Claire Amarti Boeken

Dinah Spencer is back in her childhood home for one stressful weekend. It's the twenty-five-year anniversary of her father's marriage to her stepmother. Those twenty-five years haven't all been happy ones for middle child Dinah, but she's getting ready to put the past behind her, keeping the bonds of family strong for her own daughter Josie's sake--until her beloved dad collapses in the middle of his anniversary speech. In the wake of her father's shocking cardiac arrest, youngest daughter Lottie Spencer must struggle to keep her family afloat. Her mother, the ever-capable Mara, suddenly seems disturbingly fragile. Then there are Lottie's two older step-sisters, Vaughan and Dinah, whose own private lives seem to be fraying at the seams. And then there's that mysterious box in the attic, belonging to her father's first wife. A box whose explosive secrets Lottie is only just starting to unravel..."--Amazon.com

A gripping narrative unfolds as a girl is captured on camera, her serious expression hinting at a deeper story behind her missing status. The tension builds as the protagonist experiences a visceral reaction, illustrating the emotional weight of the situation. This moment sets the stage for an exploration of mystery and suspense, drawing readers into the unfolding drama surrounding the girl's disappearance.

The sudden disappearance of Abigail Gibson leaves her ten-year-old son, Sam, grappling with confusion and fear. Set in the tranquil suburbs of Westchester, New York, the story unfolds after Christmas, when Abigail's mysterious note hints at deeper issues. As Sam navigates the aftermath of his mother's departure, the narrative explores themes of loss, abandonment, and the search for understanding in the face of uncertainty.