Descent
Tim Johnston
Caitlin and Sean go for an early morning run, yet only Sean returns. Years on, nothing has changed and her family is continuing to rip apart at the seams. The locals have given up the search, but her father remains looking for closure.
What I liked about this novel were the wide range of characters included. It felt like you were really getting entwined in the communities. They weren’t just one-dimensional characters brought in to further the story, it felt like they actually contributed to the lives of the family.
What I didn’t like about this novel was the pace. I started reading the novel, and didn’t get past ‘The Life Before’. I picked it up again and got about half way through. I just couldn’t get myself moving! That might have had something to do with the style of writing, particularly of Sean’s character.
This one of the better abduction novels I’ve read lately, although I wouldn’t classify it as a thriller the same way I would Babydoll. Far, far better than the last good day of the year, and better than The Leaving.
There’s a set of discussion questions in the back, which I appreciated. The one that resonated with me was the fact that Caitlin got into the car with her abductor, and whether I would have done the same thing. I considered that she had no way to know that this man was going to hurt her, so it was reasonable. If it was the only way she thought she had of getting help it’s what I would have done too. Maybe. All these abduction novels are setting me on edge!
I’m finding it hard to give this novel a star rating. It took a long time for me to be enthralled. I could give it 4 stars, because its so much better than the other offerings, but then again it didn’t grab me as hard as it should have. Rather, let’s give it 3.5 stars.
