From award-winning and highly acclaimed author Court Stevens comes a gripping, emotional story of small towns, rumors, and thirteen missing boys. The Gemini Thief could be anyone. For nearly a decade the Gemini Thief, a serial kidnapper who abducts three boys on June 1st, has terrorized Tennessee. The June Boys being held captive endure thirteen months of being stolen, hidden, observed, and fed before they are released, unharmed, by their masked captor. The Thief is a pro, managing to elude authorities while abducting over ...
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From award-winning and highly acclaimed author Court Stevens comes a gripping, emotional story of small towns, rumors, and thirteen missing boys. The Gemini Thief could be anyone. For nearly a decade the Gemini Thief, a serial kidnapper who abducts three boys on June 1st, has terrorized Tennessee. The June Boys being held captive endure thirteen months of being stolen, hidden, observed, and fed before they are released, unharmed, by their masked captor. The Thief is a pro, managing to elude authorities while abducting over twelve boys over the past ten years. No one knows why-but they do know they don't want to be next. Now Thea Delacroix has reason to believe the Gemini Thief has taken a thirteenth victim: her cousin, Aulus. But the twisted game begins to change: one of the kidnapped boys turns up dead. With the help of her best friends and her boyfriend Nick, Thea is determined to find the Gemini Thief and the remaining boys before it's too late. Only she's beginning to wonder something sinister, something repulsive, something unbelievable, and yet, not impossible: What if someone she knows is the Gemini Thief? Praise for The June Boys: "Stunning twists and turns. Hang on tight." -Ruta Sepetys, international bestselling author "Not only a terrifying story of the missing, but a heartbreaking, hopeful journey through the darkness." -Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House Guest "A gripping suspense that hooked me from the first sentence." -Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of One Little Lie and the Lavender Tides series Full-length, stand-alone Young Adult suspense novel Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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I'm excited to be a part of the THE JUNE BOYS blog tour with The Fantastic Flying Book Club from March 3rd - March 9th, 2020!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Kidnapping, Death of a minor, Imprisonment, Abandonment, Shooting by gun, Survival
"We live in a strange world where women walk men to their vehicles, where we are worried their safety might be compromised before our own."
June 1st is a feared date for young men. The Gemini Thief has kidnapped boys for a decade--always on June 1st. After his disappearance, Thea believes that her cousin, Aulus McClaghen, had become one of the Thief's captives. The boys are always returned home the following year on June 31st. That is, until one of the kidnapped boy's body is found along the notorious highway where the kidnappings take place.
The Gemini Thief is very good at what they do. They never leave tracks. They kidnap without a hitch. They do it all for...? Why would someone kidnap boys only to return them thirteen months later, for the most-part, unharmed? This mystery employs all matters of investigation when it comes down to uncovering the truth of their identity. Unfortunately for Thea Delacroix, she believes the kidnapper may be her father.
"You meet Noah after the flood, you think, That brave, faith-filled, visionary man. You meet him before and you're like, What a nut job. Perspective and timing matter. Sometimes you have to accept that you might not be able to see the truth from here."
As Thea partners up with her boyfriend Nick to uncover the truth behind the kidnappings, they also uncover strange secrets that Thea's father has been keeping from Thea for years. Abandoned by her mother long ago, Thea's father and his eccentricities has left her somewhat abandoned by him as well. The secrets and obsessions all begin to point to the true question, could he be the kidnapper?
The June Boys reads like one big conversation--but not a pleasant one due to the content discussed. In truth, the e-ARC was not very reader-friendly, which hopefully won't be the case with the completed Ebook (which I can't imagine that won't be formatted differently). The story is written in third person and alternates between the main character Thea, and "Dear Elizabeth" letters written by Aulus, Thea's kidnapped cousin.
The June Boys ultimately touches on several important aspects, but focuses on desires that emerge from past hurts combined with mental health, and how those desires can turn into something dangerous. Several important discussion starters are brought up throughout the entire investigation of this story, that I wish overall were delved into more deeply. When the kidnapper is revealed, the motivation behind the kidnapping is heart-wrenching and much more complex than someone looking for a twisted "thrill." The discussion questions at the conclusion do offer the opportunity for deeper personal examination on some of the points touched on throughout the story.
Overall, this riveting read offers a complex look at some of the most difficult scenarios life can throw at unsuspecting individuals.
Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: Kissing.
Violence: Minimal to Moderate considering the nature of the story.
