Family researcher Suzie Fewings' peaceful world is about to descend into darkness.
Come from America to England to research her ancestors, Prudence Clayson is shocked to discover bastards in the family tree. Suzie is happy to explain to Prudence that premarital sex is far from uncommon but knows that unmarried mothers suffered severe consequences. Finding the remnants of a pregnancy testing kit in her 14-year-old daughter Millie’s trash is a big shock, but the truth may be even worse. The young woman who was testing herself was Millie’s friend Tamara, who’s now vanished, leaving her best friend frantic with worry. Strangely, her battered mother and controlling stepfather do not seem that concerned. But after Suzie’s whole family poke their noses in where they are not wanted, they find themselves in a sticky situation. Their efforts to discover the father’s identity leads them to some horrifying conclusions. Since her own family is doing nothing to trace Tamara, the Fewingses and Prudence join in a search for her that leads them into ever greater danger.
Genealogical researching tips combine nicely with a fast-paced mystery in this latest saga of the Fewings family (Those in Peril, 2010, etc.).
