Minding Spot: The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane

Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane - Review/Author Interview & Giveaway!

Family court judge Hope Willis is frantic when she receives a call asking if she picked up her daughter Krissy from school. She and her husband Edward and their nanny Ashley cannot locate her anywhere. It brings back too many bad memories for Hope, as her twin sister was kidnapped when they were six and Felicity was never found.

The first twenty-four hours are critical in kidnapping cases and Hope is wasting no time calling in the big guns. Sure, the local police and the FBI are called in but she also immediately hires Forensic Instincts, a private firm of investigators with a high success rate. Casey Woods is the owner and a renowned behaviorist. Rounding out her team is Adam, a former navy Seal, Ryan the techno-geek and she really wants to hire Claire, a clairvoyant.

The team just closed a high profile case and they are all tired, but immediately get to work on Krissy's abduction. The Forensic team can bend the rules a bit to gather leads and other information that the others can't. Casey's boyfriend Hutch brings her a gift of a bloodhound, Hero, which is a welcome addition to the team.

The investigation veers into different directions as the Willis family's secrets are delved into leading into mob connections. An old investigator, Parker, who led the team for Felicity's abduction thirty years ago, appears convinced the two kidnappings are related. He tries valiantly to find that link. But as they all keep digging into different directions that may or may not be connected, the time table on finding Krissy diminishes.

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice is a great thriller. Casey Woods appears to be the main protagonist in this novel but I just couldn't find a connection with her. She was too know-it-all and didn't have a lot of compromise in her character unless it worked out to her benefit. It would have helped to have more background on her character to understand her better. The plot was tight and although I figured out who the kidnapper was half way through the book, I wanted to know why and also to see how the characters would come to the same conclusion. A gripping, thrilling drama with fantastic writing and a handful of diverse characters that I would love to see in another thriller.

Describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.

Forensic Instincts, a maverick investigative team, works with—and sometimes behind the back of—the FBI to solve a bizarre kidnapping case. (Okay, that’s 22 words—but it’s close! J)

What inspired you to write THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE?

A “what-if” idea (I can’t reveal what, because it would ruin the book!) and a longstanding desire to write a thriller with a team of protagonists. Enter Forensic Instincts.

Where do you do most of your writing?

I have a home office, but it’s far away from distractions and from the refrigerator!

What is your favorite book?

I’ve been reading since I was 3, so I couldn’t begin to select one book I love most! As for my own books, whichever book I’m writing at the time is always the one I love most and hate most. I’m inside the characters’ heads and the storyline, so I feel profoundly connected. On the flip side, I see all the flaws—and then some!

Which part of THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE was the most enjoyable to write?
Without a doubt, the Forensic Instincts team. I loved creating them, developing them, and watching them interact with each other while working like demons to find a five-year-old kidnapped little girl.

THANK YOU ANDREA!

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy to giveaway to a lucky reader!!

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