A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika TomarMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
An expertly crafted debut with a time-jumping narrative that takes awhile to get used to but is a perfect device to build suspense and keep people reading. Cale has great appeal as a character, with her love for her dogs, her grandfather Lamb, and her friend Penny. She makes many mistakes, but has good intentions and a brave heart. Cale and Penny went to school together, but don't really become friends until they begin working together at a local truck-stop diner. When Penny disappears, Cale begins searching for her friend while also dealing with the failing health of her beloved grandfather. Because the numbered chapters appear out of order, we don't find out until late in the book about a violent and horrifying event shared by Cale and Penny that no doubt prompted Penny's departure. Part coming of age story, part mystery, this is a perfect choice for readers who like suspenseful stories with fully drawn characters. Good for fans of The Round House or Winter's Bone.
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