Touch & Go
Book Description
A family vanishes without a trace, leaving behind only questions that claw at the heart of their small town. As the clock ticks down, private investigator Tessa Leoni races against time, uncovering shocking secrets and twisted motives that threaten to shatter everything she holds dear. With each clue, the danger escalates, pulling her deeper into a web of deceit and desperation. Trust becomes a fragile illusion, and the line between ally and enemy blurs. In this pulse-pounding thriller, can Tessa unravel the mystery before it's too late, or will the truth consume her whole? What happens when the past comes back to haunt those who thought they were safe?
Quick Book Summary
"Touch & Go" by Lisa Gardner is a gripping mystery thriller that explores the terrifying disappearance of the Denbe family—Justin, Libby, and their teenage daughter, Ashlyn—in a seemingly random abduction. The story follows private investigator Tessa Leoni as she delves into the case, uncovering a web of dark secrets and betrayals buried beneath the family’s wealthy facade. As Tessa races against time, she is forced to confront not only the dangers lurking in every shadow but also the complexities of trust, love, and survival. The suspense intensifies as hidden motives and long-held grievances come to light. Tessa must navigate unreliable alliances and face her own past, risking everything to bring the Denbes home before it’s too late.
Summary of Key Ideas
Table of Contents
The Facade of the Perfect Family
The story begins with the sudden and violent abduction of the Denbe family from their upscale Boston home. Justin, a successful construction magnate, his wife Libby, and their daughter Ashlyn seem the picture of perfection, but their disappearance shocks the community and perplexes law enforcement. With no immediate clues or ransom demands, suspicion falls everyone, from business rivals to personal acquaintances. The meticulously planned kidnapping raises more questions than answers, setting a tense and urgent tone as the search for the family begins.
The Complexity of Trust
Private investigator Tessa Leoni is hired to help solve the mystery, working closely (and sometimes contentiously) with local police and the FBI. As the investigation progresses, Tessa peels back the layers of the Denbe family’s life, discovering cracks beneath their polished surface. She encounters a labyrinth of secrets, including financial troubles, infidelity, and strained familial relationships. Each revelation complicates the case, making it increasingly difficult to determine where loyalty truly lies and blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator.
Unraveling Hidden Motives
As the Denbes endure physical and psychological torment in an isolated, windowless prison, their survival skills and family bonds are tested. Tensions escalate as captors employ manipulation and force, threatening to break the family’s unity. Meanwhile, Tessa and the police chase tenuous leads, racing against time and contending with misleading information. The intertwined perspectives of both captors and captives immerse the reader deeply in the emotional and mental peril of the situation.
Survival Under Duress
Trust emerges as a central struggle, not only among the Denbes but also within the investigative team. Tessa herself is no stranger to betrayal or tough choices, and she must decide whom to trust as she navigates a minefield of information and suspects. The investigation reveals that nothing about the case is accidental—every detail is rooted in past grievances, hidden motives, and the longing for justice or revenge. This uncertainty about who can be trusted keeps the tension high and the outcome uncertain.
The Haunting Power of the Past
Ultimately, the truth behind the abduction is far more personal and complex than it first appears, tied to secrets from the Denbe family’s past that refuse to stay buried. Tessa’s pursuit of answers forces all involved to confront hard truths and make harrowing decisions. The resolution delivers both justice and heartbreak, emphasizing that the past can echo through to the present in unexpected and devastating ways. "Touch & Go" is a masterful tale of suspense, trauma, and the fragile ties that bind us, expertly orchestrated by Lisa Gardner.
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