The Girl Who Was Taken

By: Charlie Donlea

Narrated by: Nina Alvamar

Charlie Donlea, one of the most original new voices in suspense, returns with a haunting novel, laden with twists and high tension, about two abducted girls - one who returns, one who doesn't - and the forensics expert searching for answers.

Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald are both high school seniors in the small town of Emerson Bay, North Carolina. When they disappear from a beach party one warm summer night, police launch a massive search. No clues are found, and hope is almost lost until Megan miraculously surfaces after escaping from a bunker deep in the woods. A year later the best-selling account of her ordeal has turned Megan from local hero to national celebrity. It's a triumphant, inspiring story except for one inconvenient detail: Nicole is still missing.

Nicole's older sister, Livia, a fellow in forensic pathology, expects that one day soon Nicole's body will be found, and it will be up to someone like Livia to analyze the evidence and finally determine her sister's fate. Instead the first clue to Nicole's disappearance comes from another body that shows up in Livia's morgue - that of a young man connected to Nicole's past. Livia reaches out to Megan for help, hoping to learn more about the night the two were taken. Other girls have gone missing, too, and Livia is increasingly certain the cases are connected. But Megan knows more than she revealed in her blockbuster book. Flashes of memory are coming together, pointing to something darker and more monstrous than her chilling memoir describes. And the deeper she and Livia dig, the more they realize that sometimes true terror lies in finding exactly what you've been looking for.

©2017 Charlie Donlea (P)2017 Recorded Books

I Enjoyed the Reader Very Much

It seems hard to find a narrator who doesn't annoy me. I really liked this one very much.

The Girl Who Was Taken

A good suspenseful novel with some unexpected twists and turns! I can highly recommend it!

So-so

Not bad, but it has to be the worst story ending I’ve ever read. If this author ends all his books like this, I won’t be reading any more.

so thrilling!

I found this novel to be just to my liking! If you enjoy a character driven story with tons of suspence and twists, this is for you. The protagonists are well defined and with their own, separate and distinct voices. I look forward to Charlie Donlea's next novel with great anticipation. The narrator, Nina Alvamar, was great. She is almost up there with Susan Ericksen (Eve Dallas books) and she subtly gives the characters their own personal sound. I'll go look for more of her work.

Must Love CSI Information

This had great reviews but l personally do not care for this much forensic information, so if like me, beware. Once again author has his signature who dunitt ending and NO I DID NOT SEE IT coming. Frankly, l have come to realize that is what l like about this author’s creative mind. Those Sad Eyes by the author is still my fave of his books l have, and his previous works, like this book clearly shows his progression as a good writer. I am more of a Ernest Hemingway fan, so author’s earlier works have just a bit too much descriptive landscape for me, but l still am compelled to seek out the rest of his work.
Were my comments of help?

Great story, TERRIBLE ending!

This book was well written with a great plot and wonderful characters. I was completely enthralled throughout my listen, however, the ending (or lack there of) had me fully irritated and full of questions. I thought maybe it was leading to a second book, but it doesn't seem to be so. I would still recommend this book...but prepare yourself for a little disappointment. Great performance otherwise. I thought the characters were well portrayed and easy to "get to know."

Pretty good

I did enjoy the mystery aspects of this story and there were plenty of red herrings to choose from. The biggest mystery to me, however, was that a Rottweiler suddenly becomes a pit bull two-thirds through. Was the editor asleep?

Girl left frustrated

Would have given it 5 stars however the ending left me a bit frustrated. So many unanswered questions. Is it strange to say I hope there's a second book to this.

great

this book was very captivating I enjoyed it very much the reader had a amazing voice # Charlene Huffer

Some great twist and turns

I wanted to give this a 5. Great misdirection, suspense, intrigue but it had a lot of different subplots and would go back in time to pull threads and tie them together. You really need to stick with story to appreciate it. I almost stopped. I am glad I didn't give up.