I have devoured this book in one sitting. Once I was pulled in, I couldn’t put it down. I was desperate to find out what was going on. Also, I didn’t want this books to end.

Everything about this book has been brilliant. I absolutely loved getting between the covers of this. This was everything I hoped for and so much more. This is a book which should be on everyone’s radar.

I absolutely recommend this book to other readers.

Tense kidnapping story down under with D.S Kate Miles investigating - plenty of possibilities alluded to and a surprising ending.

Many thanks to Net Galley for an advance copy.

This was the first time I've read anything by Dinuka McKenzie and it definitely won't be the last. A fantastic thriller that kept me engaged throughout. One of the few thrillers I've read where I didn't guess the culprit! Kate was a really likeable and relatable protagonist and her relationships were explored throughout the story really well. I look forward to the next installment!

Dinuka McKenzie’s “Taken” plunges you into a tense kidnapping investigation alongside Detective Kate Miles. While the characters might lean a bit one-dimensional at times, the plot weaves twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

The story unfolds as Detective Miles, juggling the pressures of new motherhood and a demanding case, investigates the disappearance of an infant. With echoes of her own struggles resonating in the case, the stakes feel deeply personal for Kate. McKenzie ramps up the tension, injecting red herrings and unexpected developments that kept me interested. The twists are genuinely surprising, and the final reveal lands with a satisfying punch.

An excellent police procedural novel with a gripping plot and interesting characters. I thought I had it solved but I was so far off I’m thinking of writing my own book now!
Really didn’t matter that it’s the second in a series as it flows well as a stand alone but I’m sure it would be even better if yo7 had.

Sadly when I went to read this it was archived and I couldn't work out if I could do anything in order to read it. It's a shame as I was looking forward to it. I've given it a 4 star as that was the general consensus.

Detective Kate Miles is not long returned to work having been on maternity leave, her baby daughter Amy now four months old. Kate is battling the divide between her family and her work and having to prove herself to those who believe she can’t hack it.

A missing baby is a hard close to home case for Kate and whilst her colleagues are intent on pursuing one lead, she believes they should be looking elsewhere.
There is a lot of Kate striking out on her own and often ending up in dangerous situations and I really didn’t like her fellow police colleagues or anyone else on the team.

There is a long list of suspects who could have taken baby Sienna, but for me it was just too predictable and too easily wrapped up in the end.
A really good read that I was easily able to immerse myself in and enjoyable plot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC in return for an honest review.

DNF (though this is 100% on me)

I‘ve always really enjoyed crime novels, and I’ve kinda felt like this should be the year I‘m diving back in.

I was really excited to read this book. After all, the blurb sounds excellent. However, I‘ve now learned that one of my (very few) triggers is kidnapped children.

It seems like everyone’s raving about Taken, which is absolutely fantastic, but as a mum to a toddler, I was just in a total state of panic. This was totally unexpected because I can usually stomach a lot of gruesome stuff. I think it‘s just because this is in a contemporary setting and concerns something very real, and that just terrified me.

The publisher sent me this book for review consideration but all opinions are my own.

The second in this series, I enjoyed the first book and looked forward to reading this one. I do like the main detective, Kate, and the Australian setting, however I was not so keen on the plot in this book. There are triggers here for child abuse and domestic abuse. Something I am well aware of but it does not make for easy reading. There are also other issues such as gender and race discrimination and crooked dealings in the police.
So although not bad, I preferred the first book, purely on the subject matter.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.

This is the follow up to Aussie crime writer Dinuka McKenzie's The Torrent, set in fictional Esserton, featuring the now new mother, DS Kate Miles, with her baby Amy, and young son, Archie, married to newly unemployed husband, Geoff, which has triggered her return to work after 3 months, given their financial problems. She comes back to the resentment of DS Josh Ellis, feeling he has yet to establish himself, under constant pressure to continue proving herself under her media hungry, ambitious boss, Andrew Skinner. He sees her merely as enhancing his diversity credentials, doing all he can to undermine and make her doubt herself, and as Kate takes charge of the high profile case of the abduction of a 4 month old baby, Sienna Ricci, is constantly interfering, looking for any reason to remove her, whilst taking credit for any advances she makes.

Kate is inevitably going to make mistakes, facing crisis after crisis, seemingly coming from every direction, contributing to her sense of failure in all that she does, whilst struggling to bond with Amy, highlighting all the issues facing new mothers who go back to work so early in all their stressful details, not to mention the guilt and shame associated with it. There is the judgement epitomised by the exhausted Geoff, who feels she prioritises her work, barely spending any time at home, yet when she does, she is judged by those working the case as not pulling her weight. To add to her worries and fears, Kate feels the long shadows of her retired police officer father, Gray, and his relationship with the now deceased politician, Martin Jackson, with the corruption claims, and the implications this may have on her hard fought career as she endeavours to avoid a local reporter.

