Jacquelyn Mitchard Cage of Stars

Cage of Stars

Jacquelyn Mitchard

Warner, May 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 0446578754

In Utah the oldest child, twelve-year-old Veronica "Ronnie" Swan, plays hide and seek with her younger siblings Becky and Ruthie whom she calls "Thing One" and "Thing Two". Ronnie hides in the shed while her sisters search for her. However, when she hears no noise outside from the usually loud Things, she emerges from her hiding place to find both dead lying in a sea of red. Calmly sitting on a bench nearby is their killer Scott Early.

Court psychologists determine that he is unable to stand trial on the grounds of insanity as his schizophrenia does not allow him to understand right from wrong as required to stand trial. He is sent off for four years of treatment instead. While the parents Becky and Ruthie forgive their daughters' killer, they struggle to cope, but attending sessions with Early and his wife, help. Ronnie refuses to forgive.

Four years later Scott is free but medicated living with his wife and their infant in San Diego. Ronnie moves to Southern California to become an emergency medical technician, but using an alias obtains work as the Early nanny; her goal: an eye for an eye.

Well written and filled with suspense once the teen relocates, the audience will wonder whether Ronnie, who saves lives for a living, can kill an innocent baby in this intriguing coming of age story starring a young woman with a tragic still life painting etched on her brain forever. The story line is character driven as readers follow Ronnie, whose plan for vengeance is on track. Though the insight into how the Mormon Church (the Swans are Mormons) react to the murders is lacking, fans of deep psychological thrillers will appreciate Jacquelyn Mitchard's strong effort that keeps readers wondering will she do the deed.

Harriet Klausner