Just 2 days ago I had not read any of Cari Hunter's books. This was my second.
This is the second in the DI Jo Shaw series - I recommend them.
It is well written, there's a good plot, everything is so well set up.
The characters are believable and well rounded, and as in any team in a high pressure job, get on well together as they depend on each other for their safety.
This is a new investigation - but the last one has not yet gone to trial - Jo is decidedly jumpy (who can blame her). Isla is still stitching Jo up (literally) and aside from the main crime there's also a pervy surgeon on the loose.

There is of course an epilogue - not only does this not contain any romantic whims, it sets up book 3. Perfect.

I am already looking forward to Book 3, although I note that it might be a while.
Looks like I might have to go and start at the beginning of Cari Hunter's other books to pass the time.

A sequel to "A Calculated Risk". I very much enjoyed the first book and found this one just as engrossing. Jo Shaw is recovering from an injury so is supposed to be taking it easy. As the only person available in her unit she is called to the scene of a vicious murder and she's back! The murder leads to an investigation into drugs and the people being used to sell them. The enquiry leading them to finer side of town. A thrilling tale of drugs, murder and 'entitled' individuals.

Next in the series for DI Jo Shaw. Completely engaging story. Jo is recovering from her knife wounds and is supposed to be on limited duty. She answers a call that leads to finding a dead body. As the investigation continues we get to learn more about her relationship with Isla as she brings her in to assist her.

I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the way the author organically includes information about the setting. It enabled me to get a feel for the world Jo was working in and her colleagues. The author maintains a great flow throughout. The story drew me in and kept me in suspense as i followed along with the investigation. A 5 star read for me!

I received an arc from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books. I leave my review voluntarily.

This is the second book in the D.I. Shaw mystery series and I am all in, totally committed to the series. This book takes place close after A Calculated Risk (Sept 2023). Detective Inspector Jo Shaw has barely recovered from her injuries sustained in that book. The afternoon she is cleared for work she is the lone person available to take a call regarding a dead body. This is the beginning of a great police procedural novel. When a second person is found barely alive with some similar injuries Jo starts to put pieces together.

While all this is going on Jo is reconnecting with her first love Dr. Isla Munro. They were together fifteen years ago before Isla’s mother broke them up. Their relationship was beginning to spark in the previous book and I love that they continue forward cautiously with texting and check-ins. But Jo has a hard time staying out of the ER and Isla has connections that are helpful for her case. Isla also has a police matter for Jo to handle at her hospital as well. I love that it didn't linger too long in the will they wont they. I wanted them together in the last book and was happy to see it here.

I can’t mention enough that I love how very English this is. The titles, acronyms, slang that I mostly get from watching mysteries on my BritBox. The case moves quickly and there is danger. I was on the edge of my seat.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

DI Jo is still recovering from injury on the job as she the only at the office to take a call of a body in abandon house. As she dives into finding what happen it’s takes twists and turns that leave team struggling with connecting the dots so she ask for help from Dr. Isla as they navigate a romance the investigation takes them to to the rich and privileged who will do anything to keeps their secrets and lifestyles intact. This was a good mystery crime with a subtle romance look forward to more of this author crime mystery stories.

The second in the series and picks up from A Calculated Risk. This sequel is well written and captures you from the start. I thought it was brilliant, a bit humorous and even a bit dark at times. However, you cant help but love Jo and Isla. I look forward to more from Cari. Well done!

#Bold Strokes Books#NetGalley#Cari Hunter

This sequel picks up right where A Calculated Risk ended. DI Jo Shaw is recovering from her knife wound Her team gets assigned a new murder case of a teenager in an abandoned house. Isla Monro, her reunited girlfriend, operates on another victim of the killer. There is a side story of a predatory doctor who is drugging and raping interns.

Jo is her usual self, chasing after the bad guys with no regard for her own safety. She takes a lot of abuse in this story and Isla is there to patch her up. I liked the story and the mystery of finding the killers. It was suspenseful and intense at times. Hunter puts a lot of British words in her stories which I liked. Always fun to learn new words. Jo and Isla are a great couple and I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Book 2 in the Jo Shaw series but easily read as a stand alone. This well written book is set in Manchester and it gripped me from the start. Jo is a very likeable and believable character and works well with her team. There is plenty of suspense, with a few touches of humour throughout which I really liked and the ending wrapped up neatly for a follow up. It's not a cosy read but a very realistic portrayal of life in the north west of England and I think lovers of crime thrillers will really enjoy the read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Brilliant. Pacing, humour, social commentary and real people. I'm torn because I want Jo and Isla to be safe. Move to a Scottish Island..... Isla could be the island Doctor, Jo, the Island cop.... . I think Hunter, with her understanding of people, their challenges, their solutions, their humanity and lack of it, could make it gripping! That wish however is just so they don't get hurt more.....but I love this series, and hope book 3 is not too far away!

I had a hard time getting into this book. The Britishisms were confusing at times, but the story ended up being pretty good, once it got to a certain point. I was disappointed that the characters were not given any physical descriptions. Perhaps they were in the first book, of which I was not aware.
I read Snowbound by this author, and although the story was good and suspenseful, there was not much romance. Maybe I need to read the first book in this series.

great to be back with both Cari and Jo. this book does follow on but it also give enough info to make sure you know where you are if this is a standalone. and it works just as well. if you havent though, i would recommend going and reading the other Cari books. shes just so good at this, haha.
this book is another from our Manchester based Jo Shaw. shes bored and at her desk. she is healing in the body but not so much of the mental right now. but is going a bit stir crazy at the desk.
i love how in the best of these type of series we care just as much for the people as we do for the plot. and coming back to Jo was like coming back to someone you did know or want to know more from. i liked how we get just as good of the home life not just the core plot of the crime.
this book certainly once again had me gripped and tense. and just about far away from the edge to keep wanting to read.
Jo is the one who gets the call about a body and scene she knows she has to take because she cant gt in touch with her team. but she never expected this. and not how involved and dark it would now get her to go.
shocking discovery's and wonders of just whats going on and how deep this goes is all around in this book. you are given just the right info, just the right tension builds throughout. and the pace is just right for keeping excited but needing to know what we did as we came to it through the pagers.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

this one carries on from the last book but its also a stand alone book that can be read at any time

jo has initially recovered from her injuries though the nightmares dont stop shes on desk duty but when a call comes in she is the only one present and try as she might she cant get hold of anyone from her team so with a new rookie she attends a scene and boy does it turn out to be a doozy....

when the identity of the body is discovered everyone is shocked to their core.... is there a drug turf war going on that they didnt know about....

when another victim is found with similar injuries its all hands on deck and when some vital evidence is found it comes with a shocking discovery.....

omg this book though dark in places also was the sort of book that had you on the edge of your seat.... i couldnt put this book at all and i look forward to the next book in this series

This is an excellent installment in the series starring Manchester detective Jo Shaw, this time with her relationship with surgeon Isla Munro more advanced. As usual, the author masterfully integrates the cold and damp Manchester atmosphere into the narrative, making it palpable to the reader and adding to the other sensations that comprise the cruel and horrific criminal plot. The investigation unfolds progressively, without cheap tricks, unpredictable twists, or deceptions. The inclusion of Jo and Isla's romantic relationship is a welcome addition; they deserve their moments of rest and happiness amidst so much stress and suffering. I am very happy to have another opportunity to reconnect with this series.

- an amazing crime fiction novel, i loved isla and jo’s relationship so much. this book very much reminded me of line of duty in the best way.

- the plot was heartbreaking but very engaging and intense.

-love tully and jo’s lesbian and gay solidarity.

- need a third book IMMEDIATELY!!!!

One of my all time favourite authors, Cari Hunter, has once again delivered a gripping and utterly captivating read with The Stolen Girl. From the very first page, I was completely immersed in a narrative that excels in its descriptive power, painting vivid scenes and emotions. This is a book that doesn't just tell a story; it makes you feel it.

Detective Jo Shaw has instantly cemented herself as one of my all-time favourite characters, a testament to Hunter's masterful character development. Jo is a wonderfully complex individual: fiercely strong and capable, yet possessing a deep sensitivity that makes her incredibly relatable and endearing. Having just returned to work after a near-fatal incident in the previous book, her rattled state adds a compelling layer of vulnerability and realism to her otherwise formidable presence. This ongoing recovery arc is handled with a delicate touch, showcasing her resilience while acknowledging the lingering impact of past trauma.

What truly elevates The Stolen Girl to exceptional status is its flawless balance between a nail-biting thriller and a tender, compelling romance. A significant part of this emotional depth comes from the beautiful reconnection between Jo and Isla. Their journey back to each other, as they realise their love never truly faded, is handled with such authenticity and warmth, making the romantic thread incredibly satisfying and integral to the overall narrative.

Beyond the main plot, a well-integrated side story involving Isla helping a colleague who is a victim of sexual harassment makes a good addition. It adds another layer of contemporary relevance and showcases Isla's character and compassion, enriching the world Hunter has built without distracting from the central mystery.

And finally, for anyone who appreciates a truly authentic setting, this novel is an absolute delight in its utter Britishness! From the nuanced dialogue that rings true to the delightful mentions of everyday snacks and cultural touchstones, every detail contributes to a wonderfully immersive and distinctly British atmosphere. It's these small, perfectly observed elements that make the world of the book feel so real and lived-in.

In The Stolen Girl, Cari Hunter has crafted a truly excellent novel that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. I can’t wait for the next book in the series - that cliffhanger!! Highly recommended!

Cari Hunter has rapidly become one of my all-time favourite authors. I absolutely love her gripping British police procedurals and always seem to find myself sucked into the story from the get-go. The Stolen Girl is certainly no exception and lead to a very late night as I simply could not put it down. It is gritty, suspenseful, dark and absolutely chock full of atmosphere. I particularly love the way that she manages to weave in some lighthearted moments amongst the drama and I also like the fact that the romance is not the main focus of the story. Instead, it's all about the suspense.

The author manages to draw on her own experiences as a paramedic in northern England to bring a high sense of realism to the story, including the local use of language, and reflection of the grim reality of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on much of the community, including a swipe at a certain former British Prime Minister!

As always, the characters use of language and ways of speaking is typical for that part of England and I absolutely can't wait for this one to come to audio, narrated by the fabulous Nicola Victoria Vincent, a master of the relevant accents. Once released, this one will go straight to the top of my Audible Wishlist.

I am grateful to the author, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Well I have to say the wait for the second instalment of DI Jo Shaw (and Dr Isla Munro’s ‘adventures’) was so worthwhile.
Right from the first page the story drew me in and enthralled me.
The storyline is gritty, heart wrenching, suspenseful and dark!! However, Cari Hunter also manages to include some light hearted moments that put together lifts the book to another level.
The developing relationship between Jo and Isla while secondary to the crime thriller also keeps you on your toes so that you are hoping they will over come everything that is thrown at them individually and together.
I love the down to earth characters in Cari Hunters books, the camaraderie and banter and the everyday relationships and life is so relatable. I loved chocolate sponge and pink custard at school!!
I wish I had more superlatives to write about The Stolen Girl but I can highly recommend it.
I can’t wait for the next Cari Hunter book.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it before my paperback arrives and give an honest review.

DI Shaw investigating again: atmospheric, gritty, gripping
British police procedural, set in North England: language, details, setting were very real and took me totally in. No much sleep that night. Had to finish the book. What a grand read!
It is a bleak, cold winter. DI Jo Shaw starts a new investigation in the seedier parts of Manchester where the cost of living crisis hits hard. Jo barely survived her last case (if you haven‘t read A Calculated Risk treat yourself!). Now she stumbles into another investigation: graphic, gritty, heart-rendering crime. Consider all trigger warnings on.
What starts off as a slow poking around quickly turns into a deathly search.
Cari Hunter is a master of atmosphere: there is the harsh, desolate crime investigation balanced and made bearable by the strong bonds between Jo and her colleagues of the Serious Crime Team, the first responders and her growing relation with Dr. Isla Monroe.
I was glued to the book. Certainly not an easy, cozy read, but a gripping, insightful and well-written glimpse into the grim reality of fighting crime in Northern England.

I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

I am a sucker for British crime books so when I got a chance to read more about DI Jo Shaw I screamed of excitement. I listened to the first book about Jo Shaw and that was amazing. Now reading the 2nd book was great but I am sure it will be even better as an audiobook, I think I need someone else guiding me through all the horrible stuff Jo is encountering in her job.

At the start of this 2nd book about Jo she is recuperating after getting stabbed on the job, she is struggling both mentally and physically. Fortunately, she has her best friend and colleague DI Mark Tully to lean on and of course Isla that she slowly is getting closer to after a 15-year gap. Jo is slowly back to work, but desk duty only is assigned after her trauma. Then a call comes in and nobody else is around so of course Jo takes it, and a quite horrible case start to unravel. Murder, rape, torture, drugs and so much more and it all involves young people. Reading about Jo trying to cope after her own trauma is so hard to read, much more difficult to disassociate now. She will not bail out though since she is so intent to get the bad guys and make them pay for what they did.

In the middle of the crime case that is the focus of the book we can also follow the budding romance with Isla, them finally getting back together after 15 years and it is so sweet. I love to see those workaholics finally find their way back together and would like to read so much more about that.

Overall, a great read I can really recommend, and I will grab the audiobook when available.