Blood Orange

by Drusilla Campbell

Dana Cabot's life begins to unravel when she discovers the truth surrounding the disappearance of her seven-year-old daughter Bailey, forcing her to realize her own part in the tragedy and make a decision that could further destroy her family. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Book Club, Suspense, Thriller, Family, Adult

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Drusilla Campbell lives in San Diego with her husband, the lawyer-poet-professor, Art Campbell, two rescued dogs and four horses. She was born in Melbourne, Australia and came to California when she was six years old. Before that she criss-crossed the United States by train and car with her brave and resourceful mother and mostly adorable baby brother. She had sailed the Pacific Ocean three times before starting first grade and knew how to run down a pitching outside deck and come to a sliding, slamming stop against a bulkhead, laughing the whole time. She grew up in the Santa Clara Valley in the halcyon days before the dot com magnates discovered it, attended San Jose State University, and then started traveling again. She taught in Melbourne, London and at a remote jungle outpost in Panama before settling down and marrying. While living in Washington, DC she got a Masters Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the American University and went to work for NPR's major DC affiliate, WAMU-fm. She has two sons, Rocky and Matt, and three grandchildren who are smarter, more intelligent and entertaining than anyone elses. The dogs, the horses, the family and friends and writing books keep her happily in one place.

Drusilla is an award winning author of 16 published novels, including the best-selling and award winning novels, The Good Sister, Blood Orange, and Bone Lake. Her latest novel, Little Girl Gone from Grand Central Publishing, is available is available January 31, 2012. you.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

i do not know how anyone could have given this book more than two stars. first off - very bland, unlikeable characters. none of them spoke to me at all. too many things going on in this book and none of them were believable or played out to completion. and my goodness - why is a child abduction pretty much swept under the rug?? i don't understand how they all pretty much just carried on with their lives while their daughter was abducted for 3 months. please! what parents would still be working?? i get that you need an income to survive, but geez... it's YOUR DAUGHTER!!! you barely hear anything about the little girl, bailey, what's she's been through, how she's coping, etc. the main characters - dana and david are too wrapped up in themselves individually. david can't get away from work, defending an accused child murderer (really?? after your daughter is abducted??). not only that, but then david decides to have the wife of the murderer move in with them - over the garage? are you kidding me? after your daughter was just abducted? and then dana is just sitting there so self absorbed about her affair with her friend's brother. we find out later that the brother is who abducted the daughter. but since dana is so selfish, she decides not to come out with it until much later that she knows that he abducted her daughter. where are your priorities?? what an awful mother. this book was distasteful. i don't recommend it to anyone. i read it all the way through just to get through it.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always forgive and don't throw away something as worthwhile as love.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Orange is the story of Dana Cabot, a seemingly happy woman married to a handsome lawyer with a wonderfully bright, but challenged, young daughter.
So far, so sugary, right?
Yet from the first page we are aware that Dana's young daughter has been snatched- by whom, though, we don't know. If you're a British reader, you will no doubt draw the uncomfortable similiarities with the case of Madeleine Mccann, and although I tried to stop it, throughout the novel there were many times that that beautiful little girl's face popped into my head.
However, this is not a simple child-snatching story. This is a story about morals- the moral complications of Dana's husband David defending a known child-killer; about adultery,lies and betrayal- I'll let you find that one out for yourself; and about religion and questions of faith- Dana's best friend Lexy is a conflicted priest.

Lexy is one of the most interesting characters in the novel and found her story fascinating. She was extremely well written and loved the fact that it made a priest more human, and more fallible, than most novels.
I also loved Dana's flawed character, and David's realistic anger and "stiff-upper-lip" attitude.
I found the themes distressing at times, the betrayal that a certain character goes to, to protect his/her family, shocking and disturbing. I was addicted to the book and read it in two sittings- and left me thinking about it long after.

However, a couple of criticisms- the first being, in my mind, that Bailey's abductor is extremely obvious and was from the beginning. I guessed it straight away and found that a little predictable.
Secondly, the ending was left very open and didn't satisfy my curiosity to know what happened next. I much prefer books that tie off all the loose ends, but you can't have everything can you!

All in all a very impressive read. I loved the story, the themes, and the style. The characters were full of depth and I could relate to them- one of the most important things I look for in a novel.
Brilliant!

[Su · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could kick myself for taking the time to begin and then continue reading this book. There was so much about it that I didn't like. For one thing, I think it could have benefited from better editing. So many times I thought I had skipped a page or sentence, but then discovered that no, it just was that disjointed. Mainly it was about ordinary people doing their ordinary jobs and hating their lives. They all had baggage from their backgrounds that made them the way they were (two were especially hateful of their mothers!, but how is that different from anyone else in the world. Not the hating mothers part! Anyway, don't waste your time. I am sorry I did.

