Alexandra Sokoloff (Huntress Moon) and Craig Robertson (Random) have been entertaining readers for many years with their various crime fiction releases, but with the appearance of The Grapevine, this married couple join forces for the first time. Billed as The Lost Highway (Book 1), The Grapevine begins a series that will likely play to each collaborator’s strengths and allow them to mitigate any deficiencies found in their individual styles.
The Grapevine follows Lou Gomersall as she sets out on a road trip every parent fears. Her nineteen-year-old daughter has been missing in the California wilds for a year now and Lou is determined to do everything humanly possible to find her (or to at least understand what happened to beloved Abby). Along the way, Lou uncovers a pattern of missing girls who have been forsaken by the authorities. With the help of an ambitious young journalist named Ethan—who not only keeps Lou company on her vanlife excursion but also provides valuable insight that serves as a counterpoint to a mother’s desperate search for the truth—the bad guys are about to face-off against a formidable duo.
It will be no surprise to fans of Alexandra Sokoloff that the pacing of The Grapevine is nearly perfect. Along with her own epic series and unforgettable standalones, Sokoloff has taught screenwriting for decades, so this is an artist who innately understands the concept of pacing—where each beat is placed to provide the most impact on the reader’s experience. Every thriller needs breathing room and The Grapevine has some standout quieter moments of reflection that ultimately accentuate the emotional payoff. But make no mistake about this, the novel also features plenty of unexpected plot developments that will surprise even the most seasoned readers.
Alexandra Sokoloff is also known for her kick-ass female characters and her unwavering willingness to confront society’s constant assault of women and their bodies. But we can’t forget that Craig Robertson has proven—particularly in his two most recent releases (published under the pseudonym C.S. Robertson)—that he intrinsically understands the inner workings of the female mind. Both Marjorie Crowe (The Trials of Marjorie Crowe) and Grace McGill (The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill) feature as fully-fleshed-out female characters as one is likely to find in crime fiction (by male or female writers). So, Lou Gomersall slips nicely into both author’s legacies in significant ways.
The state of California comes alive on this RV adventure with all of its uniqueness celebrated. The varied topography of the area is used to wonderful effect in the various set-pieces that make up Lou and Ethan’s investigation. The authenticity with which the setting is rendered shows deep knowledge and love of the area. More than a few readers will close the covers of this book planning a trip through California—thankfully for far less serious reasons than our protagonists.
There are no easy answers in The Grapevine and that is just how these authors like it. Sometimes life deals us shitty hands and the best we can do is try to keep the house of cards upright. Since this is the start of a series, things are not tied up in a neat bow, but Sokoloff and Robertson provide enough of a conclusion so that readers feel satisfied while leaving threads that demand further exploration. Join this road trip now so that you can be part of the conversation.
BUY LINKS: The Grapevine by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson
Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to BOLO Books by the authors. No promotion was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.
