Cemetery Girl by David Bell

 

The main characters of this story aren't particularly likable. Which perhaps is motivation to keep reading, that the main characters are realistically human. Tom is a bit of a narcissistic dick and his wife Abby comes off as cold and oblivious. Both parents were left broken when their daughter was kidnapped. Abby turned to the church in her time of need and Tom obsessively continued investigation into his daughter's disappearance.

Overall, there was an easy flow to the writing style even as the subject matter was grim. At times I wondered if Uncle Buster was really necessary to the story, mostly he just seemed a little cliché and some of his conversations felt like a waste of time. I kept turning the page, wanting to know answers to questions like "what happens next?" and "how does it end?" so it absolutely hit its suspense quota.

After four years apart, Tom finally gets what he wants: Caitlyn comes home. It's not enough. She's not the same, how could she be? And she won't discuss where she's been. His need for justice and answers, is fueling a rage and paranoia that is soiling his image in the eyes of the public and his family.

The story loses a little believability when the main characters engage the perpetrator... not just once, but multiple times. God forbid a college professor be smart enough to just call the police.

This book had neither a happy ending nor a sad one, instead it had a realistic one. Some damages can't be fixed to perfection. Sometimes people just have to struggle through with what's left.

3 Stars