I have to say this was the best book I read this summer! I could not put t down and when I had to I could not stop thinking about Sally. This book was so well written, kept the readers attention and kept me wanting more. This book is going to have a lasting impact on anyone that reads this. Thank you for tellin Sally’s story.

Thank you T Greenwood, St Martins Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This novel is based on a true story and inspired by Lolita. I was gripped from the beginning of this book and it became my saviour on a long haul flight. Unputdownable, if that is a word! I was so pleased that I diverted from my usual genres of choice to this genre. It is easily In my favourites pile for this year.

Really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it, couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.

I received a free e-copy of Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood from Netgalley for my honest review.

Rust and Stardust is based on the true story of 11-year-old Sally Horner. Sally was kidnapped in Camden, New Jersey in 1952 by a 52-year-old Frank LaSalle, who was just out of prison.
Sally, who never fit in wanted to join a club of girls in her school. In order to join the club, she had to steal something from a local store, Woolworth. She stole a composition notebook. As she was leaving the store, a man who claims to be an FBI agent, confronts her. The man, a convicted child abuser, said if she doesn't do as she was told that she would face a judge and go to prison for stealing. Sally is so scared and she believes him. He convinces her to lie to her mom, and say that she is going on a holiday with her friend to the shore. Sally's mom is so happy for her that she finally has a friend so allows her to go. Her mother even walked her to the bus stop and me the man who said he is the father of the girls friend.

This is a horribly tragic story. The thing that poor Sally had to go through in the hands of LaSalle. This story, although tragic, was so beautifully written and such a quick read. Please keep in mind that this can be a difficult read and very emotional at times due to the nature of the content and the fact that it is a true story.

This book was very enjoyable! I really getting to know the characters and watching their stories unfold. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I received an advanced reader of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I didn't know anything about this book going into it and, perhaps, that is why it shocked me in both its beauty and darkness. Although I had also known the general premise of Lolita, I had no point of reference that this novel had been based on a true life kidnapping crime. In Rust & Stardust, Greenwood pulls back the curtain on this horrific case and chillingly illuminates what all this girl had been through.

In 1948, Sally Horner is desperate to get into the cool club with a group of girls from school. As part of her initiation process, she has to steal a notebook at a local drugstore. When a man with the F.B.I. sees her take this notebook, he tells her that she must pay for her crime and that he won't rat her out to her parents, as long as she follows all of his instructions.

He poses as a father from a friend from school and says that they are going on a beautiful beach vacation and would like to take Sally along with them. Sally's mother, struggling with debilitating arthritis and pain, knows that Sally will have a wonderful adventure and begrudgingly allows her to accept the invitation. Sally knows that she must go on this trip for her court hearing and punishment for the stolen notebook.

The thing is, this guy is actually a dangerous child predator who has just been released from prison and Sally is his latest conquest.

This book wrecked me in the same ways that, A Little Life, ripped a little of my heart out. Nabbing criminals back then is a frustrating process to witness, let alone be a victim too. It takes a strong reader to read this one and I have a feeling Sally's story is going to be imprinted on my heart for a very long time. Greenwood's writing is poetry in motion, even in the evil bits of it.

I doubt you will be able to put this one down, but given the context of the story, know this is a dark read.

(this review will be be online and available for view tomorrow: http://wp.me/p6sEAo-6Xn)

I love books based on true events and this story of Sally Horner was beautifully told. It is such a heartbreaking story of how small decisions can set off an avalanche of consequences affecting numerous people. And it all started just because Sally wanted to be liked and included in a group of potential friends. The author crafted a well written tale in spite of the difficult subject matter. Make this one of the books added to you TBR list this year.

This novel was captivating, affecting and ultimately heartrending to experience. I am not thoroughly familiar with the Lolita story so I was coming to this without bias. This story shows the was even the tiniest bit of happiness can sustain you in the midst of overwhelming evil and despair. I thought the story of Sally Horner (a real person) was very well done and the author was able to make it a good story to read and although it was a horrible story it wasn’t completely depressing to read. This will stay with me for a long time. I thank #netgalley for the opportunity to read #rust&stardust ahead of publication.

Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood

5 stars

“Florence Flogg, what an odd little girl, and what an odd name, like something from a novel. Like an imaginary girl.”

In 1948 Camden, New Jersey, Sally Horner was eleven-years-old. She had hopes and desired to be friends with a group of girls. Her chance to belong comes with stealing a notebook, but when Frank LaSalle approaches her and pretends to be an FBI agent with the ability to lock her up and punish her for her crimes, Sally’s whole world is changed. After weeks go by, Sally can breathe a little but she still knows he’s there. When he shows up again he claims that she is needed for court in Atlantic City. He poses as a classmate’s father and convinces her mother to allow her to board a bus with him. The charade turns deadly for Sally and this harrowing novel provides a fictionalized account of the real-life inspiration for Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. I didn’t know this was a true story until I read the acknowledgements. This changed my perception of the ending. I am a huge fan of Rust & Stardust. It’s depressing, hard-hitting, and it seems slightly out there. I mean what mother would willingly give her child to a convicted sex offender? But people were much more trusting in the 1940s and Ella Horner, Sally’s mom, was a single mother with rheumatism. Greenwood’s strength lies in her multiple POVs. We not only follow Sally, but mom, sister, brother-in-law, a nun, the girl she tried to impress, Ruth (the woman who saved her), and a circus performer. A lot of these characters are fictional and expanded upon from the real-life people. It’s important that in mind. I was drawn into Greenwood’s writing style and her presentation of Sally being manipulated and scared was overwhelming and captivating. I love lost history. I’ve never heard of Sally Horner before this and I feel like I missed out on this incredibly impactful kidnapping case that set to tone for many of the ruses that have become popular today that we warn young children about.



Whimsical Writing Scale: 4.5

“That winter of 1949, Sally felt herself slipping away, disappearing. Like her namesake, she was only Fogg, now. Only mist.”

Sally is a very endearing little girl. Like most children her age. Her biggest desire is to belong and be loved. She is just looking to fit in and in that she becomes one of the lost girls. The girls stolen from home. The girls who lose their innocence before they even realize it’s there. Greenwood does a fantastic job of painting a girl who was trusting and lead to believe lies. The saddest part about this story is the complete mistreatment of child rape at the hands of her abductor. She was branded as undesirable and basically seen as a “slut” by the general public. I kind of wish Greenwood had expanded upon the struggles Sally faced more with integrating and belonging in society after being subjected to utterly cruelty and no one accepting and loving her the way she needed because those resources were not available. This is this very much a character study. Now, I’m going to talk about what happened to Sally So, I was so angry when I read last couple chapters because I couldn’t understand why a writer would spend all this time towards bringing Sally home only for her to die at such a young age. I was going to lower my star rating because I was that mad. After reading the acknowledgements and doing some research, I learned that Sally Horner was a real victim of kidnapping, rape, and abuse and that she really did die in a car accident with a drunk boy she spent the weekend with at the age of fifteen. That really hit me. My appreciation for this story shifted and it became an absolute favorite. Sally died young and lived a tragic life, but I think this fictionalized does some justice to the hopes of a little girl who just wanted to belong and who was stolen in the process.

Kick-But Heroine Scale: 5

“Her life had been filled with thieves.”

There is a lot of characters in this story. Ella has the strongest presence and is very complex. Her narrative is sad and full of guilt. Susan and Al are really interesting pieces to this family. Seeing Vivi’s guilt over Sally was very raw and I admired Greenwood for trying to spin a fictional narrative about a girl who put Sally into the hands of a monster without meaning to. I really appreciate Sister Mary Katherine’s narrative because it offered an in depth look into the cover-ups of the Catholic Church and how it prevented Sally from being saved sooner. I also loved Ruth and the fictional take that was presented. She is probably my favorite character apart from Sally in this novel. Lena is a bearded woman who performers in the traveling circus that houses in the trailer park Sally winds up in and she was interesting, but I feel like she was also problematic. The traveling circus may have come into contact with Sally and “freakshows” were very famous at the time, but I just feel like her character was too fictional for this story.


