Friday, July 20, 2012

Review - Gone Missing

Title: Gone Missing
Author: Linda Castillo
Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 19, 2012)
Format: Hardcover; Pgs 288
Genre: Suspense
Source: Library
Series: Kate Burkholder #4

Linda Castillo paints an amazing picture. You can sense the innocence of the Amish families, you can feel the need for independence of the young, you can wonder how the two can coincide; but you are not prepared for the terror of a missing child.

Rumspringa is a time in the Amish community when the teens are allowed a time of freedom before they are baptized. When they are permitted to experience the outside world and their parents let go and hope that their children will return to their rightful place.

There is a ruthless person out there, a person that is abducting these Amish “worldly” children. Some have been gone for years and some only a few weeks. Kate and Tomaselli are finally putting the pieces together in this puzzle. When it becomes personal for Kate, there is no stopping her. Being ex-Amish herself, Kate knows the people that she is dealing with. She knows their hopes and fears for their children, and has to tread lightly if there is any chance in returning the lost.

“And I know that once we know why, we will find the who.”

As you are reading this book, no one specific character stands out, Ms Castillo paints a broad picture, your mind evaluates each person, each family and you are left wondering who could have done this. Obvious suspects are just that and you know that it cannot be that easy. How could it be? As the story climaxes you are stunned. Kate wonders how she could have missed it. One simply word from a victim and the realization of their miscalculation is staggering to both Kate and the reader.

“There are some decisions you make that you know will affect the rest of your life. Decisions where the line between right and wrong is blurred by circumstances.”

I loved how this book slowly builds in its momentum. How each person, each character had a place in the story, how you could feel Kate’s intensity and love, for both the victims and the people that she calls family.

I do not know what direction Kate and Tomaselli will go, but I do know that they are one of my favorite duos in fiction today. Both are damaged, both have passion for their work, but most importantly, they are not willing to let go of each other or the responsibility that they feel for those around them.

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