Sight Unseen
By Suzanne Barr
ISBN#2940014892469

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn

Spoilers!

Synopsis:

After young Richard’s mother dies, he overhears the wealthy family friends, Ashton and Iris Burke, saying that they could not take him into their home. He is later adopted by the Johnsons, but hates the working class life that he endures throughout his childhood. After serving in the military, Richard goes to college where he studies architecture, the same profession as Ashton Burke. Richard worms his way back into the Burkes’ life when their architectural firm, Burke and Burke, is most vulnerable after a faulty cement accident. Ashton Burke is thrilled when he hires Richard Johnson because not only did he bring a Pentagon contract with him, but he seems to be the perfect man for his daughter, Susan. Ashton arranges for them to meet. Everything seems to fall into place for Susan and Richard as they fall in love and marry. However, the family’s world gets turned upside down when Susan and Richard’s infant daughter, Ashley Rose, is kidnapped. They race against time – and the kidnapper – to recover their precious child . . . but what they find out is more chilling than they ever imagined . . . (Barnes & Noble)

Review: 

I was hooked while reading the prologue and it only got better from that point. I started reading Sight Unseen around 9pm and I finished around midnight. I tried to do other things (like chores) but I’d find myself going back to the book over and over again.

Susan’s point of view was used for the prologue. I had to know who she was and how she got to that place in her life. Susan is from a deeply flawed family but she is a vibrant opinionated woman. She had recently broken up with the love of her life when her parents introduced her to Richard. Richard works for her dad but Iris, Susan’s mom, doesn’t like him. Iris isn’t sure what it is, but she has an ominous feeling about him. Ignoring that instinct was a BIG mistake.

Richard seems perfect, but you quickly see he’s not what he appears to be. I’m not sure why Susan put up with his crap although I realize it’s the cycle of abuse.

I loved the character development and how Barr went about introducing us to each one. Generally, a constant changing point of view can be confusing and annoying. Barr does is flawlessly.  Because of that, I felt like I knew each character intimately as if they were my family. Barr let us in their heads and showed us their memories as opposed to just giving us the information. It was highly enjoyable to try and unravel the mystery.

The book was not too short nor too long, it is just right. I was so proud of Ashton, Iris and Susan by the end of the book. They had grown as people and come together as a family.

I’m a happily ever after kind of gal. Sight Unseen fits the bill though not in the way I expected. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. It’s suspenseful, fun and a quick read.