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Finding Jake
A heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting story of psychological suspense in which a parent is forced to confront what he does—and does not—know about his teenage son, in the vein of Reconstructing Amelia, Defending Jacob, and We Need to Talk about Kevin.
While his successful wife goes off to her law office each day, Simon Connolly takes care of their kids, Jake and Laney. Now that they are in high school, the angst-ridden father should feel more relaxed, but he doesn't. He’s seen the statistics, read the headlines. And now, his darkest fear is coming true. There has been a shooting at school.
Simon races to the rendezvous point, where he’s forced to wait. Do they know who did it? How many victims were there? Why did this happen? One by one, parents are led out of the room to reunite with their children. Their numbers dwindle, until Simon is alone.
As his worst nightmare unfolds, and Jake is the only child missing, Simon begins to obsess over the past, searching for answers, for hope, for the memory of the boy he raised, for mistakes he must have made, for the reason everything came to this. Where is Jake? What happened in those final moments? Is it possible he doesn’t really know his son? Or he knows him better than he thought?
Brilliantly paced, Finding Jake explores these questions in a tense and emotionally wrenching narrative. Harrowing and heartbreaking, surprisingly healing and redemptive, Finding Jake is a story of faith and conviction, strength, courage, and love that will leave readers questioning their own lives, and those they think they know.
While his successful wife goes off to her law office each day, Simon Connolly takes care of their kids, Jake and Laney. Now that they are in high school, the angst-ridden father should feel more relaxed, but he doesn't. He’s seen the statistics, read the headlines. And now, his darkest fear is coming true. There has been a shooting at school.
Simon races to the rendezvous point, where he’s forced to wait. Do they know who did it? How many victims were there? Why did this happen? One by one, parents are led out of the room to reunite with their children. Their numbers dwindle, until Simon is alone.
As his worst nightmare unfolds, and Jake is the only child missing, Simon begins to obsess over the past, searching for answers, for hope, for the memory of the boy he raised, for mistakes he must have made, for the reason everything came to this. Where is Jake? What happened in those final moments? Is it possible he doesn’t really know his son? Or he knows him better than he thought?
Brilliantly paced, Finding Jake explores these questions in a tense and emotionally wrenching narrative. Harrowing and heartbreaking, surprisingly healing and redemptive, Finding Jake is a story of faith and conviction, strength, courage, and love that will leave readers questioning their own lives, and those they think they know.
320 pages, ebook
First published February 24, 2015
642 people are currently reading
27635 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Reardon
7 books440 followersI write psychological thrillers. The stories tend to surprise me. Taking a left when I signaled a right. Life when I felt death nearby. The characters are not alive. They do not exist. Yet I try to slip into their skins as I write. Mining for the emotions that flood during times of stress and tragedy and adventure. When the journey ends, a hole opens. A sense of deep mourning. And from those ashes the first line of the next story rises. And I feel better, then.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,644 reviews
March 2, 2023
Life is kind of like that, picking the memories you want to frame. We all have an idea of how it should be, all smiles and swing sets. There are the more unsavory moments that we leave in the box stashed up in the darker parts of our psyche. We know they exist but we don’t go flaunting them in front of the dinner guests.There are three main elements in Finding Jake, the parent/child relationship, the way the world treats those who are different, and the mystery of what happened leading up to, during and after the central event of the story.
Simon Connolly is a former political operative. He works as a writer, but took on the additional, stay-at-home, role when he and his wife, Rachel, had their first child. He is pretty good at it, if a bit of a worrier. When he gets a text from his kids’ school he is rocked to his core. There has been a shooting.
Bryan Reardon - image from Penguin/Random House
For the first two thirds, the story is divided fairly equally between following the events, post-shooting, as they emerge, Simon and Rachel’s torment in trying to find out what happened to their son and what he might have done or suffered, and Simon recalling the years from Jake’s birth. The final third is about the post-shooting events, searching for Jake and the truth. We see everything through Simon’s eyes.
Ever wonder if you screwed up your kid? Allowed too much? Too little? Encouraged too much? Too little? Spent enough time with them? Maybe too much? Encouraged them to experience the world too much, not enough? What if they followed your advice and it all went wrong? What if they ignored you and it went right? Where is that Goldilocks perfect middle? We can probably all look back over the lives of our children and second-guess our parenting decisions, our approaches. Will our kids turn out ok? Could they have turned out better? Are we good parents or did we mess it up? Another element in this vein is wondering how well you know your own child. How well can you? Welcome to Simon’s head. I do not want to give the impression that Simon is a sort of Woody Allen neurotic. He is not. He is a regular guy, a loving father, but when he learns that a troubled friend of his son is implicated in the shooting, there is plenty of self-questioning to be done.
How responsible are we for the behavior of our children, for their fate? How much is nurture and how much nature? As the father of three grown children I could certainly relate to Simon’s concerns. While I was only a stay-at-home dad for a fairly brief time, I could certainly appreciate the awkwardness he feels being a male homemaker. It is one of many elements in this book that is convincingly and accurately portrayed. I can also report, from personal experience, that my three arrived with very definite personalities. Not a blank slate in the bunch. We parents certainly can have an impact, but our progeny arrive with their own capacities and predilections. And they most definitely keep their own secrets. Simon not knowing everything about Jake’s life is 100% believable.
Reardon shows us snapshots of Jake’s life over the 18 years from in vitro to missing teen. Not exactly the most social kid, on the quiet side, but not to an extreme degree. Simon is concerned about Jake having a dodgy friend at age 8. Later, he encourages Jake to spend time with other kids. In this family photo album we see Simon and Rachel’s relationship change over time as well. Tensions, and some bright moments for them, too.
The back third of the book offers what seemed to me a pretty accurate look at how one’s neighbors are likely to respond in a pressured situation, (so many throwers, so few buses) and how the voracious media feeds on and produces fear. How many times have you seen a neighbor interviewed on the tube report that so-and-so, a known or suspected shooter, was a “quiet” person. We have acquired a sense, as a culture, that there is something wrong with people who are “quiet,” introspective, not party animals. Was Jake responsible for the shooting? Well, he was quiet, not particularly social, so what do you expect? Whether he is or isn’t, it is his social distance that is considered the tell. And what of Jake’s dad? He did not exactly fit in either. Maybe the quiet apple does not fall far from the tree.
To a large extent humans are pack animals. Queen bees and bullies do their best to cull pack members who look or act differently. Our media is more than happy to pile on, as professional practitioners of the blame game, and our institutions seem unable to control predatory behavior by the ins. Maybe they are not really all that interested in controlling it. Sometimes there is blowback.
they need to be able to explain it away. That’s what all this is about. If they can’t categorize what happened, put it in a nice, neat box, they can’t sleep at night…I’ve done it before. Now I see how awful it can be, though. It’s like they want to pick at us until we are bare, exposed, just to make themselves feel better. They dissect our pain just so they can convince themselves they are immune to it. It is like someone suffering a horrible disease and finding someone who is worse off than they are and asking them, Why? Why are you worse off than me? How is your situation different from mine? Tell me, so I can go home feeling better as you stay here and die.Reardon does not offer in-depth analysis of Columbine-type child shooter(s). That is not what this is about. But Finding Jake does cover a range of subjects, parental responsibility, the social environment, signs of trouble, making moral choices, media amorality, police presumptuousness, neighborly selfishness. You will not find dazzling poetic prose here. The language is straightforward and entirely effective. It is about the story and underlying content, and not the form. You will definitely feel for Simon as a sort of everyman caught in a bad situation. He is honorable, intelligent and analytical, but is still fraught with the fears and doubts that anyone in his position might experience. If you are a parent, Finding Jake will touch a very deep place inside you. If you are not a parent, it will give you at least a taste of what it means to be one.
The author writes from experience about Simon’s life, and his fretting.
I've spent the last decade working from home while caring for my kids. I worry about them every day. Much of that angst fueled the writing of this book.Like Simon (the name of the Reardon family pooch, btw) Reardon is also a writer and former political worker. He specializes in medical communications.
I had a couple of gripes about the book. Simon’s wife behaves on two occasions in a way that I found difficult to accept. And the final chapter seemed unnecessary. Too much leading readers by the hand.
Other than that, though, this is both a moving and a riveting novel. Once you begin reading you will not want to stop. Finding Jake is most definitely a book that is worth looking for.
Review first posted 10/20/14
Publication – Hardcover - 2/24/15
=============================EXTRA STUFF
The author's FB and GR
His previous work includes Ready, Set, Play!, a collection of essays on parent-child bonding through sports, and Cruel Harvest, a memoir about a battered childhood.