Character Scale: 4.5

The Villain- I hate Frank LaSalle.

Villain Scale: 5

Overall, I definitely recommend Rust & Stardust if the story of Sally Horner interests you or if you like dark fiction. It’s a beautiful fictionalized account and I think many will enjoy it. I really appreciate the story and I’m so glad I read it.


Plotastic Scale: 5

Cover Thoughts: I feel like when I look at this cover I know that innocence is being stolen and I think it’s conveyed really well through the simplistic coast and the rusty safety pin.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Rust & Stardust is based on a true story. It was not in any way an easy read. The subject matter is graphic, dark and can be upsetting at times. I kept waiting for the upturn, for the hope, for the healing. Those things did not come. I can not say I enjoyed this book, however I can appreciate the skill that Ms. Greenwood utilized in setting the scenes and weaving the tale. I could see this novel being used in conjunction with Nabokov's Lolita as part of a book discussion, there are many opportunities for discussion, debate, research and comparison. 3.5

Prior to Rust & Stardust, i had read only 1 other Tammy Greenwood book which I thoroughly enjoyed. so I was anxious to read this one.

Rust & Stardust is based on fact, but written as a fictions00l story. Set in the late 1940's and early 1950's, it shows the trusting and extreme innocence of people of that era when compared to current times. It also shows how that trust & innocence can be abused and the widespread effects it can have on many lives.

Greenwood handled the subject with kid gloves. She revealed what was going on but kept the details mostly minimal at first, so as not to be overly offensive. It was up to the reader as to how far you wanted to immerse yourself into the happenings.

Although an extremely heart breaking story, Tammy Greenwood has a special way of allowing you to see the tiny snippets of happy alonv with the sad.

This book was stellar. The author was right on the mark with characterizing pre-adolescent and teenage thoughts and behaviors. The mother's reasonings and actions as someone dealing with single parenthood and painful disabilities were spot on, too. I loved the colorful cast of secondary characters and how the main character tucked away the feelings of small kindnesses, bits of wisdom, and strength she garners from each one. Many times when crimes of this nature happen people shake their heads and say, "How could something like this happen, and go on for so long?" and I think this story gives us some insight on that matter.

When you know a book is going to break your heart but the writing is so enticing that you can't be torn away. Rust & Stardust tells the tragic and horrific story of Sally Horner, a young girl from New Jersey who was held captive by a convicted rapist for 21 months.

The story starts off in 1948 in Camden, New Jersey and briefly explains Sally's rough life at home and school. Eleven-year-old Sally attempts to shoplift a composition notebook from a nearby Woolworth's store in order to be accepted by a small girls club at school. She did not know that someone was watching her. Sally was apprehended at the store by Frank LaSalle, who claimed to be an FBI agent at the time. LaSalle promised that he would help Sally avoid going to prison but she would have to come with him to testify in front of a judge and do everything he says or he would have her arrested.

LaSalle let Sally go home that afternoon but he intercepted her on her way home from school the next day. LaSalle convinced Sally to lie to her mother and tell her that she was going on a trip to Atlantic City with her friend's family. Sally's mother believed her and even walked her to the bus and dropped her off with LaSalle, who posed as her friend's father.

We follow Sally as two agonizing years go by and LaSalle continues to spin a web of lies while transporting her across several state lines. He physically, sexually and mentally abused Sally until he was caught by one of their neighbors who was able to get through to Sally. Sally was definitely naïve but those were different times. She did not want anyone to know that she was kidnapped because she was afraid of what LaSalle might have done if he found out that she told someone.

This story is difficult to read at times, disturbing, and unsettling. It is not for the faint of heart. If you are sensitive to subjects such as child abuse and sexual abuse, this is probably not the right book for you. This book is about a young girl being abused, taken advantage of, and having her childhood stolen from her.

