My Father's Son by Terri Fields

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bang! As soon as the book opens, Kevin sees his father on TV and he's not getting an award. Instead the newscasters are saying the his dad is the DB25 killer, a serial murder who has tortured and killed more than 13 women over the past few years. The evidence is pretty solid. His dad was apprehended by the police when he was climbing out of the latest victim's window. After this brief introduction the book goes back in time a few weeks to show just how normal Kevin's life had been and juxtapose it with the life that he is being thrown into. Of course, Kevin doesn't believe his dad is a killer, but no one will talk to him and his dad tells him not to try to contact him or help him in any way. Is it possible to be living with a monster and not have any idea?

I read this book almost in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down because I had to know the truth about Kevin's dad. Fields does a pretty good job of building suspense and throws in just enough sketchy information to make it seem possible that someone's dad could be a killer.

The characters were well developed and the teen dialogue was right on. Sometimes fictional teens are just a little too witty and pithy to be believable. But that wasn't the case with My Father's Son. There are some great exchanges but the teens don't all sound like Jay Leno is writing monologues for them. Also, the mom was a well developed character for a change. Of course she takes the brunt of Kevin's anger about the situation, but her reactions are believable and understandable. She is able to be supportive without being a doormat.

I am planning to buy this book right away for my school library. That's high praise considering I have no budget and have to eek out books by doing fundraisers and having parents feel sorry for me. I very seldom buy a book in hard cover, but I have to get this one now. I know my 7th and 8th graders are going to love it!


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