In the investigation, Kate remains determined to follow all leads, despite the obstacles Skinner places in her path, in a case that takes a in depth look at baby Sienna's parents, Elissa, her horrific traumatic past history with an abusive partner, Jason Velio, and the father, Aaron. Once again, Kate finds herself facing grave dangers, along with Constable Roby, in this bleakly dark narrative in a hard hitting case with its unavoidable personal impact, given her baby is so close in age to Sienna. I have to say that given the challenging environment, personal and professional that Kate is barely surviving in, it is incredible she manages to eventually to discern the truth behind what happened to Sienna. This is an excellent Aussie crime series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Enjoying the Kate Miles series. Great storyline and plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Interesting characters. Looking forward to the next offering.. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I’d like to thank Canelo and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Taken’, the second book in the Detective Kate Miles series written by Danuka McKenzie, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Detective Sergeant Kate Miles has just returned to work following maternity leave and the first investigation given to her involves the disappearance of four-month-old baby Sienna who’s been abducted from her cot. This is every parent’s nightmare but even more so for Kate as her daughter Amy is around the same age so she knows exactly how the baby’s mother Elissa Ricci is feeling.

‘Taken’ is a police thriller based in Australia and although it’s the second book in the series I don’t feel at a disadvantage for not having read the first one. As Kate looks for clues to enable her to bring Sienna back safely to her family, she simultaneously has to deal with her work/home ratio, her unhappy husband and their financial problems, and unwanted publicity regarding her father. The plot is compelling and fast-paced with interesting characters, suspense, and tension that increases the further I get into the story. I recommend this novel for anyone who wants to involve themselves in a good police procedural thriller.

This is the second book to feature Detective Kate Miles, set in Australia. She is returning from maternity leave when a baby is reported missing. The book is well written, fast paced and the plotting is interesting, with a little twist I never saw coming. The descriptions are very good, the characterisation is well developed and overall, it's a great read which I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC

"Taken" by Dinuka McKenzie delves into the chilling world of a missing child and the harrowing realities faced by Detective Sergeant Kate Miles. As she returns from maternity leave, Kate finds herself entangled in a nightmarish scenario that hits close to home, adding layers of personal and professional challenges.

McKenzie crafts a suspenseful narrative, skilfully combining the urgency of a high-profile missing infant case with the intricate complexities of Kate's personal life. The author weaves a tight web of suspense, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate through the emotionally charged investigation.

The character of Kate Miles is compelling and relatable, dealing with the pressures of a demanding career, financial strain, and the emotional toll of balancing work with the challenges of motherhood. The inclusion of a corruption scandal involving her father adds an intriguing layer of complexity, creating a multi-faceted protagonist whose struggles extend beyond the immediate case.

The plot is fast-paced, with each development ratcheting up the tension. McKenzie effectively captures the media frenzy and public scrutiny that often accompanies high-profile cases involving missing children. The juxtaposition of Kate's personal struggles with the demands of the investigation adds depth to the story, allowing readers to empathize with the character on multiple levels.

The exploration of themes such as corruption, family dynamics, and the personal sacrifices required in a high-stakes profession adds substance to the narrative. The ethical dilemmas faced by Kate, both in her investigation and her personal life, provide thought-provoking moments that elevate the story beyond a standard procedural.

"Taken" is a riveting and emotionally charged thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Dinuka McKenzie deftly blends suspense, human drama, and social commentary, creating a narrative that is not only gripping but also thought-provoking. Fans of crime thrillers with a strong emphasis on character development and social relevance will find "Taken" to be a compelling and satisfying read.

I loved this book it’s an utterly tragic read. Baby Sienna goes missing and it’s down to detective Kate Miles to investigate and bring the baby home safely. This story is every parents worst nightmare! I was gripped from the begining desperate to know what happened. I really enjoyed Kates character steely, determined and dealing with the biggest case of her career after giving birth recently herself. While also dealing with politics, misogyny and racism of her police counterparts. I was constantly shifting between suspects and certainly didn’t see the ending coming. I’ll definitely be reading more of this author/series.

This is the 2nd in the detective Kate Miles series but I haven't read the first one, and it didn't detract from it. It centres around the abduction of a baby from her home, and Kate who is newly returned to work after her maternity leave is emotionally invested in the case. She is a good strong female character although at times her attitude to her family I found frustrating. The case developed in a pacey way and there were no slow parts. A great police procedural and a writer to look out for.

