Rachel found the note written in Marley's handwriting affixed to the stainless steel fridge. It said, "Please don't try to find me." Her daughter, Marley, was 14, quiet, innocent, a sheltered high school student with everything she could possibly want even her own therapist, Dr. Michael. She had a mother and father who loved her. This is a parents worse nightmare, and Rachel asks the universal question, "what did I do wrong?" Refusing to believe that Marley is gone she tells herself, " No, it is impossible. Marley loves me." She calls Paul, her executive huband, who says "It's dramatics." " She'll come home soon."

When they report Marley missing, they discover the police have limited resources to devote to runaways. Paul jumps in and tries to do everything and anything to find his daughter. He befriends the investigating officer, Officer Strickland, while Rachel upsets him; works with a PR. who sets up personal interviews during which Rachel appears uncommunicative and the public turns against her; he launches a nationwide campaign to try to find their lost daughter and the attention turns a spotlight on Rachel. The character examinations of a broken family are front and center and Rachel is in their sights. What is she hiding? Why are their crisis modes so different? Paul is right- on, determined, and works non-stop 24/7, while Rachel, cries, whines, is withdrawn and appears weak. I prefer Paul and found Rachel lacking except when she got her get-up-and-go going and then I applauded her.

This intense drama is told alternately from a mother/daughter perspective and as we trace it from the beginning it becomes obvious that Rachel, as a mother has been self-absorbed with her own issues, and did not know her daughter as well as she thought she did. Her "more than a friend" relationship with Dr. Michael is revealed as well as the information that he gave her prescriptions for several drugs causes additional stress and heartbreak for Rachel and Paul.

The character of B. was slimey and it took much too long for Marley to see his lies and deceptions. but in reality she was only 14 so we'll allow for that. Her writing is the secret for her future success so let's hope she makes the most of it, knows that her mom is her best friend and her dad will always be there for her. So back to school, enjoy and stay off Facebook!

The message I gained from this worthwhile and contemporary issue is "Don't stop trying to connect with your kids no matter how old they get." Good lesson for us all. DONT' TRY TO FIND ME is a great book by Holly Brown. Looking forward to another soon. t