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The Finder
When Lindsay meets Elias the signs aren’t promising. She’s a grungy introvert who doesn’t want to talk to anyone. He’s a teen fashionista who can’t shut the hell up.
But since Lindsay tracked down a runaway kid, word’s got around that she knows how to find people. And Elias is looking for his birth mother. And he has money, and Lindsay’s perpetually broke… So that’s how this oddest of odd couples teams up.
But the thing is, Lindsay wasn’t actually trying to find the runaway. It’s just how she looks at the world. Not idly, like most people, but really looking. Scanning every house, every face, every car. That’s because someone is missing in Lindsay’s life: her identical twin Frankie, who disappeared when they were eight. Since then, her parents have kept themselves busy. And angry. And Lindsay has been…looking.
In Elias, despite their differences, she might have found someone to look with.
But since Lindsay tracked down a runaway kid, word’s got around that she knows how to find people. And Elias is looking for his birth mother. And he has money, and Lindsay’s perpetually broke… So that’s how this oddest of odd couples teams up.
But the thing is, Lindsay wasn’t actually trying to find the runaway. It’s just how she looks at the world. Not idly, like most people, but really looking. Scanning every house, every face, every car. That’s because someone is missing in Lindsay’s life: her identical twin Frankie, who disappeared when they were eight. Since then, her parents have kept themselves busy. And angry. And Lindsay has been…looking.
In Elias, despite their differences, she might have found someone to look with.
327 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hendrick
3 books9 followersKate Hendrick is a high school teacher and creative jack-of-all trades, with interests in art, design, photography, writing and anything DIY, especially if it involved power tools. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 15, 2018
The Finder is the second novel for young adults by Australian author, Kate Hendrick. Even if Lindsay Evans did have friends, Elias is certainly not the type with whom she’d associate: he’s extremely fashion-conscious, trendy (he wears eye-liner!), and way too happy all the time. So, although she seems to have acquired a reputation for finding things and people (quite modest achievements to her mind: one was almost purely accidental), she’s dubious when a classmate brings Elias to meet her.
Elias wants to find his birth mother: he’s willing to pay Lindsay to work her magic, and she could definitely do with the money. Elias claims to like her despite her prickly manner and, against her better judgement, Lindsay finds herself accompanying him as they follow up on leads. Something else that is annoying is that the spoilt eleven-year-old Lindsay restored to worried parents keeps turning up wherever she goes. Maybe their road trip to track down their best piece of information comes at a good time, because being at home isn’t the most comfortable place for Lindsay right now.
Tracing runaways and missing mothers has brought back into focus Lindsay’s own missing person: when they were seven, her twin sister Frankie went missing. Of course, it had a devastating effect on Lindsay and her parents, and the unwritten rule is that it’s never discussed. But lately, her dreams… Then, in front of her six younger, clueless siblings, Lindsay makes a wish as she blows out the candles on her sixteenth birthday: “I wished we could have Frankie back”.
Hendrick’s characters are appealing for all their flaws: Lindsay may be grumpy, but she’s smart and does some clever detective work; Elias with his quirks and his Mr Whippy van is simply delightful; and Vogue is surprisingly insightful for an eleven-year-old. Hendrick’s tale examines the various ways that people cope with guilt and loss as well as showing differing family dynamics. Elias proves that friendship, kindness and caring can overcome a multitude of negative emotions. The plot has a great twist and a realistic ending where not everything is tied up in neat bows, but concludes on a hopeful note. Hendrick’s second novel might just be even better than her first. Recommended!
Elias wants to find his birth mother: he’s willing to pay Lindsay to work her magic, and she could definitely do with the money. Elias claims to like her despite her prickly manner and, against her better judgement, Lindsay finds herself accompanying him as they follow up on leads. Something else that is annoying is that the spoilt eleven-year-old Lindsay restored to worried parents keeps turning up wherever she goes. Maybe their road trip to track down their best piece of information comes at a good time, because being at home isn’t the most comfortable place for Lindsay right now.
Tracing runaways and missing mothers has brought back into focus Lindsay’s own missing person: when they were seven, her twin sister Frankie went missing. Of course, it had a devastating effect on Lindsay and her parents, and the unwritten rule is that it’s never discussed. But lately, her dreams… Then, in front of her six younger, clueless siblings, Lindsay makes a wish as she blows out the candles on her sixteenth birthday: “I wished we could have Frankie back”.
