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The Taken Audiobook
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(3.55) - 58 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Detective Inspector Hazel Micallef is having a bad year. After major back surgery, she moves into her ex-husband's home to be cared for by his new wife. As if that weren't enough to cope with, her octogenarian mother is insisting that Hazel end her dependence on painkillers—an insistence that takes the form of secretly flushing Hazel's stash down the toilet.
It's almost a relief when Hazel gets a call about a body found in one of the lakes near Port Dundas. But what raises the hair on the back of her neck is that the local paper has just published the first installment of a serialized story featuring such a scenario. Even before they head out to the lake, she and Detective Constable James Wingate know they are being played. But who is pulling their strings and why are not clear, nor is what they find at the lake at all what they expected. This is no simple drowning accident or even a straightforward murder. It's Micallef herself who is snared, caught up in a cryptic game being played by a maven of the art of deception.
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"An incredibly fast paced book. I really enjoyed it. Hazel was a bit more brash and crass in this book than she was in the first one and I really enjoy strong female characters with some "meat on their bones!" Can't wait for the next one in Sept. of 2011."
— Naomi (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A terrifyingly addictive series—I’m hooked! Detective Hazel Micallef investigates the creepiest of crimes.”
— Mo Hayder, international bestselling author of Birdman -
“Just as compelling as the first…with an even more expertly managed plot…Keeps the reader’s heart pounding from first page to last in a distinctive and superior crime novel.”
— Toronto Star -
“The work of a major talent…Wolfe is a master at atmosphere and setting, capturing perfectly the glory of small-town Ontario…Highly satisfying.”
— Globe and Mail (Toronto)
The Taken Listener Reviews
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" Intense and so well written. "
— Kim, 2/19/2014 -
" Not bad. I think, in the end, I liked this one somewhat better than The Calling, simply because I the ending was stronger. My one issue is a spoiler, so I won't bring it up, but I think the author has a tendency to go for easy plot devices. I really like Hazel, and the various supporting characters, but I would have liked more Wingate. "
— Miriam, 2/16/2014 -
" I had found Wolfe's previous book in this series, The Calling, as an excellent read with great depth of characters. I was anticipating the same with this second book. However, while it was well written and a good read, it lacked the character intensity of The Calling. I found the artist's use of metaphor particularly interesting and clever -- using a water theme through many of the metaphor and vocabulary. "
— Jan, 2/14/2014 -
" Not as good as The Chosen, but still entertaining. "
— Jamie, 2/11/2014 -
" 2009. I liked this book. It did start well and I loved the premise that the protagonist had to be looked after by her ex husband and his new wife. I liked the character of Hazel Micallef and her mother. However, the plot seemed to me to get hopelessly lost about half way through the book. Which is a shame. Recommended though as it may well suit for an easy and light read. "You can't be a maverick and a leader at the same time, Hazel - no one can. But without the pressure to wonder what a more sensible version of yourself would do in a given situation, you might actually feel free for the first time in years. Its not a bad situation if you look at it more closely." "
— Ruth, 2/1/2014 -
" 2nd book with Hazel Micallef as Acting Chief "
— Sharon, 1/21/2014 -
" When does the next book come out? I just love this series. The Taken doesn't have as a strong of an eww factor, but it is there. Hazel is still a lovable bully. "
— K.B., 1/10/2014 -
" A new-to-me author, an over-60 female protagonist, an original plot, interesting characters with flesh on their bones. I'll be reading more of Wolfe. "
— E, 1/10/2014 -
" Another wonderful Hazel Micallef mystery, with strong characterization and a difficult but engaging mystery. "
— Gina, 11/12/2013 -
" This was just kind of dumb. I'm not sure why I finished it. "
— Janet, 10/23/2013 -
" The second Inspector Hazel Micallef book is tremendous on all counts: upper Ontario setting, compex crime, and truly interesting characters, especially Hazel. I look forward to the third novel ("The hite Widow") this fall. "
— Larry, 4/8/2013 -
" Realized had read this before. Ties in Toronto to some of us who actually have lived there. "
— Lorraine, 2/10/2013 -
" A really good quick read, couldn't put it down. "
— Karen, 12/4/2012 -
" Serial killer in rural Canada broadcasts his coming crimes on a website. Creepy and compelling. "
— Diane, 11/4/2012 -
" As chilling as the first book! "
— Christie, 7/16/2012 -
" This mystery had an appealing main character, though much of the back story remains unexplained. This pulled me out of the flow a bit. The plot was not terribly compelling, and the climax wasn't credible. I might read the first of this series to illuminate what transpired in this book. "
— Tom, 6/17/2012 -
" Again, the language of this writer is astounding.... So descriptive, so sensuous and if it is a male I swear he was a woman in a previous life.... Highly recommended! "
— Kelly, 4/13/2012 -
" Second book in the series, and still meh. A really odd internet plot feature in the plot was completely ridiculous, but otherwise the book was so-so. "
— Verena, 9/30/2011 -
" Good read - particularly the details concerning the Toronto area. Some of the action is a bit difficult to believe, but the store keeps you interested. "
— Lena, 7/20/2011 -
" Someone once told me that life is too short to read bad books. I kept wanting to stop reading this, but kept telling myself to give it a chance. Not worth it. "
— Kathy, 5/9/2011 -
" A new-to-me author, an over-60 female protagonist, an original plot, interesting characters with flesh on their bones. I'll be reading more of Wolfe. "
— E, 4/16/2011 -
" As chilling as the first book! "
— Christie, 1/12/2011 -
" Not as good as The Chosen, but still entertaining. "
— Jamie, 1/2/2011 -
" I enjoyed this mystery even if the premise was a little far-fetched. I liked the characters and look forward to reading others in this series. I think I would have given it 3.5 stars. "
— Jean, 12/29/2010 -
" Excellent sequel to The Calling. Good characters and story. "
— Alison, 12/13/2010 -
" Not as good as "The Calling" but still a very enjoyable and well-written read. "
— Gatorman, 11/27/2010 -
" This was just kind of dumb. I'm not sure why I finished it. "
— Janet, 11/1/2010 -
" Serial killer in rural Canada broadcasts his coming crimes on a website. Creepy and compelling. "
— Diane, 10/16/2010
About Inger Ash Wolfe
Inger Ash Wolfe is the pseudonym of well-known and well-regarded North American literary writer Michael Redhill. He is an American-born Canadian poet, playwright, and novelist. He completed his education at York University and the University of Toronto, and was the publisher of the Canadian magazine Brick from 2000 to 2009.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.