Sixteen-year-old Rig is a reluctant hero when he seeks to discover who is obsessed enough with his sister to set up a website about her and possibly do something more dangerous.
Rig and his sister Karma were once close, but when their parents divorced, Karma remained with their dad and Rig with their mom, and the two drifted apart. Now Karma is in college, and even though Rig tries to stay in touch, Karma seems even busier than she was as a popular high-school student. When Rig comes across a website devoted to his sister, he suspects someone is stalking Karma and that she could be in danger. His flighty mother is unable to see the problem, so he turns to his father. Their relationship is strained, but Mr. Ebro is as alarmed as Rig, and the two quickly head for Karma’s small college town. Despite their presence, they are unable to halt the stalker’s determination to take Karma and perhaps cause harm. The police are reluctant to follow Rig’s suggestions, so it's up to him and his family to protect Karma. This is a simplistic thriller with pacing that makes it suitable for reluctant readers. The plot is predictable, as is the family dynamic. Rig, though, a lonely obsessive teen who fears he has too much in common with the lonely stalker, is an interesting character who lifts the story and demonstrates how there can be similarities between a villain and a hero.
An undemanding read for fans of slim, fast-paced mysteries. (Thriller. 12 & up)
