I'll Find You By Clair M. Poulson Covenant Communications, 2001. Paperback: 310 pages. ISBN: 1-57734-801-X Suggested retail price: $14.95 (US)
Reviewed by: Jeff Needle

I'll Find You is described on its cover as a "novel of suspense." This is partly true; the middle of the book is filled with exciting intrigues and puzzles. Unfortunately, the rest of the book is entirely predictable and, at times, tiresome.

The story centers around two Utah families. Jeri Satch is a lively and vivacious 5-year-old. Her best friend, Rusty Egan, also 5 years old, lives next door. They play together regularly, and the families, both LDS, are good friends. One day a strange car pulls up and Rusty is snatched from his yard. Jeri, terrified, calls out to him, "Ill find you!" The police search, but all in vain. Rusty is just gone.

Seventeen years later, Jeri, now an accountant for a firm in Sacramento, California, is assigned the job of visiting one of their clients, a local prison, to help their bookkeeper in her work. While at the prison, Jeri is given a tour, where she spots a fellow who she knows in her heart is Rusty. (He now goes by Randy, the name given him by his captor.) He also recognizes her, but can't figure out where he knows her from.

Turns out Jeri has been obsessed with Rusty (now Randy) ever since the kidnapping episode. This has affected her ability to maintain any kind of relationship with any other man. She manages a second visit with him, where she reveals who she is, suspecting who he is. He gradually comes around, and the childhood friends are reunited.

Randy is in prison for grand theft. He claims he lost the money while fleeing the police, but they don't believe him. Neither does his cellmate, an utterly evil person going by the name of Chum. Randy is released early, the authorities believing that he will go for the money, and they, keeping an eye on him, will find the money and recover it.

But Chum has other ideas. Shortly after his release, he catches up with Randy and threatens physical violence unless Randy gives him the money.

I'll Find You is mostly love story. Several budding romances find their way into the book, but there isn't one of them that isn't entirely predictable. From the outset, the author telegraphs his moves so clearly and obviously that I found myself wanting him to get on with the story we already know what's going to happen. And sure enough, it all sorts itself out exactly as you suspected.

But on the positive side, the book presents good role models for young men and women who may be confused as to how to act in confusing situations. Jeri's insistence on maintaining her high standards, along with lessons about the possibility of redemption and the healing power of love. The transition from Randy back to Rusty is well documented, and presents a hope-filled picture of the power of the Gospel to change lives.

Young people will like this book; old folks like myself will find much of it tedious and repetitive. But, then again, maybe repeating the good in life isn't so bad after all.