I downloaded this book several months ago on my Kindle as part of the First Reads program. At least, that’s how I think I came about downloading it. My favorite things to read are thrillers, obviously. The darker, the better. This book definitely fits that bill subject-wise. I rarely read a book straight through, but I did read this in one night after putting down another very disappointing read.
First, let me start by saying that this book was set during the 1980s, and as an 80s child, I was immediately interested. The 1980’s were part of the “Stranger Danger” movement, which had parents terrified to let their children out of their sight in public. In theory, that is. I remember being allowed to ride my bike all over my Appalachian town in middle school. Of course, now we know that crimes against children are more often than not perpetrated by a family member or friend thereof. Hindsight, right?
The story is a fictional adaptation of real events in the author’s hometown. Something similar to the events described in her narrative occurred, though I’m not quite sure how much of it was elaborated on and how much was completely fabricated. But here goes…
The setting is small-town Lilydale, and the main character is a middle schooler named Cassie McDowell. Cassie lives in a volatile household. Raised by both her parents, she and her sister endure swinger parties but learn as they grow older that these affairs are primarily for their father and that their mother isn’t always a willing participant. Their father loves women–of all ages and relations–and booze. He spends much of his time on a bender and has open affairs with many women, including his sister-in-law. And based on his comments, he doesn’t discriminate according to relations. In fact, Cassie is so convinced that it is only a matter of time before he calls on her and her older sister to fulfill his sexual desires that she begins sleeping in her closet.
This is the backdrop of other, more ominous events. Boys who live in the poor neighborhood and ride Cassie’s bus begin to disappear mysteriously, only to return more violent. Still, they return, though it becomes apparent when one of the abducted boys–yes, abducted–is treated for rape that they are being kidnapped and molested. While most of the victims are around Cassie’s age, the youngest adbuctee is perhaps only 10 years old (4th grade). Sick.
Who is responsible? There are whispers that the local boogeyman, Chester the Molester, is to blame. But if it isn’t this mythical figure, who is he? The weird neighbor, Goblin, who was molested as a boy by his step-father and is now a recluse? The gay band teacher who was seen showing attention to a couple of the boys? Well, it was the 1980s and both of these characters would have naturally been the first suspects, right?
But as the count of abducted boys rises and her father’s own behavior becomes more mysterious, she begins to believe that he and his fellow party swinger, police Sergeant Bauer, may be involved…or at least know who is. It doesn’t help that her dad has forbidden her from going into the basement where she swears she has heard noises…
Finally, her crush, Gabriel, is abducted–to never return. Cassie decides to do some sleuthing on her own, and she is determined to bring him back.
This story is well-written but unsettling to say the least. Those with soft hearts would have a difficult time with this read because children are being victimized sexually. I know as a woman who has endured her fair share of sexual mistreatment by men (let me stress not by my father), this was a tale that touched me deeply. This book reminds us the world can be a dark place, and those of us with kids are constantly reminded how important but difficult the job of protecting their innocence can be. Sometimes the threat lurks at home and sometimes it lives next door.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a who-dun-it meets a psychological, coming-of-age thriller.
The Pondering Pot 