Monday, May 16, 2011

Island of Lost Girls

Oh... this is a good book and you should just get it now before reading my review. ;)

Island of Lost Girls- by Jennifer McMahon
Island of Lost Girls: A Novel
While parked at a gas station, Rhonda sees something so incongruously surreal that at first she hardly recognizes it as a crime in progress. She watches, unmoving, as somone dressed in a rabbit costume kidnaps a young girl. Devastated over having done nothing, Rhonda joins the investigation. But the closer she comes to identifying the abductor, the nearer she gets to the troubling truth about another missing child: her best friend, Lizzy, who vanished years before.

Now, I've reviewed another book by this author and I was blown away. I will say that this book captured me right away and I really like how this author creates a story line and builds characters. I may not always like the character (and truth be told I felt like punching Rhonda for being a whining baby about everything and is just too "woe is me" for me to like her.) but I like the role they play in the story.

I felt this book really captured the fascination of child abductions and it made you feel not only like this was a real story but also that you were involved. I mean, how many of you would do anything but stare at a person dressed up like a rabbit taking a kid out of a car? Honestly? I think we'd all be so dumbfounded we'd just stare. And it's true- how many kids go missing in the light of day with people around? It happens. But what I really liked is that this book had a good mystery to it and I did NOT see the ending coming. Not at all. Usually I have a hunch but this time I was totally blown away.

The story has so many twists and turns, as well as flashes back to childhood and then you realize that really- it's like three stories into one. I didn't even see where it was all going until I got to the end. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat and you think she can't possibly wrap it up- but then... bam. She not only wrapped it up, but it's logical and a great ending. You don't feel cheated.

So yes. Buy this book. I'm already reading another of hers and I'm excited about it. These are GREAT summer reads. Don't take my word for it, check out the other book reviews here or visit Jennifer's website.


3 comments:

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I love that you review books and I have an ever increasing list of books to read.

trish said...

So glad you liked it! It's true that so many kids go missing in the light of day. That is freaky in and of itself! I love that you didn't see the ending coming. I'm not great at guessing endings, but I still love a good, twisty ending!

Julie H said...

That sounds like a great one! Adding it to my "to read" list :)

BTW I have a free book giveaway for Friday on my blog if you are interested :)