Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan

jacquelinesheehan.com

Released: April 2007

The front cover of Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan is what initially caught my eye the day I purchased this novel. I enjoy reading these "feel-good" novels when I need a break from the thriller and horror genres.

Dreamworld's Synopsis

Rocky's husband Bob is a veterinarian who indulges in deep fried food whenever one of his "patients" dies, or when he has to tell people their pets are dying from cancer and other diseases. After consuming a carton of fried clams from Johnny's Drive-In, Bob dies from a heart attack in his and Rocky's upstairs bathroom as Rocky is ordering Lands' End socks from the Internet.

Rocky tries everything she can to save her husband with no success. Shortly after her husband's death, Rocky packs up and leaves Massachusetts for a tiny island off the coast of Maine. On Peak's Island, Rocky puts her career as a psychologist on hold and accepts the position of Animal Control Warden with the local veterinarian in an effort to feel closer to her late husband.

Shortly after she settles in to her new home, Rocky befriends a black labrador named Lloyd, who arrives at the clinic after having been shot with a custom-made arrow. When Lloyd lifts her spirits, Rocky feels inclined to learn more about the dog's history and takes up archery. Rocky soon learns that Lloyd belonged to a woman who is no longer alive, and does everything in her power to make things right with the people involved in the circumstances behind the woman's death—including her new four-legged pal.

Fried cremains, anyone?

Lost and Found begins with a bang! In the first chapter following Bob's death, Rocky takes Bob's cremains to Johnny's Drive-In. Posing as a health inspector, Rocky pours Bob's remains into the fat fryers that once cooked his beloved fatty food. The teenagers working the counter are completely oblivious and do not see Rocky dumping the ashes into the fryers. Rocky then walks out, leaving behind her husband's ashes for all to consume. I thought the novel would be a wild ride after that incident, but the rest of Lost and Found was nothing like its beginning.

This novel was entertaining and a relatively quick read, but I didn't find it too memorable. Readers who know all about archery may enjoy the sections dedicated to that topic, but I found the content reasonably dry. What I did like about the book was how Sheehan demonstrated the way Lloyd brought happiness and joy to Rocky at her time of need. I loved how Lloyd helped the anorexic teenage character start eating again, and I loved the short chapters told from Lloyd's point of view. I'm glad everything worked out for the characters in the end.

Picture This is the sequel to Lost and Found. Jacqueline Sheehan has also written Now and Then, The Comet's Tale, and The Center of the World. All these novels are available on Amazon.com.