The Stolen Ones
A mysterious container is offloaded from a ship right on to the back of a truck. Miles later when the truck stops the shipping container is opened and a hose used to wash off the unlikely cargo – a group of young (very young) women from Eastern block countries. Among these women are two sisters, one of whom was tempted by stories of achieving fame and fortune and the other simply tagging along because she wanted to be with her older sister. Knowing they were in serious trouble each wanted to save the other. At the next stop the container door is once again rolled up but this time two women jump out and begin to run. One gets away and one doesn’t. Vacationing in the area, BCA Agent Kirk Steven gets the call to take a few hours out of his vacation to investigate the nearby shooting of a Sheriff’s deputy. Found at the scene was a young woman, Irina, unable to speak English, and for a short time the suspect in the killing. When F.B.I. Agent Carla Windermere is called into the case, which is looking more and more like a human trafficking ring, Kirk knows his vacation has just been cancelled.
I’ve been a fan of this series since “The Professionals” and Mr. Laukkanen has never failed to disappoint me. This book is no exception. Granted, the premise for the story is not unique but Mr. Laukkanen managed to hold my interest throughout the whole book. One thread I notice (and enjoy) in Mr. Laukkanen books is that he always has a “bad guy” that you feel just a little bit sorry for. Someone who has definitely made unwise decisions in life, but whose heart is not totally black. Yes – the reader is cheering for the good guys to save the day. Yes – he may deserve everything that happens to him. But – the reader never gets past the feeling that were the circumstances different this guy would’ve been okay. That’s one of the aspects of this series that keeps me reading. As for the rest of the villains, they are truly villainous; complete with grisly murders, bloody revenge and no conscience what so ever. Just the way you want them in a thriller. The previous books have held a certain amount of attraction/tension between Kirk and Carla that is missing in this book and I cannot say I missed it. Carla is as content as Carla can be in her new relationship and Kirk’s wife (who I always see as understanding yet long suffering) is a little more on board with this case since the women involved are close in age to their own daughter and she seems to be the only person that Irina trusts.
A book with a story line this intense does need a little something to give the reader a breather between killings and sex-slavery. That comes with Kirk’s reaction to his daughter having her first boyfriend. Considering the nature of the case he’s is working this little bit of news could not have come at a worse time.
All in all a good entry for this series.
