Pat D. (pat0814) reviewed on 6/9/2018 + 379 more book reviews

Joyce Maynard has written another engrossing book that follows two sisters, Rachel and Patty, through their pre-teen years in the 1970s and beyond in their obsession to help their chief detective father find a serial killer. Their parents divorced when they were young, leaving them with a mother who is virtually unavailable and a relationship with a father they adore despite his flaws. Loosely based on the real life "trailside killer" case in Marin County, California, the case haunts their father, who plummets from hero to scapegoat in the community when the murders go unsolved. The sisters are very close, sharing adventures and confidences, until Rachel succumbs to the lure of becoming part of the popular group before the glamor of her father's job fades with her then friends. Meanwhile, Patty pursues a love of playing basketball and dogs.

The second part of this novel finds Rachel, a successful novelist, in her mid-forties, still attempting to find the serial killer by using herself as a lure. Patty has gone on to serve in the Peace Corps with heart-rending results. The third part is a resolution and new beginning for Rachel.

Joyce Maynard has captured the poignancy of family relationships and the bond between siblings in this book. Readers will gain an understanding of the intricacy of these relationships through her excellent character development woven into a fascinating plot.

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