["They Never Came Home"] follows its leads to a crackling finale that makes the novel live up to its billing as "psychological suspense."
Lois Duncan writes well and simply on mature situations. She gives her readers comprehensible, yet not over sensational descriptions of a mother's nervous breakdown; of a plain girl discovering beauty in herself; of a younger brother learning not to live in the reflected glory of an older one; of a mentally deranged boy who has cut himself off from the love his family wanted to give him. "They Never Came Home" is a well-paced action story, with a full quota of heroes and villains, and a series of narrative hooks guaranteed to hold any reader.
Richard F. Shepard, in his review of "They Never Came Home," in The New York Times Book Review (© 1969 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), June 8, 1969, p. 42.
This is a free excerpt of 151 words. There are 156 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Duncan (Steinmetz Arquette), Lois 1934–: Critical Essay by Richard F. Shepard Access Pass.
