Shortest Summary Ever: Marin and her husband Derek have the perfect life – money, great careers… but it all changes in seconds when their 4 yr old son is gone. Vanished. Kidnapped. As time moves on, Marin stands still stuck in a world of “what if…” and when she learns that everything she thought was perfect may be blowing up in her face? Boom!

Scrappymags 3-word review: Intrigue and Betrayal!

My thoughts: Uh boy … this is a tough one – in odd cases I’ve encountered this where I loved the story, BUT hated the I’m-supposed-to-be-smart-but-do-dumb-things protagonist. Marin is wealthy, beautiful, has celeb clients in her hair salons and has an idyllic life that promptly blows up when her son disappears. She had my sympathy, and in fact I think some of the best parts were showing how a couple would survive something so tragic, but then (without spoilers) she learns things and behaves in a way that an intelligent woman WOULD NOT… example: you want to engage in something highly illegal I. Which you are CERTAIN to be investigated? You don’t text your BFF about it. ID Channel 101.

And that kind of wide-eyed “oh but I’m so pretty” naivety grated on my nerves. And Derek? Straight up douche. Not an “I’m in grief” douche who seeks some action with another woman, but an “I cheated on my wife when she was pregnant” award-winning grand champion blue ribbon douche. However – I’m not supposed to like every protagonist and the story engaged me – kept me turning the pages. My intrigue was piqued and revelations were well done. It’s a paradox, but because the story was paced so well, I suspended some disbelief and went with it… and was entertained.

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Genre: Mystery/Contemporary

Recommend to: The mystery folks who can suspend a little disbelief, have a like for material things, etc

Not recommended to: cozy mystery folks or the opposite – gritty mystery… it’s a contemporary in-between. Avoid if you can’t tolerate improbable weak female leads or “poor little rich girl” moments.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press (a definite fave!) and Jennifer Hillier for this ARC. Happy to provide my honest review.