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Desire Lines
On the night of her high school graduation in 1986, Kathryn Campbell's best friend, Jennifer, vanished without a trace. It's been ten years since then, but Kathryn still feels the conspicuous void in her life - and the nagging, guilty sense that she has failed her friend.
When a divorce sends Kathryn reeling back to the Maine town where she grew up, the young journalist finds herself face-to-face with her past. At twenty-eight, she's been living for far too long on memories and questions; now she needs to take a hard look at her own life at the same time that she is delving into the mystery of what happened to her friend.
As she explores the seemingly random series of events that led up to Jennifer's disappearance, a pattern slowly begins to take shape. All the puzzle pieces are at her fingertips - it's a matter of whether Kathryn can put them together in a way that makes sense. As she faces her own fear and grief, she is finally able to come to terms with the ways in which the loss of her friend has shaped her life and the lives of those who knew her. In the process, Kathryn realizes that if she is ever going to understand the circumstances of Jennifer's disappearance, she is going to have to expose herself to the same risks and dangers. Ultimately, Kathryn's quest to find out the truth becomes a quest to save her own life as she races against time to keep Jennifer's fate from becoming hers.
When a divorce sends Kathryn reeling back to the Maine town where she grew up, the young journalist finds herself face-to-face with her past. At twenty-eight, she's been living for far too long on memories and questions; now she needs to take a hard look at her own life at the same time that she is delving into the mystery of what happened to her friend.
As she explores the seemingly random series of events that led up to Jennifer's disappearance, a pattern slowly begins to take shape. All the puzzle pieces are at her fingertips - it's a matter of whether Kathryn can put them together in a way that makes sense. As she faces her own fear and grief, she is finally able to come to terms with the ways in which the loss of her friend has shaped her life and the lives of those who knew her. In the process, Kathryn realizes that if she is ever going to understand the circumstances of Jennifer's disappearance, she is going to have to expose herself to the same risks and dangers. Ultimately, Kathryn's quest to find out the truth becomes a quest to save her own life as she races against time to keep Jennifer's fate from becoming hers.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 1998
411 people are currently reading
2786 people want to read
About the author
Christina Baker Kline
24 books7,196 followersA #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World, Christina Baker Kline is published in 40 countries. Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today, Poets & Writers, and Salon.
Born in England and raised in the American South and Maine, Kline is a graduate of Yale (B.A.), Cambridge (M.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.F.A.), where she was a Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing. A resident of New York City and Southwest Harbor, Maine, she serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Fiction (NY), the Jesup Library (Bar Harbor, ME), the Montclair Literary Festival (NJ), the Kauai Writers Festival (HI), and Roots & Wings (NJ), and on the gala committees of Poets & Writers (NY), The Authors Guild (NY) and Friends of Acadia (ME). She is an Artist-Mentor for StudioDuke at Duke University and the BookEnds program at Stony Brook University.
Born in England and raised in the American South and Maine, Kline is a graduate of Yale (B.A.), Cambridge (M.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.F.A.), where she was a Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing. A resident of New York City and Southwest Harbor, Maine, she serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Fiction (NY), the Jesup Library (Bar Harbor, ME), the Montclair Literary Festival (NJ), the Kauai Writers Festival (HI), and Roots & Wings (NJ), and on the gala committees of Poets & Writers (NY), The Authors Guild (NY) and Friends of Acadia (ME). She is an Artist-Mentor for StudioDuke at Duke University and the BookEnds program at Stony Brook University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
August 3, 2021
This is the second of Christina Baker Kline's novels, published in the late 90's. She is my author of the year, so I have enjoyed reading her older works. The book about a young journalist coming home after ten years. She is haunted by the disappearance of her best friend on the night of her graduation, and this unsolved mystery had shaped her life. She comes home after a divorce, to face her ten year high school reunion. She needs to both solve the mystery and find herself. I thought it was well done, and I got quite wrapped up in it. I enjoyed it a lot. Christina Baker Kline is a talented nuanced author, who really understands character development and relational dynamics.
August 15, 2014
Let's just get this out of the way up front: was this book as good as Orphan Train? No. No it wasn't. To be honest thought, Orphan Train was so great for me that I almost wish I had read her other books before Orphan Train so I'd feel like she was progressively getting better and better. With that said, it doesn't mean this isn't a good book. It's good in a chick lit kind of way.
I think the hardest part for me was how slow it was. This wasn't a book that grabbed you because things were just happening and the story wouldn't let you go. What this story was, was slow. It was so slow and the only thing keeping me hanging on is I wanted to know what the hell happened with Jennifer. I think the problem is that the story really isn't about finding Jennifer at all, it's more about Kathryn figuring out what the hell is wrong with herself and her life- why can't she just get it together? Her being distraught over the unexplained loss of a friend is what's given, but honestly? Kathryn is a fledgling adult and I think even if Jennifer hadn't disappeared, her life would have been the same. But once I got going in the story, it became pretty obvious that we weren't going to get a really interesting twist at the end that just unexpectedly guts you, which is what I was really hoping for. Instead, I guessed the outcome by the time we're at the part where they are attending their reunion.
But with all of that said? I think if you are a die hard chick lit fan you are going to really love this. It would really be excellent for book clubs and there is a reading group guide at the back of the book which I kind of went over just to see if I'd walk away with a different feeling. For me, though, it's not what I was expecting. I'm still going to count myself as a fan who would eagerly await a new release because which everything taken in, the fact that I finished the book even though I wasn't totally feeling it says something about the writing style, and I have to love that.
I think the hardest part for me was how slow it was. This wasn't a book that grabbed you because things were just happening and the story wouldn't let you go. What this story was, was slow. It was so slow and the only thing keeping me hanging on is I wanted to know what the hell happened with Jennifer. I think the problem is that the story really isn't about finding Jennifer at all, it's more about Kathryn figuring out what the hell is wrong with herself and her life- why can't she just get it together? Her being distraught over the unexplained loss of a friend is what's given, but honestly? Kathryn is a fledgling adult and I think even if Jennifer hadn't disappeared, her life would have been the same. But once I got going in the story, it became pretty obvious that we weren't going to get a really interesting twist at the end that just unexpectedly guts you, which is what I was really hoping for. Instead, I guessed the outcome by the time we're at the part where they are attending their reunion.
But with all of that said? I think if you are a die hard chick lit fan you are going to really love this. It would really be excellent for book clubs and there is a reading group guide at the back of the book which I kind of went over just to see if I'd walk away with a different feeling. For me, though, it's not what I was expecting. I'm still going to count myself as a fan who would eagerly await a new release because which everything taken in, the fact that I finished the book even though I wasn't totally feeling it says something about the writing style, and I have to love that.
October 19, 2024
Life stops the night Jennifer disappeared.
10 years later there is still the question as to what happened to her.
Taut, absorbing, beautifully crafted mystery by the author of Orphan Train.
10 years later there is still the question as to what happened to her.
Taut, absorbing, beautifully crafted mystery by the author of Orphan Train.
January 1, 2016
This book moves very slow and the main character, Kathryn, is basically a loser with no drive or ambition. There was nothing about her I could relate too in any way. Slow book, the mystery is enough to keep you intrigued but overall it just wasn't my cup of tea.
February 13, 2016
Less than mediocre at best. I chose this book to explore more works by the Author of Orphan Train. From the synopsis I expected a suspense and thriller. Instead it was a weak story about a high school reunion at best. I struggled to finish and kept loosing interest till the end.
I'm glad that Ms Kline found her voice in Orphan Train and hope she continues to grow. Then we can all put this novel behind us.
I'm glad that Ms Kline found her voice in Orphan Train and hope she continues to grow. Then we can all put this novel behind us.
October 14, 2013
The book was long and mostly filled with the whining of the main character as all her friends and family were telling her to get a life and move on and stop being so depressing. It really didn't touch on the mystery portion until around halfway through and didn't pick up until the end, really. It also wasn't that big of a mystery for me. Figuring out who was responsible for the disappearance of Jennifer was a little too easy. I was just along for the ride while the main character tried to put everything together while in denial. I wouldn't really recommend the book, but it wasn't terrible.
May 23, 2017
I liked the story and didn't mind the ending like others have. What I did mind were the 2 graphic sex scenes that were so unnecessary. Be aware that they are in the book and plenty of foul language. If I'd known I probably wouldn't have read it, but honestly by the time it was there I really wanted to know the resolution so I did some fast forwarding and finished.
September 12, 2022
This was a slow burn of a story. A general inertia speaks to Kathryn’s emotional and physical lack of focus, as well as the questions about Jennifer in the days / weeks before her disappearance.
As Kathryn avoids making decisions, CBK quietly discloses the details of the friends’ lives and leads us to the only conclusion possible.
I think this was skillfully written. Thank you, CBK!
As Kathryn avoids making decisions, CBK quietly discloses the details of the friends’ lives and leads us to the only conclusion possible.
I think this was skillfully written. Thank you, CBK!
October 28, 2014
Oh man, this one was a struggle.
Who wants to revisit high school? Or even worse, revisit the years in which you lost your best friend? Rather than feeling tense this story felt all kind of AWKWARD. I had such a hard time maintaining interest in wishy-washy characters, arguments about high school drama long-past, and a totally predictable missing girl mystery. Even though most of us didn't have a friend tragically disappear in our senior year, most of us can still look back at high school and realize that we might not have really known our best friends at their core. We realize that we didn't know the core of ourselves. It's called being a teenager and having room to grow.
Kline can write, and since I read and loved Orphan Train this book won't derail me from reading more of her novels. I think this was an example of poor subject matter...I just didn't want to connect. Even while I'm discounting the characters/mystery, I could totally picture the town, the school, and the reunion. All the skills to set the stage are on fine display. I just didn't care once the curtain opened!
Who wants to revisit high school? Or even worse, revisit the years in which you lost your best friend? Rather than feeling tense this story felt all kind of AWKWARD. I had such a hard time maintaining interest in wishy-washy characters, arguments about high school drama long-past, and a totally predictable missing girl mystery. Even though most of us didn't have a friend tragically disappear in our senior year, most of us can still look back at high school and realize that we might not have really known our best friends at their core. We realize that we didn't know the core of ourselves. It's called being a teenager and having room to grow.
Kline can write, and since I read and loved Orphan Train this book won't derail me from reading more of her novels. I think this was an example of poor subject matter...I just didn't want to connect. Even while I'm discounting the characters/mystery, I could totally picture the town, the school, and the reunion. All the skills to set the stage are on fine display. I just didn't care once the curtain opened!
August 13, 2014
Review Excerpt:
I liked the characters, especially Kathryn (although at times I wanted to shake her), and her high school friend and currently developing romantic interest Jack. The family dynamics between Kathryn, her divorced parents, grandmother, and dad's second wife seemed realistic. I related to the high school in the 80's flashbacks--the music, the times, and the author's description of the reunion reminded me of my own 10-year. "Age and experience are recorded differently on each face--some are fleshier, some fit, some shockingly older, some virtually unchanged." The book has enough of a mystery to have me change my mind several times on who was responsible for Jennifer's disappearance while wondering who knew what, and what actually happened to her. In the end the mystery isn't completely wrapped up but it was satisfying enough.There were a few suspenseful moments but the story unfurls itself slowly, in small bits and is more on the relationships--friends and family, Kathryn's self discovery, and her realization that she doesn't know her friends as well as she thought she did--everyone has some secrets that they hide. Overall an easy and enjoyable read for a summer weekend.
You can read my full review and see a recipe inspired by the book on my blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "Desire Lines" was provided by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.
I liked the characters, especially Kathryn (although at times I wanted to shake her), and her high school friend and currently developing romantic interest Jack. The family dynamics between Kathryn, her divorced parents, grandmother, and dad's second wife seemed realistic. I related to the high school in the 80's flashbacks--the music, the times, and the author's description of the reunion reminded me of my own 10-year. "Age and experience are recorded differently on each face--some are fleshier, some fit, some shockingly older, some virtually unchanged." The book has enough of a mystery to have me change my mind several times on who was responsible for Jennifer's disappearance while wondering who knew what, and what actually happened to her. In the end the mystery isn't completely wrapped up but it was satisfying enough.There were a few suspenseful moments but the story unfurls itself slowly, in small bits and is more on the relationships--friends and family, Kathryn's self discovery, and her realization that she doesn't know her friends as well as she thought she did--everyone has some secrets that they hide. Overall an easy and enjoyable read for a summer weekend.
You can read my full review and see a recipe inspired by the book on my blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "Desire Lines" was provided by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 18, 2008
The novel is about a woman in search of finding herself but wrapped up in the plot of her best friend from high school that just went missing. It has an element of the chick-lit to it but also a touch of the mystery genre. An easy but engrossing read for me. This is the second book I have really enjoyed from this author.
I enjoyed it so much that as I was nearing the end reading on the subway, the train actually made it all the way to my stop in mid-town Manhattan and then started leave to go back towards Queens and I did not even notice! I was practically back across the East River before I realized I needed to get off the train and head back into the city. I had a good laugh about that moment!
