Published: January 15, 2020
Kidnapping, Thrillers, Women Sleuths
Somebody’s Stealing Children — An Atmospheric, Edge-of-Your-Seat Chiller!
Five children disappear under the watchful eye of three nursery school workers. The trio claims not to have heard or seen anything out of the ordinary except for music coming from an ice cream truck parked at the top of a hill. The truck quickly becomes the focal point of the investigation until it isn’t. Enter Kate Wakeland. She’s one of the homicide detectives assigned to the case, but she’s also the grandmother of one of the missing children. It’s because of this vested interest that the parents of the missing children are certain Wakeland will find the solution. But their hopes are soon dashed due to the lack of credible evidence and new leads. The case turns cold and falls into the clutches of time. Weeks, months, and years pass until the five-year mark is struck and a gift is accorded to the community. As mysteriously as they vanished, all the children are returned—all except Wakefield’s granddaughter.
Thus sets the stage for ONE LAST CHILD, an intricate and excellently written mystery by author Anni Taylor. While the book is clever in so many ways, the author opening the book with the children’s abduction was a tactical coup. How? Well, for one thing, it immediately garners the reader’s attention by solidly engaging and keeping that level of interest going during the entirety of the story. No minds wandering because the missing children remain the heart and soul of this novel … and so is Detective Wakefield as she battles to bring her granddaughter home.
Ms. Taylor’s deft touch continues to be displayed throughout each and every step of this journey. From the introduction of the five families, to the procedural investigative methods used, to the description and development of a multitude of characters, it’s quite the triumph, but there’s more. There’s that effortless way the story is advanced within the framework of this spellbinder. Each plot point can easily be kept track of and these pertinent details can be and are instantly absorbed—right up to the stunning conclusion!
As for the dialogue, it’s realistic, and the pacing that of dogged determination. The author choosing to adhere to a steady state of urgency was a good one because it increased the tension and caused every development to be looked upon with the utmost suspicion. And in terms of the plotting, there are lots of red herrings, and tons of twists and turns. In other words, this is definitely a story that will demand your full attention and then some!
I totally enjoyed ONE LAST CHILD and had the best time matching wits with Wakefield. But it truly is the opening that did it for me. The picture painted of those children gone missing was like haunting voices whispering in my ear as I navigated through all those secrets and all those lies when the truth was buried underneath.
I’m giving this one FIVE STARS in honor of this writer nailing her craft. It’s pure enjoyment from start to finish.
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