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The Child Finder

Book 1 in the series:Naomi Cottle

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The Child Finder, by Rene Denfeld, follows private investigator Naomi Cottle, known as The Child Finder, as she searches for missing children. In this book, Naomi is tasked with finding Madison Culver, a young girl who disappeared in the mountains of Oregon. The narrative alternates between Naomi's search for Madison and Madison's perspective as a captive, creating a chilling tale of survival and resilience. The book explores themes of child abduction, trauma, and the emotional journey of both the investigator and the missing child.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, with Naomi reflecting strength amidst her trauma, while Madison embodies resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its poetic language that delicately handles dark subjects while maintaining a compassionate tone.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows both the investigation into a missing girl and the personal struggles of the investigator, intertwining themes of loss and resilience.

Setting:

The story is set in the snowy wilderness of Oregon, contributing to the themes of isolation and survival.

Pacing:

The pacing is measured, focusing on character development and emotional depth over rapid plot progression.
The home was a small yellow cottage on an empty street. There was something dispirited about it, but Naomi was used to that. The young mother who answered the door was petite and looked much older tha...

Notes:

The main character, Naomi Cottle, is a private investigator known as 'The Child Finder'.
Naomi is a survivor of her own abduction as a child, which gives her a unique perspective in her work.
The story alternates between Naomi's search for the missing Madison Culver and Madison's experience in captivity.
Madison's story includes elements of fantasy; she refers to herself as 'The Snow Girl', inspired by a fairy tale.
The novel deals with heavy themes such as child abduction, trauma, and the complexities of love and loss.
The author, Rene Denfeld, has a background in foster care and specializes in working with abuse victims and those affected by the criminal justice system.
There are two parallel storylines: Naomi's investigation and Madison's life with her captor, known as Mr. B.
The writing is described as poetic and compassionate, despite the dark subject matter.
Characters in the novel struggle with their pasts and the impacts of trauma on their lives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings for themes of child abduction, sexual abuse, trauma, and violence, which may be distressing for some readers.

From The Publisher:

LibraryReads Selection

A haunting, richly atmospheric, and deeply suspenseful novel from the acclaimed author of The Enchanted about an investigator who must use her unique insights to find a missing little girl.

"Where are you, Madison Culver? Flying with the angels, a silver speck on a wing? Are you dreaming, buried under snow? Or-is it possible-you are still alive?"

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?

Told in the alternating voices of Naomi and a deeply imaginative child, The Child Finder is a breathtaking, exquisitely rendered literary page-turner about redemption, the line between reality and memories and dreams, and the human capacity to survive.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (45):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (26)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (11)

1 comment(s)

Liked It
6 months

I apparently read this and have literally no memory of it whatsoever

 
 
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