Emerald Explosion

When his mother, a scientist, is killed in a bus accident while on a trip to the Soviet Union, Patrick refuses to believe that she's dead. He assembles photographs taken the day she died and talks to witnesses; when he discovers discrepancies, he makes his way into the Soviet Union to track her down. She has chosen to defect, unable to resign herself to a life divided between her duties as mother and wife, and her desires as a scientist. This first book combines a rather farfetched plot with a readable style. But even though Patrick's actionsand those of the people around himare not believable, his emotions ring true. Ages 12-up. (April)