2009 Book 8: City of the Sun

Book #:	120
Book Title:	City of the Sun
Author:	David Levien
Publisher:	Doubleday
Pub. Date:	2008
Pages:	310
Started:	February 8, 2009
Finished:	February 14, 2009
Time to Read:	7 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Jamie Gabriel gets on his bike before dawn to deliver newspapers in his suburban Indianapolis neighborhood. He is twelve years old. Somewhere en route, as the October sky lightens, he vanishes without a trace. Fourteen months later, Paul and Carol Gabriel are on the verge of abandoning all hope. Crushed by frustrating dead ends and exhausted by a police force that cannot (or will not) find their son, the Gabriels finally stumble upon a name - an elusive private investigator who may represent their last chance for answers. Frank Behr is an enigmatic mountain of a man, a former cop who is reluctant to help - he knows better than to promise the Gabriels a good result. But Paul's plea for closure stirs up old personal demons that Behr can no longer ignore. Going against everything he fears, Behr enters into an uneasy partnership with Paul on a quest for the truth that is, in turn, dangerous...and haunting."
Stars:	****
Review:	Haunting is an apt word to describe this book. While reading it, I've faced conflicting desires - the first, to read it cover to cover to get to the conclusion, no matter how hard it may be to accept; the second, to put it down and walk away. This story is evocative, plain and simple, and whether or not you have kids, this book stirs up a base fear against all in this world who seek to bring harm to children, or to exploit children for their own purposes. This book is an adult version of "The Year Without Michael," but complete with an ending that that story lacks. It's hard to read - that may even be an understanding - but it's even harder to put down. Levien is a screenplay writer by trade, and that style sometimes comes through in this novel, but overall, and despite a less-than-palatable subject, I highly recommend reading.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany