Have you ever received a suspicious email that felt just a little too personal? Or perhaps you’ve chased a dream so hard you ignored the red flags? In Cynthia J. Giachino’s novel, Between Lines, these modern-day anxieties spiral into a high-stakes international thriller that connects a retired schoolteacher in Chicago with a captive young man in Southeast Asia.

If you are looking for a story that blends the emotional bonds of female friendship with the tension of a rescue mission, this is a must-read. Here are my thoughts on why Between Lines is a gripping read.