Taken

Back Cover

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out.  She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has unfinished business to attend to.  She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time.

When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her re-entry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn’t mean her troubles are over.  If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they’ll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon’s life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to uncover exactly what happened to her – even if it means stirring up a hornet’s nest of secrets.

Review

Dee Henderson is an author that has been a long-time favourite of mine.  She captured my heart with the beloved "O’Malley" series, and proved to have fantastic suspense writing skills with the “Uncommon Heroes” series.  Taken is another solid novel.  Given the description on the back cover, I had anticipated a page-turning suspense novel. 

However, for me, Taken wasn’t a nail-biting read, but rather a story of healing.  Shannon Bliss had a horrific experience of being kidnapped and held for eleven years before managing to escape.  Taken follows her journey from her first few days of freedom and her desire to take down the perpetrators at fault.

One thing I saw as a major highlight in the story was showcasing the gift of good friends and family.  I found the loyalty amongst the friends (Bryce and Charlotte, Ann and Paul, Ellie and John, Rachel and Cole, etc.) especially touching.  They were always ready, willing, and able to help someone in need, and not necessarily out of duty, but out of kind compassion for the individual (even if they didn’t even know the person).  It was a beautiful picture of selfless love for your fellow man.

Touching and well-written, Taken is a memorable story focusing on ideals of faith, relationships, and love.  Thank you, Dee, for another great book!  

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.