Not Forgotten Book Review

If you are a Mary Higgins Clark fan, you will love Not Forgotten, by Donna M. Zadunajsky. A page-turner, Not Forgotten draws you in right from page one, and holds your interest until the last word of the final chapter. I could not stop reading this book! It is written in a clear, descriptive language, and told in the first-person from the point of view of the protagonist, Deanna.

Deanna has lived a troubled past. Her childhood has been one built on deception and lies.  Deanna moves back to her small hometown of Mendota after purchasing the house which once belonged to her parents. The day of the move, Deanna’s son, Brent, and her sister, Sheila are involved in a car accident which leaves Brett unconscious and Sheila in a coma. Through a series of twists and turns, Deanna begins seeking answers about her past, which brings her close to death as chilling facts come to light in this suspenseful novel.

I enjoy a suspense novel that includes some romance, and Not Forgotten fits that bill. Throughout the novel, Deanna re-establishes and solidifies her relationship with long-time boyfriend, Brice. This storyline adds depth to the characters, allowing readers a chance to see Deanna’s softer and more vulnerable side. Minor characters also add interest to the storyline. Questions of ethics come into play in the novel, too. More than once, while reading the book, I asked myself if Deanna’s mother’s actions throughout the book were a sign of weakness or strength. I also had to question Hank’s motives and actions as well as those of Officer Bates. Were their actions and lies justified? These are just some of the questions that, for me, made Not Forgotten an intriguing and thought-provoking suspense thriller.

The cover of Not Forgotten, by Donna M. Zadunajsky is dark and foreboding. The eye is immediately drawn to the cross-shaped headstone on the bottom left of the cover, and then to a row of crosses and headstones in the shadow of an old wood and stone house. The artwork draws you in and makes you want to know more about Kimberly Rose Iris, the name on the headstone in the foreground.   5 Stars