Hendrick’s characters are appealing for all their flaws: Lindsay may be grumpy, but she’s smart and does some clever detective work; Elias with his quirks and his Mr Whippy van is simply delightful; and Vogue is surprisingly insightful for an eleven-year-old. Hendrick’s tale examines the various ways that people cope with guilt and loss as well as showing differing family dynamics. Elias proves that friendship, kindness and caring can overcome a multitude of negative emotions. The plot has a great twist and a realistic ending where not everything is tied up in neat bows, but concludes on a hopeful note. Hendrick’s second novel might just be even better than her first. Recommended!
November 6, 2018
Lindsay is a character that many young readers will find themselves within, the feeling of isolation, expectation and finding your place within the world as she explores a narrative of friendship, family and finding home. Very much an introvert, Lindsay has created a barrier around herself from the tender age of eight years old, when her twin sister disappeared, blaming herself. Frankie took the light and laughter with her, leaving her grieving mother, now with a small army of children to ease the heartache and her workaholic father who is disconnected from his children.
After finding a local girl who ran away from her privileged life, Lindsay quickly develops a reputation as The Finder, enlisted by the flamboyant and fabulous Elias to help find his natural birth mother.
The Finder is a beautifully told story of friendship, acceptance and self reflection. Kate Hendrick creates characters and narratives with authenticity and compassion, imperfect and wonderfully complicated. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
After finding a local girl who ran away from her privileged life, Lindsay quickly develops a reputation as The Finder, enlisted by the flamboyant and fabulous Elias to help find his natural birth mother.
The Finder is a beautifully told story of friendship, acceptance and self reflection. Kate Hendrick creates characters and narratives with authenticity and compassion, imperfect and wonderfully complicated. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
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August 24, 2018‘Conveys the emotional turmoil of adolescence…an intense and emotional story.’
CBCA Reading Time
CBCA Reading Time
January 6, 2020
The Finder is a light mystery with plenty of heart. I recently read and loved Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card, so I was delighted when I discovered The Finder has a similar tone, with a very Aussie setting. Family, friendship and mystery combine in this book to provide a remarkably uplifting story about loss and the people left behind.
Lindsay has spent her life looking. It’s how she survived since her twin sister went missing when they were kids. Now with a family full of younger siblings, a busy mother and an absent father, Lindsay craves silence. She’s not surprised when she accidentally finds teen runaway, but she is surprised when it brings teen fashionista, Elias to her door asking for her help in locating his birth mother. She agrees, just as an excuse to get out of her crowded house. But even though Elias drives her crazy with his overly styled hair and non-stop chatter, Lindsay finds it comforting to finally have someone to look with.
The Finder brings such a delightful mix of humour and light-hearted joy combined with sorrow and grief. The themes touched upon in the story are quite deep. Lindsay’s discovery of Vogue and being asked to join in Elias’ search bring to the forefront the continued grief and guilt she carries from her twin sister’s disappearance. The trauma tore her family apart. Now her mother is busy with all Lindsay’s new siblings, her father is constantly at work and angry in those rare times he is home and Lindsay is forbidden from even mentioning her sister. This grief has been bottled up and Lindsay is ready to explode. The book captures the raw emotions Lindsay and her family are experiencing. There is also some mystery surrounding what transpired in Lindsay’s sister’s disappearance.
As Elias and Lindsay search for his birth mother they try all sorts of amateur sleuth techniques. I loved that this mystery was realistic for them to be approaching and solving. Elias is actually a college student, but he has a juvenile air compared to Lindsay’s more serious and mature voice, so you hardly notice the slight age gap and the book retains a very teenage feel. I loved Elias and Lindsay’s dynamic. Lindsay can hardly stand Elias to begin with. It’s certainly not an instant friendship—I’m not sure Lindsay would describe it as a friendship at all. But they squabble and tease and annoy each other and I just loved that banter. It gives the whole book a delightfully light feeling, which offsets the darker themes very well.
