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I've heard that when you've lost everything, you finally see who you really are. If that's true, then I'm not sure I like the thing at the core of myself.
It scares me.
I've lost my wife. She's not dead, but she might as well be-locked in a coma that she'll never be free from. My daughter is gone too-taken from me before I even had the chance to hold her.
They told me she's dead, but I'm not so sure anymore.
I've started seeing things, dark creatures, I feel their taint in the air and the way they make the world feel off . . . wrong. Everyone says it's all in my mind, that it's just grief. They say I'm overwhelmed by the sorrow and the loss and that someday it'll all be better again.
Maybe they're right, or maybe I'm just losing my mind. These things I'm seeing can't be real; monsters aren't supposed to exist.
But if they do, then they have my little girl.
If there's even a chance that my daughter is still alive, then I need to find her. No matter what anyone says. No matter what it takes.
No matter what kind of man it turns me into.
It scares me.
I've lost my wife. She's not dead, but she might as well be-locked in a coma that she'll never be free from. My daughter is gone too-taken from me before I even had the chance to hold her.
They told me she's dead, but I'm not so sure anymore.
I've started seeing things, dark creatures, I feel their taint in the air and the way they make the world feel off . . . wrong. Everyone says it's all in my mind, that it's just grief. They say I'm overwhelmed by the sorrow and the loss and that someday it'll all be better again.
Maybe they're right, or maybe I'm just losing my mind. These things I'm seeing can't be real; monsters aren't supposed to exist.
But if they do, then they have my little girl.
If there's even a chance that my daughter is still alive, then I need to find her. No matter what anyone says. No matter what it takes.
No matter what kind of man it turns me into.
ebook
Published September 20, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 16, 2017
As a parent, reading through this was extraordinarily difficult; Judd's scenario seems unimaginable, yet the statistics for those who have to endure the loss of a child are a haunting reality. Despite the tears that I would find streaming down my face, the beautiful language and constant suspense were captivating, and I finished the book in only a few late night sessions.
Knowing the author, the whole time reading I felt an intense sense of dread, constantly wondering if there was any way that this could possibly end in a way that would feel appropriate... As a work of fiction, it was perfectly concluded. As a reality, I know that the memories of Piper will never fade for those who knew her, who know her family, who know her parents, and the therapeutic (albeit difficult) nature of the story makes it a timeless tribute without end; in that it was similarly perfectly concluded.
Knowing the author, the whole time reading I felt an intense sense of dread, constantly wondering if there was any way that this could possibly end in a way that would feel appropriate... As a work of fiction, it was perfectly concluded. As a reality, I know that the memories of Piper will never fade for those who knew her, who know her family, who know her parents, and the therapeutic (albeit difficult) nature of the story makes it a timeless tribute without end; in that it was similarly perfectly concluded.
January 10, 2026
The emotions, the omg's, what the f and holy shit moments take you on a roller coaster you do not expect. But ultimately, the story shows such raw, real loss. Michael , you wrote this story beautifully and Piper is looking down on you and is so proud she was lucky enough to have you for a Dad. 💕
I am privileged to have sailed the world with the author so many moons ago and become friends while on the journey of a lifetime. little did we know them what in fact our life's journeys would actually be.
I am privileged to have sailed the world with the author so many moons ago and become friends while on the journey of a lifetime. little did we know them what in fact our life's journeys would actually be.
May 25, 2017
Great novel - well written piece. I would recommend not only to a reader, but to other authors as an example of writing a character with a broken mind.
November 7, 2016
Full disclosure - I know the author, in fact I am related to the author. I also remember Piper Page, his daughter who is the inspiration behind this story. We called her Batgirl because she was such a fighter. I was super excited to be her crazy Aunt Danielle.
So, the first 100 pages were particularly brutal for me to read. I cried through them until I finally had to put the book down and read something else so I could fall asleep.
Then I started reading the second half of the book and couldn't put it down because I was so intrigued by the story. Once I got to a place where I could truly read it as fiction, I had to know what was going to happen next and how the mystery was going to play out.
Mike has always had a gift for descriptive language and a good turn of phrase. This book, amidst the heartbreak, is an excellent example of both.
So, the first 100 pages were particularly brutal for me to read. I cried through them until I finally had to put the book down and read something else so I could fall asleep.
Then I started reading the second half of the book and couldn't put it down because I was so intrigued by the story. Once I got to a place where I could truly read it as fiction, I had to know what was going to happen next and how the mystery was going to play out.
Mike has always had a gift for descriptive language and a good turn of phrase. This book, amidst the heartbreak, is an excellent example of both.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews