TRAPPED

Author: Chris Jordan ISBN: 0778324710 11/2007 SUSPENSE Publisher: MIRA

"Mom, I need your help. Please call—" That's it. The call cuts off in midsentence. No static. Nothing. Just an overwhelming silence. Long Island single mom Jane Hartley is frantic when her sixteen-year-old daughter, Kelly, a survivor of childhood leukemia, disappears from her bedroom one night. To Jane's frustration, the police believe that Kelly ran off willingly with her boyfriend, Seth. Unaware that her daughter even had a boyfriend, Jane soon discovers that Seth is no boy. He is an adult—a man who, after meeting Kelly on MySpace.com, took the teenager on one thrill-seeking ride after another. From motorcycles to skydiving, Jane's little girl has been hiding some dangerous secrets. Like mother, like daughter. Adamant that Kelly is not a runaway but, rather, is being held against her will, Jane hires ex-FBI agent Randall Shane to follow the trail of her missing child. But every step brings them closer to a cold-blooded predator lurking in the shadows . . . coiled around Jane's shameful secret . . . waiting to strike.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Jane Hartley is the single mom of a sixteen-year-old daughter, Kelly. When Kelly goes missing, Jane becomes frantic. She feels sure that Kelly has not just run away. The police refuse to help, believing that Kelly has simply run off with her boyfriend, Seth. Jane does not know Seth. She is surprised to discover that Seth is a grown man who Kelly met on MySpace.com. This just adds to Jane's fear. Receiving no help from the police, Jane hires retired FBI agent, Randall Shane to begin an investigation into Kelly's disappearance. Soon they find themselves on a dangerous adventure to rescue Kelly from her captor.

Wow! TRAPPED by Chris Jordan is an exciting, spine-tingling and edgy thriller that grabs you from the very beginning. It is a story about a mother whose every fear is coming to pass. Her sixteen-year-old daughter has disappeared after meeting a man off of MySpace.com. To her dismay, everyone she turns to for help believes she has nothing to worry about. It is not until she contacts an ex-FBI agent, Randall Shane, that she finally begins to see some results. What she discovers both makes her deeply afraid and gives her hope.

The mother, Jane is a great character. Her every thought and action brings this story to life in a most believable manner. Her fear for her daughter is almost overwhelming at times, and I could not help but feel sorry for her and imagine myself in her position. The guilt any mother would feel for not knowing what is happening in her daughter's life, and the anger that her daughter would do something that would put her in danger, are just a few of the many emotions that are conveyed throughout the story.

Ex-FBI agent, Randall Shane is a fascinating character with an interesting history. He has a reason for doing what he does. I admired this character for his determination in locating the missing child, and for the way he helps the mother emotionally along the way.

The thrilling and amazing action is filled with many frightening surprises that just add to the suspense. I found as I read, that I kept feeling something very bad was about to happen. This feeling only grows stronger as the story progresses. I could hardly wait to discover what happened in the end. TRAPPED by Chris Jordan is a definite Top Pick for me and I highly recommend it to everyone that enjoys a great thriller.

Anita Hartsell