I enjoyed it so much that as I was nearing the end reading on the subway, the train actually made it all the way to my stop in mid-town Manhattan and then started leave to go back towards Queens and I did not even notice! I was practically back across the East River before I realized I needed to get off the train and head back into the city. I had a good laugh about that moment!
March 23, 2017
It is hard to believe that the author who wrote Orphan Train also wrote this tedious novel about a woman who just cannot get over herself.
Katherine' best friend disappeared the night of their high school graduation. Ten years later, Katherine is divorced and moving back to her hometown, Bangor, ME, without a job, without a car, without much of anything. She is annoying and miserable. In fact, most of the characters are just impossible to deal with - one dimensional and boring.
Even after ten years, Katherine cannot get over her friend's disappearance and it seems to have colored her entire existence.
It was not a bad read, but it is no Orphan Train.
Katherine' best friend disappeared the night of their high school graduation. Ten years later, Katherine is divorced and moving back to her hometown, Bangor, ME, without a job, without a car, without much of anything. She is annoying and miserable. In fact, most of the characters are just impossible to deal with - one dimensional and boring.
Even after ten years, Katherine cannot get over her friend's disappearance and it seems to have colored her entire existence.
It was not a bad read, but it is no Orphan Train.
September 12, 2015
Having read Orphan Train, I was expecting another excellent book. I was extremely disappointed. Christina Baker Kline has given us a whiny, slow moving psychological drama and mystery. The mystery part is questionable. I figured it out early on.
March 19, 2026
This book had so much potential to be a great story. It just fell flat.
And the ebook had a lot of formatting problems, including putting the prologue at the end of the book, after the epilogue!
And the ebook had a lot of formatting problems, including putting the prologue at the end of the book, after the epilogue!
June 6, 2020
This is a very different type of novel than the other two that I had read by this author. ORPHAN TRAIN and A PIECE OF THE WORLD were excellent and very thoughtful historical novels, while this one is about a group of friends who lost one of their group on the night of their high school graduation. Jennifer walked away from their small party and was never found again. Now ten years later, Katherine, her best friend returns to Bangor, ME and is asked to write a newspaper story about the impact of her disappearance on their lives by another member of their small group, Jack, and what they think happened to her. It is much more of a psychological study and murder mystery. It holds your attention but is not as strong as the two other historical novels.
July 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I'm always pleased when I enjoy multiple books from the same author (Orphan Train was my first of hers) and I'll definitely check out the rest!
August 29, 2014
Review originally posted: Traveling With T
This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.
Desire Lines
Kathryn Campbell is returning to her hometown of Bangor, Maine. After her divorce, she’s drifting- Kathryn is unsure about what she should do next. With her high school reunion fast-approaching, Kathryn is nervous about going- and in fact, doesn’t want to attend. There are several reasons she does not want to attend- her divorce, her career plans, not keeping in contact with her high school friends…. But there is another reason, a larger reason for not wanting to attend. Kathryn’s best friend, Jennifer Pelletier, disappeared the night of their high school graduation 10 years ago. Hanging out with the group of friends, she decides to leave early and tells everyone that she’ll be fine… and she is never seen again. All in the group of friends miss Jennifer. But does someone know something about the night that Jennifer disappeared? And if so… Why haven’t they told anyone?
With Kathryn being back in Bangor, she begins to think about Jennifer. She wonders what happened that night. And, when she is offered a freelance assignment writing about the disappearance of Jennifer- she takes it.
Kathryn begins to dig deep- talking to friends and family, teachers and other people. Will she uncover what happened to Jennifer? Or will this be a mystery that haunts the town of Bangor forever?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Okay- first I’ve got to shoot some tough love about DESIRE LINES- I LOVED Christina Baker Kline’s recent book, ORPHAN TRAIN. I mean just LOVED. So, when I see DESIRE LINES- I’m curious. I read the synopsis and I’m all “YES! A missing girl, a mystery, secrets- SIGN ME UP!” I get the book and I began reading…. and it’s page after page after page of talking about Kathryn’s divorce, of Kathryn trying to find herself. And I keep thinking “Where in the heck is the Jennifer part?” And then FINALLY- maybe somewhere from page 80-100, things started happening. The book changed it’s focus from Kathryn to more about the missing Jennifer. And then I am into it. I am reading as fast as I can. I am so enjoying the book.
