Gr. 7^-12. An accidental encounter with a group of car thieves spells trouble for two brothers as they begin a canoe trip down Arkansas Buffalo River. Wandering through the woods, 11-year-old Robbie gets lost, but it s older brother Eric whose life is threatened when his search for Robbie leads him to an isolated barn serving as some criminals chop shop. While Eric is held captive, Robbie must devise a plan to free his brother and secure their safety. From the first page, tension mounts as the brothers question the antagonists suspicious behavior. Several unexpected plot twists keep the reader engaged, and although the suspense in the latter part of the adventure is not as strong as the set-up, the resolution is both plausible and satisfying. Departing from his usual sports-theme novels, which have won him acclaim, Dygard proves once again that appealing, believable characters in any context are the strength of good fiction. Roger Leslie