9:00 AM
Nikki
My life might have been so different, had I not been known as the girl whose grandmother exploded.
Set in 1998 in a small German town, The Vanishing of Katharina Linden focuses on one of the most challenging years of young Pia's life. Within the course of a year, well, her grandmother dies in a freak accident (yes, she explodes), her home life is torn apart as her parents argue time and time again about where they should live--England or Germany--and perhaps most importantly a handful of children--all young girls--disappear from the community.
Our heroine, Pia, is only ten. And before her grandmother exploded, well, her life was normal. Her life wasn't colored or tainted by association. (Some of her classmates refuse to sit by her in case exploding is catching.) But though she may not have many friends, she does have one true friend, Stefan. Yes, this friend is socially undesirable. Before her grandmother's death, she wouldn't have acknowledged he even existed. Still, he's the only one that speaks to her now. So their friendship has a chance to develop. What binds them together--in a way--is their curiosity over the disappearances of the other children. Together they're determined to solve the mystery. Turns out, that other children have vanished from the town through the decades. By listening to the gossip, they think they know the man responsible. But could the village gossips have it all wrong?
While I may not love this one, I certainly found it compelling and enjoyable.
© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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