[Denise MacDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was no flow to this story, it was very disjointed and all over the place. There was no real introduction to new characters, they seemed to just be dropped into the story when needed. I didn't find any of the characters to be likable and Bailey, who the story is supposed to be about, is barely in it. It was quite easy to figure out the "who done it" for all of the different story lines because those characters served no other purpose. I did find myself rereading parts of the story because I thought I might have missed something, but I didn't, it was written that way. It wasn't enjoyable to read and I had to make myself finish it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An abduction, an affair, a murder, and a marriage unraveling. This book packs a great punch with all sorts of twists and turns, yet never leaves you wanting more from these emotionally deep characters. As the plot unfolds and we become better acquainted with the characters and the layers of their past are peeled away to show more completely what makes them behave the way they do, the story takes on more interest. It was a quick read but you become totally involved in the story...a little sad at times. It was hard to put down.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book, though there was something that just didn't work. Since I did enjoy reading it and can't really put that finger on the "something" (perhaps it was the lack of really likeable/completely believeable characters), it still gets 3 stars. It is set in San Diego, too: always a selling point! As another reviewer mentioned, I didn't see many commonalities with The Deep End of The Ocean

[Marisa Lindley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull unlikeable characters, predictable throughout, and the way they handle the daughter's kidnapping is ludicrous. I struggled to read the last 100 pages because I simply didn't care anymore

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and poignant

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kept me reading just so that I could figure out the point. The characters were not my favorite. Although I thought that the book was all about their missing daughter it ended up being way more involved and had a series of side things going on in other lives. I ended up liking it more than I thought I would, although it is not a really light reading book.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really annoyed me. I just found so many of the characters actions not plausible. Especially the mother. When her daughter goes missing, she doesn't think to mention some pretty important details to the police, that kind of thing. The grief and anxiety she feels is described, but I didn't think she ACTED like she had gone through all that fear, especially later in the book. I thought the husband was written in a lazy way too. Just a good old workaholic, easy to write him into and out of scenes when you need him.

I also noticed a lot of instances where the phrase "would of" is used. What kind of published author doesn't know that "would of" is not a phrase and that it's "would have". And what kind of editor doesn't pick up on that?

[KStar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery and suspense book that keeps you turning those pages holding you back from doing what you really should be doing. I wasn't sure if I was going to even start this book after I glanced at all the mixed reviews, but reviews don't usually play a part in what I read or expect from a book, we all have different reasons for liking a book. I'm so glad I decided to read this story after all. It did keep my attention so much so that I couldn't stop reading, I needed to find out the answers to all my questions.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had an interesting plot but it was really just another novel without a single likable character. It's hard to finish books like these when you can't relate to a single person. The main character was a middle aged child who seemed to hold no regrets for all the trouble she caused including a mans death and I found it disgusting how everyone was asking her forgiveness as if she had been wronged in someway.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

About half way through the book there was a plot turn that so absolutely unbelievable that I tossed the book aside disgusted. I hate it when author's treat their readers with such disrespect. Especially when the topic of the book is abducted children. Shame on you, Drusilla Campbell.

[Gaile Wakeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soap Opera plus

[Kathy Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting keeps you guessing and i really liked the characters i felt like i could be listing to them talk at times.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure I liked this book, but the more I read the more I liked it. Lot of lessons about love and forgiveness.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day that seven-year-old Bailey Cabot disappeared changed everything. The book “Blood Orange” By Drusilla Campbell, evolved around the idea of forgiveness and secrets. Campbell constantly added new evidence pointing to another potential abductor just when I thought someone did it. Family members never knew which secrets they should withhold or not withhold at the risk of breaking apart their family. As time went by Bailey’s parents, David and Dana, grew further apart while dealing with the disappearance of Bailey.

Because I could connect with many of the characters is another reason I liked the book. For example, Dana chooses to run throughout the time that Bailey is missing to withdraw from the situation and that is something I do myself. If I have a stressful day at school or a not so great volleyball game I like to take a walk or run with my dog. Whether it is a similar coping strategy or you like the same food almost everyone that would read this book would be able to connect to a character in some way.

As a heads up, this book does have a lot of mature content in it, such as the romance and the story behind David’s work-life so keep in mind the age of the reader.

Overall I would give this book 4.5 stars. This book has amazing characters and an extremely high level of suspense. If you want a book that will always leave you wondering what the heck is going to happen next then “Blood orange” is a book that you should add to your must-read list!

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Dana’s marriage with her lawyer husband, David, is not doing well after their young daughter, Bailey, is kidnapped. David has been working long hours on a case defending a man he does not like, a man who may have murdered his neighbour’s little girl. Dana’s best friend, Lexy, is an Episcopalian priest, and their friendship also seems a bit strained.

As we go a little bit back in time, we learn more of what is making Dana more on edge. For the most part, I really liked the book and wanted to give it 4 stars, but it all just wrapped up a bit too perfectly at the end, so that brought my rating down just that little bit, the ¼ star. There is a lot going on the book, and we do see different character’s perspectives, but for the most part, I was ok with that. I didn’t think either Dana or David were particularly likable characters, though I disliked Dana more.

