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The Uncaging
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When five year old Shelley Robins vanishes from her home in the middle of the night, her mother is charged with murder and taken to prison. Six years later, when Shelley reappears unharmed, the whole town must navigate the strange behavior of the young girl, the wrongful imprisonment of a mother, and the fear that the kidnapper is striking again. Shelley's devoted older si
...more
Kindle Edition, 240 pages
Published
March 2nd 2019
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The Uncaging is a debut novel by Meridee Jo that too many reviewers have spoiled by revealing too much. I will not repeat their bad manners and lack of discretion.
I can say that a five year old girl was presumed murdered by her mother, who confessed without remembering having committed the crime, and even though the child’s body was never discovered, she was in the sixth year of her prison sentence when one shocking day her daughter, now age 11, walks back into town healthy and unharmed and eag ...more
I can say that a five year old girl was presumed murdered by her mother, who confessed without remembering having committed the crime, and even though the child’s body was never discovered, she was in the sixth year of her prison sentence when one shocking day her daughter, now age 11, walks back into town healthy and unharmed and eag ...more

Simply Ridicu!ous/Don't waste Your Time
Irritated! Begins with alcoholic mom Mallorys POV, then shifts to oldest daughter Sasha,then to no one. Never ever never get a hint Sasha possesses intellect and creative thinking. Get hints of Phil being creepy, but not a serial paedophile rapist. Investigated and no one ever told anyone. Get told explicitly more than once Sasha and Casey's bio dad was deadbeat gambler who cared for no one. Author broke all the rules of character, place, timing, plausabili ...more
Irritated! Begins with alcoholic mom Mallorys POV, then shifts to oldest daughter Sasha,then to no one. Never ever never get a hint Sasha possesses intellect and creative thinking. Get hints of Phil being creepy, but not a serial paedophile rapist. Investigated and no one ever told anyone. Get told explicitly more than once Sasha and Casey's bio dad was deadbeat gambler who cared for no one. Author broke all the rules of character, place, timing, plausabili ...more

Good Read
Well written whodunit that became predictable too soon. Not all the ends were tied at the end. I liked the concept of the plot and the author's descriptions.
Thank you, Ms. Jo, for a good read. ...more
Well written whodunit that became predictable too soon. Not all the ends were tied at the end. I liked the concept of the plot and the author's descriptions.
Thank you, Ms. Jo, for a good read. ...more

It started out well then slowly plummeted. The momentum dropped.
Sasha wasn’t very close to her mother. Actually, she pretty much wrote off both of her parents. Her father for walking out when Sasha and her sister Casey were little and her mother for being preoccupied in herself; drinking and sleeping with anyone who paid her any attention. Until the morning her mother called her hysterical. Her half-sister Shelley, only 5 years old, was gone. Only some blood left behind. Her mother, Mallory, wa ...more
Sasha wasn’t very close to her mother. Actually, she pretty much wrote off both of her parents. Her father for walking out when Sasha and her sister Casey were little and her mother for being preoccupied in herself; drinking and sleeping with anyone who paid her any attention. Until the morning her mother called her hysterical. Her half-sister Shelley, only 5 years old, was gone. Only some blood left behind. Her mother, Mallory, wa ...more

An utterly fascinating premise, that of a 5-year-old girl who is kidnapped and returned unharmed 6 years later and in perfect health. I was very interested, but as I read along I realized that this story was just dragging too long, and I found myself skipping ahead. I think it would been a much better story if it were shorter, but I just got so tired of the same emotional beatings page after page and when it was finally all over, I just breathed a sigh of relief and went on to the next book. Kin
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Nov 12, 2019
Kimberly Hicks
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Mature Readers
Recommended to Kimberly by:
BookBub
Shelves:
read-on-kindle
What a new twist on an old subject. The reader is given a ring-size seat into the arena of deep dark secrets with shady characters and unbelievable plotting. We begin following the journey of three sisters, Sasha, Casey and Shelley. Shelly is the five-year old who, unfortunately, has to be raised by a mother who has had her fair share of bad men and poor decisions. Her worse decision is the all mighty bottle. Mallory can’t seem to get enough of the joy juice. Depending on how much she’s drank on
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"Somewhere within her, among the weeds of her disgust, sprouted a tiny seed of love. This is the seed she would choose to water over the years...it would continue to grow and flower, an emblem of their perennial relationship, returning after the years of drought." If you like this kind of writing, you are in luck, because not only is this book full of such gag-worthy writing, but most of the books available on Kindle for free are as well! If you prefer strong plot lines, relatable characters, an
...more

