Private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro are partners, life-long friends, and more recently, lovers. They are reluctant to take the case of missing four-year-old Amanda McCready, but Amanda's aunt will not take "no" for an answer. The child's mother is not a sympathetic character, self-pitying and far from an ideal parent, but Patrick and Angie cannot resist Bea McCready's plea that someone stand up for little Amanda.

The police officers investigating the case are unusually willing to work with the PIs. Everyone is aware that each hour Amanda remains unfound increases the likelihood that she will remain lost, and Patrick and Angie have contacts the police do not. They uncover a tangled trail of deceit and betrayal that point to a motive behind Amanda's disappearance. The chances of a positive outcome become less and less likely, but in the end Angie and Patrick will put their lives, and their relationship, on the line to find out the truth.

For readers who can handle the grim tone, it doesn't get much better than this. Strong suspense, well-developed characters and believable relationships combine with a haunting style to make for an unforgettable novel.

However (and yes, there is a however), readers who enjoy the feeling of "the world made right" that so often accompanies the completion of a mystery novel will be disappointed at the grim mood at the conclusion (and the grimness is not for the reason one would suspect). Instead of "order restored," Gone, Baby, Gone leaves me with a feeling of quiet despair. I would not call myself faint-hearted, but I can't help but wish this talent were accompanied by a vision less bleak.

--Jeri Wright