There is no romance in this book. It doesn’t need it and I’m glad it wasn’t squeezed in somehow. The book is also authentically Aussie in a genuine, simple way I know our readers will relate to. I’m so glad this will be a part of our school library’s mystery collection and I look forward to sharing it with our readers.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Lindsay has spent her life looking. It’s how she survived since her twin sister went missing when they were kids. Now with a family full of younger siblings, a busy mother and an absent father, Lindsay craves silence. She’s not surprised when she accidentally finds teen runaway, but she is surprised when it brings teen fashionista, Elias to her door asking for her help in locating his birth mother. She agrees, just as an excuse to get out of her crowded house. But even though Elias drives her crazy with his overly styled hair and non-stop chatter, Lindsay finds it comforting to finally have someone to look with.
The Finder brings such a delightful mix of humour and light-hearted joy combined with sorrow and grief. The themes touched upon in the story are quite deep. Lindsay’s discovery of Vogue and being asked to join in Elias’ search bring to the forefront the continued grief and guilt she carries from her twin sister’s disappearance. The trauma tore her family apart. Now her mother is busy with all Lindsay’s new siblings, her father is constantly at work and angry in those rare times he is home and Lindsay is forbidden from even mentioning her sister. This grief has been bottled up and Lindsay is ready to explode. The book captures the raw emotions Lindsay and her family are experiencing. There is also some mystery surrounding what transpired in Lindsay’s sister’s disappearance.
As Elias and Lindsay search for his birth mother they try all sorts of amateur sleuth techniques. I loved that this mystery was realistic for them to be approaching and solving. Elias is actually a college student, but he has a juvenile air compared to Lindsay’s more serious and mature voice, so you hardly notice the slight age gap and the book retains a very teenage feel. I loved Elias and Lindsay’s dynamic. Lindsay can hardly stand Elias to begin with. It’s certainly not an instant friendship—I’m not sure Lindsay would describe it as a friendship at all. But they squabble and tease and annoy each other and I just loved that banter. It gives the whole book a delightfully light feeling, which offsets the darker themes very well.
There is no romance in this book. It doesn’t need it and I’m glad it wasn’t squeezed in somehow. The book is also authentically Aussie in a genuine, simple way I know our readers will relate to. I’m so glad this will be a part of our school library’s mystery collection and I look forward to sharing it with our readers.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
October 11, 2020
This book was one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life! It was so interesting and really kept you on your toes. Had many twists and turn and parts that just left you speechless. I definitely recommend that book!
April 23, 2019
Oof, this is giving me SUCH Trouble is a Friend of Mine vibes.
January 19, 2021
This was an amazing book. It was simple but that didn’t make it any less good.
I was kinda hoping that Lindsay and Elias would end up together but they didn’t because Elias is gay although it took me a while to work that out cause they were talking about it but I thought they were just joking.
Vogue. She was a interesting character but I did end up liking her when they went on the road trip to find Sephora.
All up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was kinda hoping that Lindsay and Elias would end up together but they didn’t because Elias is gay although it took me a while to work that out cause they were talking about it but I thought they were just joking.
Vogue. She was a interesting character but I did end up liking her when they went on the road trip to find Sephora.
All up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 2, 2019
Interesting YA read. Thought the descriptions and insights into how the main character was feeling were spot on for a teenager. One or two of the characters felt like they didn’t belong going forward in the book, I couldn’t see what they added to the story beyond their initial plot point.
March 28, 2025
A funny book with a stubborn, annoyed teen who is also known as ‘The Finder’. Who navigates through life, finding “Elias’s” mother, while also finding herself and who she’s meant to be.
February 23, 2019
A fantastic young adult novel.
June 22, 2020
Okay it was a bit too convenient and a bit too cliched, but it was good! I’m not sure why The Finders deserves four stars. The characters and dialogue are written really well and I guess it’s a nice read :)
June 8, 2018
Different, thoughtful, authentic.
November 12, 2018
“The Finder” is a young adult novel, and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, and so did my 11 year old, I’d suggest that it does need a bit of parental guidance for readers at the younger end of the scale. Some of the themes – a child who disappears forever, family secrets, adoption – may be a little confronting for some younger readers.
Lindsay is the Finder of the title; she’s got a reputation for finding people after she finds a young runaway. Lindsay doesn’t feel she did anything very special – she was just observant. And she’s observing every moment of the day; perhaps one day she’ll observe her twin sister, who disappeared when they were just seven.
Inexplicably, Elias hires Lindsay to help him find his biological mother. Lindsay has her doubts about her ability to help, but she needs pocket money and Elias appears to have plenty. Lindsay is not always a particularly attractive character. She’s prickly and selfish and often rude; although a friendship starts to grow between herself and Elias, it doesn’t stop her being inconsiderate and self righteous.
