I became a fan of David Morrell after reading and reviewing Creepers back in 2011. Since then, I’ve been building up a small collection of Morrell’s backlist.
This past weekend I read Long Lost, and it took me about a day and a half to finish. I couldn’t stop obsessing about it. Long Lost is fast-paced and engaging, and I was eager to get to the end so I could see if the good guy kicks the bad guy’s ass.
Twenty-five years ago, Brad Denning told his nine-year-old brother Petey to go home and get lost so Brad could play baseball with his friends. But on his way home, Petey gets snatched by an older couple and is never seen or heard from again—that is, until Petey approaches Brad in the street after seeing him featured on a morning talk show.
Brad is immediately caught off-guard and on the defense. After all, he’s been getting random calls from people claiming to be his brother with hopes of gaining access to Brad’s money and fame. When Brad asks a few probing questions to confirm Petey’s identity, he’s surprised to learn that Petey seems legitimate. Brad immediately takes Petey home to meet the family and provide him with room and board until he gets back on his feet. The family reunion appears to be going well, until Petey, Brad, and Brad’s son Jason go camping in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Shortly after arriving at the campsite, Brad is pushed off a cliff by Petey but miraculously survives after having landed on a ledge. By the time Brad makes his way to a main road hours later, Petey and Jason are long gone. When he gets home, Brad’s wife Kate is also missing, along with the family car.
Months go by and authorities cannot find any leads regarding Kate and Jason’s whereabouts. Brad decides to take the law into his own hands. He puts himself in Petey’s shoes and retraces his steps from the time he met Petey, to the time his family disappeared. What Brad learns about “Petey’s” past is disturbing and painful, but he allows nothing to stand in the way of getting his family back.
I’m a sucker for stories where the average Joe turns into a bad-ass killing machine. Stories that immediately come to mind are the movies Enough starring Jennifer Lopez and Eye for an Eye with Sally Field (I’m sure there are dozens of better examples out there, sorry I’m so old).
Brad Denning’s character does EVERYTHING he possibly can to save his family, and he’s the ultimate hero. He learns self-defense, how to shoot a gun, and takes time off work to get his family back safe and sound. I love everything about the story, and Long Lost doesn’t disappoint.
The novel’s ending isn’t cookie-cutter perfect, which makes Long Lost that much more amazing and realistic. Anyone who enjoys a great thriller should definitely check out this novel.
Other books by David Morrell include:
- The Spy Who Came For Christmas (2008)
- The Shimmer (2009)
What are your favorite David Morrell books and stories?
Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Sarah Ann
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