersive, Compelling..
A new series from this engaging and talented author, the Saskia Monet series, set on the picturesque island of Jersey. When the disappearance of three young girls sparks huge concern, forensic psychologist Saskia Monet is called in by the lead detective. So begins a twisting, turning tale as a perpetrator to be known locally as The Piper is sought. Complications arise for Saskia when she sees parallels with her own brother, a resident of the island, Pacy, immersive and compelling suspense with a well placed investigating duo, a perfectly described setting and a cast of deftly drawn characters. A perfect start to a new series.

Wow! Having read all of Gwyn Bennett's Harrison Lane series and thoroughly enjoyed every one, I was excited to read The Stolen Ones (the new Saskia Monet series) I wasn't disappointed, this book kept me guessing until the very last chapter. It is excellently written with characters that are so unique, especially Saskia's brother who you never know just what he is capable of doing next!
If you are looking for a book that will keep you hooked on every chapter, and waiting for the next in the series this is the one for you.
This book is based in Jersey where I live so I could relate to all the locations. I even managed to learn a few things about Jersey that I didn't know.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series, there's a real cliffhanger in the last chapter.
I have read many crime thrillers by a lot of different authors and Gwyn is now at the top of my list as the very best.

4 kidnappings unrelated at first glance but could there be a connection? A thrilling story about a detective and criminal profiler embark on a mission to find a revengeful kidnapper and bring the children home safely.
The Stolen Ones was a great set up for a series of a dynamic duo of detective and profiler with a hint of a budding romance to come. A good foundation developing main character with subtle set ups for possible ways to go with the future storyline.
The side story of the sister brother relationship could definitely make for a very dark turn in this series but if the focus stays on Detective side of things I can see this being a fun mix of romance and crime fiction. I will definitely be picking up the next book to see what way it goes.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy of The Stolen Ones, the first novel to feature forensic psychologist Saskia Monet, set on Jersey.

Saskia has recently moved to Jersey to keep an eye on her brother, the unpredictable and potentially dangerous psychopath, David. She has found work as a psychologist at the prison and that makes DI Winter Labey seek her out when he needs a profile in a kidnapping case. Three young girls have gone missing separately and the only clue is a wooden flute left at the kidnap site. He becomes known as the Pied Piper and that leads Saskia to believe that he is looking for revenge. Not all the detectives agree with her.

I enjoyed The Stolen Ones, which has an unusual plot and plenty of twists and turns. The essentials of the plot are fairly standard with scepticism about Saskia’s skills, a clever perpetrator and a universal motive, but the execution of the kidnaps and the details of it are what make the novel different. I like the way the kidnapper’s mind works and the way revenge is extracted is truly imaginative.

I was much less interested in the unpleasant and petty David and his shenanigans. It’s psychopath 101 stuff and I found it hard to believe that Saskia is still trying to protect him - he’s an adult, let him deal with the consequences of his cruelty and self absorption. I found it unpleasant reading and I’m unsure if I would read a follow up with him in it.

On the other hand I like Saskia and Winter Labey. They are nice people with a strong streak of justice and helping others. They get on well and there may be a hint of future romance, but what is more clear is that they will be working together again as Saskia manages to silence the naysayers.

The Stolen Ones is a good read that I can recommend.

I really enjoyed the few books I’ve read from Gwyn Bennetts' Dr Harrison Lane series so I was excited to start a new series from her. The Saskia Monet series follows a forensic psychologist who has a personal interest in psychopaths due to her family. I loved Saskia’s character as well as DI Winter Labey. They worked well together and I look forward to seeing how their chemistry works out. I am also very intrigued by David and what terrible things he’s going to get up to. The psychopathic family element makes Saskia’s job so much more interesting and adds some tension. I look forward to finding out more about why they had to leave the UK. As for the kidnapping case, it was slow going and the pace of the book drops off in the middle to the point that I found my interest waning. However, the end reveal was full of suspense and drama. It was an enjoyable crime read and I will definitely be checking out any additions to the series.

3.5 rounded up to 4

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers. I really enjoyed this book, great storyline and characters and would recommend to others.

Ohh my gosh i really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters.
I was very fascinated with morally grey david character! Wanted to know what he was about to do! A lot of characters but i actually did not get confused.

