What do you think?
Rate this book
They Never Came Back
In a busy school cafeteria, a teenage girl is confronted by a classmate who questions her identity. He explains to the students who have crowded around that the girl bears an uncanny resemblance to his cousin, who was taken away by social services five years ago. Her parents abandoned her, fleeing the country after being accused of embezzling millions of dollars. The students are intrigued, but the girl shrugs off the attention as a case of mistaken identity.
As the days pass, however, the boy refuses to relent and even brings his parents in to back him up. But they are not the only adults involved. An FBI agent who has been working the case these past five years believes that whoever this girl is, she can serve as bait to help the FBI capture the fugitives. In this powerful novel that explores the possibility of mistaken identity, the evils of money and greed, and the heartfelt obligations of family and loyalty, Caroline B. Cooney has once again crafted a page-turner that will resonate with readers.
As the days pass, however, the boy refuses to relent and even brings his parents in to back him up. But they are not the only adults involved. An FBI agent who has been working the case these past five years believes that whoever this girl is, she can serve as bait to help the FBI capture the fugitives. In this powerful novel that explores the possibility of mistaken identity, the evils of money and greed, and the heartfelt obligations of family and loyalty, Caroline B. Cooney has once again crafted a page-turner that will resonate with readers.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published December 22, 2009
57 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Caroline B. Cooney
129 books1,768 followersCaroline Cooney knew in sixth grade that she wanted to be a writer when "the best teacher I ever had in my life" made writing her main focus. "He used to rip off covers from The New Yorker and pass them around and make us write a short story on whichever cover we got. I started writing then and never stopped!"
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
- Scholastic.com
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
- Scholastic.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
January 10, 2018
This book was captivating and a quick read because it was difficult to put down. But I gave it 3 stars instead of 4 because the ending didn't really tell the rest of the story and left more questions. Did she ever see her parents again? What became of them?
Murielle was only 9 when her ultra competitive financial parents did the ultimate embezzlement and escaped with the funds of their clients. Their daughter was left behind. Her only relatives were falsely implicated in the resulting mess and by the time they were exonerated, Murielle was in the foster care system. Eventually she changed her name and after 6 years went by, thought she was safe. So one morning in summer school her cousin Tommy recognizes her. The book goes chapter by chapter after that switching between the viewpoint of Murielle and her new identity Cathy and what actually happened. Cooney's books are always interesting.
Murielle was only 9 when her ultra competitive financial parents did the ultimate embezzlement and escaped with the funds of their clients. Their daughter was left behind. Her only relatives were falsely implicated in the resulting mess and by the time they were exonerated, Murielle was in the foster care system. Eventually she changed her name and after 6 years went by, thought she was safe. So one morning in summer school her cousin Tommy recognizes her. The book goes chapter by chapter after that switching between the viewpoint of Murielle and her new identity Cathy and what actually happened. Cooney's books are always interesting.
September 15, 2012
This was one of the singularly stupidest books I've ever read. Every couple of years I try to read a Caroline B Cooney book and every time I'm less and less impressed. Gag. This was actually a really interesting premise, but it was so badly handled (or perhaps just written for an audience that wouldn't understand some of the bigger issues, and therefore simplified) that the whole idea was just bleh. It's been a month or so since I read this book, so I can't list every single one of my grievances, but here's a few. SPOILERS! This girl acts like no kid I've ever known. Her thought processes were so ridiculously weird and illogical, even for a confused kid. The language of the whole book is utterly irritating, and while I'm not exactly in the intended age range, I can guarantee I would have felt the same had I read this book when I was twelve. The tiny bit of romance is completely unnecessary, especially since it doesn't amount to anything. Who am I kidding, there's no romance. These kids who are supposed to be high schoolers are talking to each other like late elementary schoolers. Also, Cathy/Murielle (which in my opinion is about the dowdiest name you can give a kid) continues to believe for like 8 years that her parents will come out of hiding and find her. As if. Any normal kid would either be over it or furious by the time they were that age. Nobody who's been completely abandoned by their funds-stealing parents would continue to believe that said parents would return after that long. It's beyond irrational. Through most of the book, Cathy/Murielle doesn't admit who she really is. Fine. That's fine. But as a reader, I either want to know everything or at least realize that the narrator is hiding something! This character is really stupid. She thinks she can hide her past without denying outright that she is Murielle. She is the one that stirred up all the drama, really. Had she just admitted that she was Murielle or denied it then the whole thing would have been over, as far as the school was concerned. There was no reason for her to not do one or the other. It's not even a good storyline! Without rereading it for all the crap I hated, that's about all the ranting I can do. But seriously, don't bother with this book. Poorly written, poorly conceived, completely unrelatable, slow, and inconsistent.
December 28, 2015
Have you ever been abandoned by your parents? Do your parents care more about money then you? My book is called They Never Came Back. This book would be a mystery. I really liked this book so much at first it was boring but I got really into it over time. I never read this book before but I'm going to be honest I liked this book because of the colors of the cover, it's just so pretty.
