In Alafair Burke's gripping new thriller, FIND ME, what appears to be the biggest mystery from the start ends up not being as important as the many other questions and problems that arise over the course of this well-written, engaging novel.

Hope Miller lost her memory after a horrific car accident 15 years ago. She still has not gotten it back, but thanks to her close friendship with defense lawyer Lindsay Kelly, she has had a safe place to live and work --- the town of Hopewell, New Jersey, where Lindsay's father was the chief of police.

"While she presents us with evidence of a likely suspect for one of the crimes, there are plenty of others to solve. Deviously, Burke leaves one twist to the very end."

But now Hope has left this sanctuary, where everyone knew her and no questions were asked about her past. She decides to move to the coast, to a small town near the Hamptons, and Lindsay is concerned for her friend's safety. Her fears are realized when we read about Hope's encounter with someone who appears to be dangerous and might be a ghost from her past. Hope is now gone, and the only evidence left is some blood residue on the floor. Because Lindsay insists that Hope would not just run away, the blood is tested. It's a match for blood found at the scene of a crime decades earlier and miles away in Wichita, Kansas. The victim was murdered by a serial killer.

Readers will need to keep track of all the characters, which seems a bit daunting at first. Along with Lindsay and Hope, we meet NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher, whose father dedicated his life to finding the Kansas killer. She has steadfastly refused to believe that her father, whose death was ruled a suicide, ended his own life. Rather, she has always suspected that he was killed by someone connected to that long-ago case, which he wouldn't let go and didn't get solved until after his death.

The mystery seems confusing at times because there are so many pieces that Burke keeps suspended in the air, like a magician doing a juggling act…with people and crimes instead of bowling pins. But stick with it; the confusion is purposeful. It all will become clear, and brilliantly so. For Burke is guilty of a bit of misdirection herself as she presents conclusions that we all too trustingly believe. While she presents us with evidence of a likely suspect for one of the crimes, there are plenty of others to solve. Deviously, Burke leaves one twist to the very end.