A stranger abducts college student Ai-Chin in broad daylight on a quiet street in Athens, Ga. Daniel, 26, witnesses the crime, but he can communicate only via the computer on his wheelchair, and the police don't really understand him. But Ai-Chin's abductor understands Daniel needs to be silenced, in Will Leitch's debut novel, the heartbreaking, thrilling How Lucky.
As a child, Daniel was diagnosed with Type 2 SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). A doctor told Daniel's mother, "He will never walk. He will never be a regular boy... he could die at any moment." Defying odds, Daniel graduates college, lives on his own and lands an online job handling customer complaints. He's got a sharp mind, though his verbal skills are nonexistent. One of Daniel's caregivers calls a police tip line about the abduction, but Daniel is home alone when a cop follows up in person. Uncomfortable with Daniel's disability, the officer dismisses his statement. Hoping someone else saw Ai-Chin being taken, Daniel shares his story online. He's rebuffed as an attention seeker. Suddenly, an e-mail from the abductor says he knows how to find Daniel. Unexplained muddy footprints appear on Daniel's porch and near the windows. A few days later, Daniel sees the same footprints in his kitchen.
Early in this aching, witty novel a character encourages Daniel to stay kind because "no one will see it coming." The comment stresses how perilous Daniel's situation is, while illuminating his most formidable trait. Daniel can't stand or speak, but faces down a tremendous foe to help a stranger. Through this endearing character, author Will Leitch (Are We Winning?) reminds readers that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but human kindness defines them all. --Paul Dinh-McCrillis, freelance reviewer