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The Girl Who Was Taken
4.8 (4 ratings)

The Girl Who Was Taken

The bestselling author of Twenty Years Later delivers a chilling thriller where nothing is at it seems and each reveal is more shocking than the last…right up to the jaw-dropping final twist. “A gripping thriller that will blow readers away." –Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author on Don’t Believe It “A superb storyteller.” —Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author Two abducted girls—one who returns, one who doesn't. The night they go missing, high school seniors Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald are at a beach party in their small town of Emerson Bay, North Carolina. Police launch a massive search, but hope is almost lost--until Megan escapes from a bunker deep in the woods...A year later, the bestselling account of her ordeal has made Megan a celebrity. It's a triumphant 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 her sister's fate determined. Instead, the first clue comes from another body--that of a young man connected to Nicole's past. Livia reaches out to Megan to learn more about that fateful night. Other girls have disappeared, and she's increasingly sure the cases are connected. Megan knows more than she revealed in her book. Flashes of memory are pointing to something more monstrous than she described. 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...

Published: March 27, 2018

Pages: 320

ISBN: 9780786041459

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Available in: Ebook, Audiobook, Paperback, Hardcover

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Reader Reviews

4.8

4 ratings

Chelsey H.

Sep 27, 2026
Charlie Donlea delivers a compelling and tightly woven thriller in The Girl Who Was Taken, blending psychological tension with sharp investigative detail. This dual-POV story follows a forensic pathologist still haunted by her sister’s disappearance and a recently returned kidnapping survivor, creating a chilling, character-driven narrative about memory, trauma, and truth.

As an audiobook, the story is brought to life with precision and control. The narration is strong and steady, maintaining suspense without ever overwhelming the listener. It was easy to stay immersed, and the pacing matched the story’s unfolding layers of mystery perfectly.

While slightly predictable in parts, the book still kept me questioning my own theory until the final chapters. It had everything a good thriller should: unsettling atmosphere, layered characters, and just enough doubt to keep you hooked. The ending fell just short of being jaw-dropping, which is the only reason it’s not a 5-star read for me—but it was absolutely satisfying and well-executed.

For fans of medical thrillers, cold cases, and dual-timeline storytelling, The Girl Who Was Taken is a gripping, high-recommend listen. It’s smart, chilling, and perfect for thriller readers who love to play detective right alongside the characters.

Meagan W.

Aug 15, 2026
I don’t hand out 5-star ratings lightly, but The Girl Who Was Taken earned every one of them. This is a tightly written thriller that knows exactly how to build tension without rushing or relying on cheap shock. The pacing is deliberate, the emotional stakes are high, and the characters feel grounded in a way that makes it easy to stay invested. What stood out most to me was how steadily the story pulled me forward—chapter by chapter—until I realized I was completely absorbed. Nothing felt wasted, nothing felt overdone, and by the time I closed the book, I knew I’d been in very capable hands the entire time. If you like smart, controlled thrillers that trust the reader and leave a lasting impression, this one belongs on your list. 5⭐.

Brittany F.

Aug 15, 2026
Charlie Donlea is one of my favorite Authors. Love every book so far that I have read by him and this one is so good. I should have seen that twist coming. I feel blind sided

Mary S.

Aug 15, 2026
Two girls are kidnapped but only one escapes. Olivia’s younger sister Nicole is still missing. Olivia connects with the surviving escapee Megan and together they piece the pieces together to try to figure out what happened to Megan during her abduction and bring back the forgotten pieces of her memory. All to locate Nicole and the other missing women that are turning up too. Good writing, good twists, good author.