Where is the Baby?

by Charlotte Vale Allen

An act of courage leads to a small girl’s fight to face the future against all odds in this disturbing and moving tale from an award-winning author. When little Humaby escapes from a locked van and runs for help, she saves herself as well as a newly stolen baby girl. But, given into the care of child psychiatrist Dr Stefan Lazarus, the girl, renamed Faith, grows up under the glare of an unwelcome spotlight that drives her to dangerous behavior. Sent to a retreat by Stefan, Faith is drawn to Tally and Hay, and the three immediately develop a unique and powerful bond. Each of them is attempting to come to terms with their troubled pasts. For Faith, this involves one final, shocking act . . .

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Charlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer and in cabaret revues until she emigrated to the United States in 1966.

Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.

Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.

One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.

In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."

A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Sharon Heaverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Vale Allen is one of my favorite authors. Her books always leave me with something to think about. Where is the Baby? is another book like that.
As this story starts out, I am thinking that it is going to be a mystery story where we try to figure out who the villains are. After all, just look at the title. It quickly turns out to be a story of humanity and how 1 person can make a difference in another's life. This is a great example of a good cop story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Vale Allen is one of my favorite authors. She tells a fantastic story with believable characters. In 1973, a 5-year-old girl escapes from her kidnappers by running into the K-Mart. The first policeman to talk to her follows her to the hospital and befriends her. Her history is pieced together slowly, as she is educated on what a teddy bear is, what cartoons are, what is meatloaf and green beans, because her captors have been using her as a sex object and prostitute, and she hasn't had a bath for years. In Nevada, 38-year-old Tally is released from prison after serving her entire 18-year sentence for a crime she pleaded guilty to but did not commit. As she drives across the country, she has to learn how to be free again and get back her humanity. She ends up in Connecticut and meets Hayward, a Vietnam vet who works part time at the local addiction retreat and part time as a handyman but lives in a shack on a high hill in order to be able to be outside at a moment's notice when the nightmares hit. I read this book in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down. . . I had to find out what happens to these characters who are so tragic, you have to root for them to heal. Another winner for Vale-Allen!!

[Donna Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it wasn't for Charlotte Vale-Allen's name on the cover, I may not have picked up this book. In this case, judging a book by its cover would have been my loss. The title and cover art just don't do it for me. Each taken separately might have been okay; however, the combination led me to believe this was a Mary Higgins Clark-type novel. Although I'm sure Mary Higgins Clark writes some wonderful books, I've never been particularly enamored of them.

Anyway, without further digression, I just want to say that Charlotte Vale-Allen has created another great book in a long line of great books. She has the ability to pull you in to each of her character's personalities and lives and somehow the pages just fly by. At the end of each of her books you feel like these are real people you know and care about. She's a masterful storyteller who really knows her craft.

[Tami Seaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially very impressed with this book. Dark, building into what could have been a really compelling story. Instead, there was an abrupt switch to a make-good, karma is king, and good things come to those who wait Harlequin-type resolution. It feels like two books kind of poorly spliced together. However, I enjoyed each of them, so three stars it is.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. It was a fast read. I Charlotte Vale-Allen is a great author. I have read most of her books and would recommand them all.

[Redgrammie45 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child pornography is disgusting. It is the basis of this story. HOWEVER, the characters are so unbelievably real and
likeable and the plot is so good that I read this book in a day and a half!