Book Review - Stolen by Tess Stimson

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Title: Stolen

Author: Tess Stimson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 5th August 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

You thought she was safe. You were wrong…

Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst.

The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie? 

Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.

Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?

A totally addictive thriller, with a twist you just won’t see coming. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Louise Candlish and T.M. Logan will be totally gripped from the very first page.

Wowser!  I didn't see all of that coming.  It's been a while since I last read a book by Tess Stimson and thus had forgotten just how impressive her storytelling is. 

I was completely hooked in with the prologue and spent a bit of the book wondering just how it fitted in, as we learn of Lottie's disappearance. 

I liked how it was likened to the Madeleine McCann real life disappearance, and there are all sorts of matters touched on, that had me thinking. 

It really is every parent's worst nightmare, taking your eyes off your child for a few moments and them not being there afterwards. It is shocking to see that a child can disappear from a wedding when there are so many people around. 

At first it was hard to really like Alex, her initial very honest thoughts of of motherhood, but it soon becomes apparent how much she really does care about Lottie, and how the not knowing where Lottie is, or if she is still alive or not being the hardest thing to cope with. Her tireless efforts to keep the story in the press and the search afoot were incredibly heartening to see. 

At points during the book I pretty much suspected everyone at being involved and what is clear is Alex's anguish is real. As is the pain of anyone else in a similar situation. 

I really quite enjoyed the chapters from Quinn's point of view, she is troubled with her demons, but also quite determined.

I was reading the last quarter on the tube and it was a miracle I got off at the right stop as I was so engrossed in the story.

Truly wonderful and gripping  that I was utterly hooked on.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.