[K Ogie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 stars
This was the optium pretty ok book. There were some flaws in the writing, some pieces making the characters actions relatively unbelievable and some parts of the storyline where it was obvi6the author wanted to leave herself options as tomeho the kidnapper might be if she changed her mind mid story. But....all that being said, I really enjoyed it. There were some deep ethical questions and some gray area issues that made it nearly impossible to see any of the characters as good or bad. All of the characters were flawed but it is your job as the reader to decide how flawed and if they will recover to make it through to the other side.
This whole story reminds me The Deep End of the Ocean by Jaquelyn Mitchard. Very thoughtful and thought provoking, intensely emotional.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it came up in the "If you like Jodi Picoult" section. I LOVE Jodi Picoult, and the plot of this story was much like many of hers, but the writing style was completely different.

Starting with the positives; it had a great beginning. I could read past the first few pages and not get bored or want to put the book down. It also depicts childhood trauma very well.

However, the events happen and scenes change too quickly without foreshadow. That made it hard to keep character's names and personalities straight. I also skimmed through a lot of the religious section, and most of Lexy's chapters. I also thought that the kidnapper was obvious the whole time.

**I also I pick apart grammar and punctuation in every book. On page 233 it says "you husband" instead of "your husband." On page 262 the B in "babysitters" isn't capitalized and it should be.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but laggy in parts:
In her novel Blood Orange, Drusilla Campbell spins a tale around a missing child, a lawyer who is defending an alleged child chiller and a series of events that happen around the case. The main character, David's wife Dana, who feels like her marriage is slipping away, her best friend the priest is becoming distant and her child has special needs. Wore out from being the go to wife and partner and caring for this child not to mention all the baggage from her turbulent childhood, Dana Cabot goes on a one week trip to Italy with her best friend Levy's borther. This is the catapult for a series events that turn the Cabots" lives upside down. A real page turner with a few surprises, this one will have you spinning in your seat.

[LyndaIn Oregon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit difficult to review this book and yet avoid spoilers. There are so many twists and turns in this novel that pulling one plot string tends to unravel large portions of the overall picture.

Briefly -- a young defense attorney is in the midst of defending an accused child murderer when his own family comes under assault. Is this a vigilante movement gone rogue? Or something worse?

As he, his wife, and their community continue to search for their missing daughter, multiple levels of trust and betrayal are explored and there are seldom any easy answers.

Suffice it to say this is a terrific read, and not one you will forget quickly.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

So. Much. Angst! This is a story of child abduction, murder, love, trust, betrayal, forgiveness. Excellent writing, with figurative language and lots of concrete detail. As a San Diegan, I appreciated the San Diego places and references. Genuine and spot-on. The plot had interesting twists and turns, not all of them believable. The characters were flawed -- which was good -- but sometimes they acted in ways I did expect or anticipate, ways that sometimes seemed unsupported by the plot. Pacing dragged at times, while the characters stewed about how they felt, what they thought, what they should do and be. Could have used some tightening. Still, worth reading.

[Diana M. Scribner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't crazy about this book although it kept me interested enough to finish it. It was an interesting read and pretty well written, but I guess the reason I'm down grading it some is because it had so many side plots going on I got weary of going back and forth. There was the kidnapped child, the overworked and strung-out husband, the young, exciting lover, the woman priest trying to hold on to her vows and beliefs, the wife who was trying to overcome a difficult childhood, and if that wasn't enough, then we were introduced to the wife of the man on trial who was a ruined and despicable person herself. The whole thing was overwhelming, but of course it had a tidy ending.

[Leslie Mcnenly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, there was enough to keep me turning the pages. I agree with some other reviewers that the characters were not the most likable, but I found the story engaging. My biggest criticism would be that the author seems to put the bulk of the responsibility of the problems on Dana, while I think her husband got a free pass to be absent and self-centered. Only once briefly did the fact that he was a bully get brought up.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a fast read for me because it was hard to put down.
It's a story of love, betrayal, fear, loss, and finding strength.
Dana comes off a little weak and I hate that she tends to blame her parents and her grandma for her deep seeded problems with life now that she is an adult....but on the other-hand I see a lot of that in real life, so the book could be about any family struggling with demons of their own.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy stories told in a non-linear timeline but the first several chapters, it wasn’t clear there was a time jump so the story seemed really disjointed. Then there were no time jumps for the second half of the book so it seemed like the author couldn’t decide. That aside, I liked the story well enough.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelf for several years. Not even real sure where I got it. I decided to pick it up as I’m trying to purge excess things. What a wonderful surprise! It reads like a John Grisham type mystery, and delves into marital woes, parental missteps, and struggling to see others like God does. Recommend.

[Reed Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

not... horrible?
storyline and writing seemed disjointed and no character was really built enough for me to love. not really enough on the actual kid, who I kind of expected this to be more about. the kidnapper was pretty obvious from the start to me.
all that said, it wasn't just terrible, but not my favorite