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Title: Steal Away by Katharine Clark, Mary Beth Quillen-Gregor, J. Charles ISBN: 1-56740-618-1 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 8 List Price(USD): $73.25

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Average Customer Rating: 3.53 (15 reviews)

Rating: 2
Summary: A strong plot undermined by the subplot of weak wife and unf
Comment: Like most readers, I was attracted by the nightmare of a mother dealing with a stolen child. Several improbable plot devices (ESP and and the sperm donor dying of AIDS) made even this potentially gripping plot weak. But, what irritated me was the fragile mother who could not seem to be critical of her grossly philandering husband who has sex with her sister in the kitchen many times while she is upstairs. The mother does not even ask her sister to move out and barely reacts when she walks in on her husband and sister. She does say something to her husaband--his reply is that he is a "horny prick." Oh, well! Everyone in the book knows her husband and sister are having sex and when one character asks her why she sticks with him her answer is that marriage includes even the tough times. The husband never makes any effort to reform, shows her no respect and it is left unresolved. I'd prefer a stronger heroine.

Rating: 4
Summary: Katherine Clark's character development is outstanding!
Comment: The primary plot of Steal Away is compelling enough; the frantic and suspenseful search for a missing child practically turns the pages by itself. The real gem of this story, though, is Katherine Clark's use of powerful sub-plots. The characterization and relationships in this book are so dynamic and plentiful: Rachel's somewhat telepathic connection with her missing son; the adulterous liaison between Rachel's husband and sister; the underscored spark between Rachel and Detective Gallagher; The uninvited bond between Rachel and the biological father of her son...they go on and on. Obviously, the primary plot line demands resolution and gets it. Unfortunately, the sub plots are what really drive this book and hold the reader's focus - and demand resolution just as fervently, something Clark fails to deliver. I inhaled this book from the first page and had the impression at the end that my copy must be missing the last 15 or so pages! How can Clarke justify introducing such intricate relationships and parallel story lines, and then just leave the reader hanging on everything but the main plot - ironically, the one thread where the reader is likely to guess the outcome anyway!

Rating: 4
Summary: Every parent's nightmare come true...
Comment: This book sure garnished mixed reviews! Some loved it while others hated it. I thought it was pretty well done. Not all of us are heros or heroines. Many women and some men are only forced to act on their lives only when confronted with situations out of their ability to control, such as one that arises in this book. A child is snatched by strangers, and the ability of those strangers to take that child is given by those who love that child the most. In WWI America they had these advertisements saying "Loose lips sink ships." The carelessness of an aunt, the lack of observation by parents at sports and dance situations, the lack of concern most people show for their neighbors and often their friends help lead to a child disappearing.

It is absolutely imperative that people understand that most children who are kidnapped are kidnapped by family or acquaintances. Stranger abductions like this are rare, but they still frighten parents and grandparents.

It is easy to judge the mother, Rachel, for being weak and bowing too much to her husband's whims. I've met women like this, but when confronted by problems, they often shine. They also learn things about themselves and about their families, their husbands that they chose to ignore. Rachel persists. She badgers, she shucks her life of all the unimportant societal standards in order to find her son.

My big problem with this book was not with the characterization. We are all different, and the author was portraying someone who had chosen to ignore the things that were wrong about her family and about her life. For the most part the plot was strong, but I thought the ending was curt. It left too much up in the air.

Karen Sadler