The Taken

Paperback / ISBN-13: 9780349000824

Price: £16.99

ON SALE: 6th August 2026

Genre: Fiction & Related Items / Crime & Mystery

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‘A plot that races along, driven by crisp and evocative writing, cliffhanging chapters and a strong ensemble of authentic characters . . . captivating’ Sunday Independent

‘One of the best crime series ever!’ – Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Fourteen years ago, one hot Dublin summer, a little boy was snatched from his garden. Six weeks later, a girl was abducted from her mother’s car. The case of these stolen children has haunted DS Lucy Golden ever since.

But now, a breakthrough…

DNA recovered from a recent robbery is matched to the missing boy. Lucy begs to reopen the case, even though it means returning to Dublin, which she left in disgrace over a decade ago. She’ll have to face people who betrayed her… but now, with her trusted team at her side, she feels ready.

But she’s not prepared for her personal life to fall apart. As she digs into the past, long-buried secrets begin to surface, and Lucy’s trust and belief in those closest to her shatters.

As she closes in on the truth of what happened that terrible summer, she vows this will be her final case. The stakes are perilously high and she’s desperate for answers, justice, and closure.

But Lucy’s final ride with the Gardaí is twistier than she ever could have imagined, and takes her to a destination she could never have foreseen.

———-

Readers and reviews are raving about The Taken!

‘Exceptional . . . I give this brilliant series my highest recommendation’ – reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book, like all of the others in the series has kept me riveted’ – reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I highly recommend to all who enjoy a top-class authentic police procedural’ – reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*** A Murders for August pick from The Critic! ***

*** ‘Best new August reads’ selection by Living! ***

The deceits in and from the past come thick and fast in a well-observed, ably plotted and instructive story that keeps attention’ The Critic

The best police procedural novels contain plenty of realistic investigative work, coupled with a squad of detectives that the reader comes to know as individuals and as a collective. The best authors add wit and charm to that mixture, and not many do all of the that as well as Murphy’ The Morning Star

Reviews

A gripping mystery lies at the heart of this atmospheric and wonderfully written police procedural
Brian McGilloway, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE EMPTY ROOM
With the raw and savagely beautiful Achill Island as a fitting backdrop, a tense and gut-wrenching plotline, and a cast of expertly drawn characters, Murphy delivers up a gritty and emotional reading experience.
Zoe Miller