Search and Rescue

Claire Abbott Mystery #1

by Gail Anderson-Dargatz

When a young woman goes missing on a nature trail, small-town journalist Claire Abbott is first on the scene, as usual. The clues to the woman's whereabouts are misleading, but Claire has a sixth sense--what the fire chief calls a "radar for crime." Trusting her intuition, Claire insists that the search and rescue team look elsewhere for clues to the woman's disappearance. When they fail to follow up on her lead, she pursues it on her own, embarking on a snowy chase up a mountainside that puts herself and others in danger. She's more than just a journalist chasing a story. Claire is determined to do the right thing at any cost.

Search and Rescue is the first novel in a series of mysteries featuring journalist and sleuth Claire Abbott.

Genres: Mystery, Adult, Fiction, Canada

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Watch for Gail's new novel, The Almost Widow, a thriller, released May 2023.

GAIL ANDERSON-DARGATZ’s first novel, The Cure for Death by Lightning, was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and won the UK’s Betty Trask Award, the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the Vancity Book Prize. Her second novel, A Recipe for Bees, was nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award and was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. The Spawning Grounds was nominated for the Sunburst Award and the Ontario Library Association Evergreen Award and short-listed for the Canadian Authors Association Literary Award for Fiction. Her thriller, The Almost Wife was a national bestseller in 2021, and her most recent novel, The Almost Widow, is out in May 2023.

Gail also writes young adult and hi-lo books for the educational market. Her book Iggy’s World was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and shortlisted for the Chocolate Lily Book Awards. The Ride Home was short-listed for the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize, as well as the Red Cedar Fiction Award and the Chocolate Lily Book Award.

She taught for nearly a decade in the MFA program in creative writing at the University of British Columbia and now mentors writers online. Gail Anderson-Dargatz lives in the Shuswap region of British Columbia.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute, easy, short read. I really enjoyed it and definitely would read more by this author- if I could get my hands on her books.

"When a young woman goes missing on a nature trail, small-town journalist Claire Abbott is first on the scene, as usual. The clues to the woman's whereabouts are misleading, but Claire has a sixth sense--what the fire chief calls a "radar for crime." Trusting her intuition, Claire insists that the search and rescue team look elsewhere for clues to the woman's disappearance. When they fail to follow up on her lead, she pursues it on her own, embarking on a snowy chase up a mountainside that puts herself and others in danger. She's more than just a journalist chasing a story. Claire is determined to do the right thing at any cost."

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3 STARS

(Review Not on Blog)

This novella is a part of the "Rapid Reads" series which seems more like an abridged version of a novel. They are geared towards those who want quick reads or those struggling with the English language (ESL). I am a huge fan of Gail Anderson-Dargatz so I had to read it, but I felt like something is missing so I am going to pass on the rest of the books. I do hope that Anderson-Dargatz writes a suspense novel!

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire is a reporter who inherited a “gift” from her mother. She has hunches and sees visions of people in distress who need help. Teenager Amber has gone missing, and though Claire can see where she is, the head of the search and rescue team doesn't believe her, so she takes it upon herself to go find Amber...

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy to review. It's a “Rapid Reads” book, so it's not long. I'd say it's about novella length at 102 pages. I really enjoyed it, though. There was lots happening to keep me interested. It's not complex; I'm sure that's because it's so short, so if this is or is going to be a series (“A Claire Abbott Mystery” says the cover), I'd love to have these books a little longer to be able to flesh out more. However, I still really enjoyed it.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great addition to the Rapid Reads program. I've read several books in the program and sometimes the Rapidation (Rapid Reads adaptation) of an existing character leaves something to be desired. Usually the character doesn't feel as fully formed. However, the use of established characters means that readers can eventually graduate to the original books. Fortunately, Gail Anderson-Dargatz's main character—Claire Abbott—felt fully-formed in the Rapidation. Claire's personal struggles were depicted in a very natural way, and the mystery she solves had a well-developed plot progression.

My main complaint with the Rapid Reads books is that the progression of time isn't addressed. Because there is less description and scene-setting than in a traditional-length novel, the reader has less 'time' in the scene before it moves on. Therefore transitions of time are awkward—such as when Claire misses her dinner date, and then realizes several hours later that she's very hungry. However, the reader isn't explicitly told how long driving from A to B takes, or a visit at her mom's house.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is called a Rapid Read from the publisher because it is short, but also hard to put down. This is a mystery with an engaging main character who is a reporter with a bit more than intuition. It has great potential as a series, or as a longer novel if the author is so inclined. A few mild uses of language are present, but it could still be appropriate for younger teens as well as adults. The shorter length might appeal to some of my students who are reluctant readers. The suspense and small dose of the supernatural ( visions) would also attract readers.
I received an ARC from Raven Books/ an Orca Book Publisher through LibraryThing,com in exchange for an honest renew.

[E.A. Briginshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I checked this book out of the library, I didn't realize it was a "Rapid Reads" book (i.e. for adults who struggle with literacy or where English is not their first language). Thus, it is a very simple book. However, the protagonist in this story seemed pretty juvenile for someone who is over 30 years old.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Rapid Reads, a 100 pages mystery and an excellent book for those just looking for a fast read. This is the first novel in a series featuring journalist and sleuth Claire Abbott.

This book is definitely not taxing, a good story with not fuss and lots of suspense. We follow Claire on a snowy chase up a mountainside looking for a young woman gone missing on a nature trail.

The mystery has an engaging story line with good characterization and is nicely written in a simple prose. Although way too short for an avid reader it is nevertheless a captivating read to be enjoyed

[Sanna Bergkvist · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jag har bara en enda sak att säga: URK!
Det här var nog det sämsta jag läst på länge. Att det ska vara lättläst innebär ju inte att man ska ta bort delar ur berättelsen, utan att man ska skriva på ett enklare, rakare sätt.

Platta och stereotypa karaktärer utan något som helst djup eller förmåga att skapa sympati och empati. En brud som bara tänker på magrutor och "snygga" killar och beter sig som en idiot för att sen bli upprörd när folk inte vill hjälpa henne??? Nej tack.

Läser för jobbet, annars hade jag nog kastat denna åt skogen...

[Ruth Linka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town reporter who seems to find trouble, Claire Abbott is a thoroughly likeable character. Claire is determined to help find a kidnapped girl. Her sense of what is right is very strong and compelling. Along the way she sometimes puts the feelings of others and practical worries aside to follow what she believes in. I hope we see more of Claire soon.

[Tbfrank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Labeled as a 'Rapid Read' by the publisher, this little novelette did not disappoint. Aimed at middle school and ESL students, the language is broad yet simple and the plot just spicy enough to keep those readers interested.

Minimalist in approach, the plot involves reporter Claire Abbot who has inherited the gift of remote viewing from her mother. As much as she'd like to ignore it, the gift won't be pushed aside. After leading her to one scoop after another, Claire is compelled to help rescue a missing teen whom she's has seen lying on the forest floor, unconscious and bleeding.

In such a short work, the reader gets but a taste of the author's skill in character development, enough to find the principles interesting and their interactions realistic. The action rises in a believable manner and the conclusion nicely done and satisfying.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't have read these if I had realised that they were fast reads designed for those readers who are struggling with literacy or new to the language, but given those circumstances, those readers deserve to have stories/plots which give them credit for a little native intelligence. I adored Gail's original novels and intend to read more, but this group are really inane. The lead character is 31 but acts 13 and is shallow and the plots are just as immature as she is. Disappointing.

[Thelma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Formula-ick (yeah I just made that up) mystery about a gal and her mother who have the vision, second sight, premonitions, esp, whatever you want to call it, that is used to help find lost people. Maybe the series gets better as it goes along. I didn't find it distasteful or anything like that, just pedestrian and transparent.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Search and Rescue is part of the Rapid Reads series for adults working to improve their reading skills. This book has good character development, a compelling plot and plenty of suspense. It is an excellent choice for adult learners.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short mystery. Nothing to write home about. Straightforward and easy to read. I read this while volunteering with an adult literacy program. Definitely good for adults who can’t read well.

[Erica Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. It was a great mystery and I love books that have characters with this gift. I will definitely continue reading the series.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ESL book club class. Enjoyed by all. Good pacing.

[Christa Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 super quick read

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspenseful book...with lots of anxiety when a young girl is missing 😕 😢!!!

Highly recommended

[Ficie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, with a few too many clichés.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small-town newspaper reporter Claire Abbott is on her way to a dinner date, when she feels that familiar tug in her gut again and knows she must listen to it. These tugs always lead her to someone in trouble, whether it’s a house fire or a car accident--often before even the police or fire department arrive. This has earned her the nickname “Radar.” Claire’s mother is known around town for her strange psychic abilities and Claire wants to avoid that embarrassment at all costs.

Yet when Claire shows up at the scene where a teen girl has gone missing on a nature trail, she gets more than a tug. Touching the girl’s jacket brings Claire a vision of where she lays injured at the top of the mountain. As more images and tugs appear, Claire knows she must follow her instincts, even when what’s she sees does not make sense and goes against what the police know. Soon Claire is chasing clues up a snowy mountain to find the missing girl, no matter what the risk to herself.

This typical Rapid Reads novel for reluctant readers is an entertaining mystery with interesting characters. First in a new series.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for the Southwest Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group (RL 3.0)

Published under Raven Book's (Orca imprint) quite accurately billed Rapid Reads series, this is a quick paced mystery with a Stephanie Plum-esque reporter as the protagonist. Her sixth sense gives her an advantage when tracking down news stories in the small town of Black Lake.

Claire quickly becomes involved in the search for a missing 17YO girl after her "remote viewing" ability surfaces and she has a vision of Amber Miller's whereabouts, seeing her injured and semi-conscious in the wilderness surrounding the logging town.

Filled with engaging and believable relationships between Claire and the secondary characters, this is a good choice for teens and adults at the target reading level (3.0). A fast-paced mystery, with a hint of romance, minimal language (Claire's mother admonished her each time she curses), negligible violence, and entertaining characters.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was a quick read. It follows a reporter who suddenly has a vision of where a missing teenager can be found. Of course no one believes her, so it's up to her and her Mom to save the girl!

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and suspenseful - part of Orca's Rapid Reads series

[Steph (loves water) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK, more like a short story that would've worked better in a book of other short stories.