When a child disappears from her bassinet while her mother is in the shower, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is assigned to the case. Miles is adamant that she is fit and able to return to duty after a three-month break for maternity leave. Her station chief, while not thoroughly convinced, assigns her to the case. But seemingly waits for her to crack from the pressure. Pressure not just from the case itself.

Her partner assumed her role while she was on leave, and is eager to take her position full time. He is argumentative and difficult to work with, disagreeing with Miles on numerous points. Her father, a former chief inspector himself, is embroiled in a corruption scandal which threatens to take Miles down with him. The media have already got wind of the story and are circling like sharks. Her husband is an architect struggling with both finding work and caring for their newborn child.

This is a follow-up to McKenzie’s The Torrent featuring DS Miles. It’s not essential to have read the first book. But after having read Taken you might find yourself wanting to track it down.

This is not your standard crime novel. Attention is given to Miles’ family and the strain her work is putting on it. Her husband desperately needs her help with the baby, but what is Miles to do when working on a missing child case where every minute is crucial and could be the difference between life and death?

Thoroughly enjoyable and well written, with twists and misdirection, Taken also explores the theme of toxic male behaviour and domestic violence.

Reviewed by Neale Lucas

Visit Dinuka McKenzie’s website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer. Her debut crime fiction manuscript The Torrent won the 2020 Banjo Prize for fiction and was published by HarperCollins Australia in February 2022. Her then unpublished manuscript Taken was longlisted for the 2020 Richell Prize and was published in 2023.

When not writing, Dinuka works in the environmental sector and volunteers as part of the team behind the Writers’ Unleashed Festival. She lives in Southern Sydney on Dharawal Country with her husband, two kids and their pet chicken.