Ever since my daughter, Ellie, was kidnapped right in front of her school, life for me has been anything but normal.
I wish I had words to describe the heavy, haunting despair that fills my heart when I think what she’s going through right now. She’s only five years old. The last I saw her, she was walking across the street to Dottie’s house. Dottie is my neighbor, and most days she puts Ellie on the bus with her own children. When the school called to confirm that Ellie was absent, I didn’t think much of it at first because the school has made that mistake before. But as the minutes ticked by and no one in the school could find Ellie, I started to panic. And so did Dottie, when I called to make sure she had seen Ellie getting on the bus.
And once the horrifying truth of Ellie’s disappearance began to dawn on everyone, time simultaneously rushed forward and stood still. I couldn’t catch my breath, my head spun round dizzily.
After many long hours of gut-wrenching worry and several clues that point to Scotland, the land of my birth, I’ve arrived in Edinburgh. My sister came to stay with me, ostensibly to provide moral support (though sometimes she’s more of a hindrance than a help). Her boyfriend showed up with her. He seems nice, but he brought along some rather startling baggage of his own and I’m not entirely sure I can trust him.
My days in Edinburgh are taken up with endless frustrating and disheartening attempts to find Ellie. She’s got to be here somewhere, but Edinburgh is a big city. And it’s ancient, with hidden alleys, winding streets where someone can seemingly disappear without a trace, and nooks and crannies around every corner. In other words, a perfect place to hide.
Of course the police are involved, but leads have been elusive. I keep in constant touch with the police in Edinburgh, but I can’t sit around and wait for them to find Ellie. While they work on their end, I’ve been scouring the city, from tourist sites to playgrounds and parks, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But so far no luck.
I know the time is coming closer when I’m going to have to face my past. I fear that the key to finding Ellie may lie in the house on Candlewick Lane, where my former in-laws live. The old house, on a farm outside Edinburgh, fills me with terror for reasons that reach back to the early days of my marriage to Neill Gramercy.
It’s all very overwhelming. All I can do is hope and pray that I find Ellie before it’s too late.
You can read more about Dr. Dobbins in The House On Candlewick Lane, the first book in the “Malice” series.
It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Greer Dobbins’ daughter has been kidnapped—and spirited across the Atlantic to a hiding place in Scotland. Greer will do anything to find her, but the streets of Edinburgh hide a thousand secrets—including some she’d rather not face.
Art historian Dr. Greer Dobbins thought her ex-husband, Neill, had his gambling addiction under control. But in fact he was spiraling deeper and deeper into debt. When a group of shady lenders threatens to harm the divorced couple’s five-year-old daughter if he doesn’t pay up, a desperate Neill abducts the girl and flees to his native Scotland. Though the trail seems cold, Greer refuses to give up and embarks on a frantic search through the medieval alleys of Edinburgh—a city as beguiling as it is dangerous. But as the nightmare thickens with cryptic messages and a mysterious attack, Greer herself will become a target, along with everyone she holds dear.
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About the author
USA Today bestselling author Amy M. Reade is a recovering lawyer living in southern New Jersey. The House on Candlewick Lane is the first of The Malice Novels, Amy’s gothic suspense series set in the United Kingdom. The second book in the series, Highland Peril, will be released in the fall of 2017. She is currently at work on the third book. Amy is also the author of Secrets of Hallstead House, The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor, and House of Hanging Jade, all standalones of gothic suspense. She loves reading, cooking, and traveling.
Connect with Amy at amymreade.com, her blog, Goodreads, Amazon author page, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
All comments are welcomed.
The House on Candlewick Lane is available at online retailers.
Good morning Dru. I’m totally going to read this book. I don’t know where I’ll find it but I will. The story is the biggest fear of all parents. I’m lucky that we had neighbors who would keep an eye on all the kids who got off on their corner. They’d even make them stand under the porch overhang if it was raining and we were late.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book. You’re lucky to have such caring neighbors. Getting on and off buses is a stressful time for kids and parents.
Dru, thank you for having me here today!
Thanks for telling your story
Oh my! How I feel for that poor mother. Her worst fears have come true and still the nightmare goes on. There is so much tension and intrigue here. This book is already on my reading list, but seeing this has pushed it closer to the top.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
I agree about the school bus fear. We teach our kids about stranger danger, but what if it’s someone they know and trust? Hmmmm, food for thought.
Have a wonderful day ladies!
Sharon
That was one of the things I learned working for the NCMEC–family presents more of a danger than strangers, but strangers get all the attention. Thanks for stopping by!
Such a traumatic, scary situation. It’s one thing to teach about stranger danger. But another for supposedly trusted family and friends. Had a neighbor who was going through a nasty divorce and this type situation had her scared so they set up a key phrase to be used if anyone came to pick her up. I feel for this mother. The story looks like a most suspenseful read. I will be looking for it.
A code word or phrase is a great idea, and I know my kids learned that in school when they were smaller. I hope you enjoy the story!
I finished reading “The House on Candlewick Lane” a couple of days ago and wrote a 5 star review for the book. My only regret is that there weren’t more stars I could give it. Fantastic novel!
Thank you!! I’m so happy that you liked the book. And I appreciate your very kind words.
I started reading the book last night and I’m hooked on it already. I wish I had more reading time!
Thank you for your support! I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it so far–I won’t tell you how it ends! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Oh my! I can’t imagine any worse nightmare or lurking evil! Must read this one!! Thank you Dru Ann for introducing me to it today! Thanks Amy for sharing with readers!
Hi Barbara, I hope you’ll read it and enjoy it! Thanks for dropping in!
The tourism industry should be grateful to Amy Reade! I simply must get to Edinburgh.
I love the day in the life series. Great post Amy!