Abduction

Abduction: Cynthia Eden

Sometimes events that happen in the past will haunt you in the present. Both Hayden Black and Jill West crossed paths as young teens and now years later will connect in order to find a killer that targets young people. Jill West was out with her grandmother who was shopping in a local store when Hayden tried to befriend her. For some reason she ran away from him and the next thing she knew someone grabbed and kidnapped her when she was by her grandmother’s car. Hayden seemed to sense something was wrong and saw the entire incident and saved her from this dangerous killer but it’s not over yet. In the present the killer spotted her at the grave of Christy Anderson who some think died in her place. FBI agent Jill West returned to Hope in order to find Christy’s killer but never thinking she would become his next target in the present.

Seeing Hayden brought it all back but when she visits Christy’s grave who tried to run her down and kill her. Hayden finds her and wants to protect her but she is bent on handling things in her own way. Bringing her back to her cabin does not stop the killer from trying to break in and get her once more.

Vanessa Gray goes missing and even though he sends his deputies out to find the vehicle that hit Jill, when Vanessa’s mother comes into the station they realize that another child has been taken. Reminding her of how many she saved she is guilty about Jessica the girl we meet at the beginning that dies from the torture inflicted upon her and then Christy whose father blames Jill for her death. Meet Kurt Anderson and you wonder about him when someone calls Jill on her phone, sets her up and the next thing you know there is an explosion caused by the cell phone and winds up need stitches and much more. Just who is doing this? They arrest Kurt but is he the killer?

Things spiral out of control when Kurt is arrested and Samantha Dark an FBI profiler is called in to assist in the case. Interviewing Kurt she learns that he too blames Jill for his sister’s death but claims he is innocent. Jill thinks the killer is targeting runaways and since parents do not always call it in when someone runs away that fast it explains the end result. But, Jill receives another threatening phone call from the killer using a new burn phone, falls prey to him demands but will she exchange herself for Vanessa? Will she go alone to her cabin? Samantha even profiles Hayden and realizes that he’s dangerous, dark and when Jill claims he saved her life, he states just the reverse. Why are they so obsessed with each other? Will anyone find Vanessa? What is Kurt’s role in this? Did he kill Christy?

Saving Jill from a kidnapper brought them closer together but as an ex-seal and Sheriff joining Jill in her case in Hope, will they reunite even more? Hayden is over protective of Jill who seems to push him away for fear of getting too close yet he will not allow anyone to hurt her anymore. Accidents occur as a vehicle runs her down and a cell phone bomb could have taken her out but what’s next? Samantha reminds her of the tragedies of losing her parents and living with her grandmother who she was not close with. Fifteen years old, Hayden connected with her but not really understanding her family background. Working abduction cases like Vanessa’s brings it all back and she needs time to process it and deal with her own situations. Jill was the redheaded teenager that got away and this time the killer won’t make the same mistakes. How did he ruin this person’s life and why now did he come after her?
Just as Samantha is having a breakthrough with Kurt, his lawyer shows up and a judge orders his release? What kind of pull does his family have and why does his father still blame Jill for Christy’s death?

Samantha’s partner Blake Gamble shows up and is angry she left him high and dry but she is relentless and goes to see Kurt and what they learn might lead them to a deadly killer. Jill gets that phone call swims out to the killer’s boat and learns the identity of someone who has been killing so many for so long but has been after her.

When faced with the killer someone else decides that maybe the person’s life should be ended but can Hayden stop him from taking aim and ending the killer’s life. Author Cynthia Eden brings to light the issue of child runaways and what can happen to young child or teen that thinks they will find a safer haven when running away from home. Some think they will hitch a ride and get to freedom while others fall prey to a kind person who pretends to befriend them. The ending is surprising to a point as the killer tries to justify his actions but will they find out the names of the other victims and safe them or is it too late?

Hayden and Jill need to decide if they belong together? What about Samantha can she dig into one of the suspects and stop him? There are so many cases everyday in the news of children being abducted as you can tell from the Amber Alerts and most of the time it’s someone they trust and know. What will Vanessa’s final fate be? What will happen to Jill if she cannot let go of her fear and anger? What about Hayden will he be true to her or will they part? A story that young girls need to read and parents of difficult teens before one of theirs falls prey to an ABDUCTION!

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine