Undeliverable

by Rebecca A. Demarest

When Benjamin Grant’s son disappeared a year ago, he threw himself into the search, and his obsession left him without a home, wife, or job. Now, he’s managed to find work at the United States Postal Service’s Mail Recovery Center, which he hopes will prove an invaluable tool in his investigation. With the help of his coworker, Sylvia—a kleptomaniac artist—Ben learns the ins and outs of a warehouse full of lost mail, and explores every lead in his son’s case. But when it all points towards the monstrous Leonard Moscovich, Ben fears the worst.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

271 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2013

About the author

Rebecca A. Demarest is an award-winning author, playwright, book designer, and writing instructor living in Seattle, WA with her husband and two muppets. Her short work has appeared alongside authors like Cat Rambo and dramatized for the stage and NPR. When not being held hostage by words, you can find her at her day job (working the people side of unbelievably awesome tech) tending to her indoor jungle (now with real frogs and lizards!), crafting, sewing, running Dungeons and Dragons as a professional Dungeon Master, and failing to teach her dogs new tricks. For more information on her work, please visit rebeccademarest.com.

Reviews

[Derek White · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A Copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*

Before saying anything else I point out that your purchase of ‘Undeliverable’ if you do so will help to support the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). To learn more or donate, visit www.missingkids.com
This book is not, however, a fund raiser, - it’s a well written tale that will keep you interested to the last page. You will identify with Ben and feel his despair at the loss of his son. You will also get a fascinating insight into the world of undelivered mail and how the USPS does its best to find a home for it. The description of this was essential to the story and the reason I limited myself to four stars was that I felt the order of events at the beginning could have been improved; I would have preferred to learn Ben’s history, particularly the circumstances of his son’s disappearance and his leaving the matrimonial home before finding him working for the USPS. As it is we only learn details of his problems when Ben allows Sylvia to learn his past. She was my favourite character and I hope to meet her again. I note that the other person giving only four stars on Goodreads felt the same.
You will have no doubt that the author has talent and will, like me, read future adventures of Ben and Sylvia which I hope are to come.

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben is a heart-broken father who keeps pounding the pavement every waking hour, full of determination and hope. You can’t help but feel for the guy in his soul-wrenching journey. In the beginning, I found it a bit odd how it started off with Ben’s wife learning she was pregnant before diving into the aftermath of the son’s disappearance; however, I was glad that, at some point, the author provided the back story to that horrible day.

Even though everyone else seems to have given up, Ben continues to pursue the case and feels that by working for the U.S. postal service might help him do that. Did he really believe that he would find his son that way? I wasn’t sure if Ben’s relentless search for his son was naively optimistic or endearingly brave.

I enjoyed Sylvia’s spunky and crafty attitude. Like her, I am also an artist and a reader. She was the friend that Ben needed in his endless spiral—she made him laugh, she was blunt in her opinions, and, most of all, she listened. If he wasn’t still married and she was a bit older, I would’ve thought that they had a real shot together.

Illustrated against the day-to-day operations of the mail recovery system, the story is a vivid portrayal of the emotional impact of loss and psychological destruction. A sensitive tale with a touch of humor.

You will be most impressed by this talented writer!

[Jami Fairleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undeliverable is a quiet book which reads quickly. The characters are full of life and compelling. Their quirks, flaws, and how they interact absolutely pulled me into their world and problems. I loved how the setting of the USPS Mail Recovery Center mirrored the unresolved issues the characters were dealing with. As a side note, my grandfather worked for the USPS and used to tell me all kinds of stories about the strange things people mailed, so this story took me back to being a wide-eyed 9-year-old, trying to figure out if the old guy was pulling my leg. I'd absolutely read a sequel if Demarest releases one—I'd love to know how things resolve for the characters.

Content warning; if you need a resolved HEA to enjoy a book, have struggled with substance abuse, or have lost a child, this book may not be for you.

[D.A. Bale · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I want to draw attention to the fact that your purchase of Undeliverable helps to support the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). To learn more or donate to the Center's efforts, visit www.missingkids.com

Ben Grant is a driven man - and being driven mad. His overwhelming desire to find his son, now missing a year, has destroyed the happy life he once lived. Everything he is, everything he does, everyone he meets is nothing more than a means to an end - an end he tenuously clings to merely to get through the mundane activities of his day job in order to get back to his "real" job.

That of finding his one and only son.

His driving need has separated him not only from his son but his wife, his home, and their joint business venture. Settled in a new city and into a new job, Ben returns home every night to a virtually empty home save for the desk piled high with news reports, police tipline transcripts, and a wall dotted with maps pin-pointing everywhere his desperate search has taken him. This is, of course, because in his eyes the police don't care. They've moved onto bigger fish to fry and left him to do the job they wouldn't - or couldn't - do. Doesn't matter to Ben. He's more than capable of finding his son, that is if he doesn't increasingly drink himself into a stupor every night.

