“Unraveling Darkness: A Gripping Journey in What Happened to the Boy?” by June Summers (Book Review #1965)

In June Summers’ What Happened to the Boy?, a shocking tragedy sets off a chain of events that intertwine the lives of disparate characters in a desperate fight for justice and redemption. The story opens with a harrowing scene as two men invade the home of attorney Sam Nagy and his wife, Alyssa, leaving Sam dead and Alyssa fatally injured, whispering the name “Sammy” in her final moments.

As chaos ensues, a homeless woman named Thin Lizzy stumbles upon Sammy, the couple’s young son, wandering in dirty pajamas and bare feet, having narrowly escaped the inferno that consumed his home. Determined to keep him safe, Thin Lizzy shelters Sammy overnight, enlisting the help of her friend Aggie Bee. Together, they seek refuge in a church basement, unaware that their lives are about to be embroiled in a dark web of deceit and danger.

Detectives Willard Hamilton and Stacey Atkinson are called to investigate the murders of the Nagys, initially unaware of Sammy’s disappearance. Their search reveals the family’s estranged relatives, who offer no insight into the boy’s whereabouts, prompting a community-wide effort to locate him. Meanwhile, the shadowy figure of Rocco Banetti, a powerful client of Sam’s law firm, fears that the firm may threaten his criminal enterprises. As the investigation unfolds, Banetti’s sinister intentions become clear, culminating in the fatal fire that changed everything.

When Sammy is kidnapped by a ruthless street person known as Darkman, the stakes escalate. The detectives race against time to rescue the boy while uncovering Banetti’s connections to the crime. As the narrative unfolds, themes of betrayal, love, and the quest for justice come to the forefront. Ryan Nesbitt, a law firm associate, finds himself entwined in Banetti’s schemes, leading to revelations that could change everything.

As the police set a trap to catch Darkman, hope rises when Sammy is ultimately found alive in an abandoned house, where he meets his previously unknown grandmother. The resolution of the story brings a sense of closure as justice is served, with Rocco Banetti facing the consequences of his heinous actions.

Six months later, the narrative closes on a note of hope and new beginnings. Ryan and Melanie are planning their wedding, while Sammy embarks on a new chapter with his grandmother, with Thin Lizzy by their side as a nanny. What Happened to the Boy? is a compelling exploration of resilience, the power of community, and the enduring bonds of love that can emerge from the darkest of circumstances.

Written by Jeyran Main

Click here to feature your book in the Review Tales Magazine.