For an excellent look at the Ur school shooting or our age, I heartily recommend Dave Cullen’s Columbine. His new book (2019), Parkland, offers a different approach, and some hope for change ahead.
11/14/14 - A New York Times article about Stay-At-Home dads
October 16, 2015
A different take on a book about a horrific school shooting. The shooter, is dead as are many others. It is believed his only friend Jake was a second shooter, but the whereabouts of this boy is unknown.
Simon Connelly is a stay at home dad to his son Jake and his daughter Lanie. His daughter his safe but is his son, the son he raised, thought he knew, really a killer? The book goes back to the past in alternating chapter and follows his memories of raising his son in chronological age, a period when Simon himself doubted and worried a out the raising of his son.
A very introspective look at the responsibility, the doubts, the sorrow and disbelief the parents of those accused, feel. Trial by media, neighbors comments, nasty text messages and e-mails, the stress on the family members and the family unit as a whole. He did not raise a killer, not his Jake, did he? But if not where is he?
Suspenseful and heartbreaking, a very good and different story that is very timely in our culture today.
ARC from publisher.
Simon Connelly is a stay at home dad to his son Jake and his daughter Lanie. His daughter his safe but is his son, the son he raised, thought he knew, really a killer? The book goes back to the past in alternating chapter and follows his memories of raising his son in chronological age, a period when Simon himself doubted and worried a out the raising of his son.
A very introspective look at the responsibility, the doubts, the sorrow and disbelief the parents of those accused, feel. Trial by media, neighbors comments, nasty text messages and e-mails, the stress on the family members and the family unit as a whole. He did not raise a killer, not his Jake, did he? But if not where is he?
Suspenseful and heartbreaking, a very good and different story that is very timely in our culture today.
ARC from publisher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2014
t's become the norm today for a publicist to compare a new book to one that's earned accolades in the past. In this case, Finding Jake is compared with Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin.
The problem is: that book was filled with confident and powerful prose and acute insights into a damaged and unknowable child with serious psychological issues. In this case, the prose is faltering, which made me not at all sure I could trust the author to take me through the story.
Unflaggingly supportive wife...hushed tones...fateful decision...icy blue eyes (wife) and eyes as dark as midnight (his)...fresh-faced new girl...expectant silence: these were only a few of the clichés from the first few pages (interestingly, the author has his character tag some of his own thoughts as clichés, yet the author himself doesn't avoid them). As the book progresses, the clichés don't cease: jellylike legs, icy pain, doubt creeping back into his thoughts...and so on. And finally: numb hopelessness, blazing anger fueled by senseless shame...well, you get my drift.
Even the name of the main character - Jake - is evocative of another famous book in a similar vein - Defending Jacob. And the plot itself seems to predictably unfold in the vein of Shriver's "Kevin".
It gives me no great pleasure to write a less-than-sterling review on a debut book. I often read debut books and am astounded that authors are willing to invest their time and emotions in "creating life." And, as someone with her own rescue dogs, I loved that Bryan Reardon named his character after his rescue dog. I suspect that other readers will gravitate to this hot-button topic and freely admit that this may just not be the right book for me.
FOOTNOTE: Upon posting on Amazon, I immediately received several negative votes, as did the another reviewer who wrote a fair review. Seems that there are enthusiastic friends at work here!
The problem is: that book was filled with confident and powerful prose and acute insights into a damaged and unknowable child with serious psychological issues. In this case, the prose is faltering, which made me not at all sure I could trust the author to take me through the story.
Unflaggingly supportive wife...hushed tones...fateful decision...icy blue eyes (wife) and eyes as dark as midnight (his)...fresh-faced new girl...expectant silence: these were only a few of the clichés from the first few pages (interestingly, the author has his character tag some of his own thoughts as clichés, yet the author himself doesn't avoid them). As the book progresses, the clichés don't cease: jellylike legs, icy pain, doubt creeping back into his thoughts...and so on. And finally: numb hopelessness, blazing anger fueled by senseless shame...well, you get my drift.
Even the name of the main character - Jake - is evocative of another famous book in a similar vein - Defending Jacob. And the plot itself seems to predictably unfold in the vein of Shriver's "Kevin".
It gives me no great pleasure to write a less-than-sterling review on a debut book. I often read debut books and am astounded that authors are willing to invest their time and emotions in "creating life." And, as someone with her own rescue dogs, I loved that Bryan Reardon named his character after his rescue dog. I suspect that other readers will gravitate to this hot-button topic and freely admit that this may just not be the right book for me.
FOOTNOTE: Upon posting on Amazon, I immediately received several negative votes, as did the another reviewer who wrote a fair review. Seems that there are enthusiastic friends at work here!
September 3, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
The kind of book you want to look away from, but are too enamored by its amassing dread to avert your eyes.
I was captivated the entire time I was reading this. As a father of three, I couldn’t avoid the “what if this happened to me” trap, and I think that’s exactly what the author was going for. I loved how we moved through Jake’s life solely through his father’s eyes, and I loved the constant self-doubt, overthinking, and accumulated anxiety that overwhelmed his thoughts. All of that was incredibly relatable to me.
This ending was devastating, but managed to avoid the allure of nihilism so common in a book like this. Written 10 years ago, it feels as relevant today as it did then, perhaps even more so. I put this squarely in the upper tier of books I’ve read in 2025.
The kind of book you want to look away from, but are too enamored by its amassing dread to avert your eyes.
I was captivated the entire time I was reading this. As a father of three, I couldn’t avoid the “what if this happened to me” trap, and I think that’s exactly what the author was going for. I loved how we moved through Jake’s life solely through his father’s eyes, and I loved the constant self-doubt, overthinking, and accumulated anxiety that overwhelmed his thoughts. All of that was incredibly relatable to me.
This ending was devastating, but managed to avoid the allure of nihilism so common in a book like this. Written 10 years ago, it feels as relevant today as it did then, perhaps even more so. I put this squarely in the upper tier of books I’ve read in 2025.
November 17, 2016
Simon Connolly's world is about to be turned upside down when he learns about a shooting at the school his kids Jake and Laney attend. With no time to spare Simon races to where the nightmare is unfolding. Simon is fearing the worst, but he never imagined to be confronted with what he was about to see.
Finding Jake was a page turner and one in which I really enjoyed. Not only was it a psychological thriller, it was also a tale about courage, love and strength. I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
Finding Jake was a page turner and one in which I really enjoyed. Not only was it a psychological thriller, it was also a tale about courage, love and strength. I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
April 21, 2016
Simon Connolly is a stay-at-home dad, raising two children, while his wife who is an attorney, works. Not the ideal situation for everyone. but this has been the norm for the Connolly family for 17 years ... when Jake first came home from the hospital.
Simon is starting to feel the empty nest syndrome ... both kids are in high school. He's a dedicated father, and fears for his children. He listens to the news, reads the newspapers, knows that danger is out there.
And then comes the phone call that every parent fears ... shots have been fired at the high school. He rushes to the rendezvous building and waits. Why did this happen? Are his kids okay? Are all the kids okay? Who was shooting? Why, Why, Why.
One by one the detectives take the parents out .. until Simon is the very last parent. Jake is the only child missing. Was he a shooter? Has anyone seen him?
This begins a nightmare journey for Simon. Has he missed a sign? Could his son possibly have done this? If not, where is he?
This was such an emotional read for me. I absolutely could not put this book down. It's scary if you're a parent. It's guilt if you're the parent. It's love because no matter what you are going to love your child.
The book is told in back and forth fashion. The chapters alternate beginning with Jake as an infant. It's told from Simon's viewpoint. And then it changes to present time .... why isn't anyone searching for his son? It's bad enough the media has swarmed, but the victims' parents and the neighbors and even law enforcement are so sure that Jake has had a hand in this shooting.
This was a mystery, full of love, hope, faith, conviction. It begs to ask the question ... how well does any parent know their children?
A solid 5 star rating. I was riveted to the story ... my heart hurt for everyone ... and the tears flowed. Any book so well written that I get lost in its pages deserves the highest marks.
Simon is starting to feel the empty nest syndrome ... both kids are in high school. He's a dedicated father, and fears for his children. He listens to the news, reads the newspapers, knows that danger is out there.
And then comes the phone call that every parent fears ... shots have been fired at the high school. He rushes to the rendezvous building and waits. Why did this happen? Are his kids okay? Are all the kids okay? Who was shooting? Why, Why, Why.
