Standing Still

This book, by Kelly Simmons, came to me via a recommendation - from the author no less! She commented on one of my blog posts here and decided that since I liked Anita Shreve, I would also like her debut novel, Standing Still. And since you all know that I rarely say no to a book, I decided to give it a chance. This novel tells the story of Claire Cooper, a forty-year old mother of three who, when encountered with a kidnapper in her daughter's room, asks him to take her instead. Oddly enough, the kidnapper agrees and the majority of the novel takes place during this time period. Claire, however, isn't your typical soccer mom; she suffers from a panic disorder, has an irrational fear of "David" and is constantly assuming that the worst is about to happen. It's ironic that it actually does happen to her but it also felt a bit too contrived. Also a lot is made of Claire's panic disorder, yet she seemed to be relatively calm throughout most of her ordeal, which didn't quite ring true. Although a good first effort, and a semi-enjoyable read, it was only OK. Where the author does a good job, however, is in the gradual transformation of Claire from helpless victim to capable, empowered adult.