Stolen Ones

Book excerpt: Kim felt sickness sweep over her as she watched little Grace dust off her dirty hands. Blonde curls tumbled around her face. Then, Grace disappeared into the crowd. Kim wanted to pause the recording, run outside and grab her to stop what was about to happen. One August afternoon, eight-year-old Grace Lennard skips into the garden of the childcare centre she attends and vanishes into thin air. Rushing to the scene of Grace’s disappearance, Detective Kim Stone finds a chilling piece of evidence: the engraved heart bracelet belonging to Melody Jones – the little girl who was taken from a playground exactly twenty-five years ago. Hours before, Steven Harte had walked into Halesowen police station and confessed to having information that would lead Kim to Melody. And he told Kim she’d have a more urgent problem to deal with first. Now Kim must play Steven’s twisted game if she’s to find Grace alive. With only twenty-four hours to make every second of Steven’s interrogation count, and scan his behaviour for hidden clues, Kim and her team soon link Steven to the abduction of several vulnerable girls – two were kept for a year and then released, unharmed – but where are Melody and the others? Then small bones are discovered in the grounds of a local park, and Kim fears the worst. Kim may think she’s close to convicting a killer, but the case has got even more complex. A chilling figure from Kim’s past is about to reveal a shocking secret that will hit her where it hurts the most. Can Kim put aside her own demons, save Grace and the other missing girls before more innocent lives are lost? An edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave your heart in your mouth. You will be totally hooked on the utterly addictive, number one, multi-million-copy bestselling Detective Kim Stone series. Read what everyone is saying about Stolen Ones: ‘OMG what a page turner. Heartbreaking, chilling and utterly compulsive… Hooked from the first to the last page, constantly holding my breath… another explosive addition to this gripping and very addictive series.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘OMFG… Nail biting, thrilling, and riveting the author has pulled out all the stops…deliciously satisfying.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow… a cracker of a book… I just loved this… was hooked right from the start… there was everything I loved in this brilliant book... had me totally immersed.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Incredible. I knew I would be hooked but this exceeded my expectations… had me shaking my head and saying WTF… Absolutely loved every moment of this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow - what a brilliant page turner this had me hooked from the first chapter and kept me invested throughout… gripping.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gripped me so deeply… I am 100% addicted… read within 24 hours. Kim Stone is my idol… Totally compelling, addictive.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘OMG where on earth am I meant to be able to start with this…This book was everything I wanted it to be and more.’ Rachel’s Random Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Had me devouring this story long into the night… brilliant… I was completely hooked… the best Kim Stone book I've read.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved this… pulls you in straight away and doesn't let you go until the last page.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Genius… utterly compelling… will have you gripped to the end… comes with the mother of all twists!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved loved loved it!… I could not put this down.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I’ve not spoken to my husband in 3 days as this was far more important. As always, this lived up to all expectations… It’s all there. And perfect. Clear your diary. Just sit and enjoy’. Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Woo hoo!... superb… brilliant’ mandylovestoread, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