Review: lost boy lost girl

Lost Boy Lost Girl is a story of the Underhill family and the mysterious house directly behind them. Fifteen year old Mark Underhill comes home one day after school to find his Mother after she has committed suicide. At the same time, there is a pedophilic serial killer abducting young boys in the town of Millhaven, which is their home.

Mark’s father, Phillip Underhill, is a very self centered man that feels he has been slighted his whole life. Just when he thinks he might be gaining some of the status he deserves as the Vice Principal at Mark’s school, his wife decides to commit suicide. His main reaction to her suicide is worrying about the talk in town and if this will put an end to his climb up the status ladder.

Tim Underhill, Phillip’s brother, comes to Millhaven from New York. Tim is a horror writer and has not been close to the family as he has traveled extensively and lives far away from his hometown of Millhaven and is not close to his jealous brother. Tim seems to be the only one that has feelings and can express them. He did not know Mark’s mother well, as she always just seemed to shrink into the background on his infrequent visits but he is very worried about his nephew, Mark and leaving him alone with Phillip.

Tim invites Mark to come to New York and stay with him awhile once the funeral and other arrangements have been taken care of. Although Mark, as a boy of fifteen, is not at this point comfortable enough to confide in his uncle, he does take him up on his offer. Tim appears to be okay and anything is better than staying and remembering seeing his mother that way and dealing with his father.

However, before Tim can get Mark to New York, Mark disappears within days of his Mother’s suicide. Although the search continues, they are afraid that the Sherman Park Killer has gotten him. Tim takes up the investigation himself with the help of a friend, and finds out by questioning Mark’s best friend that Mark had become obsessed with the vacant house behind his. They are both sure they had seen someone in there and suspect it may be the hideout of the killer and decide to investigate the house that has stood empty for as long as Mark can remember. The house also appears haunted when they break into it to start their investigation. However the boys find much more than they bargained for.

Although I have read several of Peter Straub’s books, and very much enjoyed them, this one did not do a lot for me. It seemed very slow paced and the worst part was the ending seemed to leave me hanging. The storyline had lots of interesting elements that could have made this a much better book but it just seemed sluggish and I hated the ending.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM

Book Review: lost boy lost girl