One by one the detectives take the parents out .. until Simon is the very last parent. Jake is the only child missing. Was he a shooter? Has anyone seen him?
This begins a nightmare journey for Simon. Has he missed a sign? Could his son possibly have done this? If not, where is he?
This was such an emotional read for me. I absolutely could not put this book down. It's scary if you're a parent. It's guilt if you're the parent. It's love because no matter what you are going to love your child.
The book is told in back and forth fashion. The chapters alternate beginning with Jake as an infant. It's told from Simon's viewpoint. And then it changes to present time .... why isn't anyone searching for his son? It's bad enough the media has swarmed, but the victims' parents and the neighbors and even law enforcement are so sure that Jake has had a hand in this shooting.
This was a mystery, full of love, hope, faith, conviction. It begs to ask the question ... how well does any parent know their children?
A solid 5 star rating. I was riveted to the story ... my heart hurt for everyone ... and the tears flowed. Any book so well written that I get lost in its pages deserves the highest marks.
April 30, 2015
I ran out of steam to want to review this book. There were too many things I did not like about it that did not allow me to fully enjoy the book, as excited as I was to start it.
I found mom and dad unlikable. There was no chemistry between the two and there was no chemistry between the dad and his kids. I didn't quite feel that bond that united dad to Jake, much less to Laney, the youngest daughter. I found the dad to be whiny and insecure and boo-hoo-hooing every other chapter about how he felt incompetent and inadequate as a dad and undeserving of being one. Even though dad has been a stay-at-home dad for about fifteen years, he never seems to tire mentioning it every chapter. I was sick of hearing his sob story and wanted to yell at him, Toughen up!
I hated the flashbacks of Jake growing up. I wanted more of the story of the actual shooting and what led up to the event. How did Jake get more involved in his friendship to Doug? A lot had to be happening just before the shooting occured but that really never gets examined.
When we finally get to dad's search for Jake, I had already become detached from the story. It did not have the impact one me it should have when dad's search comes to an end. The ending was a bit cliche for me with the dog thing.
Some of the things the family practiced, such as "atonement moment" (child can tell parent anything and parent cannot get mad, ask questions about it, or judge) or "tell me 3 things" (game played at dinner table where everyone tells three things that happened to them that day) felt contrived and seemed like the author was trying too hard to tell the reader how quirky, cute, or special this family was. I had to roll my eyes everytime an atonement moment was asked for. Sorry, but I can't see how this would work. You mean to tell me if my kid comes and tells me something very serious I'm not allowed to question, counsel, or step up as a parent? Sorry, not happening.
Disappointed that it turned out not be what I wanted.
I found mom and dad unlikable. There was no chemistry between the two and there was no chemistry between the dad and his kids. I didn't quite feel that bond that united dad to Jake, much less to Laney, the youngest daughter. I found the dad to be whiny and insecure and boo-hoo-hooing every other chapter about how he felt incompetent and inadequate as a dad and undeserving of being one. Even though dad has been a stay-at-home dad for about fifteen years, he never seems to tire mentioning it every chapter. I was sick of hearing his sob story and wanted to yell at him, Toughen up!
I hated the flashbacks of Jake growing up. I wanted more of the story of the actual shooting and what led up to the event. How did Jake get more involved in his friendship to Doug? A lot had to be happening just before the shooting occured but that really never gets examined.
When we finally get to dad's search for Jake, I had already become detached from the story. It did not have the impact one me it should have when dad's search comes to an end. The ending was a bit cliche for me with the dog thing.
Some of the things the family practiced, such as "atonement moment" (child can tell parent anything and parent cannot get mad, ask questions about it, or judge) or "tell me 3 things" (game played at dinner table where everyone tells three things that happened to them that day) felt contrived and seemed like the author was trying too hard to tell the reader how quirky, cute, or special this family was. I had to roll my eyes everytime an atonement moment was asked for. Sorry, but I can't see how this would work. You mean to tell me if my kid comes and tells me something very serious I'm not allowed to question, counsel, or step up as a parent? Sorry, not happening.
Disappointed that it turned out not be what I wanted.
March 2, 2015
This was a gripping read. As soon as I started I just had to finish it.
Simon is a stay at home dad to his two kids Jake and Laney. When he gets a text saying there is a shooting at his kids school his world is torn apart. We read this story through Simons point of view with alternating chapters going back and forth from past to present. We read of the turmoil Simon goes through with his insecurities about rearing his son.
There is so much more to this story. I'm really glad I didn't read any spoilers so the twists weren't predictable.
If I had one complaint it would be that I didn't really connect with Rachel. Having said that this was a really great well written psychological suspenseful story. Well done to the author on his debut novel.
Simon is a stay at home dad to his two kids Jake and Laney. When he gets a text saying there is a shooting at his kids school his world is torn apart. We read this story through Simons point of view with alternating chapters going back and forth from past to present. We read of the turmoil Simon goes through with his insecurities about rearing his son.
There is so much more to this story. I'm really glad I didn't read any spoilers so the twists weren't predictable.
If I had one complaint it would be that I didn't really connect with Rachel. Having said that this was a really great well written psychological suspenseful story. Well done to the author on his debut novel.
March 11, 2015
Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC of this book for review from the publisher.
We Need To Talk About Kevin was one of my favorite books of the last few years. It is one of those books that is powerful and gripping and terrifying all because of the fact that it is so realistic. I loved it and thought it was brilliant, so the recent spate of what-kind-of-child-did-you-raise books are coming as no surprise to me.
And for the first quarter of this book, I will admit that it did feel like We Need To Talk About Kevin lite. We learn that something very bad has happened, and that a teen was involved, then meet the parent who has mostly had the responsibility of day-to-day care, and from the parent's perspective, we go back to the early days and see just how we got to where we are today. But from there, things veer off into a different direction.
In a way, I think that both books are more about parenting than about the actual tragedy that was the catalyst for the examination. I am not a parent, but I imagine that it's got to be one of the most terrifying things ever. You hold the shaping of a person's life in your hands, and what you do with it can have the most unexpected consequences... or maybe none at all.
I think that Reardon did a good job showing the psyche of a parent who recognizes this, and who tries hard to shape and mold with that thought in mind. "If I let him down, will it cause a wrinkle that could grow into something important?" Or "I taught this lesson, but the application of it was taken in a direction that I didn't see and am a bit afraid of... but I can't back down now, because THAT might cause a wrinkle..." It's like a real-life game of Minesweeper where every move is OK at the time, but causes a chain reaction you'll never see coming later on.
I also was really interested in the witch-hunt aspects of the story, and thought that this was handled pretty well also. It goes to show that when people are grieving and scared, anything can be sinister, and people will grasp at any sort of explanation as to why something terrible has happened. We need to know what the monster looks like, or at least what it wants, so we can steer clear and delude ourselves that we're safe. The way that people twisted introversion into being a murderer is chilling to me, because there's a real stigma surrounding introversion, as though it's essentially the same thing as psychosis. You're quiet, you're a loner, you're different... you're scary.
So there were a lot of things that I liked about this, but there were other things that I had some issues with. I feel like this book was a little short for the subject matter, and I wish that it'd been fleshed out a bit more. I wanted to know more about Doug, and his family. I wanted to see more of Jake's teen years, the ones leading up to the event, rather than so much of his younger years.
And I feel like, despite Simon's lack of confidence in his son, I was pretty sure that I knew what really happened that day, and I was right. I figured it out a little before the midpoint of the book, and all that was left was to keep reading to see if I was right. I usually dislike guessing things like this, and want mysteries to string me along better - and for the ruining of that suspense, I partially blame the blurb on the back cover (which I'd tried to avoid and failed) for mentioning that it was a "heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting" novel. Now, that could actually mean lots of things, but I made the assumption about why it would be said about this book, and I was right. But I can't put all of the blame on the blurb, because Simon's memories shed quite a lot of light on how Jake was raised, and, as an introvert myself, I recognized a lot of the suspicious traits, and know how they could be interpreted. So, in that way, it felt a bit predictable, but I think that the societal issues raised more than make up for it. I just kind of wish it wasn't touted as a suspense novel when it seemed clear where it was actually going.
So, overall, this was a pretty good book, and the fact that I wanted more of it is a pretty good endorsement. I'd like to see a cleaned up edition, because there were some errors and... interesting phrasings that I hope don't make it into the final copy. But I can definitely see myself recommending this book to others. It's a quick read, and interesting on many levels, and hopefully makes us think - not only about how we'll shape the lives of those around us, but how we judge their actions as well.
We Need To Talk About Kevin was one of my favorite books of the last few years. It is one of those books that is powerful and gripping and terrifying all because of the fact that it is so realistic. I loved it and thought it was brilliant, so the recent spate of what-kind-of-child-did-you-raise books are coming as no surprise to me.
And for the first quarter of this book, I will admit that it did feel like We Need To Talk About Kevin lite. We learn that something very bad has happened, and that a teen was involved, then meet the parent who has mostly had the responsibility of day-to-day care, and from the parent's perspective, we go back to the early days and see just how we got to where we are today. But from there, things veer off into a different direction.
In a way, I think that both books are more about parenting than about the actual tragedy that was the catalyst for the examination. I am not a parent, but I imagine that it's got to be one of the most terrifying things ever. You hold the shaping of a person's life in your hands, and what you do with it can have the most unexpected consequences... or maybe none at all.
I think that Reardon did a good job showing the psyche of a parent who recognizes this, and who tries hard to shape and mold with that thought in mind. "If I let him down, will it cause a wrinkle that could grow into something important?" Or "I taught this lesson, but the application of it was taken in a direction that I didn't see and am a bit afraid of... but I can't back down now, because THAT might cause a wrinkle..." It's like a real-life game of Minesweeper where every move is OK at the time, but causes a chain reaction you'll never see coming later on.
I also was really interested in the witch-hunt aspects of the story, and thought that this was handled pretty well also. It goes to show that when people are grieving and scared, anything can be sinister, and people will grasp at any sort of explanation as to why something terrible has happened. We need to know what the monster looks like, or at least what it wants, so we can steer clear and delude ourselves that we're safe. The way that people twisted introversion into being a murderer is chilling to me, because there's a real stigma surrounding introversion, as though it's essentially the same thing as psychosis. You're quiet, you're a loner, you're different... you're scary.
So there were a lot of things that I liked about this, but there were other things that I had some issues with. I feel like this book was a little short for the subject matter, and I wish that it'd been fleshed out a bit more. I wanted to know more about Doug, and his family. I wanted to see more of Jake's teen years, the ones leading up to the event, rather than so much of his younger years.
And I feel like, despite Simon's lack of confidence in his son, I was pretty sure that I knew what really happened that day, and I was right. I figured it out a little before the midpoint of the book, and all that was left was to keep reading to see if I was right. I usually dislike guessing things like this, and want mysteries to string me along better - and for the ruining of that suspense, I partially blame the blurb on the back cover (which I'd tried to avoid and failed) for mentioning that it was a "heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting" novel. Now, that could actually mean lots of things, but I made the assumption about why it would be said about this book, and I was right. But I can't put all of the blame on the blurb, because Simon's memories shed quite a lot of light on how Jake was raised, and, as an introvert myself, I recognized a lot of the suspicious traits, and know how they could be interpreted. So, in that way, it felt a bit predictable, but I think that the societal issues raised more than make up for it. I just kind of wish it wasn't touted as a suspense novel when it seemed clear where it was actually going.
So, overall, this was a pretty good book, and the fact that I wanted more of it is a pretty good endorsement. I'd like to see a cleaned up edition, because there were some errors and... interesting phrasings that I hope don't make it into the final copy. But I can definitely see myself recommending this book to others. It's a quick read, and interesting on many levels, and hopefully makes us think - not only about how we'll shape the lives of those around us, but how we judge their actions as well.
April 5, 2015
I don't feel good about reading books that are ripped from the headlines and based on national tragedies. That being said I do seem to manage my way through that as I have read both Nineteen Minutes and Defending Jacob. I haven't yet been able to bring myself to read We Need To Talk About Kevin or Columbine. I still can't believe these things happen outside of fiction, let alone the regularity with which they occur. This is the stuff of the most horrific nightmares imaginable.
Finding Jake is a surprisingly unique and poignant take on this sad subject. It is part well-paced thriller, more so family drama told from the perspective of a stay-at-home dad whose son is missing in the aftermath of a school shooting. Written with raw emotion, alternating between the past and the present, this story will likely hit home with parents of all ages. It speaks to our insecurities and our greatest fears. This would make a good book club read because it touches on so many topics for discussion ranging from traditional gender roles in parenting to trial by media. 3.5 stars
Finding Jake is a surprisingly unique and poignant take on this sad subject. It is part well-paced thriller, more so family drama told from the perspective of a stay-at-home dad whose son is missing in the aftermath of a school shooting. Written with raw emotion, alternating between the past and the present, this story will likely hit home with parents of all ages. It speaks to our insecurities and our greatest fears. This would make a good book club read because it touches on so many topics for discussion ranging from traditional gender roles in parenting to trial by media. 3.5 stars
October 2, 2014
I finished this book in one day, which, given my busy schedule, says a lot for the story. It had me hooked from the first page. There will be many people who compare this book to other books about school shootings, but I honestly don't see how a comparison can be made. This is a unique story about a stay at home dad, Simon, and his deep thoughts, astute observations and never-ending concerns surrounding the upbringing of his children, his marriage, and his inner battle about the parental role he has chosen to take. Most importantly, the book is about his fierce love for his family, specifically focusing on his son. It is realistic and honest. It is both heart wrenching and heart warming. This book left me in tears and the story has been on my mind since I finished it two days ago. Bravo to Bryan Reardon on his debut novel! I will be waiting first in line to read the next!
November 16, 2020
'Finding Jake' is mostly a wonderful old-fashioned Disney-style family movie where middle-class values and adorable characters are yet completely derailed by a dramatic crisis. All types of human responses spill like an acid (although only briefly terrible) across the social landscape after a school shooting. Scapegoating fears shred the fabric of family and friendship . However, while the story is realistic, Bryon Reardon, the author, tones down anything which could cause readers to breathe harder.
The chapters alternate current events with past memories.
Doug Martin Klein and Jake Connelly meet when both are 7-years-old at school. Simon Connelly, a stay-at-home dad, married to a corporate lawyer, at first feels good that his quiet, shy, uncommunicative son Jake is at last finding friends in the neighborhood like Doug. But after meeting Doug’s father, Dr. Francis Martin Klein, at a birthday party, he is uncertain about Doug’s upbringing. Doug -cruelly?- stepped on a toad - maybe on purpose? - at Doug's birthday party. Worse, Simon learns that his son and a Klein cousin were the only guests at the party. This is not how things are done, as Simon knows from the few years he has been the primary caretaker of his children, Jake and 5-year-old Laney, in the middle-class family neighborhood.
Simon feels much better when Jake meets another boy, Max, who seems a great deal more normalized. However, since Jake is a bit socially backward, Simon encourages Jake to help the somehow weird and wrong kids like Doug, who are ostracized by all of the other kids.
Simon knows he needs to overcome his own social backwardness and inarticulate tendencies to help his kids. He makes half-hearted attempts to converse with the mostly stay-at-home moms in the neighborhood, but unless the conversation turns to sports, Simon struggles at finding something to say. Simon is more than a little insecure about how people perceive him as a stay-at-home man, but otherwise, he has created a normal happy kid-safe and appropriate home. His wife is acting more distant, but maybe appropriately so given her career. Fortunately Laney is a bubbly outgoing youngster who needs no assistance in making friends!
The years pass, and Jake is 17 when the terrible news begins to spread - an armed teen, maybe two teens (Doug and Jake!!!???) are attacking the teachers and kids at the local high school! The terror and misinformation mounts. Simon realizes the shooter IS Doug, but Jake is missing. It isn't long before the police and neighbors, along with an avalanche of media reporters, are descending on Simon, asking, "Where is your son Jake? Was he involved in the shooting?" Even Simon's wife seems to be blaming him.
Tension slowly intensifies in alternating chapters between current time and Simon's suddenly poignant remembrances of his children growing up. Did Simon mess something up in Jake? While his heart is breaking over his missing son, he is beset with doubts. He loves Jake more than his own life, but he feels as if everyone is blaming him for Jake going wrong., if he has gone wrong. Is this all his fault? Was he a bad father?
The story leaves out or briefly mentions in passing anything that is truly horrific . The author chose to concentrate on Simon's perceptions and internal agonies in a seamless flow of process and confusion for two days. For many readers, especially those who are sensitive or filled with happy-holiday family spirit, I suspect this book will be very pleasing.
For me, this novel slowly turned into a 'meh' by the last chapter. But I can find few faults with it, other than it is too PG for me. It is a perfectly good read for many, and I can think of a number of my relatives and friends to whom I would have no trouble recommending this book, especially those nostalgic about their happy childhoods.
