Scan barcode
nezumi13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
bethelizabethuk's review
5.0
I absolutely love this series. Matilda and her team are all such great characters and I love getting to know them more with each book. This one is book 6, and I would recommend reading them in order so that you can see the characters grow and know the baggage they all carry. In this book we get to see more of Matilda’s vulnerable side and I just want to give her a big hug.
With regards to the case, I did guess who the culprit was and why but it wasn’t until a bit later on and it didn’t ruin it for me. It actually just made me constantly second guess myself. I was hooked until the very end and was praying for a certain character. I have never been so tense in my life. Also I need book 7 asap.
I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
With regards to the case, I did guess who the culprit was and why but it wasn’t until a bit later on and it didn’t ruin it for me. It actually just made me constantly second guess myself. I was hooked until the very end and was praying for a certain character. I have never been so tense in my life. Also I need book 7 asap.
I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
rachaelellen00's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Slow at the beginning but once the mystery was established I got into it and read through it like lightwning
mags_louise's review
5.0
A boy walks into a police station in Marseille clutching a missing person's poster meanwhile back in Sheffield a nine-year-old girl disappears and a ransom demand is made.
For DCI Matilda Darke head of South Yorkshire's Homicide and Major Emergency team this case hits extremely close to home as missing Carl Meagan and the botched ransom drop are never far from her mind.
But this could finally be a chance to get things right and when news reaches HMET of the boy in France all thoughts immediately turn to whether Carl Meagan has finally been found alive.
Yet, nothing about this young girls disappearance or boys reappearance makes sense. So, Matilda and her team struggle to find answers whilst also desperately trying not to give false hope to two families from very different backgrounds.
And as the pressure mounts, and the media attention intensifies some of the team begin to crack; and with one huge twist after another, great wit and moments that had me gasping out loud. This genuinely was a page-turner of a story, and I can't wait to see where this complex roller coaster of a series goes next.
I would highly recommend.
For DCI Matilda Darke head of South Yorkshire's Homicide and Major Emergency team this case hits extremely close to home as missing Carl Meagan and the botched ransom drop are never far from her mind.
But this could finally be a chance to get things right and when news reaches HMET of the boy in France all thoughts immediately turn to whether Carl Meagan has finally been found alive.
Yet, nothing about this young girls disappearance or boys reappearance makes sense. So, Matilda and her team struggle to find answers whilst also desperately trying not to give false hope to two families from very different backgrounds.
And as the pressure mounts, and the media attention intensifies some of the team begin to crack; and with one huge twist after another, great wit and moments that had me gasping out loud. This genuinely was a page-turner of a story, and I can't wait to see where this complex roller coaster of a series goes next.
I would highly recommend.
joeliza's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
noveldeelights's review
5.0
4.5* --> 5*
When nine year old Keeley disappears without a trace and a ransom demand is made, Matilda can’t help but be overwhelmed by the memories of the Carl Meagan case. A case that went horribly wrong and almost ruined her career, as any long-time reader of this series knows very well. Matilda is determined that won’t happen again. But will she be able to stay focused when she hears that a young boy has walked into a police station in France claiming he is the missing Carl?
The Stolen Children is the sixth book in the DCI Matilda Darke series and it goes without saying that you should of course read them all in order from the very beginning. Not only because of the Carl Meagan arc, not only because of the team dynamics, not only because each and every book in this series is brilliant, but also because it’ll give you the opportunity to see how Matilda has evolved. She has always been fierce and determined but also really vulnerable. Partly due to the case of the missing Carl Meagan that’s been haunting her for years, made worse by the fact it coincided with one of the worst events of her personal life. Could it be the time to heal and move on has finally come?
The prologue alone already made me sit up and pay attention, especially because lucky me didn’t read the book blurb beforehand so I had no idea what was coming. From then on, it felt as if I barely managed to take a breath. The pace of this story seemed almost relentless with things happening left, right and centre. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, something would throw me off and make me doubt my theory. I wasn’t at all prepared for how dark and disturbing this tale would turn out to be. It sometimes made for some uncomfortable reading and each shocking revelation felt like a punch to the gut. By the end, I couldn’t quite decide if I should have been feeling angry or devastated or both.
Luckily, there are some lighter moments throughout. This is where the fantastic team dynamics Michael Wood has set up throughout the years really come into play. Just like the team needs to be able to joke around for a bit in the midst of all the ugliness they deal with it, the reader too needs that teensie-weensie moment to have a wee chuckle. But if you’ve been following this series, then you also know this is an author who has no qualms whatsoever putting these beloved characters in danger.
With lots of questions that need answers, tension and suspense, a gripping plot and great characters, The Stolen Children is another fantastic addition to the DCI Matilda Darke series. Deeply addictive, it provided me with the perfect escape during a week that seemed filled with truckloads of craziness and Michael Wood has once again made sure I will definitely be back for more from Matilda and her team.
