“Safe and Sound” by Laura McHugh pulls you right in from the first pages and never lets go.
It’s the six year anniversary after Grace has vanished, and her two cousins are determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Amelia and Kylee were found unharmed in their upstairs bedroom the night Grace, who was babysitting them, vanished, leaving nothing behind but blood spilled throughout the kitchen. Amelia and Kylee vow to find Grace, dead or alive.
I found myself drawn into their world – a not entirely happy existence, but one filled with determination and perseverance. The story moves back and forth between the first-person-present told by Amelia, and the third-person-past story of Grace, and this dual story interweaving works splendidly. And there are enough suspects and twists to keep it interesting.
I’ve been a fan of Laura McHugh since I first stumbled upon “The Weight of Blood,” one of the best thrillers of recent years, and this one is a pretty good match. If you like thrillers, grab a copy of “Safe and Sound.” You won’t be disappointed.
Dale Ward 