So my book is about a girl with two names. Now I'm going to explain. Murielle Lyman. Cathy Ferris. But first This book takes place either in Cathy's school, her house or Murielle's old house. This story takes place in summer. Murielle Lyman was abandoned by her parents at age 10. But here's the thing her parents loved money. They possibly loved money more then Murielle. Murielle was going to get dropped off at the airport by Aunt Lois to go to England with her parents. But Aunt Lois didn't let that happen. Aunt Lois' sister, Murielle mom was a thief. A thief with her husband. They stole a lot of money, millions so they needed to leave so they wouldn't get caught. They left but they were going to meet there. They weren't going to go all in the same airport at the same time. Aunt Lois didn't drop off Murielle off at the airport instead she took her mom with her. Now the major event in this story in my opinion is that. When Aunt Lois didn't drop off Murielle. But there's two more things I would say is also the major event. When Murielle changed her name to Cathy Ferris. She had to change her name because the FBI were trying to talk to her and ask questions about where her parents are. The last thing I think is the major event is when one day at school Cathy is at school. This girl named Ava is a huge gossiper so she made a MySpace with Murielle's picture which her cousin Tommy had. Ava messaged Murielle's parents. They answered. But they weren't sure if it was really her. But Murielle answered and asked what they put in her book bag that day before she left to school. In the bag was a cell phone, ten one-hundred dollar bills, a new hoodie, a Little House book, and some snacks. She then typed a word in all caps. RUN. She told them to run because the FBI would find them. Julianna Benner called the FBI because her mother was taken to jail because of Murielle's parents. She wanted revenge. When Murielle wrote RUN she was mad because she wanted Murielle's parents to pay for what they did to her mom. I would say that the theme of this book would be always be there for your parents no matter what, doing what YOU believe in not what other people want you to do and making big decisions. Murielle made a big choice. She had to tell her parents to Go or to Come. But instead she told them to run.
The title relates to the book because Murielle's parents never came back for her. They never called her back, tried to text or email her, they didn't try to stay in contact with her. They just left her, and they stayed who knows where with millions of dollars. A major event that changed her was when she admitted that she was Murielle. Or when she told her parents to run because the FBI were going to try to find them again after five years. But the FBI never stopped trying to find them.
I was surprised when Caroline (the author) made Murielle tell her parents to run. I thought she would do anything but that because I thought she was mad at them. They abandoned her, I thought she was going to tell them to come home to explain because she of course was still confused but she knows her parents wouldn't be able to do that or else they'll be found and go to jail.
I personally loved this book. I didn't think I would like it a lot but I did. But I still want to know what happened to her parents. Like if they went to jail or not. Or where they were the past five years. I give this book a 5/5 or 5 stars or whatever I loved it it's an amazing book. I recommend this book to people who like mystery, a little bit adventure, but mostly to people who like mystery. Did Cade and Rory Lyman go to jail? Or did they hide themselves somewhere they can never be found and taken to jail?
So my book is about a girl with two names. Now I'm going to explain. Murielle Lyman. Cathy Ferris. But first This book takes place either in Cathy's school, her house or Murielle's old house. This story takes place in summer. Murielle Lyman was abandoned by her parents at age 10. But here's the thing her parents loved money. They possibly loved money more then Murielle. Murielle was going to get dropped off at the airport by Aunt Lois to go to England with her parents. But Aunt Lois didn't let that happen. Aunt Lois' sister, Murielle mom was a thief. A thief with her husband. They stole a lot of money, millions so they needed to leave so they wouldn't get caught. They left but they were going to meet there. They weren't going to go all in the same airport at the same time. Aunt Lois didn't drop off Murielle off at the airport instead she took her mom with her. Now the major event in this story in my opinion is that. When Aunt Lois didn't drop off Murielle. But there's two more things I would say is also the major event. When Murielle changed her name to Cathy Ferris. She had to change her name because the FBI were trying to talk to her and ask questions about where her parents are. The last thing I think is the major event is when one day at school Cathy is at school. This girl named Ava is a huge gossiper so she made a MySpace with Murielle's picture which her cousin Tommy had. Ava messaged Murielle's parents. They answered. But they weren't sure if it was really her. But Murielle answered and asked what they put in her book bag that day before she left to school. In the bag was a cell phone, ten one-hundred dollar bills, a new hoodie, a Little House book, and some snacks. She then typed a word in all caps. RUN. She told them to run because the FBI would find them. Julianna Benner called the FBI because her mother was taken to jail because of Murielle's parents. She wanted revenge. When Murielle wrote RUN she was mad because she wanted Murielle's parents to pay for what they did to her mom. I would say that the theme of this book would be always be there for your parents no matter what, doing what YOU believe in not what other people want you to do and making big decisions. Murielle made a big choice. She had to tell her parents to Go or to Come. But instead she told them to run.
The title relates to the book because Murielle's parents never came back for her. They never called her back, tried to text or email her, they didn't try to stay in contact with her. They just left her, and they stayed who knows where with millions of dollars. A major event that changed her was when she admitted that she was Murielle. Or when she told her parents to run because the FBI were going to try to find them again after five years. But the FBI never stopped trying to find them.
I was surprised when Caroline (the author) made Murielle tell her parents to run. I thought she would do anything but that because I thought she was mad at them. They abandoned her, I thought she was going to tell them to come home to explain because she of course was still confused but she knows her parents wouldn't be able to do that or else they'll be found and go to jail.
