Abandoned

June 18, 2018
In the prologue of bestseller Brennan’s satisfying fifth Maxine “Max” Revere novel (after 2017’s Shattered), Max’s mother, Martha Revere, dumps nine-year-old Max on her parents’ doorstep and decamps with her boyfriend, Jimmy Truman. Over the next six years, Martha sends Max the occasional postcard, but then all communication ceases. Max’s grandmother has Martha declared dead, but Max has never found evidence of foul play—until she learns, 22 years after her mother left her, that a car registered to one of Martha’s aliases was abandoned years ago in Jimmy’s hometown of Cape Haven, Va. Max rents a house there and starts digging, but the locals aren’t keen on her questions, and it seems she isn’t the only person investigating Martha and Jimmy. Frequent flashbacks bring Martha and her history to life, and a
harrowing, action-packed conclusion changes the trajectory of Max’s future. Boldly drawn, psychologically complex characters and a multifaceted plot distinguish this entry, which thoughtfully explores the different forms that family can take. Agent: Dan Conaway, Writers House.

July 1, 2018
Max Revere is a capable, no-nonsense investigative reporter, making TV shows that uncover the truth behind cold cases. Max's personal life could use the same treatment, as her wild-oats-sowing heiress mother, Martha, left Max with her stuffy family when Max was a child and never returned. Whether Martha is alive or dead, and just what happened all those years ago, are mysteries that Max attempts to approach just as she would any other case, but emotions and danger intrude, creating an enjoyable mix of family story, romance, and thriller. Readers who enjoy strong female leads will finish this one wanting more from award-winner Brennan.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)