She Treads Softly: Raised by Wolves

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Raised by Wolves

Raised by Wolves by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
11/5/24; 368 pages
Grand Central Publishing

Raised by Wolves by James Patterson and Emily Raymond is a very highly recommended mystery that will grab your attention from the first page.

In the small town of Kokanee Creek, Idaho, two barefoot and grubby teens are acting feral while ransacking the snack isle at Grizzly Grocery and Bait Shop. Police Chief Chester Greene arrives with a deputy. The two aren't talking, only growling, and when they try to run he has no choice but to handcuff the two and put them in jail. They eventually begin to talk. Chester learns they are sister and brother, Kai and Holo. Kai asserts they have no last name as they were raised by wolves - but she is also well spoken.

Chester and his partner, Lacey, take Kai and Holo into their home while trying to determine who they are. The FBI also turns up and is interested in who they are and where they came from. The two, who claim to be 17 and 14, are enrolled in the local high school, which brings additional problems.

The pace is fast in this well-written, intriguing mystery. The narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Kai and Chester. From Kai we learn that the two know how to survive in the wild and they really do have a family of wolves. There are many mentions of how they must always be alert and watchful for any threat, which serves them well as they negotiate high school. Readers will wonder why the two came into civilization, but that becomes clear later. The FBI remains involved in the story.

The high school scenes prompt the feeling that it could be relatable and suitable for YA readers as the two are clearly outsiders in that culture. However, it held my complete, definitely adult, attention also. Kai and Holo are interesting characters, which certainly helps. The plot becomes increasingly complicated as more players get involved in the narrative and there are a couple twists along the way.

Raised by Wolves is an entertaining, enjoyable mystery that moves at a quick pace and is engaging throughout. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.