Rising Stars Book Club

         
First of all, I was worried I wouldn't be able to get this book read by the deadline, as I'm going camping again Tuesday and neither the library nor Libby had a copy available. Then I discovered I could download a free copy from Audible, as the first month is free if you are a new member, so I joined. What a relief!

I'm afraid my review is all over the place, and I do apologize. I've carried my cell phone around in my pocket for three days listening to this story while I washed and hung up clothes, started repacking for another camping trip, set up a new tent for inspection, made meals, etc. and it was all worth it! My daughter and fam are spending the weekend to celebrate my grandson's 12th birthday, and then we have Monday to finish packing. So I wanted to be sure to finish this, and I did. {/I}

This book was totally engaging. Never a dull moment! The Angler was creepy, the children--innocent, the foster family (Jess, Billy, and Theodore)--my favorite, Amelia's marriage--suspicious, and Lily Tucker--a mystery. Amelia's job as an investigative genealogist consumes her life, as not only is she searching for her biological mother, but for the family of the lost little toddler who stays silent. As Amelia's husband wedges further and further away from their relationship, she begins to suspect he is up to something behind her back. While visiting her friend Jess, all hell breaks loose in more ways than one. Like I said, never a dull moment!

I'd wondered if I missed anything in Book 1 of the series, so eventually, I might read/listen to that one, too. I'm still feeling a little confused, but on the most part, I enjoyed this tremendously! I do feel, however, that I should go back and reread certain parts for clarity. I felt Detective Stockton Barnes' character wasn't clear to me at first, which threw me off. But after reading some other reviews, I learned his character was introduced in the first book, so it may have helped if I'd read that book beforehand, at least for that reason.The author knows how to pique the reader's interest and I definitely would be interested in reading/listening to more books by her!

My granddaughter's name is Lily Tucker, like the one of the characters in the book! Just a little tidbit that I thought I'd share.

Almost the entire story, I suspected Amelia's husband Aaron was up to no good. However, with all the twists and turns to this thriller, I was surprised--but not unhappy--that Aaron just hadn't felt needed by his wife for years as Amelia was busy helping other foundlings locate their families, as she was searching for her own biological mother. While I had been suspicious of him, I hadn't considered it might be Amelia's focus on finding answers to her roots that may have been the issue.

My favorite part of the book was when Amelia went to visit her friend Jess, and experiencing Jess and Billy's life as foster parents. What great people they were, but not without flaws, which made them even more likable. I loved that Theodore had a pet rooster and also that it was he would discovered the lost toddler spoke French. I felt very drawn into his character. I loved how he was so brave towards the end of the book, too. Yes, this part of the book was probably my favorite.

Definitely worth the read!

~Cubby