As this family-friendly tone-downed novel is not exactly my kind of read, perhaps some who are familiar with my reviews on GR may be shocked at the number of stars I feel this book deserves. The writing is excellent and the family-oriented plot is one I know will wring tears. It feels absolutely genuine (if VERY PG), with almost no missteps in pace or family dynamics - thus, my rating.
The chapters alternate current events with past memories.
Doug Martin Klein and Jake Connelly meet when both are 7-years-old at school. Simon Connelly, a stay-at-home dad, married to a corporate lawyer, at first feels good that his quiet, shy, uncommunicative son Jake is at last finding friends in the neighborhood like Doug. But after meeting Doug’s father, Dr. Francis Martin Klein, at a birthday party, he is uncertain about Doug’s upbringing. Doug -cruelly?- stepped on a toad - maybe on purpose? - at Doug's birthday party. Worse, Simon learns that his son and a Klein cousin were the only guests at the party. This is not how things are done, as Simon knows from the few years he has been the primary caretaker of his children, Jake and 5-year-old Laney, in the middle-class family neighborhood.
Simon feels much better when Jake meets another boy, Max, who seems a great deal more normalized. However, since Jake is a bit socially backward, Simon encourages Jake to help the somehow weird and wrong kids like Doug, who are ostracized by all of the other kids.
Simon knows he needs to overcome his own social backwardness and inarticulate tendencies to help his kids. He makes half-hearted attempts to converse with the mostly stay-at-home moms in the neighborhood, but unless the conversation turns to sports, Simon struggles at finding something to say. Simon is more than a little insecure about how people perceive him as a stay-at-home man, but otherwise, he has created a normal happy kid-safe and appropriate home. His wife is acting more distant, but maybe appropriately so given her career. Fortunately Laney is a bubbly outgoing youngster who needs no assistance in making friends!
The years pass, and Jake is 17 when the terrible news begins to spread - an armed teen, maybe two teens (Doug and Jake!!!???) are attacking the teachers and kids at the local high school! The terror and misinformation mounts. Simon realizes the shooter IS Doug, but Jake is missing. It isn't long before the police and neighbors, along with an avalanche of media reporters, are descending on Simon, asking, "Where is your son Jake? Was he involved in the shooting?" Even Simon's wife seems to be blaming him.
Tension slowly intensifies in alternating chapters between current time and Simon's suddenly poignant remembrances of his children growing up. Did Simon mess something up in Jake? While his heart is breaking over his missing son, he is beset with doubts. He loves Jake more than his own life, but he feels as if everyone is blaming him for Jake going wrong., if he has gone wrong. Is this all his fault? Was he a bad father?
The story leaves out or briefly mentions in passing anything that is truly horrific . The author chose to concentrate on Simon's perceptions and internal agonies in a seamless flow of process and confusion for two days. For many readers, especially those who are sensitive or filled with happy-holiday family spirit, I suspect this book will be very pleasing.
For me, this novel slowly turned into a 'meh' by the last chapter. But I can find few faults with it, other than it is too PG for me. It is a perfectly good read for many, and I can think of a number of my relatives and friends to whom I would have no trouble recommending this book, especially those nostalgic about their happy childhoods.
As this family-friendly tone-downed novel is not exactly my kind of read, perhaps some who are familiar with my reviews on GR may be shocked at the number of stars I feel this book deserves. The writing is excellent and the family-oriented plot is one I know will wring tears. It feels absolutely genuine (if VERY PG), with almost no missteps in pace or family dynamics - thus, my rating.
April 30, 2017
4.5 stars
"You may have heard of my son, Jake. Most people have, but they don't know him. Not really."
Being a parent is hard. I myself am not a parent, but I have seen many parents who say it's hard raising kids. They are happy, of course. From the moment their child is born till they leave for college, there is a love for them to see them grow up and be happy. But, in between those years, and sometimes even past adulthood, it can be hard. Deciding what's good for them, seeing how they interact with other kids, if they're quiet or not, etc. It's very challenging and hard, to say the least.
Simon knows this since he raised two kids. He knows this because his son Jake may have been a part of a fatal school shooting.
The story begins with the news of a school shooting. Kids are dead and parents are in an uproar about the incident. Simon rushes to the school to pick up his kids Jake and Laney. Only Laney returns, and Jake is nowhere to be found. Then comes the news that he may have been a part of the shooting. Jake is now missing and Simon has to figure out why this happened, and it he can find Jake.
This novel was a short one but it does leave a great impact, especially for parents. Simon has to deal with the backlash of being a parent of a child who committed a heinous crime.
I recommend checking out this TED talk by Sue Klebold, who is the mother of one of the Columbine shooters. https://youtu.be/7xfyN-yBZ7c
Also check out her book: A Mother's Reckoning.
What made me really enjoy this book would have to be Simon. Simon is a stay at home dad, raising two kids while his wife works. The story is told in flashbacks and present time and the flashbacks are what makes the book the more interesting. We get to see how Simon raised his kids and his initial thoughts were about being a stay at home parent as well as raising Jake, who is different than most kids.
There is an emotional connection between Simon and Jake as Simon wants to figure out what happened to Jake. His emotions are raw and truthful to the point where I felt sorry for him and wanted to hug him. *Hugs Simon and pats him on the back*
To me, this story is about how a family is trying to get through a very shocking moment, to somehow crawl through the mess and start anew. It's that type of book where you wish good things would happen to a family that has gone through a horrible tragedy.
The only minor flaw would have to be that I wanted to know more about Jake as a character. He was fine but didn't stand out as much as I wanted to.
Even then, this is still a good book.
This is a story of a father's love for his child.
Verdict
A very raw, emotional quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone. Check it out when you get the chance. It's a really short book as well. You could literally finish it within a day or two.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
"You may have heard of my son, Jake. Most people have, but they don't know him. Not really."
Being a parent is hard. I myself am not a parent, but I have seen many parents who say it's hard raising kids. They are happy, of course. From the moment their child is born till they leave for college, there is a love for them to see them grow up and be happy. But, in between those years, and sometimes even past adulthood, it can be hard. Deciding what's good for them, seeing how they interact with other kids, if they're quiet or not, etc. It's very challenging and hard, to say the least.
Simon knows this since he raised two kids. He knows this because his son Jake may have been a part of a fatal school shooting.
The story begins with the news of a school shooting. Kids are dead and parents are in an uproar about the incident. Simon rushes to the school to pick up his kids Jake and Laney. Only Laney returns, and Jake is nowhere to be found. Then comes the news that he may have been a part of the shooting. Jake is now missing and Simon has to figure out why this happened, and it he can find Jake.
This novel was a short one but it does leave a great impact, especially for parents. Simon has to deal with the backlash of being a parent of a child who committed a heinous crime.
I recommend checking out this TED talk by Sue Klebold, who is the mother of one of the Columbine shooters. https://youtu.be/7xfyN-yBZ7c
Also check out her book: A Mother's Reckoning.
What made me really enjoy this book would have to be Simon. Simon is a stay at home dad, raising two kids while his wife works. The story is told in flashbacks and present time and the flashbacks are what makes the book the more interesting. We get to see how Simon raised his kids and his initial thoughts were about being a stay at home parent as well as raising Jake, who is different than most kids.
There is an emotional connection between Simon and Jake as Simon wants to figure out what happened to Jake. His emotions are raw and truthful to the point where I felt sorry for him and wanted to hug him. *Hugs Simon and pats him on the back*
To me, this story is about how a family is trying to get through a very shocking moment, to somehow crawl through the mess and start anew. It's that type of book where you wish good things would happen to a family that has gone through a horrible tragedy.
The only minor flaw would have to be that I wanted to know more about Jake as a character. He was fine but didn't stand out as much as I wanted to.
Even then, this is still a good book.
This is a story of a father's love for his child.
Verdict
A very raw, emotional quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone. Check it out when you get the chance. It's a really short book as well. You could literally finish it within a day or two.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
April 16, 2015
Simon Connely has a supporting wife and two loving children. Jake his son is a introverted child who always took care of the ones around him, caring and sensitive are one of his many unique traits. When Simon agreed to become a stay at home Father, He did not know how much he would enjoy it. Laney his daughter is a bright girl who has grown accustomed to her brother playful teasing, together as siblings they are inseparable. Simon's relationship with his wife is suffering due to the lack of affection and attention. Jake as a child often came between them as a couple, but all for the "right reasons." Jake was simply a young kid that wanted to please his parents in every area, thus making it extremely hard for him to ever be disciplined. Yet when he befriends a boy name Doug, his life is put at risk when a shooting at a school leaves many missing or dead. Now Simon must question his loyalty to his wife and most importantly to his child, Jake.