There’s room here for a sequel, and it would be interesting to see Lindsay mature a little more, and see whether her friendship with Elias survives. In the meantime, this novel has a satisfying conclusion.
This is an enjoyable novel that vividly depicts some of the awkwardness of growing up and working out who you are. It doesn’t shy away from the fact that not everyone is pleasant all the time. The characters were realistic and I appreciated a young adult novel that didn’t necessarily “redeem” its’ main character at the end.
Lindsay is the Finder of the title; she’s got a reputation for finding people after she finds a young runaway. Lindsay doesn’t feel she did anything very special – she was just observant. And she’s observing every moment of the day; perhaps one day she’ll observe her twin sister, who disappeared when they were just seven.
Inexplicably, Elias hires Lindsay to help him find his biological mother. Lindsay has her doubts about her ability to help, but she needs pocket money and Elias appears to have plenty. Lindsay is not always a particularly attractive character. She’s prickly and selfish and often rude; although a friendship starts to grow between herself and Elias, it doesn’t stop her being inconsiderate and self righteous.
There’s room here for a sequel, and it would be interesting to see Lindsay mature a little more, and see whether her friendship with Elias survives. In the meantime, this novel has a satisfying conclusion.
This is an enjoyable novel that vividly depicts some of the awkwardness of growing up and working out who you are. It doesn’t shy away from the fact that not everyone is pleasant all the time. The characters were realistic and I appreciated a young adult novel that didn’t necessarily “redeem” its’ main character at the end.
April 1, 2019
This was another of the CBCA notables for 2019 but it wasn't short-listed and I'm not surprised. It's yet another story featuring a lost person (child) and the repercussions of this astronomical loss and grief and the survival of the people left behind. So essentially, this is the story of identity and what it means to belong and also what it means if that identity shifts and changes. They're some pretty big ideas, but I felt the execution wasn't great here and the story needed some tightening.
Lindsey was seven when her twin sister went missing one day while they were playing. Nine years later, she still searches for her everywhere, hoping to find her, and as a consequence, she has honed pretty good observational skills. Because of these skills, she is hired by Elias, a uni student, to help him find his birth mother. This is off the back of her finding Vogue, a street-wise missing 11yo.
But a few things- the characters weren't particularly pleasant (Elias is lovely, Lindsey is prickly and defensive although I understand why), and some characters were superfluous. Vogue did not need to be in the story AT ALL! Yes, she was the catalyst for Elias hiring Lindsey, but why did she go on the journey with them? Absolutely unnecessary! I also don't know if this needed to be set against the tragedy of losing a sibling. It helped explain Lindsey's family dynamics, but I think it would have been a more interesting story if the reasons for their behaviour were more subtle and less explainable.
Lindsey was seven when her twin sister went missing one day while they were playing. Nine years later, she still searches for her everywhere, hoping to find her, and as a consequence, she has honed pretty good observational skills. Because of these skills, she is hired by Elias, a uni student, to help him find his birth mother. This is off the back of her finding Vogue, a street-wise missing 11yo.
But a few things- the characters weren't particularly pleasant (Elias is lovely, Lindsey is prickly and defensive although I understand why), and some characters were superfluous. Vogue did not need to be in the story AT ALL! Yes, she was the catalyst for Elias hiring Lindsey, but why did she go on the journey with them? Absolutely unnecessary! I also don't know if this needed to be set against the tragedy of losing a sibling. It helped explain Lindsey's family dynamics, but I think it would have been a more interesting story if the reasons for their behaviour were more subtle and less explainable.
March 11, 2019
'Don't judge a book by its cover, it doesn't get to choose what it looks like.'
Lindsay is the eldest out of six, seven if you include Frankie. But no one ever does. Lindsay is the only one who knows about her twin sister, and how she disappeared a long time ago. Her younger siblings have no idea that Lindsay once had a twin, and they never will, because in the immaculate house their mother manages their lives in, it's easier to pretend that she never even existed at all.
Now a teenage introvert, Lindsay would rather spend her time alone than with others. Then Elias comes bounding into her life, saying that she can help him find his birth mother, and that they'd better get started right away. If it wasn't for the fact that she was getting paid, Lindsay would've walked right out of there, but she didn't.
