When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket explores themes of family, identity, and the impact of loss. The story begins with Franny’s sudden disappearance, which catalyzes her family to confront their own struggles and embark on journeys of self-discovery. Through the perspectives of her husband, Walter; daughter, Kay; and son, Cal, Brasket’s narrative captures the emotional void left by Franny’s absence and the ways each character attempts to fill it. Walter’s quiet determination leads him to Alaska and eventually South America in search of closure, while Kay, an archaeology student, grapples with her brother’s addiction and her own impending motherhood. Cal’s battle with heroin addiction and his artistic awakening through welding highlight his growth and the possibility of redemption.

Deborah J. Brasket’s prose brings the story to life, painting vivid images of rugged landscapes and mystical ruins. These settings mirror the characters’ internal struggles and add meaning to their journeys. The alternating viewpoints of Kay, Cal, and Walter provide a multifaceted portrayal of grief and longing, allowing readers to experience Franny’s absence through different lenses. The gifts she sends are symbolic threads connecting her to her family, even as she remains physically distant. When Things Go Missing is a thought-provoking novel that captures the fragility and strength of human connection. Brasket’s writing draws readers into the lives of her characters, enabling them to connect with the characters on a deeper level. It is a story of hope, healing, and the enduring bonds of family, leaving readers with a sense of closure and possibility.

One day, Fran, a fifty-year-old from San Domingo, leaves her home to get groceries, but finds herself heading South and does not stop. She leaves her daughter, Kay, a graduate student, a cryptic voicemail, hinting at her sudden departure. Fran had been the only reason her family, which included her son Cal, her husband Walter, and Kay, was still together. Walter, a strict father, hardly gets along with Cal, a heroin addict who has recently been released from jail. With Fran gone, Kay is scared her dysfunctional family is about to fall apart. Fran keeps in touch with each of them subtly, but nothing seems to hold them together as they navigate their lives without her presence. Is there hope for the family? Find out in Deborah J Brasket’s When Things Go Missing.

Deborah J Brasket’s When Things Go Missing is a must-read for lovers of literary, contemporary drama novels flavored with suspense. Through the different perspectives of the multifaceted, dynamic, and authentic cast, Brasket brings into focus the complex romantic, platonic, and familial relations of the modern world, highlighting their tentative, ambivalent, fragile, and conditional nature. I could relate to the love-hate relationship among the three, their emotional and mental turmoil as they tried to make sense of Fran’s absence and their roles in the family, and their unique journeys of self-discovery and redemption. Cal was my favorite. His addiction may have driven him to the depths of shame, despair, and instability, but he is sweet and caring at heart. He not only embodies the hectic process of overcoming and recovering from addiction, but also the struggles of the modern male.