Remembering Sarah

From Amazon:

Mike Sullivan is determined to raise his six-year-old daughter Sarah to become a tough, independent woman. His own mother left when he was twelve, promising to return and rescue him from his father, an abusive and violently unpredictable thief who, Mike believes, is responsible for her disappearance. But Mike's wife, Jess, has an overprotective need to shelter Sarah. Rebelling against her paranoia, Mike waits until Jess leaves the house and then, against her wishes, takes Sarah sledding. Only Sarah doesn't want to go up the hill with her father. Sarah wants to go up with her best friend. In love with his daughter's stubbornness, Mike grants her wish, and when Sarah doesn't come down, he finds himself stuck in the middle of a show more snowstorm, his daughter gone. Five years later, Sarah is still missing. The only suspect, Francis Jonah, the former priest believed to be responsible for the disappearance of two other girls, is dying of cancer. On the anniversary of Sarah's disappearance, her jacket is discovered -- by Jonah.

My Thoughts:

Chris Mooney delves into every parent's fear...that of not knowing where one's child is. I read another review where the story was called "haunting". I have to agree. There is everything you want in a great read...complex characters, a few twists, logical conclusions and a great premise. The characters are not one-dimensional. We see their flaws and they even admit their flaws. Of course, there has to be a few plot devices to create mystery, but Mooney limits the extras and sticks to the story quite well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. show less

Amazing book. Finalist 2005 Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel. I've read dozens of abducted children mysteries and I didn't see this ending coming. It has well-developed believable characters, with human frailities and almost uncomfortably realistic emotions and reactions.

Sarah verdwijnt, maar haar vader geeft de zoektocht niet op.