Someone to Blame

a novel by C. S. Lakin

Contemporary Fiction / Psychological Mystery
Winner of the 2009 Zondervan First Novel contest

A family in pain, a town eager to blame...

In the wake of heartrending family tragedies, Matt and Irene Moore move with their fourteen-year-old daughter, Casey, to a small town. Their goal is to get far away from the daily reminders that leave each of them raw and guilt- ridden. Their hope is to find redemption, repair, and renewal. Instead, the threads of their relationship unravel even more.

Breakers is a small community perched on the rocky coast of the Pacific Northwest. Its cold isolation seems to mirror the hearts of the family seeking solace there. As they settle into their new life, old grief settles with them. They've once more set the stage for calamity.

Into this mix comes Billy Thurber, a young drifter with his own conflicts, whose life unexpectedly entangles with the Moores’. His arrival in Breakers parallels a rash of hateful and senseless crimes, and soon the whole town – eager for someone to blame – goes after Thurber with murderous intent. Out of this dangerous chaos, however, the Moores find unexpected grace and healing in a most unlikely way.

Read the first chapter (PDF)

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Endorsements for Someone to Blame:

"Someone to Blame is as convicting as it is moving. Lakin deftly explores the complexities of family relationships and their consequences, and reminds us what happens when we judge those we know nothing about. Readers will enjoy this rising new talent."
- Terri Blackstock, author of Intervention and Predator

"A poignant and relevant story of redemption and renewal, wonderfully written and powerfully paced. C. S. Lakin deftly explores the heart’s desperate struggle to make sense of loss. Well done."
- Susan Meissner, author of The Shape of Mercy

"Beautifully written by C. S. Lakin, this deeply moving story of grace in hard places will linger with you long after the last page."
- James Scott Bell, author of Try Dying

"Lakin's is a welcome voice bringing fresh emotion to a story that doesn't shy away from difficult issues. I knew Lakin was special from the first chapter. I kept thinking, 'I hope people think this when they read my stuff.' "
- Harry Kraus, author of Salty Like Blood

"Lakin is a skilled wordsmith with a unique, compelling voice. In Someone to Blame, she spins the story of a family in chaos while digging deeper into what it means to be a scapegoat. A surprising, great read."
- Mary DeMuth, author of Daisy Chain

"C.S. Lakin's captivating writing and well-drawn characters immediately drew me into this story. I loved it!"
- Cindy Martinusen Coloma, author of Orchid House and Beautiful

Author C. S. Lakin explores our need to assign reason and fix blame for the pain and grief in our lives. Though the circumstances are fictional, the emotions are real and universal, making Someone to Blame a great and inspiring read.

Visit the author at www.cslakin.com