Publication Date February 11, 2025
For me, Chad Zunker is one of those reliable authors – in 2022, I read Family Money – four stars. In 2023, All He Has Left was another solid four star read. Then, last year? The Wife You Know – yep, once again, four stars. So this year, when I had the opportunity to read his latest, Not Our Daughter, in exchange for my honest review (thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley), I jumped at the chance. I love having one of those books that I Just KNOW is going to be well written, entertaining, something that will hold my interest and be a fun experience – not what some call “great literature” or even “literary fiction” – nope, I’m here for a good time. Some of the authors that fall into that category for me are Joseph Finder, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, John Sandford (nearly all the time), and T. Jefferson Parker (most of the time). I’m probably forgetting someone important, but these come to mind – and I have to say Chad Zunker is now on the list (anyone see an unsurprising four star review coming?)
This exceptionally compelling mystery/thriller focuses on a couple, Lisa and Cole Shipley, and their early teenage daughter. Thirteen years ago, they were fostering an infant and had hoped to adp[t her and raise her as their own. Then, all three of their lives were suddenly and frighteningly changed forever when the baby’s birth mother showed up at their front door. After gasping out the words “He’s coming here…for her! Save her,” she bled to death. Terrified, they grabbed the baby and ran.
They landed in a small town in Colorado,now raising a teenager who is suddenly turning into a grownup – and asking questions. They are sure they are being tracked by AT LEAST a relentless FBI agent, but it turns out there is also another threat tracking them.
It’s fun! Scary at times. As a former foster parent, I can attest to the fact that it also captures some of the mixed feelings adults in a foster situation have…as well as the angst of the parents of an early teenage girl who is sure she knows everything and knows the best way to do EVERYTHING. It was so much fun, and while I was fairly certain things would turn out all right, I can’t say I saw the ending coming. Once again, four stars!