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Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold, an old schoolhouse with red doors with the sun setting in shades of teal, and pink.

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Taken Girls

Detective Amanda Steele Book 8

Music from the busy dancefloor echoes into the deserted room where the prom queen lies deadly still. A tiara rests on her soft blonde curls, but her face is frozen with fear, and her painted red lips are forever sealed shut in a silenced scream…

When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing schoolfriend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reese left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, posed dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.

Haunted by the scene, Amanda dives headfirst into the case. Chasing every lead, she is horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops.

And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely. But can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late?

What to Expect in Her Final Breath

Her Final Breath is a fast-paced crime thriller and police procedural featuring Detective Amanda Steele as she investigates the murders of mothers and their young daughters and races to find a family who may be the killer’s next victims.

Readers can expect:

  • Female detective protagonist
  • Police procedural investigation
  • Murder investigation involving mothers and their young daughters
  • A mother and six-year-old daughter found dead in a Virginia park
  • A second mother-and-daughter pair discovered in a grave
  • Autopsy evidence revealing a troubling pattern of bruises
  • A husband who becomes an early suspect
  • Multiple missing mothers and daughters
  • A ruthless killer targeting vulnerable women and children
  • A race against time to find potential victims before they are killed
  • Amanda’s own loss of her daughter adding emotional weight to the investigation
  • Hidden connections and shocking discoveries
  • Escalating danger and high personal stakes
  • Multiple twists and turns
  • Self-contained case featuring a recurring detective

Book Details

Genre: Crime Thriller / Police Procedural
Setting: Dumfries, Virginia
Series: Detective Amanda Steele, book 8
Publisher: Bookouture
Series Format: Self-contained cases featuring a recurring detective
Reading Experience: Fast-paced • Dark • Suspenseful • Twist-filled
Available In: Kindle Unlimited • eBook • Paperback • Audiobook
ISBN: 978-1-80314-787-1 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-80314-788-8 (Paperback)
ASIN: B0BV2SL7K1 (eBook)

“A whodunit that is difficult to put down.  The characters come alive on the pages.  The story moves quickly.  Red herrings kept me from discerning the ending.”

Goodreads review

“This book had a bit of everything! It had high suspense, intrigue, [was] action-packed, murder, serial killer, revenge, a great [whodunit]… and so many crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle!”

Goodreads review

“The plot kept me guessing and I didn’t want to put the book down.”

Goodreads review

“The story was gripping and had a few twists that I didn’t see coming. I was on the edge of my seat…”

Goodreads review

“It’s an exciting story with an ending that makes me anxious for the next book in the series

Goodreads review

“I read this book in one day.”

Goodreads review

“Arnold’s writing is great, the characters are ones you can relate to and come to care about, the suspense is ever present, and it’s a book that’s hard to put down. So happy to have found this series and can’t wait for more Amanda Steele!”

Goodreads review

“An awesome addition to the series. As always, the author hooked me from the start.  Few twists and turns, one I didn’t see coming.”

Goodreads review

“This one hit the mark. Plenty of suspense throughout and likeable characters. Look forward to the next one.”

Goodreads review

“A very good book to keep you hooked.”

Goodreads review

“The prologue had me holding my breath and squinting my eyes in hopes of keeping the horrific words from leaping off the page at me. Thank goodness for the mini respite in chapter one then full steam ahead in this fast-paced police procedural that has multiple layers.”

Goodreads review

“I absolutely LOVE these books! This latest installment is another home run, packed full [of] action and suspense, along with character growth – and perhaps some conflict… Fabulous book, fabulous series!!  Now the wait begins for the next title in the series…”

Goodreads review

“A fast-paced, action-packed, twisty story that was fraught with tension from start to finish.”

Goodreads review

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