Undeliverable is heartbreaking! Ben's grief, fear and grasp for hope is palpable. At times it overwhelmed this reader. But that's when Sylvia would step into the picture.

Sylvia was the breath of fresh air the novel needed to keep from sinking into a mire of despair. She was witty, charming, a little loopy and rather Pollyanna'ish in that she worked so hard to find the silver lining in every situation and throughout each day. And it took a lot of her determined spirit to pull Ben out of the dumps from time-to-time. But Sylvia too has darkness in her past - but she's also come to terms with it and learned how to keep the past in perspective to avoid having it crash upon her present and future. Sylvia was the life-blood of this wonderful novel.

Then there are the "Bunion'isms" that begin every chapter. I came to look forward to a new chapter, knowing I'd get a nice little funny to break into Ben's frustrations. Ben's predecessor left him a huge, personally constructed manual to help him understand the in's and out's of his position. I'd have loved a chance to see Madam Buin in the pages here - as a matter-of-fact, I rather feel like I did through her instruction book. :-)

So getting down to brass tacks, point-of-view was strong and handled nicely with appropriate scene breaks. As a reader, I felt Ben's pain and anguish, his frustration and anger, and then his horror when the police finally caught a pedophile due to his research, then felt his anxiousness as he waited to find out if one of the small bodies found on the farm was little Benny. We followed along with him through all of this, so showing was excellent. There were very few editing issues. Major thumbs up!

However, because of the subject matter, please realize that this can at times be very difficult to read, but that's also because it is so well written and you feel Ben's pain so deeply. There were a few f-words but nothing overly gratuitous. Maybe I'm feeling generous because of the fact that this elicited such strong emotion in me as a reader, but Undeliverable earns from me a rare five stars.

[Sorcha]

When Benjamin Grant’s son disappeared a year ago, he threw himself into the search, and his obsession left him without a home, wife, or job. Now, he’s managed to find work at the United States Postal Service’s Mail Recovery Center, which he hopes will prove an invaluable tool in his investigation. With the help of his coworker, Sylvia—a kleptomaniac artist—Ben learns the ins and outs of a warehouse full of lost mail, and explores every lead in his son’s case. But when it all points towards the monstrous Leonard Moscovich, Ben fears the worst

For information: Undeliverable is being produced in cooperation with the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and $1 of the cover price from each sale goes to the center to help fund their efforts.

Free ebook copy from the author in exchange for a review.

I was in two minds about reading this book - it's a hard topic to confront, even for those who dont have children. How far would you go and what are you prepared to lose when a child of yours disappears? It's a brave subject matter that the author has confronted - a parent (a father no less, not a mother) who is confronted with the guilt of his only child disappearing whilst on his "watch", and attempting to confront the feelings of guilt and inadequacy in not being able to protect, find or rescue his child.

The story starts a year after Bennie disappears, a month or so after Ben's wife has kicked him out of their house and business, and Ben starts a new job at the Mail Recovery Centre - the place where the undeliverable letters (addressed to Santa, Jesus or just plain illegible) end up. Ben believes that this job can help him track down Bennie (using DMV etc), but he doesn't count on the workers such as Sylvia interrupting his daily routine. He also doesn't count on the auditors preventing his investigations.

[slight spoiler alert]

This is not a story that ties everything up in pretty bows. It doesn't necessarily have the happy ending you want. It has an ending that some people will find positive, or at least upbeat. I suspect it will be an ending that more people than we like to believe are confronted with on a regular basis. The story is written well, with the two main protagonists (Ben , Sylvia) being decent if flawed individuals.

For more information, please check out the author website here

www.rebeccademarest.com

[Ciara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undeliverable is the story of a father being driven mad by his relentless search for his missing son. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here are my thoughts:

1. The Story: Although it’s a difficult topic to confront (even for someone who has no children), Demarest handled it well. She showed what happens to a parent when they’ve lost a child and the heartache and grief and devastation that go along with it. Some parts of the book felt a little too slow for my liking, and the ending felt a bit anticlimactic, especially considering the summary of the book on Goodreads. But I have to admit that it did feel more genuine as opposed to any other kind of ending I could imagine.

2. The Characters: We have our main character Ben who has spent the better part of the last year searching for his missing son. Although not always the most likable, Ben felt real. His anger and anguish over Benny were heartbreaking, and seeing him him slowly deteriorate as he drank the pain away only felt even more of a punch in the face when you consider the reality of it all. His drive to find Benny kept me reading and wondering whether this “obsession” of his was was endearing or just hopelessly naive. I also liked Sylvia enough. She had her own demons, but the lighter vibe that she added to the much more heavy story that Undeliverable covers was much appreciated.

