This was twisty and unpredictable - a well-plotted mystery that's outside my usual zone. Not always easy - some of the subject matter is a bit fraught - but a page-turner.

Laurie’s baby girl disappears right from under her nose, while she is selling pies in the town’s annual apple festival. The only sign that the baby was ever there is the stuffed toy forlornly dropped in front of the selling booth.
Based on witness testimonies claiming they haven't seen a baby with Laurie that day and thanks to her abusive ex-husband spreading rumors that Laurie is unstable and downright crazy, nobody believes that somebody has taken the baby. They assume either Laurie has misplaced her and can’t remember where, or else she has harmed the baby and the kidnapping scenario is just an act.
Has Laurie lost her mind? Why can’t she remember if the baby was with her that day or not?
Whom can she trust? Whom should she run from?
Apple of My Eye is an engaging but dark story told from multiple point of views, jumping back and forth in time.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and the NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.

This was a fast paced thriller that grabbed me and didn't let me go! The characters and plot were well developed and the twists kept coming!

A fast paced thriller. The characters are well developed and the plot and the subplots are interesting and keep you hooked till the last page.
An interesting and entertaining book.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

Laurie has postpartum psychosis (?). She has a terrifying episode at the Jackson, Ohio, Apple Festival and spurs on controversy as to whether she is "insane". As a 2nd grade teacher, Laurie is working at the pie table where her dramatic scene first takes place for the population of Jackson. Her daughter, Emily, ( 9 months old) is missing! Brad, a firefighter, happens to be at the festival with his son, Luke. Brad hears screams and finds Laurie, his neighbor, (whom he is quite smitten by) experiencing a strange kind of trauma. The (hated) Sheriff, Tilton, also goes to find out what is going on and all he manages to do is make Laurie react in a stronger way. Laurie's husband, Jake, has recently passed away - leaving Laurie a widow..


Minor plots weave throughout the story: explosion at a house nearby, a kiddie porn ring has been thriving, Mark (fire investigator) and his wife Norma have problems, and Brad's ex-wife is a "winner".


Yet, as time goes on, these smaller plots weave into the main story. As time goes on, a lot ( some things quite unexpected) becomes revealed to the reader. Although there are interwoven timelines, as well, they are not too much of a problem as can be found in some books. The plots are clear and quite well thought out. Characters are well developed and timing of events spot-on. A fast read ! Very enjoyable !


Many thanks to the author, Christine Barfknecht and NetGalley for a fun ride!