The Night They Took My Son (Twisted Family Mysteries #6)

Having your child go missing is one of a parent's worst nightmares. Spencer hits this sad storyline with humor at the right times to lighten the subject. You get to know Phoebe and Duncan as they navigate the return of their son, Charlie. My favorite character had to be Lucia. I absolutely loved her. She is one lady you do not want to mess with. Her daughter goes missing, making Phoebe team up with Lucia on a mama bear mission. The unraveling of the secrets in their town come to light as they push to find Kya. Unexpected revelations come into play that will stun all.

Thank you for allowing me to read as an ARC.

This was an enthralling, unputdownable story full of twists and turns that frankly downright shocked me in the end.

Phoebe lives in Ebony Lake with her husband, Duncan, and her son, Charlie. One terrible night after fighting with his mom, Charlie vanishes. Where did he go? Did someone take him? Like any mother would, Phoebe blames herself and struggles daily with overwhelming guilt. 

Suddenly, three years later, Charlie is back! But something is still terribly wrong, Charlie has completely changed, and he refuses to talk about anything that happened during the past three years. Who took Charlie? Where did he go for three years? What horrible, unspeakable things did he endure? And how did he get back? 

To add to the nightmare, his next-door neighbor Kaya is taken the same night Charlie returns. Who is the monster or group of monsters taking the children of Ebony Lake, and what are they doing with them? 


There is evil lurking in their community, and Phoebe wants desperately to know what happened to her son and to get justice. Will Phoebe ever get the answers she seeks, or will she lose everything trying?

Guerrero has yet again delivered an exceptional psychological thriller that was full of puzzles to unravel and questions to answer! I devoured this story in record time because I just had to know what on earth happened to Charlie and who was responsible for all the evil taking over Ebony Lake! Though I had part of the story figured out, I never could have imagined the full picture and was left dumb-founded after learning the whole truth. 

Guerrero has an uncanny ability to immerse readers in the lives of his characters and the world they are in, making them feel as if they are right in the thick of things with them all the way through the wild ride! Everyone either has a mom, is a mom, or knows a mom who, like Phoebe, has made mistakes she's not proud of when raising kids and can identify with her character right from the beginning.

This was incredibly fast-paced and full of so many twists that are sure to keep readers’ heads spinning! Guerrero grips you right away and keeps you engaged in Phoebe's hunt for the truth all the way until the very end.

If you like exciting thrillers that are true page-turners, then add this to your TBR now!

The Night They Took My Son is a psychological gut-punch—tense, and haunting.
Spencer drags you deep into the nightmare of a mother whose world is shattered when her son vanishes. And when he returns three years later, broken and changed beyond recognition, the real terror begins.

Spencer builds suspense, threading the mystery with unsettling psychological depth. Every clue leads to more questions, every revelation sends a chill down your spine. The unease is palpable, the secrets are dark, and the looming sense of dread is relentless.

This isn’t just a mystery—it’s a descent into the unknown, where family bonds are tested and the truth is as twisted as the lies.

Thanks to the author for ARC copy od the book for an unbiased review.

Summary:

One night, during dispute with his mother Phoebe, Charlie dissapears without a trace. Nobody knows anything and police are clueless. After three long and devastating years, Charlie returns home, but something about him is different. What happened? Where was Charlie these three years? But soon after Charlie returns, another child dissapears.

Review:

"The Night They Took My Son" is a mystery thriller which takes you in from the first page and doesn't let go until the last page. It constantly wants you to read on. This book has everything: likeable characthers (especially one which I will not name

The Night They Took My Son
-Spencer Guerrero

A child gone without a trace. No clues, no witnesses, and the trail quickly goes cold - until it doesn’t.

Set in the quiet town of Ebony Lake, the story follows Phoebe (FMC) and her husband Duncan, who are devastated when their 10-year-old son, Charlie (MMC), disappears from their home one night. After three years apart, Charlie unexpectedly reappears, but he’s no longer the boy they knew - he’s changed, silent, carrying an unspoken burden. With no clear answers and little to go on, Phoebe is haunted by guilt and driven by a fierce determination to uncover the truth. Will delving into Ebony Lake’s hidden secrets lead her to the answers she needs - or put her and others in even greater danger?

Guerrero utilizes a dual timeline that enriches the narrative, providing deep background that shapes complex, relatable characters. Their strengths and flaws add emotional weight, making the story resonate on a personal level. As a mother and grandmother, I connected profoundly with Phoebe’s raw emotions - every tear, surge of anger, and flicker of hope felt real and intense. I was right there with her, eager to uncover the truth and stand alongside her in her journey.

Fast-paced yet thoughtfully paced, The Night They Took My Son masterfully balances moments of tension with quieter, suspenseful build-up. Guerrero’s straightforward, vivid writing style grips from the first page and doesn’t let go until the climactic finish. And don’t be fooled into thinking the plot is simple: Guerrero peppers the story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing - and second-guessing - throughout the journey.

Guerrero’s novel is a dark, emotional, and powerful psychological thriller that will leave an imprint on your heart and mind. While it’s my second favorite Guerrero book, I highly recommend it to any thriller enthusiast looking for a gripping, emotionally charged read.

Thank you to Spencer Guerrero for allowing me to read this as an ARC. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author of any type, present or future in exchange for my review.

⭐Multiple POVs
⭐Gripping Mystery and Suspense
⭐A Couple Bad@$$ Female Characters
⭐A Real Twisty Twist
⭐Child Abduction
⭐Plenty of Breath Holding Nobody Notices