I think I picked this up at a garage sale. I don't remember. Mine's a ratty little mass market paperback. I only started it because it rolled out from underneath my seat when I made a (too) hard turn in the car. Ok, a book. Only book I have in the car. I'll read.
Basically, the perspective is that of a quick-witted 11 year old tomboy named Alice. She and her brother Boone are convinced that their step-father, Simon, has plans to murder them both. Their mother, Meg, insecure and needy, would latch onto any man paying her adequate attention, and as a woman in love she seems oblivious to what Alice feels are obvious signs. Although Simon is abusive and abrasive, he claims he's the victim here, a lonely man struggling to get beyond the tragic accidental death of his former wife and young son.
But, one day, Meg walks into Alice's bedroom to give her a hug goodnight. Her eyes focused ahead, she clings to the girl, only momentarily, and utters one desperate word. Run.
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The book was.. okay. Entertaining enough, but parts just felt silly and implausible. Foreshadowing was too heavy-handed, but the plot moved along well-enough that it wasn't a regrettable read. The characters were fairly stereotypical, but personal nonetheless. I'd give it, maybe, three stars out of five. Decent read to get from the library (or a garage sale), but probably nothing I'd run out and buy.
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