From Publishers Weekly
Set in Northern Ireland, Bannister's third Brodie Farrell suspense novel (after 2002's True Witness) tells the emotionally draining tale of two sisters, 14-year-old Juanita and 11-year-old Emerald Daws, left alone in the world after their father allegedly murdered their mother in revenge for her frequent affairs with local teenagers. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the girls' uncle hires Brodie, who runs the search business "Looking for Something?," to find a missing relative to care for them. Brodie disappears for most of the story, leaving Juanita and Emerald in the custody of her friend, out-of-work teacher Daniel Hood, who soon becomes emotionally attached to his young charges, despite their intense hostility toward anyone older than themselves. Wracked with panic attacks from the misfortunes he suffered in True Witness, Daniel proves ineffective as both an instructor and investigator and is nearly killed several times before Brodie returns to help solve this sordid case. Suspense builds gradually in the uncomplicated plot, which at times could use clearer direction with fewer psychological digressions. Bannister's occasional use of Irish slang and syntax may confuse some readers. A tense final scene redeems an overly drawn-out resolution to a disturbing case of mayhem in the wilds of Ulster. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Spooky, sinister, and suspenseful, Bannister's latest is a stunning psychological thriller that will keep readers guessing from page one. When Serena Dawes is found brutally murdered, the evidence points to her husband, Robert, as the killer. Serena loved to taunt Robert by having torrid affairs with teenage boys, and the police figure the poor guy finally snapped. But the real tragedy is that, with Serena dead and Robert nowhere to be found, the two young Dawes girls may wind up in foster care. Cop Jack Deacon, in charge of the case, calls on his friend Brodie Farrell, "finder extraordinaire," to track down Serena's sister Constance, who is the most likely candidate to provide a home for the kids. Brodie's friend Daniel is engaged to tutor the girls, and because he has experienced terrible tragedy in his own life, Brodie figures he'll be able to help the girls deal with their heartbreaking situation. But as Deacon investigates, he finds strange inconsistencies, and when Serena's former lover is nearly killed and Brodie and Daniel are locked in a burning building, Deacon knows he is up against more than he bargained for. White-knuckled suspense, startling twists, and a gut-wrenching climax make for an outstanding read. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
Though Brodie Farrell runs a business called "Looking for Something?" she tries to avoid missing people cases. But she can't refuse when her friend in the police asks her to find the long-lost aunt of two girls after their mother is murdered and their father disappears. When an intruder breaks into the girls' home, Brodie must act quickly to save them from a dangerous, elusive murderer.
About the Author
Jo Bannister lives in Northern Ireland and is a former journalist. She has won several awards for her writing. Her interests are riding and archaeology. Ms. Bannister also writes short stories which are published by Ellery Queen Magazine/USA.
Reflections FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Brodie Farrell's detective agency, Looking for Something? specializes in tracking down weird and wonderful things for clients who have exhausted the usual options. But despite her resolve to refuse all commissions to look for people, Brodie finds it hard to ignore a referral from her trusted friend, Superintendent Jack Deacon." "The tragic details of the case help convince her that she should take it on. Two young girls have been left alone after their mother has been brutally stabbed to death. There is little doubt of the guilt of their missing father, who had discovered evidence of his wife's latest affair with a young farmhand. Brodie's job is to find the murdered wife's estranged sister and persuade her to care for her nieces, Juanita and Emerald. In the meantime, Brodie's friend Daniel Hood agrees to act as a tutor for the girls." As Jack Deacon tracks the missing father and Brodie sets about finding the aunt, Daniel uses his skills as a schoolteacher - and survivor of an equally horrific situation - to befriend the two sisters and help them deal with their grief. But when the autopsy report reveals some unexpected results and an intruder breaks into the family home, Brodie realizes that tracking a missing aunt is the least of her worries. As the pieces start to fall into place, Brodie must act quickly to save not only the girls' lives, but her own as well.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Set in Northern Ireland, Bannister's third Brodie Farrell suspense novel (after 2002's True Witness) tells the emotionally draining tale of two sisters, 14-year-old Juanita and 11-year-old Emerald Daws, left alone in the world after their father allegedly murdered their mother in revenge for her frequent affairs with local teenagers. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the girls' uncle hires Brodie, who runs the search business "Looking for Something?," to find a missing relative to care for them. Brodie disappears for most of the story, leaving Juanita and Emerald in the custody of her friend, out-of-work teacher Daniel Hood, who soon becomes emotionally attached to his young charges, despite their intense hostility toward anyone older than themselves. Wracked with panic attacks from the misfortunes he suffered in True Witness, Daniel proves ineffective as both an instructor and investigator and is nearly killed several times before Brodie returns to help solve this sordid case. Suspense builds gradually in the uncomplicated plot, which at times could use clearer direction with fewer psychological digressions. Bannister's occasional use of Irish slang and syntax may confuse some readers. A tense final scene redeems an overly drawn-out resolution to a disturbing case of mayhem in the wilds of Ulster. (Dec. 8) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Mummy's dead, daddy's on the run, and the kids are seething. When their aunt and uncle fly in from South Africa to tend to them, 14-year-old Juanita (Johnny) and 11-year-old Emerald (Em) are eerily quiet, stupefied by family tragedy. Their mother Serena flaunted her farmboy lover Nicky until, most everyone agrees, her wealthy grocery magnate husband Robert stabbed her 13 times. But why use two different knives? wonders Jack Deacon of the Dimmock CID. Meanwhile, Jack's good friend Brodie Farrell, who finds things for a living, is looking for Serena's sister at the request of her brother-in-law, Hugo Daws. She suggests that he hire math teacher Daniel Hood to tutor his nieces until the family situation simmers down. When Daniel takes up residence, matters quickly escalate: The girls accost a burglar at 3 a.m., and Nicky has a terrible motorbike accident, delighting the girls, who insist he murdered mummy. But then why did daddy run away? As the awful truth descends on Brodie and Daniel, they are powerless to stop the bad seeds, who have resurrected their mum's childhood creation, the Cheyne Wood Phantom, to kill; abducted their aunt at knifepoint; set fire to their house after locking Brodie and Daniel in the attic; and unknowingly driven daddy to suicide. Creepy kids notwithstanding, the true horror here stalks Daniel, who must surmount past demons (True Witness, 2002, etc.) to face the moral condemnation of his best friend.
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