I personally loved this book. I didn't think I would like it a lot but I did. But I still want to know what happened to her parents. Like if they went to jail or not. Or where they were the past five years. I give this book a 5/5 or 5 stars or whatever I loved it it's an amazing book. I recommend this book to people who like mystery, a little bit adventure, but mostly to people who like mystery. Did Cade and Rory Lyman go to jail? Or did they hide themselves somewhere they can never be found and taken to jail?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2010
Cooney's books all appear to follow this theme - children who discover their lives aren't what they thought - in a rather dramatic, traumatic way - and who have to align what they believed to be true with what they discover to be true, all the while figuring out who they are in this changing context.
It is difficult to resolve these types of conflicts in a lifetime, let alone a book. The focus is on the self-discovery, not the resolution of the plot. That is tough to do, and relatively well done in this one. There are loose ends - they could not be reasonably tidied up in a lifetime - but I wasn't left feeling abandoned with no resolution, just the sense of amazement at how resilient children are.
It is difficult to resolve these types of conflicts in a lifetime, let alone a book. The focus is on the self-discovery, not the resolution of the plot. That is tough to do, and relatively well done in this one. There are loose ends - they could not be reasonably tidied up in a lifetime - but I wasn't left feeling abandoned with no resolution, just the sense of amazement at how resilient children are.
September 13, 2018
In this book it starts out kind of mysterious with a girl who looks like someones long lost cousin, she thinks it is nothing until the FBI come to investigate her. This book is very interesting and I wanted to keep reading and now who would figure out what next. This book did really well on making us feel for the characters because it is written in first person. I definitely recommend reading this book.
February 25, 2010
I basically finished this book in a few hours, split between last night and this morning. I enjoyed this book, and had no complaints towards the actual writing or style. It was very fast-paced and intriguing, and I was kept interested the whole book. It definitely sprang many questions, and the ending left me with even more. I would reccomend it for a great quick read, even if I was left with a dozen questions, wanting more.
*SPOILERS*
Without a doubt, this novel upset me. How could parents be so selfish as to not even consider their child and how their bad decisions will cause issues for their child? Not only by doing something as illegal and what Rory and Cade did, but also by leaving and never coming back? I was flabberghasted! I would rather face the possibility of getting caught, if it meant letting my daughter know her parents still loved her.
I was appalled at how Cathy's schoolmates treated her life. Juilianne was set on revenge and I don't think she even considered how she would feel if Rory and Cade were her parents and just left. Yes, her life was torn up by their actions, but she still had her family, her identity. I felt her actions were very selfish and just wrong.
Ava, I believe, got caught up in the "buzz" and forgot that her actions would affect Cathy. I think she could have told Cathy in private about Rory and Cade's reply. But again, the 'lowlife gossiper' took ahold and greed of her actions won through.
I didn't like how Murielle didn't even think twice about her foster parents. The only "parents" she had. The only people she knew loved her. "Marnie and Bob Ferris became smaller and less important." I thought that was wrong and totally selfish. Yes, she had her real family now, but she also had Marmee and Dad, who loved and cared for her, who she loved too. They loved her like their own, and should have been considered just as important in my opinion. I think that was my only big qualm with this book.
*SPOILERS*
Without a doubt, this novel upset me. How could parents be so selfish as to not even consider their child and how their bad decisions will cause issues for their child? Not only by doing something as illegal and what Rory and Cade did, but also by leaving and never coming back? I was flabberghasted! I would rather face the possibility of getting caught, if it meant letting my daughter know her parents still loved her.
I was appalled at how Cathy's schoolmates treated her life. Juilianne was set on revenge and I don't think she even considered how she would feel if Rory and Cade were her parents and just left. Yes, her life was torn up by their actions, but she still had her family, her identity. I felt her actions were very selfish and just wrong.
Ava, I believe, got caught up in the "buzz" and forgot that her actions would affect Cathy. I think she could have told Cathy in private about Rory and Cade's reply. But again, the 'lowlife gossiper' took ahold and greed of her actions won through.
I didn't like how Murielle didn't even think twice about her foster parents. The only "parents" she had. The only people she knew loved her. "Marnie and Bob Ferris became smaller and less important." I thought that was wrong and totally selfish. Yes, she had her real family now, but she also had Marmee and Dad, who loved and cared for her, who she loved too. They loved her like their own, and should have been considered just as important in my opinion. I think that was my only big qualm with this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2012
My daughter enjoyed Caroline B Cooney's books when she was 11. This book would be good for that age group. It has lots of action and mystery. The writing is very simplistic with short sentences so it isn't a hard read. As an adult I found that it reminded me of Dick and Jane: 'See Spot run!'.
For me, the ending was disappointing. The big question in the book revolves around loyalty. I think Cathy makes the wrong decision about who she really is after 5 years of being away from her blood relatives. Parents are the people that love and take care of you and a child owes them love and loyalty in return. Her original parents treated her as a pet but she never really comes to grips with this. Near the end of the book she witnesses the pain that losing a sibling can have on a family and should have been more thoughtful of Marmee and Dad Bob's feelings. I was surprised how the author handled things--or really didn't handle it.
I can understand that at age fifteen a kid still clings to unresolved issues from early childhood but I also think that it is a time to break away and assert independence. You can't go back to being ten or instantly erasing the rage that builds up over the years. But I think the simplistic ending is good for a tween even though the book deals with a difficult subject. My daughter liked relatively happy endings. The idea of what it is like to be cheated out of a life's savings is something that most kids can't relate. Much of the seriousness of the book is more of a framework for the story rather than a moral issue to be grappled with. Because of this, I'd put it down as a good tween mother/daughter book group choice. There is so many issues that can be discussed.
'Running Out of Time' and 'Flight #116 is Down' I still remember reading with my daughter. This book is much more forgettable.
For me, the ending was disappointing. The big question in the book revolves around loyalty. I think Cathy makes the wrong decision about who she really is after 5 years of being away from her blood relatives. Parents are the people that love and take care of you and a child owes them love and loyalty in return. Her original parents treated her as a pet but she never really comes to grips with this. Near the end of the book she witnesses the pain that losing a sibling can have on a family and should have been more thoughtful of Marmee and Dad Bob's feelings. I was surprised how the author handled things--or really didn't handle it.
I can understand that at age fifteen a kid still clings to unresolved issues from early childhood but I also think that it is a time to break away and assert independence. You can't go back to being ten or instantly erasing the rage that builds up over the years. But I think the simplistic ending is good for a tween even though the book deals with a difficult subject. My daughter liked relatively happy endings. The idea of what it is like to be cheated out of a life's savings is something that most kids can't relate. Much of the seriousness of the book is more of a framework for the story rather than a moral issue to be grappled with. Because of this, I'd put it down as a good tween mother/daughter book group choice. There is so many issues that can be discussed.
'Running Out of Time' and 'Flight #116 is Down' I still remember reading with my daughter. This book is much more forgettable.
January 17, 2010
Actually 3 1/2 stars
Upon reading the synopsis for this novel I was intrigued with the concept of a girl being left behind as her parents flee the country to escape being imprisoned for embezzlement. The subject matter of financial ruin during these unstable economic times are timely. So, I grabbed this book and devoured it in a day, and days later my mind still goes back to this page turning read.
THEY NEVER CAME BACK centers on two characters Cathy Ferris and Murielle Lyman. Cathy is attending a specialized language program when one day she is spotted by Tommy Lyman, who confronts her during a crowded lunch hour insisting that she is his missing cousin Murielle, whom the family lost track of 5 years ago. "And who is Murielle?" Cathy asks, but it is too late. The accusation is made and the whole school is abuzz. Unfortunately for Cathy she has to deal with not only the entire school but a persistent FBI agent who wants to use her as bait to capture Cade and Rory Lyman.
The story is told in alternating perspectives from Cathy and Murielle's point of view and it gives understanding to where these characters are coming from. My heart ached for Murielle and her feelings of loss and abandonment and then for Cathy who embodied the life she has now has and the decision she would have to make. There are other minor characters that give it added life and that asks and answers those questions that we will make during this read.
I enjoyed this mystery by Caroline B. Cooney and would recommend its quick pace and intriguing story to anyone. It will leave you pondering on what you would do if you where in that situation.
Upon reading the synopsis for this novel I was intrigued with the concept of a girl being left behind as her parents flee the country to escape being imprisoned for embezzlement. The subject matter of financial ruin during these unstable economic times are timely. So, I grabbed this book and devoured it in a day, and days later my mind still goes back to this page turning read.
THEY NEVER CAME BACK centers on two characters Cathy Ferris and Murielle Lyman. Cathy is attending a specialized language program when one day she is spotted by Tommy Lyman, who confronts her during a crowded lunch hour insisting that she is his missing cousin Murielle, whom the family lost track of 5 years ago. "And who is Murielle?" Cathy asks, but it is too late. The accusation is made and the whole school is abuzz. Unfortunately for Cathy she has to deal with not only the entire school but a persistent FBI agent who wants to use her as bait to capture Cade and Rory Lyman.
The story is told in alternating perspectives from Cathy and Murielle's point of view and it gives understanding to where these characters are coming from. My heart ached for Murielle and her feelings of loss and abandonment and then for Cathy who embodied the life she has now has and the decision she would have to make. There are other minor characters that give it added life and that asks and answers those questions that we will make during this read.
I enjoyed this mystery by Caroline B. Cooney and would recommend its quick pace and intriguing story to anyone. It will leave you pondering on what you would do if you where in that situation.
October 27, 2012
When I frst picked up this book i didn't know if I would accually read it or not. The librarian recomended me this book and it was ok. When I finish this book I was still a little bit puzzled because i'm the kind of person who has to read things twice before understanding.I still think it that this book should be rated a two because it took me a while just to get into it and for me it was hard to stay on task, but the book has been good that I could easily bump it up to a four rating. The book is abut a girl named Murielle and she was Tommy's cousin. Murielle's parents left her when she was about ten because they were running from the FBI because they stole a bunch of money from clients that they had.Her parents left the country and didn't know where they went and Murielle was put in a foster home. Therewas this girl named Cathy and she looked like Murielle. Some things that Cathy said was some of Murielle's experiences before she disappeared. There was an FBI agent and he is trying to use Cathy as bait like they used Teddy in the Hangover part II and he used her to try to find and catch Murielle's parents. In the beggining of the book between Cathy and Murielle, it was hard to figure out Cathy's story of her revealing herself and Murielle's stories of being ten years old made it hard to capture evidence if Cathy was really her our not, so that made me keep reading because I really don't like reading. Towards the end I knew Cathy was Murielle but all the situations leading up until this time I found out made the book so much better. If anyone is trying to read this I recommend you be like at least a 7th grader and you have to kinda like suspence a little bit.
December 25, 2017
I didn't like this book. Murielle's chapters regarding her life and how it had gone wrong were a bit interesting. The Cathy chapters seemed rushed and everything seemed to happen way too fast. The entire story wrapped up in what seemed to be 2 or 3 days worth of time. Four years of Murielle's life were merely skimmed over with one sentence. I wouldn't read this book again.
March 15, 2010
I have been fascinated by Caroline Cooney's last two books (If the Witness Lied and They Never Came Back). They are quick easy but captivating reads. You want to get keep reading to see how it all turns out. Very clean. No sex or foul language. Topic snatched out of today's headlines. What happens to the children of white collar crmininals? What role does faith play in the life of a tween/teen whose world has been turned upside down? How much do you love your parents? What would you do for them, no matter what they've done to you? Enjoyed this book a lot!
February 18, 2017
I like the book's concept of having your child go missing and finding them years later but I don't think this book did it well. It was really bland and not interesting enough. I don't like Murielle/Cathy's story and I don't understand her parents' motives. I don't understand why she needs to hide from her aunt and uncle and cousin Tommy and everyone. If it was played out in a real serious way, like a life or death situation, this would've been a real intriguing mystery. This book has potential to be better.
September 20, 2024
Great Book! Loved it a lot more than I expected. Usually I hate mysteries, but I was ok with this one, more than ok! I loved it!
March 31, 2018
Sungguh? Ini buku terburuk pertama yang kubaca tahun ini.
_
Tiga bab pertama `pace` ceritanya cepat, tapi bab setelahnya bahkan sampai bab akhir `pace`nya sangat (baca: suuuangaatt) lambat dan MEMBOSANKAN!!!
_
Buku ini cuman nyeritain Cathy Ferris yang saat `summer school` dia ambil `subject` bahasa Latin, tiba-tiba dia ketemu sama seseorang Thomas Petrak saat `summer school` di sekolah yang sama ambil bahasa Cina, di situ Tommy (panggilan Thomas Petrak) `wondering` ke Cathy kalau Chaty adalah Murielle (sepupunya yang hilang 5 tahun lalu), tapi si Cathy tidak mau mengaku. Dia tidak mau identitas dirinya yang dulu sebagai Murielle terbongkar, yakni seorang anak dari pelaku penggelepan uang. Sampai akhirnya dia mau mengakui kalau dirinya adalah Murielle di akhir bab, tapi pada bab 5 para pembaca sudah bisa mengetahui bahwa Cathy adalah Murielle.
_
Yang aku nantikan adalah `twist` yang akan diberikan si penusil di buku ini. Tapi ternyata tidak ada sama sekali!!! Semua cerita berjalan biasa-biasa saja/flat/membosankan. Arghhhh, aku benar-benar KECEWA dengan buku ini.
_
Sekian.
_
Tiga bab pertama `pace` ceritanya cepat, tapi bab setelahnya bahkan sampai bab akhir `pace`nya sangat (baca: suuuangaatt) lambat dan MEMBOSANKAN!!!
_
Buku ini cuman nyeritain Cathy Ferris yang saat `summer school` dia ambil `subject` bahasa Latin, tiba-tiba dia ketemu sama seseorang Thomas Petrak saat `summer school` di sekolah yang sama ambil bahasa Cina, di situ Tommy (panggilan Thomas Petrak) `wondering` ke Cathy kalau Chaty adalah Murielle (sepupunya yang hilang 5 tahun lalu), tapi si Cathy tidak mau mengaku. Dia tidak mau identitas dirinya yang dulu sebagai Murielle terbongkar, yakni seorang anak dari pelaku penggelepan uang. Sampai akhirnya dia mau mengakui kalau dirinya adalah Murielle di akhir bab, tapi pada bab 5 para pembaca sudah bisa mengetahui bahwa Cathy adalah Murielle.
_
Yang aku nantikan adalah `twist` yang akan diberikan si penusil di buku ini. Tapi ternyata tidak ada sama sekali!!! Semua cerita berjalan biasa-biasa saja/flat/membosankan. Arghhhh, aku benar-benar KECEWA dengan buku ini.
_
Sekian.
July 9, 2017
Cathy never expected Tommy to see his cousin Murielle in her face. But he does. In the middle of a crowded lunchroom during summer school.
His outburst causes an avalanche. His parents - mom especially - are convinced Cathy is Murielle. Their niece disappeared into the foster system after her parents ran off instead of getting arrested for stealing a lot of money.
Each day Cathy feels Murielle coming back. The FBI want to find her too, to flush out her parents. She needs to decide if she should abandon them like they did her.
There's a little bit of God here, but not much. Story is deep and heartfelt. Told from Cathy's point of view in the present and Murielle's point of view in the past.
His outburst causes an avalanche. His parents - mom especially - are convinced Cathy is Murielle. Their niece disappeared into the foster system after her parents ran off instead of getting arrested for stealing a lot of money.
Each day Cathy feels Murielle coming back. The FBI want to find her too, to flush out her parents. She needs to decide if she should abandon them like they did her.
There's a little bit of God here, but not much. Story is deep and heartfelt. Told from Cathy's point of view in the present and Murielle's point of view in the past.
May 31, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this story because it seemed like every chapter left you hanging and it was a mystery which I love! The cliff hangers and the mystery left me more engaged in the story and made me want to just keep reading and not put my book down. I can say at times I got a little confused with the character jump each chapter when bouncing back and forth between Cathy and Murielle but I also liked the concept and thought it was creative and neat at the same time. I also wish that they would have put more detail into making the story more realistic to how it would happen in real life but it was still a very intriguing story line. I definitely would recommend this book to anybody who likes mysteries or crime stories because this is worth the read!