By the time I get to the end of the book, I almost understand the book’s focus on Kathryn’s divorce, her life, her failure to follow through on many things- because…. in some ways- Kathryn’s later life is linked to Jennifer’s disappearance. And so you, the reader, has to understand some of that. But, I do think that part of the book went on too long. And it almost soured me on the enjoyment of the book. I almost set the book aside- however, after finishing it- I am glad I did not.
Final thoughts: DESIRE LINES does have some great points. And overall, I’m glad I read it. But, I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed ORPHAN TRAIN.
*Traveling With T was sent DESIRE LINES from William Morrow for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.
Desire Lines
Kathryn Campbell is returning to her hometown of Bangor, Maine. After her divorce, she’s drifting- Kathryn is unsure about what she should do next. With her high school reunion fast-approaching, Kathryn is nervous about going- and in fact, doesn’t want to attend. There are several reasons she does not want to attend- her divorce, her career plans, not keeping in contact with her high school friends…. But there is another reason, a larger reason for not wanting to attend. Kathryn’s best friend, Jennifer Pelletier, disappeared the night of their high school graduation 10 years ago. Hanging out with the group of friends, she decides to leave early and tells everyone that she’ll be fine… and she is never seen again. All in the group of friends miss Jennifer. But does someone know something about the night that Jennifer disappeared? And if so… Why haven’t they told anyone?
With Kathryn being back in Bangor, she begins to think about Jennifer. She wonders what happened that night. And, when she is offered a freelance assignment writing about the disappearance of Jennifer- she takes it.
Kathryn begins to dig deep- talking to friends and family, teachers and other people. Will she uncover what happened to Jennifer? Or will this be a mystery that haunts the town of Bangor forever?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Okay- first I’ve got to shoot some tough love about DESIRE LINES- I LOVED Christina Baker Kline’s recent book, ORPHAN TRAIN. I mean just LOVED. So, when I see DESIRE LINES- I’m curious. I read the synopsis and I’m all “YES! A missing girl, a mystery, secrets- SIGN ME UP!” I get the book and I began reading…. and it’s page after page after page of talking about Kathryn’s divorce, of Kathryn trying to find herself. And I keep thinking “Where in the heck is the Jennifer part?” And then FINALLY- maybe somewhere from page 80-100, things started happening. The book changed it’s focus from Kathryn to more about the missing Jennifer. And then I am into it. I am reading as fast as I can. I am so enjoying the book.
By the time I get to the end of the book, I almost understand the book’s focus on Kathryn’s divorce, her life, her failure to follow through on many things- because…. in some ways- Kathryn’s later life is linked to Jennifer’s disappearance. And so you, the reader, has to understand some of that. But, I do think that part of the book went on too long. And it almost soured me on the enjoyment of the book. I almost set the book aside- however, after finishing it- I am glad I did not.
Final thoughts: DESIRE LINES does have some great points. And overall, I’m glad I read it. But, I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed ORPHAN TRAIN.
*Traveling With T was sent DESIRE LINES from William Morrow for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
January 4, 2015
My first book of the new year!
I read "Sweet Water" and "The Way Life Should Be" by this author back in 2009 and I gave both books 4 star ratings. As I read back over my reviews of these two books, I find it difficult to remember "Sweet Water" with any detail, but her other book "The Way Life Should Be" I remember really enjoying and wonder now why I didn't give it 5 stars.
I keep hearing great things about her most recent book "Orphan Train" seeing 5 star ratings from friends and family. After reading this book, "Orphan Train" is moving to the top of my TBR list!
I love fictional books where you learn something new. This book provided that for me and I wonder how have I gone 50+ years without ever knowing or even hearing about 'orienteering'!! It seems to me that some people contain a built-in compass so to speak and are just great at directions. I have two sons that have this ability! I will never forget the 2,000 mile trip we took when the boys were young and they were my navigators! Then there is me! I am terrible at navigation!! This 'orienteering' would definitely not be my thing!
WHAT IS ORIENTEERING?? Orienteering is a competitive form of land navigation. It is for all ages and degrees of fitness and skill. It provides the suspense and excitement of a treasure hunt. The object of orienteering is to locate control points by using a map and compass to navigate through the woods. The courses may be as long as 10 km.
This is what the character of Jennifer who vanished after their high school graduation was into with help from one of her high school teachers. The book is written from the point of view of Jennifer's best friend Kathryn, who seems to be stuck in the past, unable to go on with her life with the question remaining after ten years, "What happened to Jennifer?"
It is a suspenseful book, but not nail biting suspense. It is kind of a love story, but not really. It reads like a memoir, but on the other hand not so much. It's hard to classify this book into one category. Some parts were a bit unbelievable especially at the end when questions were answered, but I think fans of Christina Baker Kline will enjoy this book.
I read "Sweet Water" and "The Way Life Should Be" by this author back in 2009 and I gave both books 4 star ratings. As I read back over my reviews of these two books, I find it difficult to remember "Sweet Water" with any detail, but her other book "The Way Life Should Be" I remember really enjoying and wonder now why I didn't give it 5 stars.
I keep hearing great things about her most recent book "Orphan Train" seeing 5 star ratings from friends and family. After reading this book, "Orphan Train" is moving to the top of my TBR list!
I love fictional books where you learn something new. This book provided that for me and I wonder how have I gone 50+ years without ever knowing or even hearing about 'orienteering'!! It seems to me that some people contain a built-in compass so to speak and are just great at directions. I have two sons that have this ability! I will never forget the 2,000 mile trip we took when the boys were young and they were my navigators! Then there is me! I am terrible at navigation!! This 'orienteering' would definitely not be my thing!
WHAT IS ORIENTEERING?? Orienteering is a competitive form of land navigation. It is for all ages and degrees of fitness and skill. It provides the suspense and excitement of a treasure hunt. The object of orienteering is to locate control points by using a map and compass to navigate through the woods. The courses may be as long as 10 km.
This is what the character of Jennifer who vanished after their high school graduation was into with help from one of her high school teachers. The book is written from the point of view of Jennifer's best friend Kathryn, who seems to be stuck in the past, unable to go on with her life with the question remaining after ten years, "What happened to Jennifer?"
It is a suspenseful book, but not nail biting suspense. It is kind of a love story, but not really. It reads like a memoir, but on the other hand not so much. It's hard to classify this book into one category. Some parts were a bit unbelievable especially at the end when questions were answered, but I think fans of Christina Baker Kline will enjoy this book.
November 28, 2017
Contrary to what the title suggests, this book is not about desire as it relates to human wants. Rather, the title comes from the activity called orienteering, where participants use a map and a compass to navigate from one point to another in unfamiliar territory. According to one of the characters in the book who heads a local chapter of people who engage in orienteering, if one becomes lost in the woods, they can find their way out by following "desire lines," which are faint paths through the woods made by others apart from any established trails. Closely following a desire line should bring you eventually to a safe place.
The premise for the story is that Jennifer vanishes on the night of her high school graduation, just hours after the big event. The last people to see her alive are 5 of her high school classmates. No one knows what happened to Jennifer that night. Now, 10 years later, there is to be a class reunion. Jennifer's best friend, Kathryn, comes back to town, not for the reunion, but to escape her failed marriage and to spend some time with her mother. Since she has some writing experience and talent, while in town, she is asked by the editor of a local paper to investigate Jennifer's disappearance, to interview her teachers and family and friends and see if she can shed any light on what happened to Jennifer that night.
The story isn't so much about what happened to Jennifer (although that issue is resolved by the end of the book), as it is about Kathryn's journey to find out about herself. She has spent the last 10 years basically just treading water in her life, not really knowing where she was headed or what she really wanted. Her failed marriage served as the impetus to take her back to her home town, where she was forced to confront her past (as it pertained to Jennifer's disappearance) and come to terms with what happened. It's more a story of self-discovery than anything else.
But, the story is well-written, the story line is an interesting one, and I learned some things about orienteering, which I never really knew anything about until I read this book.
The premise for the story is that Jennifer vanishes on the night of her high school graduation, just hours after the big event. The last people to see her alive are 5 of her high school classmates. No one knows what happened to Jennifer that night. Now, 10 years later, there is to be a class reunion. Jennifer's best friend, Kathryn, comes back to town, not for the reunion, but to escape her failed marriage and to spend some time with her mother. Since she has some writing experience and talent, while in town, she is asked by the editor of a local paper to investigate Jennifer's disappearance, to interview her teachers and family and friends and see if she can shed any light on what happened to Jennifer that night.
The story isn't so much about what happened to Jennifer (although that issue is resolved by the end of the book), as it is about Kathryn's journey to find out about herself. She has spent the last 10 years basically just treading water in her life, not really knowing where she was headed or what she really wanted. Her failed marriage served as the impetus to take her back to her home town, where she was forced to confront her past (as it pertained to Jennifer's disappearance) and come to terms with what happened. It's more a story of self-discovery than anything else.
But, the story is well-written, the story line is an interesting one, and I learned some things about orienteering, which I never really knew anything about until I read this book.
April 20, 2019
Was it me or was it the book? I haven't disliked a book this much in...well, a long time. And I, along with my book club, had enjoyed Kline's "Orphan Train" a great deal. I truly had to force myself through the first approximately 100 pages. Sooooo boring. Flat. Tedious. Once I got beyond that and the protagonist arrived back home in Bangor among family and members of her high school class celebrating their 10th anniversary, things picked up. I decided that the first third of the book was written to convey the ennui they all felt. The focus changed somewhat to the "missing girl." By book's end the main thing to say about her was that no one knew her well. Or anyone else in the book either. Didn't like them, didn't care. Bad guy was pretty obvious from the first description of him. Everyone else was about as cliched as they come. This was a fast read, less than a day. That was the best part of it.
January 26, 2016
I really enjoyed The Orphan Train by this author. And I expected to be drawn in in a similar fashion with this novel. However, the first half of the book the main character is so self-involved, so caught up in her failed marriage, poor relationship with her mother, and the disappearance of her "best" friend, that that is all she thinks about. Well, that was about 50 pages too much about that. Along about the last third of the book, the pace picks up and I finally got caught up in some action. For me, action is what I am looking for in a mystery, not self analysis. However, if you like that sort of thing, then this is the book for you.
September 26, 2014
*I don't like to write bad reviews, but this one is warranted* I really don't know where to begin when talking about this book. It was a struggle to read. I wanted to stop reading half a dozen times but urged myself ahead. This book is supposed to have a bit of mystery and suspense involved, but the story was so slow you hardly noticed. I started to not care if they ever found out how the victim disappeared. The best part of this book is by far the last 25-35 pages. This rest was boring and tiresome.
February 17, 2016
This book was so bad. I like her orphan train book which is why read this one. I never got to any of the characters and the first half felt like such a drag of trying to get to know the main character, who I never cared about. There was so much pointless dialogue and backstory that no one would care unless they were honestly 24 years old. Nobody cares about high school I don't know why this author made it such a focus. All the characters lack depth and it was a very slow read. If you want to actually read it I would suggest reading the last 30%
December 10, 2019
The writing is a bit strained, but the story kept me interested and entertained, at least until the end. I was looking for a good mystery and read some reviews that claimed the twist at the end is totally unpredictable, which may be true, but I knew from the get-go who had committed the crime. Ultimately, I think the book really falls apart at the end. The problem with mysteries is that the ending has to be good!
April 7, 2011
I have been obsessed with this author ever since I discovered her several months back. Every single novel of hers is utterly absorbing, intelligent, and compassionate. And in all them, the central female character is incredibly well drawn--complex and human. So glad I stumbled across her at my local library!
April 20, 2016
I almost stopped reading this book several times but kept thinking, because of her terrific book Orphan Train, this one HAD to get better. It did not. Not only was it pathetically easy to figure out "who done it," the characters did not develop beyond their high school selves 10 years after graduation. So disappointing.
November 2, 2021
I started reading the E book and then transitioned to the audio book which allowed me to finish more quickly. The plot was complex and interesting and definitely kept me focused. The story lines weave around a young woman who returns home feeling that she emanates failure. She ends up getting back in touch with her high school classmates and as a reporter she solves a cold mystery.
September 9, 2015
It was hard to believe that this same author wrote Orphan Train because this book just dragged...It took far to long to get to the point, it was a mystery and the cover said it kept you guessing but it didn't really, there were twist and turns.
February 6, 2017
This book was not as enjoyable as The Orphan Train. It moved very slowly for the first third. The characters were not as nuanced as I think Kline could have made them. The plot, though moderately engaging, was fairly predictable. Still, it was engaging enough that I stayed with it.
January 31, 2016
Missed opportunities
Missed opportunities to pay attention to your friends. What they're about, what they're going through, what they're afraid of, who they really are. To me, that's what this book was all about. I found it interesting and thought provoking.
Missed opportunities to pay attention to your friends. What they're about, what they're going through, what they're afraid of, who they really are. To me, that's what this book was all about. I found it interesting and thought provoking.
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