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Book Review of Dancing in the Dark (KEY News, Bk 8)

Dancing in the Dark (KEY News, Bk 8)
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Network news correspondent Diane Mayfield wants to take her kids to the Grand Canyon for an overdue vacation. Unfortunately, her producer has other plans. Diane is to cover a story about a young woman who went missing three days.

Leslie Patterson has reappeared with a terrifying tale. She has been kidnapped and forced to dance, while gagged and bound, with her captor. Police officials suspect Leslie is lying to cover up for running away.

Diane hopes to find time to relax with her kids, but the story gets complicated when another young woman disappears. Then another. The locals are frightened, fingers are pointing in all directions, and Diane is forced to spend all her time working the story.

What Diane doesn't know is that this news story will place someone a loved one in great danger.

Vivid descriptions throughout the book help to place readers in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and in the shoes of Clark's well-drawn characters. The action is realistic; if a little slow at times.

Clark also incorporates a timely message about the importance of parents being in touch with their children. The main focus here is on eating disorders--several characters suffer from anorexia in this novel--the signs, and a parent's role. While this is a major theme in this book, it is not overly preachy.

Mystery fans will like this book. Although not a thriller, there is enough suspense to engage the reader as the plot rolls forward, and Clark keeps the reader guessing until the end.