Book Review
Look for Me
by Lisa Gardner
Penguin Random House © 2018
Plot Summary:
A family is brutally slain in the safety of their own home. One survivor, who happened to be walking the family dogs at the time of the murder, has disappeared. When detective D.D. Warren arrives on the case, she quickly realizes this was not a random crime, but a targeted group of murders.
The family’s oldest daughter, Roxanna, remains missing. Was she kidnapped? Did she kill her family and run away? If she is innocent, why is she on the run?
In the weeks before the shooting, Roxanna reached out for help and advice from an online group of survivors run by Flora Dane. In her youth, Flora was kidnapped and held hostage for over a year by a deranged man who took pleasure in torturing and controlling her. She now dedicates her life helping other victims become survivors who get their lives back. She is determined to help Roxanna in any way she can.
As Flora and D.D. ferociously try to locate Roxanna and find out who committed this heinous crime, they must uncover secrets buried by a family who thought they were on the road to recovery and happiness. The difficulties from their past may not have been as far behind them as they hoped.
My Thoughts:
I always like to start out helping readers understand how easy or difficult it is to read in a series with which they may not be familiar. I am happy to say, I had no trouble starting this series 10 books, 3 short stories and a novella into Detective DD Warren’s story. There were some back-stories with which I was not familiar, but it did not hinder my understanding of the story or mystery.
I like how Lisa Gardner paced this story, discovering clues and giving exposition both from D.D. Warren’s perspective, and from the perspective of Flora Dane. The characters are appropriately complex, and I will absolutely invest more time with D.D. and Flora.
The story is also partly told from Roxy’s perspective in flashbacks through her essays. It was a fabulous way to build tension and reveal significant plot points without feeding it to the readers. Her experiences in foster care were emotional and real. I will say (precariously as not to create any spoilers) that the secrets from the past do involve child abuse and it was difficult to read.
Parts of the mystery dragged a little towards the middle. Several of the reveals were somewhat predictable, but once I got to them, they were suitably emotional and complex.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-paced mystery, and I am excited to read more from Lisa Gardner!