The story shifts from Past to Present, all leading up to Jake disappearance. Simon blames himself for not taking care of Jake when he was little. Startling questions start to whirl around in his head such as: Was Jake too quiet growing up? Why did he always want to hang out with Doug? Was he a good sibling to his sister? Did he overlook some things about his erratic behavior for the sake of pleasing his son? Is his son a murderer as some starts to believe? These and many other questions consumes his thoughts and mind. Simon's marriage is put in jeopardy when the two share different perspective about what really happened on the day Jake disappeared.
Taking from his own personal diary, notes from friends, and the advice of strangers:Simon's life is not worth living, not for his attached daughter Laney or his distant wife. The only person he wants to find alive and well is Jake, the child that has put a wedge between his marriage but also the same child that is the glue that holds his life together.
This is by far the best book I ever read this year! The characters was so emotionally charged that I deeply sympathized with all of them: I share similarities to Jake shyness, Laney attachment and Simon doubts of fear and anxiety.
Perfect characterization, splendid consistency and an unforgettable novel that exceeded my expectations.
It has now become one of my favorite books,kudos to Bryan Reardon, I will look forward to reading more of your work!
The story shifts from Past to Present, all leading up to Jake disappearance. Simon blames himself for not taking care of Jake when he was little. Startling questions start to whirl around in his head such as: Was Jake too quiet growing up? Why did he always want to hang out with Doug? Was he a good sibling to his sister? Did he overlook some things about his erratic behavior for the sake of pleasing his son? Is his son a murderer as some starts to believe? These and many other questions consumes his thoughts and mind. Simon's marriage is put in jeopardy when the two share different perspective about what really happened on the day Jake disappeared.
Taking from his own personal diary, notes from friends, and the advice of strangers:Simon's life is not worth living, not for his attached daughter Laney or his distant wife. The only person he wants to find alive and well is Jake, the child that has put a wedge between his marriage but also the same child that is the glue that holds his life together.
This is by far the best book I ever read this year! The characters was so emotionally charged that I deeply sympathized with all of them: I share similarities to Jake shyness, Laney attachment and Simon doubts of fear and anxiety.
Perfect characterization, splendid consistency and an unforgettable novel that exceeded my expectations.
It has now become one of my favorite books,kudos to Bryan Reardon, I will look forward to reading more of your work!
December 30, 2016
Simon is a somewhat angst-ridden stay at home dad with two kids and successful-attorney wife. There’s a mass shooting at the local high school, and it looks like his son was involved. The novel alternates between the present and flashbacks of Jake’s childhood, as Simon frantically tries to figure out what happened.
Addictive plot, tight structure, large issues, so why only two stars?
I’m a big believer in the old writing adage, “Show, don’t tell.” When an author conveys deeper truths through images or use of language, I feel like I’m being invited into an intimate relationship, and I bring my full attention, discernment, and life experience as I meet the writer in his or her world.
But when I’m told everything in easy-to-understand bites, the relationship becomes passive and one-sided. And this was the problem with Finding Jake. I get that it’s not a literary novel, but it’s clearly not intended to be junk food either, yet without that next level of exploration the novel lacks power and is ultimately forgettable.
Addictive plot, tight structure, large issues, so why only two stars?
I’m a big believer in the old writing adage, “Show, don’t tell.” When an author conveys deeper truths through images or use of language, I feel like I’m being invited into an intimate relationship, and I bring my full attention, discernment, and life experience as I meet the writer in his or her world.
But when I’m told everything in easy-to-understand bites, the relationship becomes passive and one-sided. And this was the problem with Finding Jake. I get that it’s not a literary novel, but it’s clearly not intended to be junk food either, yet without that next level of exploration the novel lacks power and is ultimately forgettable.
October 16, 2014
There's no way for this not to be compared to "We Need To Talk About Kevin". I think the author knew that would be the case, and the development of the story and "creative" ending was designed to lessen the "knock off" accusations just a bit. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, Lionel Shriver is beaming. To Me, however, this is a much better novel. This felt more authentic, and less pretentious than "Kevin" did. The writing is solid enough to lend forgiveness to areas of the story that started to come across as contrived.
Worth reading. I started it at 4p, and finished just after midnight, so it won't have you bogged down or slogging through. I'm impressed enough to put this author's name on my list of "Authors To Watch".
Worth reading. I started it at 4p, and finished just after midnight, so it won't have you bogged down or slogging through. I'm impressed enough to put this author's name on my list of "Authors To Watch".
May 21, 2018
After a high school shooting, Jake disappears. His family is left confused and shattered. Was Jake an accomplice or a victim?
I was quite bored with the first eighty percent of the book which mostly consists of mundane details of Jake’s childhood filtered through the lens of an insecure stay at home dad. The "current" scenes describe the family waffling between Jake's guilt or innocence in a variety of settings. Rinse, wash, repeat.
Then the final leg of the book ripped my heart out and left me devastated. Ugh. So many tears.
I can’t say I particularly enjoyed either part. I do approve of how the author killed the cliche and made Jake’s father the stay at home parent. Unfortunately, the topic of introversion was handled with all the enlightenment of the Stone Age which left my blood boiling.
A similar book I enjoyed more is Defending Jacob by William Landay.
I was quite bored with the first eighty percent of the book which mostly consists of mundane details of Jake’s childhood filtered through the lens of an insecure stay at home dad. The "current" scenes describe the family waffling between Jake's guilt or innocence in a variety of settings. Rinse, wash, repeat.
Then the final leg of the book ripped my heart out and left me devastated. Ugh. So many tears.
I can’t say I particularly enjoyed either part. I do approve of how the author killed the cliche and made Jake’s father the stay at home parent. Unfortunately, the topic of introversion was handled with all the enlightenment of the Stone Age which left my blood boiling.
A similar book I enjoyed more is Defending Jacob by William Landay.
September 25, 2016
Finding Jake was a very good read!
It the story of a stay-at-home dad, named Simon, and his experiences when there is a school shooting at his children's high school. The book is told in the past and the present (the time of the shooting). It is very cleverly done.
Finding Jake centers around a school shooting but is so much more. It touches on parenting and stereotypes. As a parent, I found myself easily relating to Simon throughout the story. That said, it got pretty emotional for me. And it really made me think. Both of which I love in a book.
Overall, this book was quite good. Given the subject matter it is difficult to "enjoy" this book per say, but it is definitely a solid read!
It the story of a stay-at-home dad, named Simon, and his experiences when there is a school shooting at his children's high school. The book is told in the past and the present (the time of the shooting). It is very cleverly done.
Finding Jake centers around a school shooting but is so much more. It touches on parenting and stereotypes. As a parent, I found myself easily relating to Simon throughout the story. That said, it got pretty emotional for me. And it really made me think. Both of which I love in a book.
Overall, this book was quite good. Given the subject matter it is difficult to "enjoy" this book per say, but it is definitely a solid read!
March 2, 2025
5 Stars
Such a tragic book. The story centers on a school shooting.
One familys before and after story of the shootings.
Told in Simons pov his Jake goes missing after a high school shooting. All signs point to Jake and how he may have done the shootings with his friend.
Simon doesn't believe this and goes in search of his son.
The before is Jakes life told by his father. From his birth up to the shootings.
George Newburn is an excellent narrator and did a great job with the audio.
Very sad yet touching book.
Such a tragic book. The story centers on a school shooting.
One familys before and after story of the shootings.
Told in Simons pov his Jake goes missing after a high school shooting. All signs point to Jake and how he may have done the shootings with his friend.
Simon doesn't believe this and goes in search of his son.
The before is Jakes life told by his father. From his birth up to the shootings.
George Newburn is an excellent narrator and did a great job with the audio.
Very sad yet touching book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2015
This was a quick and easy read and I found it interesting as it moved along quickly. I would have given it 4 stars except that after I finished, I felt unsatisfied. I found that it lacked a viewpoint as to why the tragedy took place. A sweeping panorama of bullying off in the wings (as opposed to front and center in the story) and a stay-at-home father's constant doubts about his parenting skills did not give me enough to have it resonate and touch a chord within me. For those who do not like their water deep, I think this will a good read. I had hoped for more substance as to what was going on in the minds of the title character and his friend.