This is definitely a page gripping, can’t put it down, fascinating story. The phrase “Oh the tangled web we weave…” certainly comes to mind. The story is wonderfully woven together and the ending will not only shock you but leave you struggling with feelings of awe and horror.
The book is about a family of four women. Mallory, the Mom, is an alcoholic who needs not only to be the center of attention but for men to make it clear that they want her. Sasha is the oldest daughter, who has made a life ...more
The book is about a family of four women. Mallory, the Mom, is an alcoholic who needs not only to be the center of attention but for men to make it clear that they want her. Sasha is the oldest daughter, who has made a life ...more

What an engaging first novel! Congratulations to the author for writing an astonishing first book.
I have read many "children disappearing" novels, but Ms Jo managed to use this scenario to write a unique twist on a "common" set of circumstances.
The characters were engaging, though some unlikeable, the plot well written with few red herrings to confuse the reader. However, this reader certainly was confused, but ultimately satisfied and actually, overjoyed by the ending. The main character, Sasha ...more
I have read many "children disappearing" novels, but Ms Jo managed to use this scenario to write a unique twist on a "common" set of circumstances.
The characters were engaging, though some unlikeable, the plot well written with few red herrings to confuse the reader. However, this reader certainly was confused, but ultimately satisfied and actually, overjoyed by the ending. The main character, Sasha ...more

This one had great promise. Five-year old Shelley disappears from her dysfunctional home with a great flourish, a splash of blood, and lots of questions. Did her alcoholic mother actually cause her harm? As she confesses that she must have done it, she is charged with murder and incarcerated. Six years later Shelley reappears unharmed and refusing to speak of her past until she speaks to her mother. Other young girls disappear but with the mother still in prison, the mystery deepens. An interest
...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Greatest book I have read for a long time!!!! This story has set many, many, many captives free. Thanks to the author who feels the true pain of sexual abused children. I myself was a victim, but now I'm the Victor!!! Thank you for the truth!!
I'm the victim of childhood sexual abuse and fought for years to be heard. Even as it was discovered, I was labeled as a liar. When violence took control, then everyone understood. I applaud you for the understanding from a victim's point of view. ...more
I'm the victim of childhood sexual abuse and fought for years to be heard. Even as it was discovered, I was labeled as a liar. When violence took control, then everyone understood. I applaud you for the understanding from a victim's point of view. ...more

I got this book for free through from Amazon through mail some time ago and on June 7th decided to finally try it.
Gosh, what a pearl this was!
The cover just says the following:: A five-year old girl who vanished from small-town Grady six years ago, suddenly appears back in town, unharmed, asking to see her mother.
I'm not good at making book summeries in order to give my view on it, only that the surprise is mostly in the tail, just like here. And gosh, what a surprise that was!
I'm so glad I d ...more
Gosh, what a pearl this was!
The cover just says the following:: A five-year old girl who vanished from small-town Grady six years ago, suddenly appears back in town, unharmed, asking to see her mother.
I'm not good at making book summeries in order to give my view on it, only that the surprise is mostly in the tail, just like here. And gosh, what a surprise that was!
I'm so glad I d ...more

Justice
This is the first book I've read by this author and I found it to be a good standalone mystery. The narrative is told in third person, is dry and matter of fact. The characters are described but never fully revealed. Setting descriptions are sparse. And the ending was a surprise. It's a tragic tale and a sad commentary on the ease of access to children by those who prey. ...more
This is the first book I've read by this author and I found it to be a good standalone mystery. The narrative is told in third person, is dry and matter of fact. The characters are described but never fully revealed. Setting descriptions are sparse. And the ending was a surprise. It's a tragic tale and a sad commentary on the ease of access to children by those who prey. ...more

Couldn't put this book down
This book covers many emotions, but I think the most shocking emotion I had after reading this book was one of deep relief and happiness.
A must read if you have children or if you have ever been abused.
This is a book I will remember for quite a long time. ...more
This book covers many emotions, but I think the most shocking emotion I had after reading this book was one of deep relief and happiness.
A must read if you have children or if you have ever been abused.
This is a book I will remember for quite a long time. ...more

My first book to read by the author. It was a very interesting book which held my interest to the very end. There definitely was intrigue. I had no idea who the kidnapper was. Then the missing girl reappears after 6 years. She doesn’t talk then talks and seems happy in her captive environment???? The ending surprised me! Enjoyed this book! Easy reading.

What a chore to read
I would have given 1/2 a star of that was an option. I found this book an absolute drudge to read. It was not a good read and totally ridiculous. Yes child abuse is horrendous but so were the " so called actions " of these characters. ...more
I would have given 1/2 a star of that was an option. I found this book an absolute drudge to read. It was not a good read and totally ridiculous. Yes child abuse is horrendous but so were the " so called actions " of these characters. ...more

I don't give 5 stars lightly.
Enthralling and exciting this book keeps you reading way past midnight.
I found it hard to put down and love the way the author resolved the story.
A totally different take on a mystery. ...more
Enthralling and exciting this book keeps you reading way past midnight.
I found it hard to put down and love the way the author resolved the story.
A totally different take on a mystery. ...more
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