THE LOST BOYS by Faye Kellerman
What better way to start 2021 than with a new story from author Faye Kellerman. Not only is THE LOST BOYS a new book but it is the 26th novel in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. Fans of the total series will rejoice as the story of the police detective and his wife moves forward. Kellerman is a great writer with all of her books but with this particular series she excels.
This time out Decker and his partner Tyler McAdams are investigating the disappearance of a developmentally challenged man. He had been on an outing with other people from his group home. At some point he got separated from the rest of the group and later it was discovered he was missing. The police have begun a search but there are a lot of woods and rough terrain near the area where he was last seen.
While Peter is busy with this case his wife Rina has a visit from their “foster” son Gabriel. Although Gabriel has living parents, he lived with Peter and Rina for many years and still relates to them in a familial way. Now he brings news that his mother, who basically abandoned him when he was fourteen, has contacted him and wants to meet in New York City. Gabriel thinks this means trouble in some way and he doesn’t want to get drawn back into her problems. He asks Rina to go with him to the meeting.
I must also mention that while searching for the missing man the police find a decomposed body and this opens up a cold case which Decker also inherits. Kellerman’s writing style is “the more the merrier.” and in this story you have new crimes, old crimes and a possible family problem. That is a lot of plot elements to be juggling but Kellerman does it deftly and entertainingly.
In all the previous Decker/Lazarus books the ones I enjoyed most were those in which Gabriel was involved. He is a piano prodigy who is the son of a criminal father and an emotionally confused mother. In previous stories we saw him grow into manhood but still stay connected to Peter and Rina. It is such a delight to find him back again in the pages of this book.
Some might call Kellerman’s stories thrillers but to me they are much more than that. They are books about relationships, both familial and friendship wise. Peter and Rina are a truly devoted couple whose personalities compliment each other fully. They participate in their marriage as equal partners and their love for each other is beautiful to behold.
Make sure you read this book. THE LOST BOYS is Faye Kellerman at her best and her best means total reading pleasure for you.
THE LOST BOYS is published by HarperCollins. It contains 368 pages and sells for $27.99.
BE SURE TO WATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH FAYE KELLERMAN ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL4Ax2el95I
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
