This was a hard read, because of the trauma it portrays.

A very difficult read, confronting and challenging as the writer realistically captures the narrative that children live through when confronted with this level of dysfunction inherent in family violence and child sexual abuse. I particularly enjoyed the real stories that are included which depict hope from survivors and which might encourage other victim/survivors to come forward

This was an extremely difficult read - not because it isn't well-written, but because of the subject matter. Patchen handles it skillfully, bringing to life a truly vile situation before the reader's eyes. The story itself is told in multi-POV - each of the main characters takes a turn, and the reader gains insight into what happens behind closed doors when society turns a blind eye. I had to stop reading this a few times, just to take some deep breaths and re-ground myself. If you're looking for a shocking thriller that will make you disgusted by the depths to which humanity can sink, you've found your next read. ( )

After years of abuse, and being failed by the system, one family takes matters into their own hands.
I want to say this book was unbelievable, but sadly, living in a time when just a month ago, a judge admonished lawyers for not telling a rape victim she might ruin her rapists life by pressing charges and suggesting that since the rapist comes from a "good family" he should not have to face consequences makes this story feel all too real. Jim Handler, husband, father, hero, pedophile can do no wrong. The town loves him, his fellow cops love him, even his victims love him and hope that one day he will change.
Although a work of fiction I have no doubt that somewhere this story happens every day.


I received an advance copy for review.
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This was a hard story to read, an upsetting but important and all too common tale that many people can relate to. ( )