Review # 291: Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel

Description: (from book-jacket)

          On the last ordinary day of her life, Abby Bennett feels like the luckiest woman alive. But everyone knows that luck doesn't last forever.… As her husband, Nick, and daughter, Lindsey, embark on a weekend camping trip to the Texas Hill Country, Abby looks forward to having some quiet time to herself. She braids Lindsey's hair, reminds Nick to drive safely and kisses them both goodbye. For a brief moment, Abby thinks she has it all—a perfect marriage, a perfect life—until a devastating storm rips through the region, and her family vanishes without a trace. 

           When Nick and Lindsey are presumed dead, lost in the raging waters, Abby refuses to give up hope. Consumed by grief and clinging to her belief that her family is still alive, she sets out to find them. But as disturbing clues begin to surface, Abby realizes that the truth may be far more sinister than she imagined. Soon she finds herself caught in a current of lies that threaten to unhinge her and challenge everything she once believed about her marriage and family.

Review:

          When I received this book, I was desperately craving a mystery that I could get lost in. The last few titles I had read were nonfiction and romances, so I found myself drawn to Barbara Taylor Sissel's mystery/ suspense, Evidence of Life. The premise was original and full of possibility, and the cover art gripped me. Abby's emotion-fueled journey to find the truth definitely got my attention from the start, her true-to-life determination and response to a heart-breaking and terrible situation were deeply real and poignant. I was instantly drawn to her story and the mystery behind her family's disappearance. However, around the novel's midpoint my initial interest began to dwindle. The character dialogue and interactions became slow and repetitive, although the somewhat predictable mystery still managed to keep me intrigued. The overall story-line was well-written, but not as full as I expected. This made it a quick and easy read, besides the pacing problems, but I still wish that the ending had held the excitement and emotional level that I experienced in the beginning. I recommend it as a lazy day read, but not for those who want a serious full-throttle mystery.

Rating: On the Run (3.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.