Book Review: The Girl Who Was Taken by Charlie Donlea
As a long-time fan of suspenseful thrillers, I was immediately drawn to The Girl Who Was Taken, especially after seeing it compared to works by Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay—two authors whose gripping narratives I thoroughly enjoy. The premise of a woman reinventing herself after being accused of a horrific crime sparked my curiosity, and I couldn’t resist diving in.
From the moment I met Alex Armstrong, I was engrossed in her story. It’s been a decade since she escaped the tumult of her past, when she was falsely accused of her family’s murder. In particular, her transformation from the terrified teenager known as ‘Empty Eyes’ to a fierce legal investigator was well-crafted and believable. This complexity of character development is something I truly appreciated, as it added layers of depth and realism. Donlea excels in weaving an intricate plot that keeps you guessing, which is a hallmark of a captivating mystery.
However, I did find some pacing issues in parts. There were stretches where the narrative slowed down, particularly when the author delves into secondary characters and their backstories. While these moments did contribute to the overall understanding of the university setting, they sometimes felt like they detracted from the main tension of Alex’s investigation into Laura McAllister’s disappearance. Others have noted similar sentiments, and I agree that it might have disrupted the flow a bit.
On the plus side, the connections between the two storylines—Alex’s family tragedy and Laura’s case—were genuinely surprising. Just when I thought I had figured everything out, Donlea provided another twist that turned my assumptions upside-down. The skillful plotting left me breathless, feeling like a detective piecing together clues. This aspect of the narrative met and exceeded my expectations, as the intertwining fates of the characters felt authentic rather than forced.
The themes of trauma and the search for truth resonated deeply with me. Alex’s fierce determination to seek justice, not just for herself but also for others like Matthew Claymore, showcased the resilience of the human spirit. These emotional beats were impactful, causing me to reflect on the implications of media sensationalism and societal attention. I found myself rooting for Alex and invested in the outcomes of the characters surrounding her.
On a minor note, some readers mentioned that certain plot points were somewhat predictable, and while I did see some twists coming, I also felt that they were executed well enough to keep me engaged. The final resolution tied up most threads effectively, although it left just enough ambiguity to keep the reader thinking long after the last page.
In summary, The Girl Who Was Taken provided a suspenseful and thought-provoking read that kept me thoroughly entertained. I particularly enjoyed Alex’s character development, the unexpected ties between different story arcs, and the overarching themes of identity and justice. Despite a few minor pacing issues and predictability in parts, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a clever, thrilling mystery. If you’re looking for an engaging read that blends emotional depth with suspenseful twists, this one’s definitely a winner.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars