Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book.

This book went in some totally different ways than I had imagined. What was suppose to be a run-of-the-mill road trip turns into anything but. I was immediately hooked by the book and the writing style.

One of the best parts of this book for me was the characters. I know that other readers felt like they could not relate or grab onto the character, but I had the exact opposite experience. I absolutely loved the main characters. They had such distinct, well developed personalities that I could perfectly picture each of them. Our main three (Penny, Travis and Fia) are so difficult to not become invested in and want the best for. Penny- an über smart, strangely gifted girl confused by the traumatic accident she was in (which gave her, her gifts), Travis- a dropout artist, and Fia- a diner owner and mother sending money back to her children in Guatemala. All three end up tied up an on this roadtrip together for better or for worse.

The goal of the roadtrip is also initially to find Penny's father, whom she has not seen since her accident when she was a child. She plans to drive from the east coast to the west (to the last address which her father mailed her a birthday card from). Let's just say that nothing on this road trip went according to plan.

I loved the way the stories twists started, some of the issues brought up in the book parallel some current issues we see in society today. From gang like murder, to crooked cops this road trip is not what any of them wished for.

I enjoyed this book right up until the ending- which I really disliked. The story itself was full of outrageous scenarios, although I've heard of worse, but the ending just made it completely excessive to the point that it made me completely change my would have been a 5 star rating to 4. (Again though, I know other readers have enjoyed the ending).

Despite the dopey title, this is one of the best books of the year, a moving and thrilling journey of Penny, an acquired savant who leaves the comfort of the special school she's been in for many years to brave the real world and try to find her father, who she believes left her and her mom just after she went into a coma from falling down the stairs. On her way she meets Travis and Fia, who each play a part in her road to freedom, along with loan sharks, assassins, government agents and long-lost relatives. The outcome of this adventure is as satisfying, in its own weird way, as the steps taken to get there simply because it's so fitting. A terrific job by Wilson, who I've read twice before and has shown flashes of both brilliant and above-average storytelling. It's definitely the former here. 4.5 stars bumped to 5 for the quality of writing and overall satisfaction at the finish. Very highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I can't contain my excitement about this ARC—it's hands down the most gripping one I've ever delved into! Carter Wilson worked his magic, reeling me in with characters I couldn't help but get attached to. The beginning threw me off with its calm vibe, and I even questioned if it was a thriller at first. But lo and behold, as I reached the Acknowledgment, Carter laid it all out, and suddenly it all made sense! This is pure genius. I've just stumbled upon a new favorite author, and I can't wait to explore more of his work!

I was completely blown away by the unexpected turns in the plot that had me gaping. The unfolding events sent shivers down my spine and gave me goosebumps. I couldn't help but be moved once the truth was revealed—it hit me harder than I anticipated. Experiencing the characters' emotions was so intense. Yet, amidst the emotional journey, there were parts I cherished. Surprisingly, this thriller/mystery taught me valuable lessons, proving that learning can come from the most unexpected places.

It was genuinely painful when Penny expressed, "Why do we chase things that hurt us? You ever love and hate someone at the same time?" The raw emotion from Penny resonated with me deeply, as all she ever yearned for was love from her parents.

There's also this quote I absolutely adored from the book: "Chasing control is a fool's errand. Letting go is a faster path to happiness than pretending any of us has the power to control anything." It's incredibly relatable and true. Life is full of things beyond our control, and stressing over them is futile. Letting go often leads to a faster route to happiness.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who's into thrillers and mysteries. Trust me, it's sooo good! If I could rate it a thousand, I totally would. Can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy! For the first time, I actually miss characters from a book—Penny and Fia are just unforgettable. If you're on the fence about reading it, go for it! It's totally worth the time!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

What can I say about The father she went to find? What I can say is that this book was simply wonderful and everything I would want in a book. Hope, despair, longing for happiness, loveable characters, and it takes place (in part) in my home state! I was HOOKED on page 1!!! I loved that the chapters were short, making it a great read even while trying to keep an eye on two crazy toddlers!

