The Takers and Keepers

Book excerpt: Where do the disappeared go? This novel “skillfully rips away the veneer of our civilized world and exposes a dark and secret one that lurks below our cities” (Julia North, author of Hear Me). Freelance reporter Allen Kimbo wonders about the girls and women who vanish, seldom to resurface. He believes there’s a network of men who guard those who are taken—and keep the silence that surrounds and enables such deeds. Now, despite his girlfriend Emily’s pleas to stay away, an email has lured Allen to Eastern Europe, to a meeting of the Takers and Keepers. In Belgrade, more is revealed than he had ever thought possible. But back home, Emily is missing . . . Will Allen find the answers he is looking for, or will he discover that some questions should never be asked? “A different take on a troubling topic.” —C. M. Thompson, author of What Lies in the Dark