May 9, 2019
Perfect for Father's day!
January 19, 2023
A school shooting.
13 dead.
One suspect dead.
One missing.
How well do we really know our kids?
Stay-at-home dad Simon Connolly never liked his son Jake's friend Doug. Simon always taught his kids to be kind, but when quiet, introverted Jake takes his dad's words to heart, befriending the unlikable, bullied boy Doug, Simon actively tries to dissuade the relationship. His perfect marriage to Rachel begins to show cracks as Jake and younger sister Laney hit grade school. Rachel wishes she were home more. Simon wishes she'd come home on time, or at least call. Social butterfly Laney thrives among groups, Jake keeps to himself. Laney is popular, Jake weird,
Then parents are called to a church across from the high school following a school shooting. Children are reunited with parents. Laney runs into her mother's arms. Jake is no where to be found. Word leaks out, Doug is the shooter and Jake his accomplice. Rachel and Simon alternate from disbelief, to denial, to acceptance. Perhaps they never knew their son at all.
FINDING JAKE is a nail biting page turner. Much like Simon, coming to the realization of who his son may be, I experienced Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's stages of grief, realizing amazing dad Simon may not be who I think. But grief and realization are not linear, and my theories and sympathies jumped through ranges of emotion and and alliances.
Bryan Reardon writing grabbed me by the throat and hasn't let go yet, even after I finished. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the story from plot to execution to complex characters to writing to pace to tension to the entire reading experience. FINDING JAKE reminded me of another favorite, William Landry's DEFENDING JACOB. They are similar but different stories.
Readers who enjoy mysteries, thrillers and family stories will love FINDING JAKE.
13 dead.
One suspect dead.
One missing.
How well do we really know our kids?
Stay-at-home dad Simon Connolly never liked his son Jake's friend Doug. Simon always taught his kids to be kind, but when quiet, introverted Jake takes his dad's words to heart, befriending the unlikable, bullied boy Doug, Simon actively tries to dissuade the relationship. His perfect marriage to Rachel begins to show cracks as Jake and younger sister Laney hit grade school. Rachel wishes she were home more. Simon wishes she'd come home on time, or at least call. Social butterfly Laney thrives among groups, Jake keeps to himself. Laney is popular, Jake weird,
Then parents are called to a church across from the high school following a school shooting. Children are reunited with parents. Laney runs into her mother's arms. Jake is no where to be found. Word leaks out, Doug is the shooter and Jake his accomplice. Rachel and Simon alternate from disbelief, to denial, to acceptance. Perhaps they never knew their son at all.
FINDING JAKE is a nail biting page turner. Much like Simon, coming to the realization of who his son may be, I experienced Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's stages of grief, realizing amazing dad Simon may not be who I think. But grief and realization are not linear, and my theories and sympathies jumped through ranges of emotion and and alliances.
Bryan Reardon writing grabbed me by the throat and hasn't let go yet, even after I finished. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the story from plot to execution to complex characters to writing to pace to tension to the entire reading experience. FINDING JAKE reminded me of another favorite, William Landry's DEFENDING JACOB. They are similar but different stories.
Readers who enjoy mysteries, thrillers and family stories will love FINDING JAKE.
February 24, 2015
Finding Jake is a lyrically-written, heart-wrenching novel about a father's fears and doubts concerning his son. A school shooting has occurred, and Simon Connolly learns the shocking news that his son was seen leaving the school after the incident. Adding to the horror of it all, is the fact that Jake is now missing, and his blood is at the scene of the shooting. Simon begins second-guessing himself, wondering if he ever really knew his own son, one he raised as a stay-at-home father. The writing is lyrical, emotive, and the suspense builds inexorably, as Simon struggles to not only find his son, but to learn if Jake is a cold-blooded killer. A beautifully written debut novel by an author with a real future.
Mark Rubinstein
Mark Rubinstein
May 17, 2015
4.5 stars. I did not want to book this book down. As expected, it was tragic, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and made you question so many of your own parenting decisions. Although the Dad got on my nerves at times, I was fascinated by the husband/wife role reversal in this story.
Our book club could probably discuss this one for hours! Must read.
Our book club could probably discuss this one for hours! Must read.
March 19, 2018
Well, that was depressing! A good book, just a bummer of a story. As a new dad, there were a couple of spots in this book that hit me right in the feels pretty hard.
April 24, 2016
Another read that I wouldn't have touched without the encouragement of the book club. At first, I did not like Finding Jake. I thought that Reardon was presenting the glaring differences between introverts and extroverts as traditional gender role difficulties. I didn't think that Simon was avoiding playdates because he was a "guy" but because he was an introvert. But, I suppose, being a guy didn't help him build any common ground with the stay-at-home moms, which Reardon discusses in depth. Also, even though I did like the book later, I never liked the way that Simon and Rachel treated each other. I think that all too often, marriages tank because of the careless way that couples stomp on each other's emotions. Yes, it's a legitimate topic to discuss, but I don't like reading that kind of thing for fun. Because, it's not really fun at all, is it?
I empathized with Simon's feelings about staying home and taking care of Jake and, later, his daughter, Laney. I never planned on having a kid, so the assumption that I was going to stay home and care for her really blind sided me. It was never even discussed in any serious way just presented like- so this is your life now, full time caregiver. Aren't you delighted? That part of the book was hard for me to get through, in addition to all of the obvious school shooting horror emotions, because it brought up a lot of old angst that I would have rather had stayed buried at the bottom of my subconscious: "I never realized how much I'd miss seeing the cast of characters that make up an office. I also did not realize how much I identified with my job, or how much my job identified me." pg 15 Yeah, either did I.
Here's part where I just wish Simon had admitted to himself that he was an introvert: "I, for one, could go days (maybe weeks) without talking to the neighbors. Not that I disliked them. There were days I could go without talking to anyone, a new trait that expressed itself since I'd left the office. Conversations at work, whether about the job or not, had been simple. In the suburbs, though, the same exchanges left me either confused or apologetic." pg 19 Classic introvert. Business is one thing, but personal relationships are a whole other can of worms.
The mother in this story, Rachel, asks Simon to stay home and raise the children, but they never seem to make peace with that decision and it seriously bugged me: "The rest I (Simon) left unsaid. It presented itself like a hippo in my kitchen, though. She should have stayed home with the kids. I don't think Rachel picked up on it, thankfully, or the rest of the conversation would have progressed very differently. pg 47 Tons of exchanges like that, peppered throughout the book. Not fun.
And why do teachers make parents sit on those child sized chairs at parent teacher conferences? I've always wondered: "Ms. Jenkins motioned toward a low, round table. One full-size chair rested on her side. An array of three miniaturized versions lined our side. ... I tried to fit my rear on the tiny seat, teetering back and forth until I found a semblance of comfort. When I turned to Ms. Jenkins, I realized I had to look up at her. I instantly felt like a child, folding my hands in my lap and waiting to get in trouble." pg 101 It's ridiculous.
Simon was far too hard on himself for about the whole book: "The past hours lost all clarity. Inexcusably, I think about the movies. Those parents, caught up in some awful tragedy paralleling our own, act the heroes, persevere against all odds, track down the clues and find the answers, gun in hand, nursing a nonfatal wound to the shoulder. For me, it is nothing of the sort. Instead the tsunami of reality pushes me, all of us, along, forcing us down this path of inactivity, bureaucracy, and flashbulbs. It is a wave of staggering weight that holds us captive to the nothingness." pg 113 He should have given himself some credit. Who among us could have done any differently in the same situation?
What I loved about Finding Jake is that it is so relatable. At almost any point in the story, I could put myself in Simon's shoes: "Maybe life is just a series of banal moments punctuated by tragedy. ... Rachel and Laney sat in the living room, both reading. Laney flipped through a People magazine while my wife read a brief on her iPad. A familiar yet diaphanous annoyance colored my vision of what could have been a nice family moment. Instead, I blamed my wife for being a workaholic and at the same time wondered why Laney wasn't reading her assignment from school instead of a glossy periodical." pg 221
In conclusion, Finding Jake wasn't a walk in the park, but I'm glad I read it, because now I'll have plenty to say tomorrow night at book club. And, I'm glad that we meet at a bar, because I'm going to want that drink in my hand to soften and fuzz the lines of the less palatable emotions that will inevitably arise while we talk about school shootings, raising kids, gender roles, and life.
I empathized with Simon's feelings about staying home and taking care of Jake and, later, his daughter, Laney. I never planned on having a kid, so the assumption that I was going to stay home and care for her really blind sided me. It was never even discussed in any serious way just presented like- so this is your life now, full time caregiver. Aren't you delighted? That part of the book was hard for me to get through, in addition to all of the obvious school shooting horror emotions, because it brought up a lot of old angst that I would have rather had stayed buried at the bottom of my subconscious: "I never realized how much I'd miss seeing the cast of characters that make up an office. I also did not realize how much I identified with my job, or how much my job identified me." pg 15 Yeah, either did I.
Here's part where I just wish Simon had admitted to himself that he was an introvert: "I, for one, could go days (maybe weeks) without talking to the neighbors. Not that I disliked them. There were days I could go without talking to anyone, a new trait that expressed itself since I'd left the office. Conversations at work, whether about the job or not, had been simple. In the suburbs, though, the same exchanges left me either confused or apologetic." pg 19 Classic introvert. Business is one thing, but personal relationships are a whole other can of worms.
The mother in this story, Rachel, asks Simon to stay home and raise the children, but they never seem to make peace with that decision and it seriously bugged me: "The rest I (Simon) left unsaid. It presented itself like a hippo in my kitchen, though. She should have stayed home with the kids. I don't think Rachel picked up on it, thankfully, or the rest of the conversation would have progressed very differently. pg 47 Tons of exchanges like that, peppered throughout the book. Not fun.
And why do teachers make parents sit on those child sized chairs at parent teacher conferences? I've always wondered: "Ms. Jenkins motioned toward a low, round table. One full-size chair rested on her side. An array of three miniaturized versions lined our side. ... I tried to fit my rear on the tiny seat, teetering back and forth until I found a semblance of comfort. When I turned to Ms. Jenkins, I realized I had to look up at her. I instantly felt like a child, folding my hands in my lap and waiting to get in trouble." pg 101 It's ridiculous.
Simon was far too hard on himself for about the whole book: "The past hours lost all clarity. Inexcusably, I think about the movies. Those parents, caught up in some awful tragedy paralleling our own, act the heroes, persevere against all odds, track down the clues and find the answers, gun in hand, nursing a nonfatal wound to the shoulder. For me, it is nothing of the sort. Instead the tsunami of reality pushes me, all of us, along, forcing us down this path of inactivity, bureaucracy, and flashbulbs. It is a wave of staggering weight that holds us captive to the nothingness." pg 113 He should have given himself some credit. Who among us could have done any differently in the same situation?
What I loved about Finding Jake is that it is so relatable. At almost any point in the story, I could put myself in Simon's shoes: "Maybe life is just a series of banal moments punctuated by tragedy. ... Rachel and Laney sat in the living room, both reading. Laney flipped through a People magazine while my wife read a brief on her iPad. A familiar yet diaphanous annoyance colored my vision of what could have been a nice family moment. Instead, I blamed my wife for being a workaholic and at the same time wondered why Laney wasn't reading her assignment from school instead of a glossy periodical." pg 221
In conclusion, Finding Jake wasn't a walk in the park, but I'm glad I read it, because now I'll have plenty to say tomorrow night at book club. And, I'm glad that we meet at a bar, because I'm going to want that drink in my hand to soften and fuzz the lines of the less palatable emotions that will inevitably arise while we talk about school shootings, raising kids, gender roles, and life.
June 7, 2020
This was so good I couldn’t stop listening. Finished in one day. This is every parents nightmare. So sad to see that these events are happening way to much!
December 29, 2017
FINDING JAKE by Bryan Reardon is a compelling and heartfelt tragedy; A psychological intense suspense, keeping you page-turning to learn the fate of a teenage son.
Simon Connelly is a freelance writer, and a devoted upper-middle-class suburban stay at home dad to his son, Jake and his daughter Laney, while his wife, Rachel is busy with her legal career.
Presently, the kids are teens. Laney, outgoing and Jake, introverted. They have weathered the storms of typical teenagers, until one day a text comes – A school shooting, which changes this family’s entire world.
A high school shooting, leaving thirteen people dead, and a gunman, Doug taking his own life, and a second student, Jake who happened to be friends with the gunman. Jake has disappeared, so the question is where is, Jake; did he have anything to do with the shooting?
Flashing back and forth from the present, the six days aftermath of the shooting, and the past bringing insights into the raw emotions and intimate feelings of this frantic family. Do we know our children and their friends and can a parent control their every move?
Typical after a school shooting or tragedy, the media and community begin pointing blame, the victims – they must find Jake. A nightmare, and a parent second-guessing his abilities as a parent. What happened the day of the shooting and what led up to this event?
Told from an insecure and second-guessing father Simon, he continues to agonize and search for answers; he fears for his son and his choice of friends. His wife is more of a colder personality and somewhat removed and not a likable character. The daughter, on the other hand, was a softer personality, and Jake more removed and introverted.
FINDING JAKE a short, thought-provoking and absorbing book about parenting and an excellent book club choice to explore different perspectives. An intense and suspenseful read; an up close and personal look into the world of parenting—of love, fear, pain, courage, and healing; a surprising shattering conclusion.
For me, the best part was in the storytelling about the child rearing and the earlier days, a time when there is innocence before children are subjected to the peer pressure and evils of this world. The most pressing issues facing parents today.
Look forward to reading more from this author. Huffington Post Article
JDCMustReadBooks
Highly Anticipated, Coming June 12, 2018: In a new novel from New York Times bestselling author Bryan Reardon, a suburban family is rocked in the wake of a terrorist attack on American soil. The Real Michael Swann.
MAJOR FILM ADAPTATION: The Real Michael Swann has been picked up for feature film, with Jason Blum (Get Out and Split) producing and Julia Roberts to co-produce and star.
Simon Connelly is a freelance writer, and a devoted upper-middle-class suburban stay at home dad to his son, Jake and his daughter Laney, while his wife, Rachel is busy with her legal career.
Presently, the kids are teens. Laney, outgoing and Jake, introverted. They have weathered the storms of typical teenagers, until one day a text comes – A school shooting, which changes this family’s entire world.
A high school shooting, leaving thirteen people dead, and a gunman, Doug taking his own life, and a second student, Jake who happened to be friends with the gunman. Jake has disappeared, so the question is where is, Jake; did he have anything to do with the shooting?
Flashing back and forth from the present, the six days aftermath of the shooting, and the past bringing insights into the raw emotions and intimate feelings of this frantic family. Do we know our children and their friends and can a parent control their every move?
Typical after a school shooting or tragedy, the media and community begin pointing blame, the victims – they must find Jake. A nightmare, and a parent second-guessing his abilities as a parent. What happened the day of the shooting and what led up to this event?
Told from an insecure and second-guessing father Simon, he continues to agonize and search for answers; he fears for his son and his choice of friends. His wife is more of a colder personality and somewhat removed and not a likable character. The daughter, on the other hand, was a softer personality, and Jake more removed and introverted.
FINDING JAKE a short, thought-provoking and absorbing book about parenting and an excellent book club choice to explore different perspectives. An intense and suspenseful read; an up close and personal look into the world of parenting—of love, fear, pain, courage, and healing; a surprising shattering conclusion.
For me, the best part was in the storytelling about the child rearing and the earlier days, a time when there is innocence before children are subjected to the peer pressure and evils of this world. The most pressing issues facing parents today.
Look forward to reading more from this author. Huffington Post Article
JDCMustReadBooks
Highly Anticipated, Coming June 12, 2018: In a new novel from New York Times bestselling author Bryan Reardon, a suburban family is rocked in the wake of a terrorist attack on American soil. The Real Michael Swann.
MAJOR FILM ADAPTATION: The Real Michael Swann has been picked up for feature film, with Jason Blum (Get Out and Split) producing and Julia Roberts to co-produce and star.
October 23, 2014
This book was extremely close in nature to Lionel Shriver's "We Need to Talk About Kevin", but Reardon's take on the buildup and aftermath of sorrow after a violent and deadly school attack was unique and powerful. His narrative POV from stay-at-home father Simon was heart-wrenching yet familiar to all parents whose children suffer through a difficult time in adolescence. I was hooked throughout the story, and managed to read this in a day. The denouement was EXTREMELY satisfying, as Simon finds his way back to the love of his family in the conclusion.
August 10, 2017
We Need to Talk About Kevin may be one of my favorite books of all time due to just how disturbing & scary it is. While Finding Jake shares the same subject matter this story is handled completely differently. It is far more heartfelt and gut wrenching. The tears flowed constantly during the last 20 pages. A very poignant read.
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