Ian Hunt, police dispatcher in Bulls Mouth, Tex., is hard at work on a solitaire game when the 911 call comes in. Expecting the usual small-town emergency call, he discovers his daughter on the other end--the daughter who was kidnapped seven years ago, the daughter he'd buried in a symbolic ceremony only four months earlier. She has managed to elude her captors, but before Ian can get help to her, the kidnapper grabs her again and is back on the run. Now the depths of Ian's love for his child are put to the test: How far is he willing to go to save her?
Ryan David Jahn (Good Neighbors) expertly weaves the story of a battle between two men who both believe they are fighting to protect their families. Their actions mirror one other, and each judges the other for those actions. When man pushes aside the laws of society for what he deems justifiable cause, the result is physical, mental and emotional carnage.
Jahn's quiet intensity lulls the reader into the sleepy atmosphere, heightening the explosive action when it comes. In the meantime, Jahn builds empathy for his characters through flashback scenes, helping the reader find justification in lawlessness. The Dispatcher is a tale that challenges readers' perceptions of right and wrong, good and bad. The grime of this small town dirties everyone's hat, until it's virtually impossible to tell who's wearing the white ones. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts