Editorial Content for The Fairest: An Arles Shepherd Thriller
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
As THE FAIREST opens, two people appear to be lost on a trip to the countryside somewhere. It is unclear if this is a flashback or a fictional scene between characters in a book by author Kara Parsons. As the story progresses, this introduction --- along with various other moments spliced into the novel --- will become quite clear.
Kara is attending a book signing in the upstate New York town of Wedeskyull. The last person waiting for a signed book is a nine-year-old girl who hands her a note that reads: I am a missing child. This of course alarms Kara, and she responds in a way that is unique to her personal history.
"Jenny Milchman has a terrific protagonist in Arles Shepherd, who genuinely cares about her patients, and I hope that this engaging series continues to grow."
Rather than call the authorities or child services, Kara brings the girl to the one person she knows can truly help in this situation: her former therapist, Dr. Arles Shepherd. Arles now lives in a remote cabin in the Adirondacks wilderness as she is still recovering from physical and emotional injuries suffered at the hands of a killer in THE USUAL SILENCE, which kicked off Jenny Milchman’s series.
The spread of land that Arles lives on is called Fir Cove and contains other cabins, one of which is currently being used by a mother and daughter who have just left on a trip. When Kara and the girl arrive, Arles is initially taken aback but quickly agrees that Kara did the right thing by coming to her first. Arles checks out the bookstore for herself but finds nothing suspicious. Kara says that the child, who refuses to provide a name, speaks under her breath in what appears to be a chant or prayer. They are worried that she might have escaped a religious cult, but Arles is the best person to figure out the details they need to fill in these blanks.
An armed man shows up unexpectedly to Fir Cove. Arles vehemently denies ever seeing Kara and the girl, who are hiding in the attic of her large house. He reluctantly leaves, but it’s clear that the child is running away from people who are extremely dangerous and will do anything to get her back. Kara gives her the name “Maeve” just to have something to call her. At one point, while Kara and Maeve are making their way through the woods, they come upon a girl who leads them to a home that protects foster children and those who have been abused.
But it isn’t long before the plot turns, and it’s quite a gut punch. The conclusion is a harrowing one where all questions that have been raised are finally answered. Jenny Milchman has a terrific protagonist in Arles Shepherd, who genuinely cares about her patients, and I hope that this engaging series continues to grow.
Teaser
Author Kara Parsons is at a book signing in the town where she was raised. Before it’s over, a young girl approaches with a copy of Kara’s book containing a handwritten inscription: I am a missing child. Most people would alert the police, but Kara knows what happens to the young and vulnerable when the system fails them. She turns to her former therapist, Arles Shepherd, who finds something off about this girl who refuses to reveal her own name. What is she running from? And how much of what she says can be believed? When a man with a gun manages to locate Arles’ remote wilderness home, the true threat is revealed, and Arles and Kara go on the run. But to save this child, Arles must allow her to be found. And that’s when the real danger begins.
Promo
Author Kara Parsons is at a book signing in the town where she was raised. Before it’s over, a young girl approaches with a copy of Kara’s book containing a handwritten inscription: I am a missing child. Most people would alert the police, but Kara knows what happens to the young and vulnerable when the system fails them. She turns to her former therapist, Arles Shepherd, who finds something off about this girl who refuses to reveal her own name. What is she running from? And how much of what she says can be believed? When a man with a gun manages to locate Arles’ remote wilderness home, the true threat is revealed, and Arles and Kara go on the run. But to save this child, Arles must allow her to be found. And that’s when the real danger begins.
About the Book
When a young girl seeks out sanctuary with a total stranger, a nightmare follows in this riveting novel of suspense by Jenny Milchman, the USA Today bestselling author of THE USUAL SILENCE.
Author Kara Parsons is at a book signing in the town where she was raised. Before it’s over, a young girl approaches with a copy of Kara’s book containing a handwritten inscription: I am a missing child.
Most people would alert the police, but Kara knows what happens to the young and vulnerable when the system fails them. She turns to her former therapist, Arles Shepherd, who’s recovering from injuries and staying off the grid. But even Arles, who’s seen everything, finds something off about this girl who refuses to reveal her own name. What is she running from? And how much of what she says can be believed?
When a man with a gun manages to locate Arles’ remote wilderness home, the true threat is revealed, and Arles and Kara go on the run. But fleeing only gets them so far. To save this child, Arles must allow her to be found. And that’s when the real danger begins.
Audiobook available, read by Sarah Mollo-Christensen
