“Sometimes the dead are easier to find than the living.”

I am a huge fan of Brian Freeman’s books! This wasn’t his best, but it was still good and definitely worth reading.

What is different about this book compared to most of his others is that it’s not as dark or psychologically intense, which may be more what you’re looking for.

More of a mystery than a thriller, in my opinion.


This book is told from the POV of Shelby Lake, left on the doorstep of the sheriff as a baby and now grown up to be the sheriff’s deputy in a small ‘wilderness’ town.

Shortly after a woman is murdered, a little boy appears to have been kidnapped. Two rare occurrences in a town like this. Are they connected? People who thought they knew each other might have more secrets than everyone realized. A safe town is now in the throes of crime and distrust.

The book is told in two parts. The first part happens when the abduction first occurs. The second part happens 10 years later. New evidence is unearthed to correct what was theorized and (partly) legally carried out.


I admit, I was somewhat disappointed by the ending. I can’t tell you why without giving too much away. Maybe because it felt like once you have the answers it doesn’t really feel like justice was/can be served. It’s more sad than vindicating and I like stickin’ it to those bad guys…

But again, it’s not really a thriller like I was expecting considering his other books so maybe it was also just a case of unmet expectations.

Regardless, it’s still a well-written book that keeps you guessing and should be on your to-read list.