Take a look at the detail on the bottom of this great cover. I missed it when I cracked this book open the first time. Then a bookseller friend raved about the book and I picked it back up and REALLY looked. I do love houseboats. Just something unique that draws me in. There’s always at least one good story in each house…..
When Hannah opens the door of her home to a stranger on the first page of this OMG compelling thriller, she does not get good news. It’s very short. It’s not sweet. And the note she’s given by a twelve-year-old girl she doesn’t know, just says two words: protect her. But Hannah knows who she is supposed to protect. She just has no idea why yet or why her husband would send her a note like this through a stranger….And then we realize he has disappeared.
Owen Michaels is the husband and father who has disappeared. And without a trace is no joke. The company he works for is in big trouble. But is Owen involved in any way? The FBI have arrested his boss and are asking questions of employees.
Bailey is Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter. Her mother died tragically years ago when she was not yet three. She is Owen’s life. Owen married Hannah just a little over a year ago and she and Bailey have not bonded as is often the case with teenagers and stepmothers. But Hannah is determined to do everything she can to help the girl. The first thing she helps her with is hiding the backpack full of money that Owen left in Bailey’s locker at school….
Each chapter gives more information about Owen’s background and Hannah and Owen’s relationship. But when we learn that Owen is just not, well, Owen, this story becomes a page-turner and a half!! So compelling. Snippets of clues are provided that will keep you guessing.
The scenes from Sausalito and Northern California are not too shabby. Then there are scenes in Austin, Texas that are very authentic. Dave is great at writing fast-paced prose that is easy to follow and understand just when you need it.
Make sure you leave yourself plenty of reading room because once you start this novel, you will not be able to put it down.
Mysteries and thrillers are popular reads for summer. This is bound to a blockbuster! Reese Witherspoon has put her stamp of approval on the book and is already in the works to make a limited series show for Apple TV starring Julia Roberts. Oh my. Now we’re talking. We’ll have copies of this super book at Copperfish Books tomorrow which is the official on-sale date. They will be discounted 20%. And I can’t thank the amazing publishing people at Simon and Schuster for supplying Copperfish Books with review copies. Liz and I loved it!!
Maurice on Books 
I requested this one so we’ll see how long it takes for it to come in. It sounds perfect to me and bonus points that Reese is in the works to develop it into a show. She has a good feel for books and what works.