In the ebook some of the pages had extra spaces but when i got the actual book it was not a problem! The cover is great. I loved learning about Saskia! She was a bad ass with trauma poor thing! I loved all the action! Defined makes you think- how would i handle my kid being taken? Had to get a physical copy! Going to annotate! Can’t wait to read more! I am giving it 5 stars! I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

The Stolen Ones was a gripping read as we follow Forensic psychologist Saskia Monet and Detective Inspector Winter Labey in their race to find 4 kidnapped children on the Island of Jersey.

I liked how their relationship developed over time and am looking forward to seeing what happens in future books.

The idea that psychopathy is hereditary and is in Saskia's family is interesting and gives a compelling secondary story line, you never know what is going to happen.

I had no idea who the culprit was until they were revealed but did guess which parent was the most to blame for why the children were taken and was glad that they got their comeuppance.

This is the first book in what looks to be a promising nail biting series. The Saskia Monet Series book 1. It is action packed from the first page will keep you hooked. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Solid offering, with a beautiful setting. I wish there was more about Jersey's history and setting -- it sounds fascinating. I'm not quite sure what to call this book -- not quite a thriller, not a mystery, suspense I suppose. This kept my interest, but wasn't overwhelming or consuming. The characters were reasonably fleshed out, but I don't really understand the purpose of Saskia's brother's character -- most probably there for future drama.

Overall, a solid if unspectacular book that I enjoyed reading.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley. My review is being given freely.

This was a very absorbing story. So much detail that it was easy to gret involved. Some really good characters and an edge of the seat atmosphere. Open ended conclusion, possibly a sequel to follow, the characters certainly warrart it.

Saskia Monet's personal life is complicated. She keeps it hidden and believes that she is able to mange and keep things under control.
She recently moved from the UK to Jersey to work in a prison. DI Winter Labey calls her in to help with profiling a case.
Saskia Monet juggles working at the prison, helping the police and managing her family.
I really like the way the author slowly feeds the plot to the reader.
I particularly like the way you know some awful things happen without them being spelt out.
Also there is enough of an hook to leave me wanting to read more and wishing that the book hadn't finished.
Definitely worth a read either as a standalone or the first in a series.

Gripping is right!
this is fast paced and with lots of false starts for the armchair detective.
I loved the setting (especially the reminder of what it is to try to drive anywhere on Jersey in a hurry!) and Saskia and David are excellent characters!
I am now adding the back catalogue of everything Gwyn Bennett has ever written to my wish list!

Saskia Monet is newly returned to her birthplace of Jersey. A place she left aged 3. She now works as a forensic psychologist at the prison and for the police. Unbeknown to most people Saskia is the daughter and sister of psychopaths. Her father is in prison in the UK for multiple murders but she tries to keep her brother's psychopathic tendencies under control on Jersey. The book centres around the kidnapping of 4 children by the so called Pied Piper. Saskia works with DI Winter Labey to find them before they're harmed. A reworking of the Pied Piper story in 21st century Jersey. A clever premise for a novel. My only criticism would be that after a fantastic build up to the climax of the story the ending was very rushed. I even found myself flicking the pages of my kindle back and forth to see if I'd missed a page or two! Overall an excellent read and I will watch out for book two in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Forensic psychologist Saskia has taken a job on the island of Jersey and is helping the police with an investigation into missing children abducted from rich families.
She is also there to keep an eye on her psychopathic brother David.
I found this book really dull and the only bits I enjoyed were the small snippets of David,
Thank you Storm Publishing, Net Galley & Gywn Barnett for an advanced copy.

Forensic Psychologist, Saskia Monet lives in Jersey, to keep an eye on her brother, David.

When a child is kidnapped from her own yard, and a wooden flute is left at the scene, Saskia is called in by DI Winter Labey of the Jersey police to assist, and to profile the kidnapper who has been nicknamed "The Pied Piper".

Her profile is rejected by Winter's boss, but ends up being spot on. Winter calls Saskia when more children disappear, he alone has faith in her input.

Gwyn Bennett has written another edge of the seat police procedural! I could not bear to put this down, but obviously had to get some sleep!
The main characters in the book have been wonderfully developed, and it is clear that Saskia and Winter may pursue more than a working relationship.

I just have one question - David. What he did to the driver - why was that not concluded in the book?

I have to recommend this to those who like a strong female lead in a police procedural, and award this book a solid 5/5 stars.

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.