Typical, but fun read. ( )

I liked the main characters okay, but all the other characters, from the really bad guys to the obnoxious woman in the gym, were very unrealistic. Three mysteries were going on at once and -- surprise, surprise -- the author was able to solve them all. But there were no viable hints to enable to reader to figure the mysteries out, so it left me with a so-what feeling. ( )

Good guys and bad guys. No in-betweens. Children, moms, dads, apple pie, and happily ever after. ( )

Six year old Sam ran out of the forest in the pouring rain and changed Sheriff Katie Benedicts life forever. Getting him dried off and his father, Miles Kettering, called, the Sheriff found out that he had been kidnapped. Brave Sam had saved himself and with the help of Sheriff Benedict and her daughter, he got warm and they settled to wait for his dad. Miles was flying out to get his son with long time friend Dillon Savich and got to the sheriffs house in time to see that it was not over yet.

This story is about kid strength, I am not sure if anyone that young would really react that well. The story also incorporated a lot of bits from previous book. If you have not read the series, you may not follow all of the 'inside jokes', or know the other people involved. Since I have read the series, in order now, I have to say that seeing some of the same characters over again is fun. This book showed Savich get hurt and little Sean be threatened and their reaction to it. Wonderful characters, thank you Catherine Coulter. ( )

Tone of language: Chatty, colloquial
Plot twists: Beaten criminals keep returning
Characters: Law enforcers all in one mold
Values: Be softhearted or tough as needed
Pace: Elusive criminal motive is intriguing
Sexuality: Sweet-talk leads to a little more
Background research: Truck mechanics
Ending: Heroism in defense of the family
Offensive to any group: Evangelicals; Gays
Targeted audience: Women

Flaw: What really happened in the video showing Sam's illness is never fully explained. ( )