Review: lost boy lost girl

Author Peter Straub brings back a familiar character in his newest stand alone, lost boy lost girl: a novel. Tim Underhill, a well- known writer of horror novels who has appeared previously in two of Straub's books, is summoned home to Millhaven, Illinois following the death by suicide of Nancy Underhill, his sister-in-law. Tim's younger brother, Philip, an egotistical, self-centered ass has absolutely no idea what was going on with his wife that would have caused her to end her life. The only person in the family who had any idea that something was amiss is Mark, Nancy and Philip's 15- year-old son. Before he can be questioned further, Mark disappears.

Mark goes missing at a time when other local boys have been disappearing, with foul play suspected. His disappearance also occurs following his recent preoccupation with an abandoned house in his neighborhood that was owned by Millhaven's first serial killer - a man named Joseph Kalendar. Mark, with the help of his most trusted friend and confidant, Jimbo Monaghan, discovered how he was inexplicably tied to the house at 3323 North Michigan Street.

It took me a little while to actually get into the book, partly because the perspective of the storyteller kept changing and the story kept switching from the present to the past. Once I got into the rhythm, the story engulfed me. Peter Straub does an excellent job of shaping his characters, carefully detailing their innermost thoughts and their complex relationships. The reader is left with an intimate understanding of the characters' hopes, fears, faults, and strengths. Even the most peripheral characters are full-bodied and hold our interest.

Mark Underhill is a very human, likable character - it is easy to see why Straub would bring him back. Although he says he doesn't have any plans to do so anytime soon, I hope we'll see much more of Mark Underhill in the future.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol - SLC - RAM

Book Review: lost boy lost girl