3. Bunion'isms: Mrs. Buin’s messages before each chapter quickly became one of my favourite aspects about Undeliverable. Even though we never actually got to meet Mrs Buin, it still felt as though we knew her. Their comical nature and the attitude the came with each message were both refreshing breaks from Ben’s plot line.

For more information or to donate to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), visit www.missingkids.com

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undeliverable is a heart-breaking look at loss, and what the lack of closure can do to a person. I thought the view of a young dad and his desperation in his search for his missing son was beautifully portrayed; I felt the guilt that he dealt with every day.

The setting of the Mail Recovery Warehouse is a backdrop that I have never seen and found myself wanting to learn more about the process and what they do in that area of the government. That being said, I found the characters there a bit of a caricature, and wanted it to be two separate stories: one about Ben and his search for his son through his use of his work systems, and one just about this warehouse. I would read the manual that was used to introduce each chapter, so clever!

I am intrigued by Ben and his relationship with his wife, I wish that there had been a little more development of their history. I appreciate that he develops a connection with Sylvia, his coworker, but I didn’t find myself believing how close they got so quickly.

There is a sequel in the works, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow, and where the search leads them. Kudos to the author for tackling a difficult subject, and for giving a portion of her proceeds to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

www.dirtylittlebookers.com

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I was pleased with Undeliverable. I found the backdrop of the USPS Mail Recovery Center, or Lost Letters Office, a creative place to set the story of a missing young boy. I also enjoyed the individual chapter introductions that continue to draw the parallels between Ben Grant’s search for his son and the department he utilizes to advance his findings.
Although I did enjoy the story – I found I struggled a bit with the pacing. Most of the really gripping action was left for the last few chapters. It was a slow burn to get there, and while the ended was, in my opinion satisfactory, it wasn’t the biggest payoff.
As far as the characters, I was thankful for Sylvia’s sense of lightness and levity – she adds bright spots into a pretty heavy subject matter. Some of the others fell a bit flat and ornery including Mr. Grant himself. The personalities seemed to be building on the old cliché that postal workers are going “postal” and the Mail Recovery Center was basically the land of misfit toys.
I do however applaud Ms. Demarest in providing a voice for those who may be in this horrific situation and remind us that although the news story may end – the struggle continues. I look forward to continuing Ben’s story and reading whatever is next from the author.

[Ray Litt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undeliverable is a well-written, well-researched story of a father's search for his missing boy. Overall I enjoyed the book, and was pleased to spend time in the Lost Letters Office, a setting I've never explored and found both interesting and well-formulated.

I enjoyed Ben's realistic attractions and frustrations, LOVED Ms Buin's humor, but I had a bit of a hard time with the other characters: I understand that sympathy comes in all shapes and sizes, but I think that the 'going postal' theme ran a bit rampant here, as everyone seems uber crotchety and on edge, which can be charming, but at times was just unrealistic and forced. I thought that Ben's grief deserved more padding and development, and that more time could have been spent on flashbacks and the search, less time on office politics.

There is a sequel in the works and I would definitely read it. I would also recommend this book to other fans of similar genres.

CALLING ALL INDIES! Review
www.dirtylittlebookers.com

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Undeliverable is a story about many things. A father who lost his son, but can't give up searching which is slowly tearing apart his life. Its also about the US postal service and all the things that get lost there. Its about a friendship between two unlikely friends. The book is well written and the storyline sucks you in. You can't help but sympathize with Ben but want to shake him at the same time. Sylvia is someone I think everyone can find a little of themselves in. The ending was somewhat open ended. Perhaps a sequel is in the works? Or possibly just showing for some with missing children there is never a true clean cut ending. A good read all around though and I would read more from this author.

[Reddit Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything to be one of those made for TV shows that you sit down on a Sunday and watch just because you're too lazy to move, and by the end of it you go... hmmm not bad. I wasn't that interested in the topic, missing children, SEEN IT...but the author does a really good job of just doing things well. There's a saying that you can do something thats been done if you do it good, and this was good. Not only do I recommend this envelope? I think the authors blog is worthy to read by all future authors. Especially the posting on design because this is a really cool book cover.

As seen on /r/selfpublish

[Terry Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was excellent. The detailed descriptions of how the workplace functioned was important to establish the fast paced chapters that moved narrative quickly and effectively to a satisfying conclusion but not an end. I look forward to reading the next installment by this author.
A good read! Entertaining, realistic characters and life situations!

[Eric Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the beginning, the reader is pulled into Ben's world. You sympathize with his obsession to find his son and the guilt he feels. The story is Ben's, but Sylvia steals the show for me. Her witty comments and her quirky personality stand out. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Demarest. Such a talent!

[Unsolved ☕︎ Mystery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A father accepts a job at a post office in hopes that it will help him locate his abducted son.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was interesting to learn how the post office works.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful characters. Some of their actions seemed 'off' near the end.