tIn STRAWGIRL, Bo Bradley, a social worker employed as an investigator for the San Diego Children’s Protective Services Department is asked “Why do you risk so much? What makes you do what you do?” That is a question many people may ask themselves.tHer response, “Who knows....I have risk built into my chemistry. Any day may bring fears beyond anything real life can produce. It provides a somewhat larger perspective, maybe. Or it may be a pitiable adolescent need to defy authority.” tThe Strawgirl refers to Samantha, a murdered three-year-old girl who had been raped and a mask drawn on her abdomen. An anti-cult hysteria, fueled by a prominent speaker warning about Satanism, has inflamed the area and her father, a member of a little-known group, quickly becomes the main suspect. After Samantha’s sister, Hannah, disappears, probably kidnapped by their father, Bo tries to locate them and determine the facts of the brutal murder. tOne person she meets, Eva Broussard, the member of the Iroquois tribe and a psychologist, becomes instrumental in helping solve the crime as well as helping Bo deal with her bi-polar disorder.tAbigail Padgett has created realistic characters who act in realistic ways. She exposes the dangers faced by people who may be different from society norms and how that society can be more dangerous because of its own unrealistic fears and its willingness to jump to erroneous conclusions.t
Serious novel that has real life scenarios. I really like that the main character is bipolar. I'm a therapist & dislike the way her life appears to be so clear & problem free. almost promoting not taking meds. people that are bipolar do stop taking meds for reasons the author explains. unfortunately she doesn't state that each time one goes off them, the meds become less effective. wish the author had written as "I" vs "she" it puts distance between the author & reader. includes a beautiful native American woman character w incredible wisdom I look forward to reading another of this series dislike the cover picture & wouldn't have read if it hadn't been on sale. so glad it was!
