Reeve LeClaire was kidnapped when she was 12 and held captive by a sadistic and soulless man for four years. It was only a struck of luck that allows her to be rescued. Now, a young woman of 22, she still battles the demons left from her horrid ordeal. She's getting better, though. She has her own apartment, a job, and a new name. In addition, she only has to see her psychiatrist once a week rather than several hours a day.

Dr. Lerner is a brilliant psychiatrist who specializes in helping victims of terrible crimes such as Reeve. He has brought her back from a dark place so that she can now live an almost normal life. It is because of her great strides that he calls her when another kidnapping victim is rescued. That victim's family wants to talk to Reeve before agreeing to let Dr. Lerner treat their daughter.

At first Reeve doesn't want to go but finally understands that she has something unique to offer this girl as having been in the same situation herself in the past. So she agrees to meet with the parents and the family. That all goes quite well.

What she doesn't count on is being thrust in the middle of two more ongoing kidnapping investigations and becoming the target of an even worse monster than her own kidnapper. This one is much smarter and more cunning than the average criminal and he doesn't appreciate Reeve meddling in his business. Not at all.

THE EDGE OF NORMAL will carry you along with every action and reaction that occurs as Reeve moves cautiously forward into the world once more. You will meet characters that are so real that you may feel as if you can sit down and have coffee with them. Even the lesser characters are fleshed out so that they're not cardboard cutouts.

Reeve is a wonderfully written character. She's not "stupid stubborn" like many heroines by insisting on bulldozing right into situations that will only get her hurt or worse. Instead, she thinks through every move she makes. She helps in her own way while not giving into those in authority that are standing around yelling at her. All Reeve knows is that this girl needs her help and that there may be others that do as well. Therefore, she must do all she can because she knows what being held captive is like.

THE EDGE OF NORMAL plays out with one suspenseful scene after another. Author Carla Norton has shown just what she is capable of offering the world in this, her first, novel. I look forward with great anticipation to her next one.