ONCE WAS LOST, by Sara Zarr

ONCE WAS LOST
by Sara Zarr

(Little, Brown)

From the publisher:

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

Sometimes a book HITS THE SPOT, and boy howdy, this was one of those times. Plain and simple: Sara Zarr knows what it's like on the inside when things suck. Regardless of the circumstances, just about anyone who's ever felt their world disintegrating under their feet will bond with Samara by page three. However, this is not one long vicarious wallow in self-pity -- that's where the kidnapping comes in. Once that community tragedy strikes, the mystery takes over, because Sara Zarr also knows how to toy with suspense and suspicion until her readers squirm. (Even though I was sure I knew who'd done it, I managed to fall for more than one red herring.) And all the while, the emotional stakes keep rising...

Bottom line: This book is true right down in its gut, and I'm not alone in saying it's Sara Zarr's best yet.

(Available in October)

psst: Chat with Sara Zarr live tonight on the readergirlz blog! I'll sure be there to gush.