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the plot was interesting. It kept me engaged from start to finish

Pretty good read. Not exactly my usually type but the guessing kept me intrigued. Well written. Page turner near the end. =-)

Easy 5 stars for this one! It kept me hooked right from the start, and I loved all the characters. There were a couple things that surprised and threw me for a loop and a couple others that I was able to guess but overall this was such an enjoyable read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I liked the start of the book where she was going to look for her father on the treasure hunt. That story line works well throughout the book but the random other story lines (diner, club shooting , cop) are out of place and feel forced. I give it 3 stars

Wow, yet another wild ride from Wilson! As I've said about Wilson on previous reviews, my very favorite thing about his books and why I will continue to keep reading him is that his books are nowhere near cookie cutter plots! I read so many of this genre that I have picky taste now and it's refreshing to read a plot you've never read elsewhere. Which is definitely The Father She Went to Find. Now this book certainly had wildly unrealistic events multiple times and there were a few holes in the plot along the way because of it, but that being said it kept me turning the pages quickly and wondering what was going to happen next. Mixed feelings about the very end but I won't elaborate to avoid hinting what happens.

This book can be summarized in merely one word: “Wow”.

I’m going to go into it a bit further than that, but this one was a shocker. I started it a few weeks ago and couldn’t get into it, so I put it aside and tried again this week. I’m so glad I returned to this one…

Penny Bly (as her mother would say, named so because she’s pretty much worthless) fell down a flight of stairs when she was seven, and became a savant who has a photographic memory, synesthesia and an amazing artistic ability. While she was hospitalized , her father abandoned her and her mother - he now only sends her a birthday card each year. Penny voluntarily lives in an institution that examines her mind, and most of the time when she leaves, it’s to visit her mother. Unfortunately, her mom is not in a place to take care of her, so she was mostly raised in this place and by her doctor.

On her 21st birthday, her birthday card said that this would be the last one, as she clearly doesn’t need a father. That’s when she begins a road trip to California; she doesn’t remember much from before her head injury, but she had a snippet of a dream about a road trip with her father. He made a treasure map, and she’s going to follow it to the address written on his final card. This road trip her first time out in the world on her own, and even though she has a massive IQ, she has no idea what she’s doing. She just wants to find her father.

Her first stop after leaving the institute was to the mall, where she sees someone drawing (bad) portraits. She tries her hand at selling a portrait when she meets Travis, a starving artist who was watching her draw. Stuck with the same type of mother, he decides to join Penny on her adventure. The two are in for more than a fun ride across the country though…they quickly fall into a dangerous situation, and their leisurely journey becomes a frantic flee.

This book had a lot of thrills, action and suspense, but it was also a coming-of-age story. Penny may be 21, but she is just now facing the harsh world and trying to find her place in it. Throughout the journey, you see her blossom from a child into a woman who is stronger than she thinks, and it’s lovely despite the horror they’re facing. The ending was ambiguous, but absolutely beautiful. I would love a sequel to this one, for sure. Five happy stars.

(Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Carter Wilson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 2, 2024.)

What a ride! This book was so so twisty. It is a little bit Far fetched but I also couldn’t put it down. Unlike anything I’ve ever read!

Penny is special. She’s a savant – one of less than one hundred in the world – with a photographic memory and super-powered intellect. Yet she cannot understand why her father left when she was in a coma at the age of seven. On her twenty-first birthday, Penny receives a card from him, as usual, except that this one will be his last. And that catapults her out of her insulated life. With a goal but no plan, she takes off on a road trip to find him. She’s ill-equipped for the real world, especially when things take a deadly turn. Penny’s suddenly on the run, must trust two people she barely knows while she doubts others who should have her best interests at heart. Her special skills could be more of a burden than a help.
The Father She Went to Find is a suspenseful, intense road-trip thriller with endearing characters. This is the third crime read I’ve hugely enjoyed of Carter Wilson and I’m looking forward to more of this author! Highly recommended.

his is a story about a young girl who’s been classified as a genius after a fall at a young age goes on a mission to find her father who she believes is her only hero. While on the journey she runs into many twists and turns.

While this book did keep my interest, I gave it only 3.5 stars based on how unrealistic the series of events in this book went. I understand it is fiction, however it should also be somewhat realistic and the amount of incidents that happened in such a short amount of time.

While you may think you have the ending figured out on this one, the Author does leaves some surprises for the reader.
This is a solid 3.5 for me.

The Father She Went to Find by Carter Wilson left me a bit.....confused. It's a fairly good plot - a girl falls into a coma at the age of 7, when she wakes years later, she finds that her father has left her behind. She has woken up with savant abilities and now searches for him. She's a bit on an unreliable narrater. That said, there is a severe lack of plot and character development that is needed to make this a fully realized novel.

I feel that this was a bit rushed to publish and not quite ready for readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

"The Father She Went To See" by Carter Wilson is a captivating journey that resonated deeply with me. Wilson's skillful storytelling introduces us to Penny, a unique and brilliant character who embarks on a road trip fueled by a lifelong mystery. As a savant with an extraordinary memory, Penny's quest to uncover the truth behind her father's disappearance is both heart-wrenching and compelling.

I found myself engrossed in Penny's world, relating to the complexities of her pursuit for answers and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. Wilson's narrative beautifully balances the intrigue of a mystery with the emotional depth of Penny's personal journey, creating a story that kept me glued to every word. The blend of suspense and exploration of Penny's gifts adds a layer of uniqueness to the tale.

"The Father She Went To See" is not just a mystery; it's a poignant exploration of family, identity, and the lengths we go to unravel the secrets of our past. Carter Wilson has crafted a novel that not only entertains but also tugs at the strings of empathy, making it a compelling and relatable read for anyone who has grappled with questions about their own history.

Wow. Following Penny’s journey was unlike any other book I’ve read! I simultaneously didn’t want to put the book down and needed to put it down to take a break. This story was full of twists and turns that tugged at my heartstrings and kept me guessing. I could not recommend this book more!

Big trigger warning for SA in this book, it comes out of nowhere. Wasn't expecting it.

Penny hasn't seen her father in 12 years, their only communication is his annual birthday card. He left after she fell down the stairs and the brain damage made her a savant. But this birthday card is promised to be the last one and it has a return address. Penny's journey across the country to find her father a twisty turny adventure where she does not know who she can trust... or if she'll even make it to her father alive.

Typically I find first-person books about savants and geniuses to be grating, I find the overly annoying know-it-all characters to be annoying but I found Penny to be engaging and funny. The story overall took a different turn than I expected although I found it to still be interesting. I would've rated this 3 stars but the ending really touched me so I had to bump it up a star. If you've read this book you know what I mean.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Very good book from start to finish. Only took me a day to read, but I kook forward to reading more books from this author. #134 out my 150 goal this year

"The Father She Went to Find" is an enjoyable read with interesting characters and some great twists and turns. Its 80s setting and eccentric characters add to the intrigue of Penny search for the long-lost father who abandoned her at seven years old. Recommended for those who enjoy domestic suspense. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The writing is so good! It’s gripping and thrilling! It seems like the characters are unreliable but you can rely on their unreliability to give you the best thrilling experience of reading a thriller. Now how many thriller thrilling did I just mentioned in a few secs?!

The plot may seem like you will figure it out but yes you will most probably figure it out. But I would say do not pick up this thriller not for a never-done-before plot twist but for the short crazy chapters and the unreliable but reliable characters. Yes, test yourself how reliable characters can be in a twisty thriller story.

I would say rely mostly on the writing and the poor decisions by the main character. If you love literary writing style, you will love this book more than you will.

No story telling in my review as always but know this much: a young girl who’s been studied as a genius goes on a mission to find her father who she believes is her only sanctuary in a world which seems quite cold and strange.

Damn. This book is good. Just that I predicted the plot twists until the end. I love this book more for the other things rather than its plot twist. There I said it and you will know what to expect.

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for the advance reading copy.