The author's words flow beautifully and she skillfully brings Sally's harrowing account to life through her own eyes and the eyes of her family and friends. Greenwood fearlessly gave Sally a much-needed voice and describes her thoughts, pain and actions. This is the unfortunate but true story that inspired Vladimir Nabokov to write Lolita.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press and T. Greenwood for my free review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rust and Stardust has been creating quite a buzz with reviews. I couldn't wait to read and form my own opinion, and you guys, the hype is real! This book, while gritty was so beautifully written. I was completly unfamiliar with Sally's story, and after reading read a little of the true story details. The author has done a fabulous job creating a fictional work while still staying true to Sally and her story. Heartbreaking, hopefull and disturbing while being beautiful is what comes to mind when I think about this book. Rust and Stardust is going to be one of those books that will stick with me for a very, very long time after reading.

I'm from NJ (which is where this story is based), so knowing where alot of these places (especially in the beginning) actually look like, helped me to envision the story. My heart broke for Sally. At times I was so disgusted by what was happening that I had to hold back tears. Then other times my heart was so full of hope that I thought it may burst. In the end, all i can say is this book was amazing. I have never read Lolita (which I'm hearing this book be referred to as the modern day version)....but it makes me want to read it, as well as anything else this author has written.

I was a little concerned about the subject matter and kept setting the book aside but I need not have worried. T. Greenwood tells the tragic story of Sally Horner an 11 year old girl in Camden, New Jersey in 1948. It's the true crime that inspired Vladamir Nabokov to write the classic Lolita. (In the meantime Sarah Weinman has written a non-fiction literary exploration of the kidnapping. It goes on sale September 11, 2018.)

FIRST SENTENCE: "The girls at school had a club, a secret club with secret rules."

THE STORY: Sally Horner's story was immortalized by Vladamir Nabokov in his classic Lolita. T. Greenwood researched the true incident and chose to tell the story from Sally's point of view, a sweet, naive child of another generation.

Chapters are titled after the person who picks up the thread of the story. The reader gets insights into Sally's family, her mother Ella, sister Susan, and her sister's husband Al.

Along the way as Sally is taken from her home first to Atlantic City, then Baltimore, then Texas, and finally San Jose, California. Although people try to befriend and help, her captor moves on taking Sally with him.

WHAT I THOUGHT: As a teenager living in Philadelphia, I was invited to vacation at the shore (Atlantic City) with a friend one summer in the 50s. We ran into some boys we knew and managed to get in to see "Lolita". I think you had to be 17. We weren't. I didn't know about Sally Horner then. It's an amazing book and I am contemplating all the connections.

The writing is beautiful and haunting. A light touch makes it possible to read this heart-wrenching story.

When I finally finished reading, I stopped and looked at the perfect cover. It makes me sad every time I see it.

BOTTOM LINE: T. Greenwood's book is a classic of its own. Read it. Talk about it. Highly recommended.

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (August 7, 2018)
ISBN-10: 1250164192
ISBN-13: 978-1250164193

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood from NetGalley/Minotaur Books for my honest review.

T. Greenwood is the author of twelve novels. She has received grants from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and, most recently, the Maryland State Arts Council. She has won three San Diego Book Awards. Five of her novels have been BookSense76/IndieBound picks. BODIES OF WATER was finalist for a Lambda Foundation award. Her twelfth novel, RUST & STARDUST, was published in August 2018

An interesting read. I was initially drawn to it because it was based on a true story. It's interesting to get a feel for how people in these situations react. Some areas I felt lagged a bit in speed. There was some bouncing back and forth of perspectives that sometimes cut up the action too much. While I understand the author's purpose in doing this, it made the book feel slower to me.

Based on real events, this story is captivating and terrifying. Told from many perspectives, all equally heart gripping.

What would a young girl do to fit in? What would a mother allow for her child’s happiness? What lengths will they go to hide their shame? How much can a little girl endure before she loses herself? How do you keep moving when your world is in pieces?

I must have been too young to remember the story of the kidnapping of Sally Horner. This book follows the two years that Sally spends with her kidnapper Frank LaSalle. It is told in the voices of Sally, her mother Ella, her sister Susan and at the end, in the voices of a few people who knew something was up and tried to do something about it. Nabokov supposedly wrote Lolita with this case in mind. It is harrowing. It is tough to read. It is very sad but it is also a homage to the human spirit. Sally is a sweet, innocent child in the beginning but she sees way more than any child ever should. Her mother is dealing with much more than her disappearance, she blames herself. Her sister just wants her back.

T. Greenwood does a beautiful job and writing what these people would be feeling. I felt every single individual’s emotions. It is such a heartbreaking story. I cried through quite a lot of it. Being a mom, I cannot imagine this happening to a child. Frank LaSalle is written with no sympathy, as he should. He was a despicable man who preyed on little girls. Don’t come to this book thinking that you will read it and go about your merry way. It will stay with you for a long time. It will haunt you.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book.

Norma, Lindsay and I read Rust & Stardust with five of our Traveling Friends and this one left us feeling like we haven’t felt before after reading it. We felt so sad, upset and heartbroken, yet left so satisfied with the way T. Greenwood wrote this heartbreaking and beautiful story.

T. Greenwood captures the story of real life Sally Horner and pulls us into her tortured world after she is kidnapped and abused by Frank LaSalle. Greenwood highlights so much here with such great insight into Sally’s story and her family in telling this story but leaves out descriptive details for us to figure out on our own. If you are like me, you just don’t want your mind to go there. We felt so many emotions while reading this one and were so grateful to have our friends to be able to talk over our feelings with. We could feel Sally’s vulnerability and she crawled into our hearts and she consumed us. Greenwood gives some hope here that she has some happiness through the eccentric characters that care about Sally.

Greenwood not only shows us Sally’s story we come to see how this tragedy affected other people in Sally’s life. We all loved Al’s perseverance to bring Sally home and her sisters hope that she would. Both never giving up on Sally.

Some of us googled Sally and did a little research and knew how the story ended and some of us went into the story blind not knowing anything about her. It was interesting to see who preferred to know and who didn’t and to see everyone’s reaction to the ending. I would suggest if you like a little heads up maybe do some searching as a few sisters would have preferred that while a few others didn’t want any and were glad they didn’t till the end.

Even though we thought the horror of what Sally endured was handled well and a lot was left for us to figure out on our own we still want to mention that there could be some triggers here for some people so we recommend with caution.

This story made for a treasured reading group experience. Here is a look into our discussion.

I loved that we’re given so many different POVs. Sometimes that can get a bit choppy but it didn’t suffer that fate here at all. Every point of view was vital to the development of this story and I don’t think there was a single wasted page, sentence or even word here.

I finished this at like 2AM (which I’m normally not that type of reader) and just sat next to my sleeping husband quietly crying. Greenwood brought real beauty to a terrible story and I think that Sally’s memory was very much honored here. Christina

She wrote a beautiful story, sensitively told. Jan

She didn’t force anything upon us that we couldn’t have gathered with our own imaginations. She gave us so much but also just enough. The story speaks for itself, so she never had to dive into the realm of “blatant shock factor.” Rose

But as for Greenwood’s story–it was written beautifully. Wow. The stunning prose blew me away and turned every single sentence into something worthy of quoting. Kristin

I also appreciate the way this book shows how this tragedy leaves its mark on all involved. How it’s somehow everyone’s fault, and no one’s all at the same time. Kristin

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and T. Greenwood for a copy to read and review.

This is Traveling Friends GR Reading Group Review and it can be found posted on our themed book blog Two Sisters Lost In A Coulee Reading.
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
Coulee: a term applied rather loosely to different landforms, all of which refer to a kind of valley. Coulee references are symbolic to our reading experience