Time may offer perspective, soften painful memories, and create opportunities to rebuild, but the Hart family is evidence that it does not heal all wounds. Once a thriving and joyful household, they are shattered by a series of devastating events. The family faces the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, the tragic loss of the father in a fatal work accident, and the disappearance of the youngest child, Caleb. Wife and mother, Diane, endures these losses by clinging to her faith, but the tragedies weigh heavily on her spirit. Days searching for Caleb stretch into years, leaving Diane inconsolable as grief and pain strain the bond she shares with her two daughters. As the Hart daughters grow into women and build lives of their own, their missing little brother is never far from their hearts or minds. After two decades have passed, a few detectives with a vested personal interest in the Hart family begin to look into the case with fresh eyes and a renewed purpose. They uncover a trail of broken families, all linked to Caleb’s disappearance. But solving this mystery is about more than uncovering the truth. Justice for Caleb is the key to healing the fractured hearts of a family torn apart by unimaginable loss.
Drawing inspiration from the Bible and biblical figures, Where Are You Caleb? is a suspenseful Christian novel that weaves a fantastical thread into the story. This stirring family drama features characters mired in impossible situations, but anchored by their faith. The author alternates viewpoints to build anticipation and heighten suspense as the mystery unfolds, especially when revealing Caleb’s side of the story. Caleb’s chapters are characterized by scenes brimming with childlike wonder, reverence, kindness, and goodness. The novel’s messaging is well-captured by a comment to Caleb from a dear friend. “Remember that light is always possible, even in darkness.” While foreshadowing is heavy-handed, pacing is imbalanced, and key scenes are oversimplified, readers who are looking for a lighter take on otherwise dark themes will be pleasantly surprised by Christa St Germain’s ability to soften the impact of serious subjects and allow for a reading experience that doesn’t leave you emotionally depleted. Imagination runs free, and the sky isn’t even the limit as readers get a first-hand tour of The Kingdom, a blissful excursion that extends to other planets. With a gripping story arc and a beautiful protagonist, Where Are You Caleb? is a wholesome novel offering readers an emotionally uplifting journey that makes overcoming challenges, embracing hope, and discovering renewal feel possible.
