The Grapevine

Right from the first page, readers will be compelled to follow bull-headed and strangely loveable Lou Gommersall on a one woman (plus 1) quest to solve the mystery of her 19-year-old daughter’s disappearance a year ago. With aspiring journalist and tech nerd Ethan Ito by her side, Lou begins to unravel clues and “coincidences” that the police have yet to put together. Setting off on a desperate, impulsive road trip in her faithful RV Lady Luck, Lou plans to find Abby. She’s also determined to find the person responsible not only for Abby’s vanishing but for the fate of many other young women who disappeared on California’s scenic and often challenging I-5—specifically along the steep, mountainous “Grapevine” section near Los Angeles. Using every connection she can, from local law enforcement to trailer-park mavens, Lou moves in on the “creepo” identified by near-victims with the utmost conviction. But could she be wrong? Lou is the little dog with sharp teeth who will not let go, while her husband, Brian, just wants her to put this all behind her. The cat and mouse game is full on, and Lou finds unexpected allies as the path to the perp becomes clear. I can’t wait to see what Sokoloff and Robertson have in store for Lou and friends in this fantastic new series that’s packed with psychological thrills and propulsive momentum.—Dodie Ownes