Eva Dunbar wakes in a large metal box.

She has no idea who has taken her.

She has no way out.

She isn’t the first young woman to disappear.

And with no leads Detective Ian Bradshaw has precious little time.

When at last a body is found, the police hope the tragic discovery might at least provide a clue that will help them finally find the kidnapper.

But then they identify the body – and realise the case is more twisted than they ever imagined .

My thanks to Penguin Books for my review copy and the chance to join the blog tour.

I hadn’t realised that The Chosen Ones was taking me into a series which has been running for a few books. It made no difference to my enjoyment of this cracking police thriller – I felt I was given all the backstory and information I needed to ensure I could keep up with proceedings.

The Chosen Ones is downright disturbing in places (a real positive for this reader) – women are vanishing in Newcastle and NE England. Readers get to learn what happens to the latest girl to be abducted – held in a small box by a masked man then shifted to a larger, but extremely well hidden, location.

Police are baffled and problems of staffing are going to compound their problems – a sting operation has exposed some corrupt cops and this leaves very few officers to track down the disappearing girls. Ian Bradshaw is tasked with the investigation into the missing girls, with resources a problem he manages to persuade his boss to agree to draft in some external assistance – journalist Tom Carney and his assistant Helen Norton.

I am new to Howard Linskey’s books but there was clearly some history between Tom and Helen and their relationship (or Tom’s relationships with women who are not Helen) made for some fun reading. Tom is dating a girl who is quite a few years younger than he…Helen does not approve. However, when one of Tom’s old flames appears on the scene to seek out his assistance things become even more entertaining.

Back to Eva, the girl lifted from the streets and held against her will.  Her captor is a strange individual, he holds her at gunpoint while she washes but shows no interest in getting too close. He seems driven by an agenda which the reader does not get to share and the puzzle surrounding his motives ensured I kept turning the pages as I tried to work out what was going on!

As I have already stated, this is a cracking story which spins along at a crisp, and entertaining pace.  The short chapter length and multiple viewpoints made sure there was always something new to develop or follow. I much prefer when a story zips along in this way, no lags or padding this is continuous entertainment.

The end came all too soon. Not that The Chosen Ones is a short book, I just wanted more of this story as I was enjoying it so much.  A wee review of my bookshelves and Kindle Library shows I already have at least two more of Howard Linskey’s books waiting to be read – they will be moved up the reading order as Mr Linskey is very readable.

The Chosen Ones is available in paperback and digital format and also as an audiobook. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chosen-Ones-gripping-crime-thriller-ebook/dp/B072FH6XM5/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8