Sometimes you don't find what you're looking for, sometimes you find something even better.
Lindsay is the eldest out of six, seven if you include Frankie. But no one ever does. Lindsay is the only one who knows about her twin sister, and how she disappeared a long time ago. Her younger siblings have no idea that Lindsay once had a twin, and they never will, because in the immaculate house their mother manages their lives in, it's easier to pretend that she never even existed at all.
Now a teenage introvert, Lindsay would rather spend her time alone than with others. Then Elias comes bounding into her life, saying that she can help him find his birth mother, and that they'd better get started right away. If it wasn't for the fact that she was getting paid, Lindsay would've walked right out of there, but she didn't.
Sometimes you don't find what you're looking for, sometimes you find something even better.
September 15, 2019
An interesting book with a protagonist who is unfriendly and very observant. Kate has written a book in which a girl with an incident in her past that has changed her family becomes involved in the hunt for a young adopted man's birth mother. Added to the mix is another girl who keeps escaping from her family with permission after the first time. I found this a thought provoking read, reminding us that we don't know why a person has reached the personality they have, but that each person can move to a different place.
October 23, 2018
I really loved the tone of this book. Very Australian, but without attempting to 'Oz it up'. Beautifully written with unassuming prose, but that makes you think. I like that in a book.
The story was complex and engaging, and the introvert in me found Lindsay true and truthful, with the inner monologues and the outer snark.
Highly recommended. And I'm off to find Kate Hendrick's earlier book. I'm sure it will be just as well written and offer me another of life's quandaries to ponder.
The story was complex and engaging, and the introvert in me found Lindsay true and truthful, with the inner monologues and the outer snark.
Highly recommended. And I'm off to find Kate Hendrick's earlier book. I'm sure it will be just as well written and offer me another of life's quandaries to ponder.
June 30, 2019
Elias and Lindsay tell a wonderful story. The action takes place very close to home, with little Josey and his lovely hugs that you can just feel and Elias with his irrepressible style that energises his world and so on. I loved reading this book and watching the story unfold.
Highly recommended to Y9-13 (ages 12-18), this book is written just for you!
Highly recommended to Y9-13 (ages 12-18), this book is written just for you!
August 22, 2018
It's the characters that draw you in straight away ... you just have to keep reading, to see their reactions to whatever happens next.
It's a great read, with a naturalness of writing style that relaxes you, unawares, into the tale.
I hope there's more to come.
It's a great read, with a naturalness of writing style that relaxes you, unawares, into the tale.
I hope there's more to come.
September 27, 2018
I loved the descriptions of the Sydney suburbs. It made me feel at home and comfortable in the novel. Lindsay and Elias had a good bond but I didn't really understand Vogue's roll in the story aside from the obvious part in the beginning. The twist, in the end, was good and well set out but personally not my favourite. The Finder is a good story and worth a read.
January 8, 2019
I loved this book! It was an intriguing piece of writing that was creatively written and engaging. I loved how the characters of Lindsay and Elias were portrayed, and I also loved how realistic Vogue seemed, though she did actually have few interactions with the protagonist.
dnf
February 2, 2022I did not finish this book— I got about 25% into it and realized I’m just not hooked on the plot or emotionally attached to the characters. Had to move on. Hence the no rating! Just thought it was boring *shrug*
October 20, 2018
Surprisingly enjoyed this.
2 opposite characters coming together for friendship.
2 opposite characters coming together for friendship.
October 25, 2018
This was okay, but a lot of the premise and set-up just didn't work for me. An odd story, with odder characters.
November 11, 2018
Invisible prisons people create for themselves, the egocentricity of human nature, friendships and loneliness, loss, identity and the magical powers of observation and research.
December 7, 2018
I mean, I don’t know. Wasn’t bad. Could have been better. Hopefully there’s a sequel
December 9, 2018
3.5 stars. A pretty enjoyable book with a nice setting and good characters.
March 18, 2019
An entertaining twist on a coming of age story. I wasn't totally gripped by the story, but I wanted to keep reading to the end.
May 15, 2019
I loved this book, great plot line and I loved the characters. It's been a while since I've finished a book and not gotten bored with it, and I'd forgotten how much fun reading is.
July 12, 2020
The kind of teen angst you want to keep reading. Family disfunction and drama, mixed with friends who become family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews