Count to Three

In the prologue of this intriguing thriller set in Sacramento, Calif., from Ragan (the Sawyer Brooks series), single mother Dani Callahan goes to pick up her five-year-old daughter, Tinsley, on the girl’s first day of kindergarten. At the school, her daughter’s teacher tells Dani that a woman who could have been Dani’s twin has already picked Tinsley up. Five years later, Kyle Harmon, a convicted killer, confesses to abducting Tinsley, but the police have yet to recover a body. Dani, who has since become a PI and not given up trying to find out what happened to Tinsley, believes Harmon made a false confession to reduce his sentence. Dani feels she’s finally making progress after she uncovers pictures, taken at a family picnic held by her ex-husband’s company, showing a woman who closely resembles her. A subplot involving the abduction of a 17-year-old girl adds to the suspense. The plot takes many twists and turns before coming to an explosive conclusion. This heartbreaking tale of child abduction and a mother’s tireless devotion will resonate with many. Agent: Amy Tannenbaum, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Dec.)