The Last Child & The Way Home

The Last Child by John Hart
This story opens and it’s all about procuring an eagle’s feather because in Indian Lore it represents power and strength.

Johnny Merrimon is a 13 year old twin in a desperate search for his missing twin who police believe was abducted about a year ago. In addition, his father walked out on him and his mother after a particularly brutal argument. His mother is now involved in a difficult relationship with a man who is physically and verbally abusive.

Detective Hunt of the local police force is a man who refuses to give up on the case of the missing girl. Although they have no leads, he is determined and obsessed about this case.
While working on the case, another young girl goes missing in the small town. Johnny becomes involved in this case as well.

This is a fast-paced, well-written thriller. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Hart throws the reader a curve and you find yourself looking at more than one character as the perpetrator of the crime.

If you like Lisa Gardner and Harlan Coben, then pick up this latest entry from John Hart, you will not be disappointed.

The Way Home by George Pelecanos

I picked up this book because the title grabbed me. Who doesn’t in that deep part of whom we are want to know the way home?

This is the story of Chris, a bad boy. He grows up in an affluent neighborhood, an only child on his way toward being the best he can be. Unfortunately, somewhere around his teenage years, his good intentions go awry and he becomes a misfit, truant, robber and genuine pain in the neck for his parents. Eventually he ends up in a juvenile facility where he learns the rudiments of survival.

He is released and takes stock of where he is. His father gives him a job laying carpet and also employs one of his roommates from juvenile detention. Actually, his Dad is a regular guy and goes out of his way to help some of Chris’ wayward friends get back on their feet.

One day Chris and Ben make a discovery underneath the floorboards in a room where they are to lay a new carpet. Chris makes a decision and Ben reluctantly goes along with it. From this point on, the story twists and turns a bit until a conclusion is reached.

This is a story of hope and redemption. The author also wrote and produced the award-winning program entitled The Wire. It is worth a read, especially if you’ve ever been inclined to give up on someone.

Ladybookbug!