Death comes like a thief in the night, the saying goes! And, it is true for Phoebe DeGraff, a thirteen year old who is abducted, raped, and murdered on a family camping trip. Her sister, Tessa, witnesses her sister's abduction. Older brother Jake has skipped out on his sisters to attend a dance in town. Mom, Dad, and baby Sean are sleeping in another tent. Tessa identifies the killer, who is executed ten years after the crime. And now, it seems that the DNA tests prove that the killer wasn't the killer, after all. What will Tessa do now?
Stolen in the Night discusses all the "things" that were taken from the DeGraff family the night of Phoebe's murder. Jake loses his happiness; instead, he becomes angry and guilty. Tessa has gnawing feeling to love and be loved; she adopts a young boy, Erny (Air-knee). Rob DeGraff dies from the stress of his daughter's death. Dawn DeGraff eventually moves to the town where Phoebe was murdered; there, Dawn tends the inn that housed the DeGraffs during the trial.
Tessa's sense of closure is stolen the day she learns that her sister's killer is innocent. Tessa is determined to find out the truth about her sister's death. She immerses herself in the details of the village residents. She does her research on the crime. Along the way, she helped by many people: Ben, attorney; Aldous, retired police chief; Ken, former inn owner; Julie, nurse and sister-in-law; Channing, newspaper owner. Tessa's sense of safety is stolen in the darkness that envelopes her world as she becomes the criminal in this decades old case. She deals with threats, insults, and harassment. Her world is turned upside down as people break her trust. Will Tessa come out of the dark? Will she find closure admist the confusion and pain?
The climax is a disturbing metaphor of being stolen in darkness. Very powerful, very scary.
Tessa is a likeable character. We know all that we need to about her. Tessa's motivations are revealed little by little throughout the story. Sometimes we won't agree with Tessa's actions, such as the condo incident or the John Deer cap. Through it all, we support her because we know her. We also understand her family's heartache.
This is not a contrived, simplistic mystery story. It's filled with a few twists and turns and a surprise ending. I highly recommend it!
Stolen in the Night discusses all the "things" that were taken from the DeGraff family the night of Phoebe's murder. Jake loses his happiness; instead, he becomes angry and guilty. Tessa has gnawing feeling to love and be loved; she adopts a young boy, Erny (Air-knee). Rob DeGraff dies from the stress of his daughter's death. Dawn DeGraff eventually moves to the town where Phoebe was murdered; there, Dawn tends the inn that housed the DeGraffs during the trial.
Tessa's sense of closure is stolen the day she learns that her sister's killer is innocent. Tessa is determined to find out the truth about her sister's death. She immerses herself in the details of the village residents. She does her research on the crime. Along the way, she helped by many people: Ben, attorney; Aldous, retired police chief; Ken, former inn owner; Julie, nurse and sister-in-law; Channing, newspaper owner. Tessa's sense of safety is stolen in the darkness that envelopes her world as she becomes the criminal in this decades old case. She deals with threats, insults, and harassment. Her world is turned upside down as people break her trust. Will Tessa come out of the dark? Will she find closure admist the confusion and pain?
The climax is a disturbing metaphor of being stolen in darkness. Very powerful, very scary.
Tessa is a likeable character. We know all that we need to about her. Tessa's motivations are revealed little by little throughout the story. Sometimes we won't agree with Tessa's actions, such as the condo incident or the John Deer cap. Through it all, we support her because we know her. We also understand her family's heartache.
This is not a contrived, simplistic mystery story. It's filled with a few twists and turns and a surprise ending. I highly recommend it!
After reading the first chapter, I wasn't sure about this book, and actually put it down till the next day. I sure am glad I picked it up again. The main character was only 9 years old, when she witnessed the abduction of her sister during a family camping trip. Her sister was murdered. The man she identified was arrested and later executed for the crime. Fast forward 20 years. DNA was not available 20 years ago but after a DNA test, they discover they executed the wrong man. Or did they?
MacDonald writes a real page turner, filled with lots of twists and turns. She brings the story to a surprise ending.
Sorry to those who wishlisted this book, I got the book from my library and can't post it for you.
MacDonald writes a real page turner, filled with lots of twists and turns. She brings the story to a surprise ending.
Sorry to those who wishlisted this book, I got the book from my library and can't post it for you.
