A review of “Stolen Daughters: A totally gripping and addictive crime thriller” by Carolyn Arnold

Full disclosure – I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the author or their representative but have voluntarily provided a review.

Stolen Daughters is set for an April 6, 2021 release

The Flames of Wrath

An abandoned house goes up in flames on a quiet lower middle-class neighborhood street. When a body is found inside, suspicions move from squatters to murder and arson as detectives Steele and Stenson are called to the scene. The small town of Dumfries, Virginia is rocked yet again with another murder scandal which quickly escalates into multiple incidents. With their only solid clue being a dragonfly pin, Amanda and Trent set out to unravel the clues of this curious case. But as they start to make headway, Amanda is not only threatened by a superior gunning for her badge, but also a direct challenge from the perpetrator. When their paths finally cross, tensions are high as Amanda attempts to capture the killer and save at least one life from going up in smoke.

Stolen Daughters is the second in the newly minted Detective Amanda Steele series of novels by author Carolyn Arnold. Picking up approximately two months after the close of “The Little Grave” Amanda is still dealing with the consequences of her mother’s prior actions, and while her parents do not hold any grudges her siblings do, and this makes for some pretty tense family dinners. Couple that with her budding relationship with her one-time alibi Logan and it appears that Amanda may finally be able to start making peace with her past. But all will not be smooth sailing as a vindictive superior is hell-bent to strip her from her badge and remove her from the force altogether. Amanda’s CO can only do so much to shield her but being the daughter of a former Chief of Police, Detective Steele is not one to back down from a fight. Detective Stenson’s back story is also explored in passing with the cameo appearance of FBI Agent Brandon Fisher who is the subject of another series of novels by Arnold. Arnold’s tying of these two series together with the common link of Detective Stenson is brilliant. His backstory has been hinted at in both this book and the first book in the series and it had made me curious to read Brandon’s series as well. If you are new to this series, never fear, Arnold’s writing style is such that while this is a continuation of a larger storyline, it can also be read as a stand-alone offering without too much confusion regarding who the major players and or what has happened previously.

Yet again Arnold delivers another intriguing, though-provoking case that will keep you guessing until the very end.