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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Murder, child abduction, and crime violence; dark content throughout
Language
Some
Some strong language
Sexual Content
Barely any
Child sexual abuse as the backstory; not depicted graphically
Substance Use
Barely any
Some alcohol use
Emotional Intensity
A lot
The psychological weight of a child carrying grief and obsession that should break an adult
What this book is about
Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon's twin sister Alyssa disappeared a year ago. The police have moved on. Johnny hasn't — and his investigation leads him into darkness that no child should face alone. Hart's crime thriller is tightly plotted, emotionally devastating, and among the finest debut crime novels of the 2000s.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Child abduction and abuse themes
Murder and crime violence
Disturbing content
Reader Verification
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