February 28, 2020
A teenaged girl is confronted by her cousin, stating that she is his long lost cousin, named Murielle. She was abandoned by her parents who embezzled millions of dollars and were going to be sent to prison once they were found.
Murielle was placed in several foster homes and started going by her middle name, Cathy and her foster parents, that she has lived with for 5 years last name.
She denies being Murielle and the cousin’s parents, the FBI and some of the other students become involved in this.
The FBI wants to find her parents to arrest them.
This book is youth fiction and I only gave it 3 stars because the author doesn’t really tie up the “ loose ends” at the end of the book. I have read Caroline Cooney’s books before. She usually writes thrillers about children.
Murielle was placed in several foster homes and started going by her middle name, Cathy and her foster parents, that she has lived with for 5 years last name.
She denies being Murielle and the cousin’s parents, the FBI and some of the other students become involved in this.
The FBI wants to find her parents to arrest them.
This book is youth fiction and I only gave it 3 stars because the author doesn’t really tie up the “ loose ends” at the end of the book. I have read Caroline Cooney’s books before. She usually writes thrillers about children.
February 12, 2018
They never came back is a mystery novel by By Caroline B. Cooney written for high schoolers grades 9 through 12. The book illustrates and tells the story of Cathy a girl who is enrolled in a prestigious summer school for a foreign language program when at lunch a boy by the name of Tommy recognizes her and tells her that she is his long lost cousin murielle, he claimed there to be many resemblances to the two and caused quite a stir at the school. The book is written from 2 perspectives Cathy's and Muriel's (But not together). It tells the story of when Muriel's parents got in trouble with the law and went into exile in Britain only to leave her with her Aunt and Uncle until her aunt and uncle get entrapped in the thick of things as well and murielle gets put into foster care along with her cousin tommy.
The rest you have to read and find out what suspenseful and mysterious components Caroline B. Cooney puts in her book to keep the reader hooked and intrigued, and to keep them hanging on to read more. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick intense novel that will keep them on the edge of their seats for the majority of the book. i liked about this book how well they detailed the double perspective between every other chapter about current day Cathy and past day murielle filling in the reader about what they needed to know about both characters. This novel is not part of a series so it is a quick and easy book to read and finish.
The rest you have to read and find out what suspenseful and mysterious components Caroline B. Cooney puts in her book to keep the reader hooked and intrigued, and to keep them hanging on to read more. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick intense novel that will keep them on the edge of their seats for the majority of the book. i liked about this book how well they detailed the double perspective between every other chapter about current day Cathy and past day murielle filling in the reader about what they needed to know about both characters. This novel is not part of a series so it is a quick and easy book to read and finish.
December 5, 2016
This was a different kind of book that I have never read before, and it was amazing! I got emotionally connected with every character. It was nice that it showed two perspectives for two characters, and in the chapters, they showed small paragraphs of other character's perspectives. The theme that the book taught you at the end really tied everything together, and it fit the book perfectly. This is a great book and I would really recommend it!
July 29, 2017
As a reading teacher, I need to immerse myself in more young adult reading than I currently do. My students often ask me for book recommendations, and I have my list of "old faithfuls," but I want to expand it. Since I liked the series about Janie that began with The Face on the Milk Carton, also by Cooney, I decided to give another book a try.
This one was much like The Face on the Milk Carton. It centers around a ten-year-old girl named Murielle (not Muriel - Muri ELLE). Her parents are embezzlers who are about to be caught. They make plans to successfully leave the country, but Murielle is not with them because her aunt, the mother's sister, refused to be part of their escape and would not take Murielle to the airport.
The book is also about 15 year old Cathy Ferris. Cathy is a foster child who is a very hard-working student. She decided to take a summer class, Latin, in the next town over. Her own school doesn't offer it. One day at lunch, a student named Tommy runs up to her asking her where she has been. He believes she is his missing cousin. It also happens that she is taking classes with the daughter of the office manager who took the fall when Murielle's parents left the country.
The novel is written from the perspectives of both girls and is told through some flashbacks as well. More than just a mystery, it is a book about family and forgiveness. It's a very easy read, and I believe my students will enjoy it. Despite the similarities to the Janie series, it's worth reading.
This one was much like The Face on the Milk Carton. It centers around a ten-year-old girl named Murielle (not Muriel - Muri ELLE). Her parents are embezzlers who are about to be caught. They make plans to successfully leave the country, but Murielle is not with them because her aunt, the mother's sister, refused to be part of their escape and would not take Murielle to the airport.
The book is also about 15 year old Cathy Ferris. Cathy is a foster child who is a very hard-working student. She decided to take a summer class, Latin, in the next town over. Her own school doesn't offer it. One day at lunch, a student named Tommy runs up to her asking her where she has been. He believes she is his missing cousin. It also happens that she is taking classes with the daughter of the office manager who took the fall when Murielle's parents left the country.
The novel is written from the perspectives of both girls and is told through some flashbacks as well. More than just a mystery, it is a book about family and forgiveness. It's a very easy read, and I believe my students will enjoy it. Despite the similarities to the Janie series, it's worth reading.
