First published 2005
Eric Moore enjoys the good life in his quiet town. He runs a successful business and comes home each night to his stable family. Then Keith, his teenage son, agrees to babysit eight-year-old Amy Giordano from down the street. By morning, Amy has disappeared. Eric watches his world collapse as police turn their attention to Keith. The community whispers and points. Eric hires lawyers and makes television appearances defending his boy's innocence. But doubt creeps into his mind. Keith's behavior troubles him. His son's answers don't add up. Eric faces a father's worst nightmare. If Keith hurt Amy, he might hurt another child. Eric must choose between protecting his son and protecting other families. The investigation tightens around Keith while Eric struggles to hold his family together.
Genres: crime, contemporary, psychological-thriller, mystery-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Quiet Town
Period: Contemporary
289 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt