Inspired by the real life tragedy of the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping, this gripping novel reimagines the terrifying story of ten children abducted in broad daylight and buried alive. Told through multiple perspectives, it will have you holding your breath, desperate to find out what happens next and whether these children will ever make it home.

We follow Sage and her sister, two young girls determined to survive and reunite with their mother. Jessa, the bus driver with a troubled past, is thrust into a nightmare she never could have prepared for and must decide whether she has the courage to protect the kids in her care. Sheena, a frantic mother juggling fear, a dementia stricken father, and the moral weight of a ransom demand, faces an impossible choice. And Ted, driven by revenge, must confront just how far he's willing to go. Especially when his partner's ruthlessness threatens everything.

This novel closely mirrors the events of Chowchilla but offers fictional twists that elevate the suspense and emotional impact. It’s harrowing to imagine what those children endured, but Ihli gives readers a powerful, if terrifying, journey with a satisfying and redemptive ending.

Absolutely loved this book! It was tense, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. This is a must read for fans of true crime.

*Thank you to Noelle W. Ihli, Dynamite Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.