The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld

Three years ago, Madison Culver disappeared when her family was choosing a Christmas tree in Oregon’s Skookum National Forest. She would be eight years old now—if she has survived. Desperate to find their beloved daughter, certain someone took her, the Culvers turn to Naomi, a private investigator with an uncanny talent for locating the lost and missing. Known to the police and a select group of parents as "the Child Finder," Naomi is their last hope.

Naomi’s methodical search takes her deep into the icy, mysterious forest in the Pacific Northwest, and into her own fragmented past. She understands children like Madison because once upon a time, she was a lost girl too.

As Naomi relentlessly pursues and slowly uncovers the truth behind Madison’s disappearance, shards of a dark dream pierce the defenses that have protected her, reminding her of a terrible loss she feels but cannot remember. If she finds Madison, will Naomi ultimately unlock the secrets of her own life?

My Thoughts

Such a thought provoking read...It really made me evaluate myself and what I would do if this happened to me and if my child was taken and not found for months or years on end. 

Some parts of the book are hard to read, now I don't mean bad writing, I mean the content can be heavy and dark.

The thought of Madison getting lost when he parents were Christmas tree hunting.  How is that possible?  A lost little girl in a bright pink coat.

She was lost at age 5 and if she survived, IF, she would be 8 now...

Her parents couldn't accept that she was dead, they hired The Child Finder, Naomi, to help find their little girl.  Naomi doesn't sugar coat things, she was sure to tell them, she may be dead and IF she has survived she will not be the same little girl they lost 3 year prior.  Could they handle that?

While trying to find little Madison, Naomi is trying to find out more about herself and what happened to her in her trauma filled past that she has blocked out to date.

Will Naomi find Madison?  Will Naomi find herself?  Can she survive knowing what happened to her?

Drink Selection

Because most of this book takes place in the freezing cold, snow covered woods, I am going to pair this read with a Hot Toddy - delish! 

Rating

This book pulled me in from beginning to end and really had me thinking at time.  5 wine glasses for sure!

About the Author

Rene Denfeld is the bestselling author of THE ENCHANTED and THE CHILD FINDER. Her lyrical fiction has won numerous awards including the prestigious French Prix, an ALA Medal for Excellence and an IMPAC listing. In addition to writing, Rene works as a licensed investigator. She has worked hundreds of cases, including missing persons, and was the Chief Investigator at the public defender's office. The child of a difficult history herself, Rene has dedicated her life to helping others. She has been a foster-adoptive parent for 20 years, and is the happy mother to three children she adopted from foster care.

Link to Purchase

Amazon