Dinuka McKenzie burst onto the Australian rural crime scene with her clever and engaging debut The Torrent. That book resolved the main action but left a bunch of threads dangling in the life of its main character Kate Aneesha Miles. The follow up, Taken, is set just a few months after the action in The Torrent and McKenzie pulls on those threads to keep both the personal and professional pressure on her protagonist to great effect.
Taken opens with a couple of crime fiction staples – a domestic violence call out and the kidnapping of a very young child. The two cases are somewhat connected in that the perpetrator of the first is also the abusive ex-partner of the mother of the second. Kate Miles, just back from a very short maternity leave but also still suffering from some trauma from the circumstances preceding the birth of her daughter, is put in charge of the abduction case. Almost immediately she is under pressure from her partner and from her boss, but also from her husband, now out of work and having to carry the bulk of the childcare responsibilities. On top of this, the truth about her father’s relationship with a now dead and possibly corrupt senior politician becomes public putting her further in the crosshairs.
Detective Sergeant Kate Miles continues to be a fascinatingly flawed character with complex relationships to navigate. McKenzie effortlessly blends the professional, personal and political in the life of Kate Miles, including the casual racism that she encounters being part Sri Lankan. These aspects all impact on not only her actions but the way she sees the world and approaches the crimes she is investigating. And as a result she has quickly become one of the more interesting protagonists in Australian crime.
The intertwining of the two cases which kick the narrative off is handled effectively. And the resolution of the overarching mystery is not only satisfying but should be also be solvable by readers who are paying attention to the clues as they are dropped. The only minor bum note in Taken are the short italicised perpetrator’s point of view chapters. They have become a bit of a staple in crime fiction more broadly and in this case serve to confuse rather than illuminate.
McKenzie keeps the pressure up to the point where Taken almost demands to be read in a single sitting. This is another effective piece of Australian rural crime fiction and a great second outing from an author to watch.

An outstanding follow up to the previous novel. Full of twists and red herrings i for one was kept engrossed. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is having a rough ride. A lot of things are coming at her at a time when she's already feeling tired and a little overwhelmed at her husband's income taking a hit, her father's involvement in something dodgy, the arrival of her second child and an ambitious colleague who wants her job...

So when on top of all this, she is summoned to deal with the case of the missing baby - that too, a child of a similar age to her own - she feels like an overstretched rubber band. And the pain of the baby's family hits too close to home. Kate is desperate to help them find baby Siena, and starts with the two most obvious suspects. But can it be that simple?

McKenzie has followed up her earlier novel featuring this character with an excellent second offering. The story is gripping and the characters memorable. Recommended to anyone looking for a good police procedural.

Taken is the second book in the Detective Kate Miles series by prize-winning Australian author, Dinuka McKenzie. After twelve weeks of maternity leave and six weeks of desk duty, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is itching to get back to active duty, so when she hears a domestic violence call go out, she attends, and the first thing she’s confronted with is a gun. Still, her cool handling of the situation is sufficient for her CI to decide she’s psychologically well enough to be in charge when a kidnapping case comes up the next day.

The day after Elissa Ricci reports a possible prowler, she emerges from the shower to find her four-month-old daughter, Sienna missing from her cot. Attending with Kate is DS Josh Ellis who is immediately confident that the absent father is responsible. After a chat with Elissa’s mother, Kate fixates on Elissa’s violent drug-dealing ex-boyfriend.

Neither man has a convincing alibi for the relevant time period and, as Kate and Josh each direct their efforts in different directions, the idea of teamwork suffers. Aware of how devastated she would be if Amy went missing, Kate is determined to find baby Sienna, but long hours at work see her neglecting her own family.

The story races along at a fair clip, with plenty of action, more than one dramatic climax, and enough red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing. Kate’s narrative is interspersed with an anonymous account that seems to be from the perpetrator’s perspective. The astute reader may pick up on certain clues to determine who is responsible early on, but Kate’s journey to the truth keeps the reader gripped and the pages turning.

Kate does seem to be juggling a lot of roles in this instalment: as well as keeping her PTSD/panic under control, she’s mothering baby Amy, trying to prove to the male hierarchy that she’s capable of doing her job well, dealing with her colleague Josh’s resentment at being sidelined, and she is concerned over the fallout, both financial and reputational, of the exposé on her father’s former lover. And while it does sometimes get results, her exasperating need to, sometimes unnecessarily, do everything herself does put her in danger and puts pressure on her marriage.

While this can be read as a stand-alone, the experience is enhanced for those who have read The Torrent and the short story prequel, Skin Deep. This is an outstanding follow-up to McKenzie’s brilliant debut. Highly recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Canelo Crime