Elizabeth Flock, Me & Emma

Me & Emma

Elizabeth Flock

Mira, Sep 2004, $12.95, 288 pp.

ISBN: 0778320820

In North Carolina, eight-year-old Carrie Parker plays make-believe games with her six years old sister Emma. Except for her dreams and Emma, everything else in her life is dreadful or downright abusive, starting with her nasty, alcoholic stepfather Richard. Their downtrodden mother fails to protect the siblings from Richard's wrath, which does not need anything to trigger it. Emma, being the more courageous of the duo, receives a greater share of his ire.

When Richard announces they are moving across the state to his new job, Emma and Carrie run away, but their effort fails and results in even harsher treatment by Richard. In their new home, Carrie befriends neighbor Mr. Wilson, who teaches her how to shoot a rifle as a means of protecting herself and Emma from Richard for a confrontation is sure to come one day soon.

ME & EMMA is dark psychological suspense that hooks readers who see the world through the frightened eyes of Carrie. The storyline is a well-written yet gloomy character study that enables the audience to observe more than just Carrie as readers obtain a glimpse of Richard, her mom, Emma, and other cast members, but all seen through Carrie's lens. A final twist will shock the audience, but after an initial reaction of disbelief, the audience will ponder what happened and realize yes way. Fans will flock to the back catalogue of this fine author.

Harriet Klausner