Hester Thursby, Harvard librarian, has taken a leave of absence to help her partner care for his young niece. Hester has a side job, however; she implements her research skills to locate people. The prom date in 1974, adopted children, or birth parents--Hester uses her skills to find those who may be missing from someone's life.
Hester adores Kate, but the little one is causing some disruption in Hester's life. As much as she loves Kate, suddenly thrust in the role of caregiver to a small child was never in Hester's life plan, and she occasionally finds herself bored.
When a call from Lila Blaine requesting help in locating her brother that she hasn't seen in twelve years, Hester agrees to meet her and find out more. Intrigued by the sporadic postcards Lila has received over the years, Hester agrees to see if she can locate Sam Blaine and the best friend he ran away with at fourteen.
Why did Sam and Gabe run away in the first place? Why are the postcards so cryptic?
Hester follows the clues and finds herself in a situation she never bargained for.
Read in June; blog review scheduled for August 13.
NetGalley/Kensington Books
Mystery/Suspense. August 28, 2018. Print length: 324 pages.
Because of new laws (although that's a sorry excuse because we should have been doing it all along), my agency has an entire unit dedicated to finding relatives for kids who seemingly have no one, even very distant ones. I often imagine the joy that must come from finding a good match with all the research. I like the premise of this one. And it helps that the protagonist is a librarian.
ReplyDeleteFinding relatives for kids with no immediate family support would be rewarding if good matches could be made.
DeleteThis book is, of course, a murder mystery, but I do like the idea of using research in a positive way.
Readers definitely have soft spots for librarians and booksellers in books!
ReplyDeleteAre there descriptions of how Hester uses her skills to research and find people? I think I would find that particularly interesting to read about.
There is some description involving how the postcards helped Hester track down Sam. I think the research part could have been played up a little more.
DeleteI knew about this book, but how did I not remember that it had a librarian protagonist? Sigh. I saw this author this spring, but I didn't get to go to his panel (for some reason). Anyway, this one seems like a book I'd like. And thanks!!
ReplyDeleteIt was the librarian that made me request this one. It would have been interesting to hear what the author had to say, but with so many choices--you just couldn't get to all of them!
DeleteI really like the sound of this one! Best of all? My library has several copies of it on order. Yay. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised that a library ordered more than one copy of a book with a librarian protagonist. ;o
DeleteAnything which is books related is always a draw to us readers. :) And this one sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteI know: manuscripts, libraries, librarians, book shops! Readers always want more. :)
DeleteOoh this sounds really interesting. I do love mysteries. And as a librarian, I do enjoy librarian characters.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
:) Maybe I need to mention that this is not a "cozy" librarian mystery.
DeleteAs long as its a good match. There are nightmare stories of children being placed with relatives.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to Wendy's comment about researching relatives for children: We have still have tremendous problems caring for unwanted children. From the Orphan Trains (from 1854 to 1929) to orphanages to foster care. There are so many children that no one wants, but at least there are dedicated social workers who try their best.
DeleteI already like the protagonist! Will have to add to my check out list.
ReplyDelete