No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay

Cynthia glanced about for a note. Her mom was big about leaving notes when she had to go out. Even when she was angry. A long enough note to say, "On your own today," or "Make yourself some eggs, have to drive Todd," or just "Back later." If she was really angry, instead of signing off with "Love, Mom," she'd write "L, Mom." There was no note.
from page 5, No Time For Goodbye

Whoa. That's what I thought when I finished reading No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay. The story is one wild ride starting from the first chapter as it careens around some dark twists in its complicated plot.

Twenty-five years ago Cynthia woke up one morning to an empty house--her parents and her older brother were gone. Her family has vanished without a trace, and the police have no leads and no explanations; there isn't a shred of evidence that points toward one theory or another. Cynthia is left the only survivor. The mystery of her family's disappearance remains unsolved until a 48 Hours Mystery type TV show features Cynthia's story in hopes of dredging up some new leads. Instead it dredges up the lies and betrayals of the past that some people will continue to kill for in order to keep them hidden. In time an even more disturbing explanation is revealed, and the only thing for certain is that not all involved in the plot will survive the aftermath of its reveal.

Barclay is a master at spinning fast action and development at breakneck speed. You'll pick up this book and won't put it down until all the secrets and mysteries have been revealed. And by the end of the book they are all neatly explained--and the answers are disturbing. Barclay lacks in his character dialogue; at times it's stilted and slightly awkward. Sometimes the narrator does some unbelievable and dangerous things that I can only hope don't come back to bite him in the butt later in the book. These are naive civilian characters who insist on tracking down what turn out to be very dangerous criminals rather than let the police do what they're paid to do. But then if it had been left to police, we wouldn't have this book.

I recommend you check this book out for a great summer read. It is available upon request from Annville Free Library, Lebanon Community Library and Palmyra Public Library.

--Reviewed by Ms. Angie

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