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Heavily pregnant Eileen Bright was riding in the family car with Jack, Joy and Merry ages 11,9 and 2 years old respectively. When the car broke down, Eileen told her children she would find an emergency telephone. They were instructed to stay in the car. She would be back very soon. After waiting and waiting, the worried children walked along the crash barrier on the road. Jack carried two year old Merry. Finally, coming upon the emergency phone, they noticed the orange receiver dangling from the phone box. Soon after, a car stopped and a policeman approached the kids.

Eileen Bright was missing. Police constantly entered and left the Bright house. Mr. Bright was distraught and preoccupied. He didn't notice the youngsters reading newspapers documenting their mother's disappearance. Days later, her stabbed body was found on the side of the road. An unusual looking knife was discovered nearby. The case remained unsolved.

Fast forward three years. Jack is now fourteen years old and the sole support in charge of his siblings. Mr. Bright, unable to cope, abandoned his children. Jack learned that appearances matter. Fear of being picked up by social services has led Jack to keep a well manicured lawn and washed windows. Neighbors are misled into thinking that Mr. Bright is often away for days working. Befriended by Louis Bridge, Jack is taught the art of being a cat burglar. In order to be successful at breaking and entering, a cat burglar must stay thin, wear gloves, first secure the exit of the premises and have a ready "smile and lie", if necessary. Jack steals food for family survival and small items Louis can sell for profit from the empty houses of families on vacation. One burglary will become a game changer.

Detective Chief Inspector John Marvel has been exiled to a small town. Although he is a good old fashioned copper, he has made costly mistakes. He will be forced to work with Detective Sergeant Reynolds who is well dressed and well liked. This is an awkward pairing of sleuths. In the absence of any current murder cases, Marvel will be required to assist in a slew of breaking and entering cases. He has lofty ideas. If he can unravel the cold case of Eileen Bright's murder, he might be recalled to London and leave this one horse town! Marvel, Reynolds and an unscrupulous assistant just might shed light on the investigations.

"Snap" by Belinda Bauer is a fast paced compulsive read that was "unputdownable". The characters were very well developed. Many were flawed but likable. Jack had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He knew right from wrong but felt between a rock and a hard place. Louis Bridge ran several interesting operations. "Snap" was a slow burning, highly addictive thriller I highly recommend.

Thank you Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Snap".