This one was going well right up until that ending. What is up with that? I can't stand an unresolved ending because it leaves everything feeling very unfinished which is seriously annoying.

During this time of COVID-19 social distancing, our book club met virtually and all agreed that Lost Boy Found by Kristen Alexander was the perfect book in which to escape right now. The story is a great combination of historical fiction, mystery and legal drama, telling the tale of the rich and powerful vs. the poor and without hope.
The novel is inspired by a true story, and focuses on the disappearance of a four year old boy and the effects on the family, community and others as a result. We found that the story was very readable and it held our interest throughout. The character development was very good, with each player’s story building and solidifying over time. Each of the character’s roles had a different part to play in the final ending of the story, and we had good discussions about each of them.
The author was able to weave several issues of the historical time period into the novel, and gave interesting glimpses into the problems of that time. It was not just about the power of the wealthy, but it also discussed race, political and media concerns. All in all, it was a very enjoyable read about a difficult situation.

I love this book! I've heard the stories of the lost boy, Charlie Dunbar, Being given a glimpse into the lives of each character shows there are always different views of a situation. Poverty and wealth play a big role, as do race and politics. It was truly captivating. I can't quit thinking of how each mother felt and dealt with the situation.

In “Lost Boy Found”, Kirsten Alexander develops a story that captures every parent’s fear. A missing child is merely a preamble to the development of overlapping plot lines, highlighting the potential injustices of a mixed society. The small town setting does not insulate us from identifying problems that we typically think are not present outside of big cities. The author provides a good development of characters. It becomes easy to think of the subplots as representing those in power and control versus those who must silently watch and observe. The angst of the people in the background, attempting to provide solutions in the face of adversity is evident,. This highlights the distinction between those who are attempting to do the right thing and those who act out of position of power, status or aspirations of upward mobility.

The story hits its climax in the final third, capturing the emotional fatigue of the trial setting. If anything this section of the story makes up for some of the seeming lag in development as the parents struggle with trying to find their child. This initial “search” feels at times wooden, with the father going through the motions to set things back to “normal” rather than fully expressing his anguish and fear. There is an overall feeling that captures the singular injustice of society; those in power and with influence prevail while those who support the ruling class are left silent, unable to express themselves for fear of retribution or consequence. Sadly this has not changed from early 1900’s America to today.

This pulls at the heartstrings from when young Sonny goes missing and isn't found to two years later when he is "found" with a wandering handyman to other twists and turns in the story involving Sonny's parents and a young mother. This was historical fiction at its best and it is based on a true story, so that makes it even more enjoyable. Make sure that you leave enough time to read this whole book when you sit down, as you will not be putting it down until it is completely read!

I received an advance review copy of Lost Boy Found, and was intrigued when I realized I had heard a story about Bobby Dunbar on NPR. This is the inspiration for this book. This book is fiction, but it really captures the personalities and characters of the families in this tale of loss, grief, holding on to hope and finally reuniting after almost all hope is gone. But things don’t quite add up. The found boy has his mother’s permission to travel with the tramp Gideon Wolf, he also isn’t immediately identified by the parents searching for their lost boy Sonny. To further complicate thing the event happen in Louisiana and Mississippi in the early 1900s. The racial divides of the Civil War are flourishing, and Jim Crow laws and all white law enforcement means for some assumptions, lack of drive to investigate, jump to conclusions and not be swayed by new facts or evidence. The continuing demand for information when there is little might encourage some creativity from reporter. Ongoing publicity puts important people in the spotlight and help them think they can bend the rules, or obstruct then entitley. The divide of people with power, influence and money vs people with few resources or power shows how skewed the playing field. The legacy of the Old Sout, with social expectations of behavior by men and women in society, how the manage their families with help from black servants, and the rules of conduct by blacks trying to survive in a world that hasn’t changed much since the Civil War. The saddest thing about this story is that the original lost book probably did get killed by an alligator shortly after he disappeared. I give this s book 4.5 stars because it put flesh on a true story and showed how on child that disappears can create a totally engrossed reader that wants to know how he ended up and then moved on. The subterfuge of the judge, Sherrie and John Henry to keep Grace from seeing her boy is so infuriating.

What. A. Ride.

A wealthy family spending the summer days at their lake house discovers their young child, Sonny, is missing. Despite an extensive, long-lasting search effort, he isn't immediately located. Two years after the disappearance, a little boy is found in the care of a wandering handyman - identified as the long-lost Sonny, the handyman is arrested and the child reunited with his parents. But when a young, unmarried mother comes forward insisting the child is hers, chaos ensues.

Lost Boy Found is based on true events, and as such, immediately sparked a high level of interest from me. The plot is hugely propulsive - one of those gripping stories you just can't look away from - and I flew through it.

The repeated, overwhelmingly prejudicial treatment of the poor versus the wealthy in this book didn't come as a surprise - we're all aware that things still operate in much the same way today. However, even though I knew that fact in the logical part of my brain, reading about it made my blood BOIL. (If you're an extreme empath, this might be a difficult read for you - I had to step away at times because I could feel my racing heartbeat in my ears.)

There were several times (THAT ENDING) that had me audibly gasping and yelling expletives, so be warned. Lost Boy Found is an entirely gripping tale that will instigate ALL the feelings.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy of this book. Out now!

Terrific book. Absolutely loved it. Compelling characters and story line. Kept me interested the entire time.