Despite the below-average singing of “I’ll be There” that Emily Bell – from a wealthy suburban academic family – did in the church choir, it brought her and Sam Border together, and after that the fate of the two of them seem to be entwined.

Sam and his brother Riddle have been kept adrift from society for as long as he can remember by there conman of a father, who steals to help himself survive (keyword: himself). Sam and Riddle’s father takes them with him as he jumps from town to town, insuring that the authorities don’t catch up to his thefts and keeping Sam and Riddle from going to school and getting an education.

Sam’s father wants this to happen; he does not want them to get smart enough to get away from him by either turning him into the police or just running away like he himself had done time and time again.

Emily Bell does not have these problems. Apart from the now-and-then annoyance from her little brother and dealing with guys her own age, she has a happy life, she goes to school, has a brother, two loving parents, and even a dog.

Sam was always the one to take care of his brother, while they both steer as clear from their father as possible. Sam and Riddle don’t go to school. Riddle draws in phone books and Sam tries to make some pocket change on the side so they can eat. Because of this, Sam kept his life at home  very secret from Emily. He did a good job of it, too.

This book is full of twists and turns and is packed with tension. All told, it is a good read. I give it four out of five stars.