Overview
Some secrets are too dangerous to keep.
Cameron Miller is pretending to be someone he isn't. When he began presenting himself as Neil Lacey, it was the only way he could think of to distance himself from what Pop had done, to finally climb out of his nightmarish existence. He thought it would be easy--playing the rich kid, sailing his boat--but he didn't count on Cougar. Now Cougar, his father's old accomplice, has tracked Cameron down and presented an ultimatum: share the wealth or be exposed. Will Cameron give up his new identity to protect Neil's family? Or will he let his search for a new life destroy those around him?
About the Author:
Elaine Marie Alphin is very active in the field of children's literature. She has written numerous books for young readers and more than two hundred articles for children's magazines. Ms. Alphin lives in Madison, Indiana.
When serial killer Hank Miller is killed in a shoot-out with police, his abused son Cameron adopts the identity of one of his father's victims in order to find a better life.
Synopsis
Some secrets are too dangerous to keep.
Cameron Miller is pretending to be someone he isn't. When he began presenting himself as Neil Lacey, it was the only way he could think of to distance himself from what Pop had done, to finally climb out of his nightmarish existence. He thought it would be easy--playing the rich kid, sailing his boat--but he didn't count on Cougar. Now Cougar, his father's old accomplice, has tracked Cameron down and presented an ultimatum: share the wealth or be exposed. Will Cameron give up his new identity to protect Neil's family? Or will he let his search for a new life destroy those around him?
About the Author:
Elaine Marie Alphin is very active in the field of children's literature. She has written numerous books for young readers and more than two hundred articles for children's magazines. Ms. Alphin lives in Madison, Indiana.
Publishers Weekly
Cameron Miller's Pop locked him in the cellar while he beat to death the boys he kidnapped--more than 20 boys over the years and Cameron, too, has suffered at his father's hands. As this gripping novel opens, the police have finally raided his Tennessee home and fatally shot Pop. Cameron, seeing a chance at a normal life, decides to pass himself off as one of Pop's murder victims and claims he is Neil Lacey, missing for six years. Alphin (Tournament of Time) builds the pressure masterfully, describing Cameron's constant fear of being found out by the Laceys or the suspicious police detective. He chokes down Neil's favorite meals and fumbles for the answers to old family riddles, all the time observed by his hostile sister, who resents the effect that Neil's disappearance and rediscovery has had on their parents. The tensions accelerate to a fever pitch when Pop's accomplice Cougar shows up, threatening to unmask him if Cameron doesn't cooperate with Cougar's crimes. The author's treatment of each character's psychological wounds is also impressive, and she doesn't skirt the subject of DNA testing or other forensic refutation of Cameron's identity. Though Alphin races through the conflicts a little too quickly, she achieves a neat and happy ending; readers will be enthralled by her suspenseful plot. Ages 14-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
After suffering at his father s hands, as well as being locked in the cellar while his father beat to death more than 20 boys over the years, Cameron sees a chance at normal life by passing himself off as one of his fathers murder victims. PW wrote, Readers will be enthralled by the suspenseful plot. Ages 12-up. (July) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.Publishers Weekly -
Cameron Miller's Pop locked him in the cellar while he beat to death the boys he kidnapped--more than 20 boys over the years and Cameron, too, has suffered at his father's hands. As this gripping novel opens, the police have finally raided his Tennessee home and fatally shot Pop. Cameron, seeing a chance at a normal life, decides to pass himself off as one of Pop's murder victims and claims he is Neil Lacey, missing for six years. Alphin (Tournament of Time) builds the pressure masterfully, describing Cameron's constant fear of being found out by the Laceys or the suspicious police detective. He chokes down Neil's favorite meals and fumbles for the answers to old family riddles, all the time observed by his hostile sister, who resents the effect that Neil's disappearance and rediscovery has had on their parents. The tensions accelerate to a fever pitch when Pop's accomplice Cougar shows up, threatening to unmask him if Cameron doesn't cooperate with Cougar's crimes. The author's treatment of each character's psychological wounds is also impressive, and she doesn't skirt the subject of DNA testing or other forensic refutation of Cameron's identity. Though Alphin races through the conflicts a little too quickly, she achieves a neat and happy ending; readers will be enthralled by her suspenseful plot. Ages 14-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|Children's Literature
This is a shocking book. It tells the story of Cameron, an adolescent boy who has endured the most horrid abuse possible: he has not only been sexually abused by his father, but has also had to live in silent fear as his father lured other young boys into their home, abused them, then killed them. Cameron is banished to the basement of the house most of the time while the unspeakable acts occur upstairs; however, this is not a place of refuge for it is where each of the young victims is buried. Cameron is forced to take care of this disposal chore. While he is in the basement, he stumbles upon his father's secret file cabinet containing collections of news articles about each victim. Cameron finds that one of the unfortunate children looks uncannily like himself, and is inspired to build a plan from this information. He memorizes everything about this child so that he can assume the new identity. When a police raid on the house ends in his father's death, Cameron is able to escape. He eventually turns himself into police, claiming he is a victim who survived. He is taken in by his new family, but not accepted by everyone. A suspicious police investigator and his new sister accuse him of fabricating his identity. Several surprising twists occur in the end. This is a story of horrible realities we hope our children never experience. 2000, Harcourt Inc., Ages 14 to 18, $17.00. Reviewer: Carol LynchVOYA
Fourteen-year-old Cameron is the son of serial killer Hank Miller, who abducted and murdered more than twenty boys before dying in a shoot-out with the police. Cameron suffered the same sexual and physical abuse as Hank's victims but remained alive by obeying his father's orders to keep silent. After Hank's death, Cameron tells the police that he is Neil Lacey, a victim abducted by Hank six years earlier. With no physical evidence to discredit his story and with his intimate knowledge of Neil's wealthy family—gleaned from Hank's files on each victim—Cameron's lies are accepted. Although Neil's parents are overjoyed at their son's return, both Neil's younger sister, Diana, and the police detective in charge of the case are suspicious. Children's author Alphin has written a highly original novel that is remarkable for its outstanding descriptive narrative and brilliant emotional portrait of a troubled young victim. Cameron is terrified that his true identity will be discovered, consumed by guilt at deceiving the Laceys, and torn between relief at Hank's death and fear because Hank is no longer there to "protect" him. Having no memory of being treated well, Cameron is confused about whether Hank's abuse or the Lacey's kindness is normal, but he slowly begins to care for Neil's family and to heal. When one of Hank's former associates blackmails Cameron and abducts Neil's younger brother, Stevie, the truth about Cameron's identity comes out in a shocking plot twist that will leave readers thinking about this novel for days. Although the book is not graphic, references to sexual and physical abuse render it more appropriate for mature teen readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P J S (Betterthan most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2000, Harcourt, 192p, $17. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Leah J. SparksSOURCE: VOYA, October 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 4)