Book Review: Samatha Sanderson Without a Trace

Book: Samantha Sanderson Without a Trace (Samantha Sanderson book #4) by Robin Caroll

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

Sam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, so she's always looking for articles to publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become chief editor). With a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply of writing material.

In the fourth book of the Faithgirlz Samantha Sanderson series, Sam's friend Tam Lee is missing. As the days pass, all clues seem to point to something sinister in Sam's opinion. Sam must decide whether to do what everyone wants her to and let law enforcement continue to work as though Tam is a run-away. Or should Sam follow her heart and keep poking around looking for more clues?

The Samantha Sanderson series is about an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams. Each book touches on a crime straight from headlines, from bomb threats (book #1: Samantha Sanderson at the Movies) to bullying (book #2: Samantha Sanderson On the Scene), while following Samantha and her friends as they navigate middle-school and questions of faith.


Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I really like this book, I read it in one day. That is just how interesting it was. I thought it was well-written with very good pacing while the suspension mounted as the mystery unfolded.

In this fourth book, 7th grade reporter Samantha "Sam" Sanderson was trying to find out what happened to one of her friends and classmate, Tam Lee. He went missing and the last time he was seen was when his mother dropped him off at school. As Tam's disappearance went from hours into days, time was of the importance in finding him. Since Sam's father (who is a Police Detective) didn't have access to the case (it was out of his jurisdiction), she had to get a little creative in finding clues which unfortunately for Sam had her getting into trouble. In between searching for clues, Sam continues to write her blog posts for the school's newspaper focusing on Tam's disappearance in hopes of him being found that much sooner. However, sometimes what she writes tends to get her into even more trouble.

I like Sam, she's like a young Lois Lane always searching for truth and justice as well as constantly getting herself into trouble in the process. Her mom is an award winning journalist and she wants to be just like her.

This was a fascinating read and with each Samantha Sanderson book I read, the author does a wonderful job keeping the books beyond interesting and the mystery engaging. And like with each book there are discussion questions at the end of the story.

Although this is a faith based series, I find that the author doesn't hit the reader over the head with it nor is the series too preachy. I have not read the third book in this series but I just added it to my wishlist to pick up later.