This story of a photographer whose fiance's daughter is kidnapped while in her care has superb descriptions of photography, San Francisco and Costa Rica but the paces is uneven with humdrum padded portions while awaiting the exciting denouement. ( )

The Year Of Fog tells the story of a kidnapped child. A story that's been told a number of times. And I've read my share of them. But there are a number of things which sets this one apart. First of all, it's told from the point of view of the child's stepmother. A boldly different point perspective. It also includes many beautifully written passages on the use of photography as a means, not only to freeze a moment in time, but to imprint that time into our memories. And for me, it's these brilliant dissertations into so many different aspects of our memories, and the ways in which these memories shape, effect, and in some cases, define our lives that makes this novel special. ( )

A gripping tale that held my interest and kept a knot in the pit of my stomach. I hope I have just found a new author to love. ( )

Evocative novel about Abby, a woman who hopes to one day be wife to Jake, a high school teacher, and stepmother to Emma, his six-year-old daughter. Only Abby glances away just long enough to lose Emma on a fog-filled San Franciscan beach.

The majority of the novel is an interplay between the science of memory, the search for Emma, and the deteriorating relationship between Jake and Abby.

Although exceptionally well-written and carefully balanced between science, memory, and present-tense plot, I experienced moments of complete listlessness in reading, which could have easily been resolved if the author had chosen to nix some of the factual and scientific renderings and the repetitive emotional obsessiveness the narrator chose to indulge in and get back to the plot. I guess I'm spoiled by commercial fiction with its fast-paced, emotionally streamlined narrative. This is the only fault with the book, and it is why I give it only 4 instead of 5 stars. ( )

Great writing, engaging story. ( )