Review: Perfect Nightmare

Once again, John Saul has produced another page turner in Perfect Nightmare. Kara Marshall has a nearly perfect life. She lives in the home of her dreams that she and her husband built, with their teenage daughter, Lindsay. However, her husband, Steve receives a promotion at his law firm that requires longer hours that require him to stay overnight in New York City, as they live in the suburbs with too long of a commute. They have temporarily rented him an apartment for these overnight stays but cannot keep up the expense of two homes. Therefore the Marshall family finds it necessary to sell the home they all love to find an apartment in the city so that they can spend more time with Steve.

Lindsay is in her junior year of high school and devastated by the thought of the move. She does not like any of the apartments they have seen in the city and wants to spend her final year of high school in familiar surroundings with the kids she has known all her life. She is also positive that someone has gone through her things in her room during the open house when their home is put up for sale.

Kara & Lindsay Marshall’s worlds are going to change from nearly perfect to the perfect nightmare when Lindsay disappears shortly after the open house. The police believe that Lindsay is just being a rebellious teenager who has runaway trying to get back at her parents. While Kara, always instinctively knowing when her daughter is in danger or trouble, knows Lindsay is not a runaway but is unable to convince the police until another young woman disappears after an open house. Lindsay is in the hands of a maniac where her will to live will be tested and her Mother, Kara is the only one, at first, actively searching for her.

This book was definitely a page turner with well written characters. One could easily feel Kara and Lindsay’s terror, fear and desperation. I would highly recommend this book for a good read but it would certainly make one reconsider putting your house on the market and allowing an open house.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM

Book Review: Perfect Nightmare