When nine year old Keeley disappears without a trace and a ransom demand is made, Matilda can’t help but be overwhelmed by the memories of the Carl Meagan case. A case that went horribly wrong and almost ruined her career, as any long-time reader of this series knows very well. Matilda is determined that won’t happen again. But will she be able to stay focused when she hears that a young boy has walked into a police station in France claiming he is the missing Carl?
The Stolen Children is the sixth book in the DCI Matilda Darke series and it goes without saying that you should of course read them all in order from the very beginning. Not only because of the Carl Meagan arc, not only because of the team dynamics, not only because each and every book in this series is brilliant, but also because it’ll give you the opportunity to see how Matilda has evolved. She has always been fierce and determined but also really vulnerable. Partly due to the case of the missing Carl Meagan that’s been haunting her for years, made worse by the fact it coincided with one of the worst events of her personal life. Could it be the time to heal and move on has finally come?
The prologue alone already made me sit up and pay attention, especially because lucky me didn’t read the book blurb beforehand so I had no idea what was coming. From then on, it felt as if I barely managed to take a breath. The pace of this story seemed almost relentless with things happening left, right and centre. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, something would throw me off and make me doubt my theory. I wasn’t at all prepared for how dark and disturbing this tale would turn out to be. It sometimes made for some uncomfortable reading and each shocking revelation felt like a punch to the gut. By the end, I couldn’t quite decide if I should have been feeling angry or devastated or both.
Luckily, there are some lighter moments throughout. This is where the fantastic team dynamics Michael Wood has set up throughout the years really come into play. Just like the team needs to be able to joke around for a bit in the midst of all the ugliness they deal with it, the reader too needs that teensie-weensie moment to have a wee chuckle. But if you’ve been following this series, then you also know this is an author who has no qualms whatsoever putting these beloved characters in danger.
With lots of questions that need answers, tension and suspense, a gripping plot and great characters, The Stolen Children is another fantastic addition to the DCI Matilda Darke series. Deeply addictive, it provided me with the perfect escape during a week that seemed filled with truckloads of craziness and Michael Wood has once again made sure I will definitely be back for more from Matilda and her team.
aleysharattray's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kirstenmcl's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annarella's review
5.0
Somehow I forgot to post my review for this book and realised it now
This is series is a rollercoaster of emotions and any book is a page turner that keep you on the edge.
Plenty of action, full of suspense, gripping and highly entertaining.
I love the relationship amongst the member of the teams, the excellent character development and the solid plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is series is a rollercoaster of emotions and any book is a page turner that keep you on the edge.
Plenty of action, full of suspense, gripping and highly entertaining.
I love the relationship amongst the member of the teams, the excellent character development and the solid plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
sidneyandsabrina's review
5.0
This is one of THE BEST thrillers I’ve ever read! It definitely had me wondering if the author has previously been in the police! I have, not many people understand the dark humour that police share and this was full of it and it had me in stitches! I was literally laughing out loud! There were also a few moments where I commented to myself out loud ‘NO WAYYYYY’ etc!!!!
Proper page Turner! Tons of twists! I don’t know if it’s because I was in the police or because I like to write too so have a crazy imagination but I do have to say I guessed who was responsible around half way through the book! Normally that would make me give less stars and would ruin it! I prefer to be shocked and not guess but I did guess a few of the twists right! Since it was detective based though maybe that’s why! Perhaps another reader wouldn’t of managed therefore the shock factor would remain!?
Regardless of that though it was absolutely fantastic! Well written! Believable characters and likeable too! The things about the police and certain things that took place in the book were spot on how they would truly happen! Including people breaking rules if a colleague was in trouble!!!!
After this i can see wood becoming one of my new fav authors! At present any time Lucy Clarke, M J Arlidge or shari lapena release a book i can’t wait to have the paperback release and often end up paying more for hardback because I can’t wait to read them! I can see wood being in this category! He Might even have a chance of super seeding my love for DCI Helen grace in the Arlidge novels?!!!
Proper page Turner! Tons of twists! I don’t know if it’s because I was in the police or because I like to write too so have a crazy imagination but I do have to say I guessed who was responsible around half way through the book! Normally that would make me give less stars and would ruin it! I prefer to be shocked and not guess but I did guess a few of the twists right! Since it was detective based though maybe that’s why! Perhaps another reader wouldn’t of managed therefore the shock factor would remain!?
Regardless of that though it was absolutely fantastic! Well written! Believable characters and likeable too! The things about the police and certain things that took place in the book were spot on how they would truly happen! Including people breaking rules if a colleague was in trouble!!!!
After this i can see wood becoming one of my new fav authors! At present any time Lucy Clarke, M J Arlidge or shari lapena release a book i can’t wait to have the paperback release and often end up paying more for hardback because I can’t wait to read them! I can see wood being in this category! He Might even have a chance of super seeding my love for DCI Helen grace in the Arlidge novels?!!!