April 24, 2020
It's funny what this pandemic has done. I have plenty of eBooks since I am a Netgalley and Edelweiss hoarder and I really should be reading 2020 books for MSBA. But...I can't just read eBooks so I have been indulging - reading books I have had around for awhile - even buying some to finish a series. This... not even sure when I bought it. Probably at a Scholastic event... It's only a 2010 but some many aspects are already dated - MySpace and BlackBerry :). But it was good...
November 20, 2022
its a story about parents what never come back only it is not as fun as that movie where the boy was left at home by his self while his family played in paris. this time its a girl left behind and she goes to a foster family but the family is nice and her aunt and uncle are nice and her latin class is nice and the boys are nice and the state of connecticut is nice. where's the tension you might ask? check on myspace for a minute.
November 26, 2015
In the beginning of "They Never Came Back", we are introduced to Cathy Ferris. She is attending a summer school that teaches foreign languages. Cathy is enjoying lunch with her new friends, when a boy named Tommy comes over and accuses Cathy of being his long lost cousin, Muriel.
Muriel is the daughter of Rory and Cade Lyman. Five years before, Rory and Cade embezzled a lot of money from a lot of people and they fled the country. The Lymans asked Tommy's mother, Louis, to bring Muriel to the airport, so that they could all flee the country without getting caught. Louis backs out at the last minute and takes Muriel to her house. The next day the FBI comes to Louis's house to question them about the whereabouts of Rory and Cade. Matt Keefer questions Muriel, but she refuses to say anything.
Before Rory left she gave Muriel a secret phone with her new number in it. While trying to hide the phone from Matt Keefer, Muriel throws it out the window and loses it. That night when everyone is asleep Muriel sneaks outside to find the phone and falls asleep on the front step. The mailman finds her there in the morning and calls the police. The FBI takes Muriel away from her aunt and uncle because they suspect them of helping Rory and Cade. They also think they aren't fit to keep Muriel because she won't eat. Muriel goes through several different Foster homes until she is finally put with Marmee and Bob Ferris. On the first day of fifth grade Muriel decides that she doesn't want to use her real name, so she uses her middle name and becomes Cathy Ferris.
As the years went by Cathy still checked websites every now and then to see if there was any new news on Rory and Cade. One night she goes to the newspaper website for her hometown and finds out about a summer school that teaches foreign languages. She sees that her cousin Tommy is enrolled in it and she longs to see him again. Cathy enrolls in a Latin class in the hopes of seeing Tommy and finding out if her parents had tried to contact her. Cathy carpools to school with a boy named Spencer who lives even further from the school than she does.
Usually Tommy's class ate separate from everyone else but about a week after the school starts, they start eating in the cafeteria with everyone else and that's when Tommy spots Cathy. Tommy tells Cathy how worried they've been about her since she got lost in the system, but Cathy says that she isn't Muriel. Soon the whole school is buzzing about whether Cathy could be Muriel or just a look alike. Cathy does not want to be Muriel anymore and she keeps pretending that she doesn't know who Tommy is. The only person who is not excited about this new situation is Cathy's friend Juliana. Juliana's mother worked for Rory and Cade and she knew about the money that was being embezzled. When Rory and Cade fled the country, Juliana's mom got stuck taking the punishment. Her mom got two years in prison and her family lost everything. Juliana wants nothing more than for Rory and Cade to get caught and take their rightful punishment.
Tommy takes a picture of Cathy at lunch and sends it to Louis. Louis and her husband, Travis, come to the school to see Cathy. When school lets out Cathy walks outside and is greeted by Louis, who is certain that Cathy is Muriel.
That night Louis calls Matt Keefer and tells him everything. He plans to use Cathy as bait to catch Rory and Cade. The next day at school Tommy shows Matt where Cathy is, but when he tries to talk to her she acts like she doesn't know anything. She also refuses to talk to him and there is nothing he can do about it. The whole school finds out that the FBI wants Cathy to make a video saying that she is Muriel, and that she is dying, in the hopes that Rory and Cade will come running back to her. That plan gives Cathy's friend, Ava, an idea. Ava gets old pictures of Muriel from Tommy and she uses a recent picture to create a MySpace page for Muriel. She hopes that Muriel's parents will see it and try to contact her.
The next day at lunch Ava comes flying down the stairs with her laptop and tells everyone that she has been contacted by Rory and Cade. Cathy takes the laptop and makes sure that it's really them by asking a question only they would know the answer to. Once she realizes that it is them she notices that Juliana is on the phone with Matt Keefer telling him how to get to that website. Now she must decide whether she is going to turn in her own parents or help two criminals get away. Finally she decides that even though what her parents did was wrong, she must protect them because she still loves them. She sends them a message that says "RUN". Juliana is furious with this and Matt Keefer realizes that he will probably never find Rory and Cade. Cathy finally admits that she is Muriel and she decides that she wants to go back where she belongs and live with Louis, Travis, and Tommy.
In "They Never Came Back" I liked that the book was entertaining. I liked how the story progressed and there was never a boring part. I also didn't expect it to end the way that it did.
The thing I didn't like about "They Never Came Back' is that it was confusing. The book kept switching back from Muriel's story to Cathy's point of view and it was hard to keep up with what was happening.
Muriel is the daughter of Rory and Cade Lyman. Five years before, Rory and Cade embezzled a lot of money from a lot of people and they fled the country. The Lymans asked Tommy's mother, Louis, to bring Muriel to the airport, so that they could all flee the country without getting caught. Louis backs out at the last minute and takes Muriel to her house. The next day the FBI comes to Louis's house to question them about the whereabouts of Rory and Cade. Matt Keefer questions Muriel, but she refuses to say anything.
Before Rory left she gave Muriel a secret phone with her new number in it. While trying to hide the phone from Matt Keefer, Muriel throws it out the window and loses it. That night when everyone is asleep Muriel sneaks outside to find the phone and falls asleep on the front step. The mailman finds her there in the morning and calls the police. The FBI takes Muriel away from her aunt and uncle because they suspect them of helping Rory and Cade. They also think they aren't fit to keep Muriel because she won't eat. Muriel goes through several different Foster homes until she is finally put with Marmee and Bob Ferris. On the first day of fifth grade Muriel decides that she doesn't want to use her real name, so she uses her middle name and becomes Cathy Ferris.
As the years went by Cathy still checked websites every now and then to see if there was any new news on Rory and Cade. One night she goes to the newspaper website for her hometown and finds out about a summer school that teaches foreign languages. She sees that her cousin Tommy is enrolled in it and she longs to see him again. Cathy enrolls in a Latin class in the hopes of seeing Tommy and finding out if her parents had tried to contact her. Cathy carpools to school with a boy named Spencer who lives even further from the school than she does.
Usually Tommy's class ate separate from everyone else but about a week after the school starts, they start eating in the cafeteria with everyone else and that's when Tommy spots Cathy. Tommy tells Cathy how worried they've been about her since she got lost in the system, but Cathy says that she isn't Muriel. Soon the whole school is buzzing about whether Cathy could be Muriel or just a look alike. Cathy does not want to be Muriel anymore and she keeps pretending that she doesn't know who Tommy is. The only person who is not excited about this new situation is Cathy's friend Juliana. Juliana's mother worked for Rory and Cade and she knew about the money that was being embezzled. When Rory and Cade fled the country, Juliana's mom got stuck taking the punishment. Her mom got two years in prison and her family lost everything. Juliana wants nothing more than for Rory and Cade to get caught and take their rightful punishment.
Tommy takes a picture of Cathy at lunch and sends it to Louis. Louis and her husband, Travis, come to the school to see Cathy. When school lets out Cathy walks outside and is greeted by Louis, who is certain that Cathy is Muriel.
That night Louis calls Matt Keefer and tells him everything. He plans to use Cathy as bait to catch Rory and Cade. The next day at school Tommy shows Matt where Cathy is, but when he tries to talk to her she acts like she doesn't know anything. She also refuses to talk to him and there is nothing he can do about it. The whole school finds out that the FBI wants Cathy to make a video saying that she is Muriel, and that she is dying, in the hopes that Rory and Cade will come running back to her. That plan gives Cathy's friend, Ava, an idea. Ava gets old pictures of Muriel from Tommy and she uses a recent picture to create a MySpace page for Muriel. She hopes that Muriel's parents will see it and try to contact her.
The next day at lunch Ava comes flying down the stairs with her laptop and tells everyone that she has been contacted by Rory and Cade. Cathy takes the laptop and makes sure that it's really them by asking a question only they would know the answer to. Once she realizes that it is them she notices that Juliana is on the phone with Matt Keefer telling him how to get to that website. Now she must decide whether she is going to turn in her own parents or help two criminals get away. Finally she decides that even though what her parents did was wrong, she must protect them because she still loves them. She sends them a message that says "RUN". Juliana is furious with this and Matt Keefer realizes that he will probably never find Rory and Cade. Cathy finally admits that she is Muriel and she decides that she wants to go back where she belongs and live with Louis, Travis, and Tommy.
In "They Never Came Back" I liked that the book was entertaining. I liked how the story progressed and there was never a boring part. I also didn't expect it to end the way that it did.
The thing I didn't like about "They Never Came Back' is that it was confusing. The book kept switching back from Muriel's story to Cathy's point of view and it was hard to keep up with what was happening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2018
Caroline B Cooney's books feel melodramatic, but the emotions feel real, it's hard to describe. I like that she doesn't shy away from mentioning technology like some contemporary writers. I thought it was strange how Cathy would be silent while all of the students were all running their mouths off though. She should have faked bemusement.
June 21, 2025
I love Caroline B Cooney and this is a tangent leap off The Face on the Milk Carton. Though I liked that better, this was an interesting premise too, just not as fleshed out somehow. Cathy was not as riveting as Jamie, and the ending wasn’t as detailed as I would’ve like. Still I truly devoured it in one sitting.
August 11, 2019
It was a good book but the ending was not satisfying AT ALL!! You cannot end it where she finally admits her identity and told her parents to not come back, maybe start a dating relationship with a boy, and just go home with your aunt to have a sandwich. THAT’S NOT VERY SATISFYING!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2017
Interesting
It was an interesting look at abandonment. I keep reading her new books because she was my favorite writer in middle school. This one felt somehow younger than most.
It was an interesting look at abandonment. I keep reading her new books because she was my favorite writer in middle school. This one felt somehow younger than most.
July 14, 2019
Book was fine, very interesting until the last five pages. Ending did not make sense at all and I guarantee no real person would have acted like Cathy did which is the reason for the two stars
August 6, 2019
Good story bit slow to finish
Read
December 16, 2019two copies
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews