The Sleepover

Izzy is a very protective mom. A year ago, her now 13 year old son, was bullied something awful from school and eventually was beaten up the first day he went to school by himself. They have both healed, but still wary, although they are now in a new school and Nick seems to be making friends. The latest bone of contention between Nick and his mom is an invitation to a sleep over with 2 or 3 others from school ... those he calls friends. Mom finally relents and consents to him going, but she is still extremely nervous. Doesn't help with her ex-husband (Nick's step-father) left her claiming Izzy was neglectful last year. She had a long sleepless night and was so happy to see the sun rising .. now all she had to do was wait a couple of hours and she could pick up her son. But her son isn't there. His coat is there ... his backpack is there .. most alarming, his inhaler is there ... but the boy is missing and no one in the house has seen him leave. A mother's worst nightmare come true .... did someone take her son? Twists and turns keep the uncertainty about what may happen at a high level of suspense. The suspects are many and varied ... the boy's friends ... their parents ..... a well liked teacher .... old friend of the mom's ... the step-dad .. even the mother herself. The characters are deliciously drawn, each pulling the readers' eyes to watch and asking the question.. is he / she lying? Did he /she take the boy? The ending was unexpected and explosive. Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Pinnacle / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.