Finding Daddy

Mira is living a rather idyllic if boring life in Salt Lake City, with an English-teacher mother and a real-estate powerhouse of a grandmother who nevertheless makes Belgian waffles for Mira, her best friend and her boyfriend on Saturday mornings. The only thing missing is her father; Mira has no memory of him, and her mother will say only that he is “not someone we want in our lives.” Mira discovers his name and contact information—after surreptitiously unearthing her parents’ marriage certificate, and after her boyfriend uses his father’s government access to track him down on the Internet—and she phones him immediately. He is thrilled to hear from her. But strange events start happening: her dog is killed, and someone tries to break into the house. Should she suspect her dad? Readers will never be in doubt, nor will they be surprised when he turns out to be a psychopath bent on revenge against her family. Even so, Plummer creates some very creepy scenes, including Mira’s discovery of a murder scene and a tense face-off involving a gun. While Mira’s naiveté strains credibility, she is easy to like, as are her family and friends (“I’m a genius and she’s only gifted. My verbal scores are higher,” her best friend jokes to Mira’s dad, explaining why she is the one asking him questions). The author packs a lot of tension into a small story. Although it may not be completely believable, it is genuinely hair-raising. Ages 12-up. (Nov.)