THE STOLEN – Jason Pinter
The Henry Parker Series – Book 3
MIRA
ISBN-10: 0-7783-2572-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2572-7
August 2008
Suspense/Thriller

New York City, New York – Present Day

Five year-old Daniel Linwood went out to play, and vanished.

Now, after five long years, a ten year-old Daniel, (or Danny, as he now calls himself), appears on his parents' doorstep as if he never left. Randall and Shelly Linwood want to know what happened to their son, but mostly they're relieved he's home and all they want now is to get on with their lives. At first, they shun the clamoring media, but they know that Daniel's story is one they must tell and there is only one person they trust to get it right. They send for New York Gazette reporter, Henry Parker.

Daniel Linwood has no memory of the years he was away, and Henry smells a story and a cover-up. As he investigates deeper into Daniel's disappearance, he's advised by everyone to leave the story alone. Even local Senator Gray Talbot warns Henry not to dig too deeply, but that only raises Henry's curiosity -- why is it so important to the senator that he walk away from this story? Of course, unable to let it go, Henry digs deeper, starts asking questions, and discovers other children in the same situation. And just like Daniel, each one of these children returned home unharmed, their memories wiped away. Henry thinks he's uncovered a conspiracy, but he needs access to sealed court documents to prove it. Determined to find the truth before another child disappears, he decides to ask the only person he knows who can open those records: legal aid attorney Amanda Davies.

Six months ago, Henry and Amanda were lovers living together, but after his job almost killed her, Henry walked out of her life for good, leaving them both devastated. Losing Amanda has not been good for Henry. He can't bear the memories that linger in their once-shared apartment so he sleeps at his desk in the newsroom. He barely eats, and when he's not at the office, he spends his spare time drinking at Finnerty's bar. Staying away from Amanda is the only way he knows to keep her safe. He has no business loving Amanda when one of the stories he chases might be the one that could get them both killed. But now he has to swallow his pride and ask her for help, and then pray her can keep her safe.

THE STOLEN is a chilling tale and, once again, Henry Parker isn't faring too well. He always seems to wiggle his way into a story that's hotter than Hades and just as dangerous. To get the idea of Henry's problems, you have to understand what came before and know that one of these stories just might be his last. (NO!!!) First, Henry became THE MARK (July 2007), when all of New York City believed he killed a cop. Then he went after the truth in THE GUILTY (April 2008), searching for the real story of Billy the Kid, and unlocking a psychopath's revenge. And now, THE STOLEN is his newest adventure, and Henry is once again looking for a truth that will certainly get him killed if he's not careful.

Each and every character in THE STOLEN is dynamic and adds many colorful layers of mystery and suspense. Henry has become the Gazette's junior ace reporter, and Editor-in-Chief Wallace Langston helps him along now that Henry's mentor and hero, Jack O'Donnell, is spiraling deeper and deeper into an alcoholic depression. (I really hate to see Jack this way and I hope Henry can bring him round soon.) His friend, policeman Curt Sheffield, still has Henry's back and aids his investigation; and the conniving Paulina Cole, top columnist at rival paper, the New York Dispatch, returns, still trying to destroy Henry, Jack, and the Gazettte. I could go on at length about Henry and his problems, but his biggest hurdle is simply staying alive, and the reader's biggest dilemma is hoping against hope that he does. THE STOLEN is a top-notch novel (the third in the series), and it stands alone, but I definitely recommend that you do not miss any of these wonderful books. (The next Henry Parker installment, THE FURY, is coming in March 2009!)

THE STOLEN is a multi-layered thriller that has no faults. The only problem with a Henry Parker novel is that you simply cannot put one down once you open the cover. And you are guaranteed a fabulous and exciting roller coaster reading experience as Henry manages to get himself (and Amanda) into the most hair-raising predicaments. There's lots of action and never a dull moment -- do not miss this story!

Diana Risso