I found this book through a “Best of 2025 List” I saw recently on Facebook and am so glad I did!  Although the subject matter is rather is disturbing (child kidnapping) the story focuses on the after effects on those who were rescued, those who love them and the police and adults who were supposed to protect them. Whitaker does an amazing job in working with the different characters- a boy who was rescued, his best friend who eventually found him, the boy’s mother, the police chief who gave up and a town who never quite recovers from the evil that lurked in their town. Whitaker gives us the aftermath with clarity, insight and compassion and as we watch these characters grow up to be adults we can see how the reverberations of what happened still echo in their lives.

Patch is an unusual kid. He only has one eye, and sometimes he wears a patch which is how he got his name. His mom works as a cleaner and sometimes a waitress; a single mom trying her best in a bad situation. Patch’s friend, Saint, lives under better circumstances, but is being raised by her grandmother, after her mom passed away. Things might have worked out for both of these kids, except that one night Patch, while walking in the woods, sees a man trying to take the daughter of the wealthiest family in town. He saves the girl, but in doing so is taken in her place.

What follows is a desperate search for Patch, which reveals that a number of girls have been missing in the area and have never been found. Over time the trail goes cold but Saint persists, not able to give up on her friend. She wants nothing more than to have Patch back but what she finds is that even if you get your hearts desire, things can never be the way they were and that everyone has been changed by what has happened, even Saint herself.

Set in 1975, this story takes several genres- the missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller and a love story and creates a soulful reflection on the razor edge between triumph and tragedy. This was an amazing feat of storytelling!

Brenda’s Rating:***** (5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Sharon and Keith

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in e-library format.