The Taken Girls by Glenn Cooper

Most of the books I read and review are cozy mysteries, sometimes I like to read a suspense/thriller. This book came across as a thriller and it was definitely thrilling but it also had a scientific slant to it as well, definitely more intellectual and hard-boiled than what I typically read.

That being said.... Wow. Right off the bat this book grabbed me by the collar and pulled me in. Two little girls are snatched from their home, they return four years later looking exactly the same as when they disappeared and telling tales of gray woman and gray man with large black eyes. Their parents are still missing. Where have these girls been? Where are their parents? Don't even try to guess.

The characters in the book are really compelling. Though I kind of hate having characters who are all very flawed (in cozy mysteries a character flaw is being a pushover, being too nice, not being able to cook, etc. but in this book it was things like abandoning your wife, not respecting people, more serious stuff) I have to admit that the flaws made the characters pop. Even when you're reading and you think "I don't like that guy" you can still feel empathy for them. Having the focus of the story switch among the characters gives you a glimpse into each of their lives, revealing them as monsters while, to various degrees, humanizing them at the same time.

Some authors try too hard to make a plot unpredictable or unbelievable but Cooper manages to keep the reader on their toes from beginning to end, springing surprises on us right and left, never taking things too far to be credible. That's a fine balance to achieve, particularly when incorporating some of the highly scientific subject matter, all while keeping the story from bogging down.

If you enjoy thrillers, if you enjoy police procedurals, if you enjoy paranormals, basically if you just like to read in general, you'll probably enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.