The Deep End [Paperback]

Chris Crutcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

A therapist treating abused children and families in crisis, Wilson Corder faces his most horrifying experience yet when seven-year-old Sabrina Parker is kidnapped and his own children's lives are threatened. Reprint. PW. K. LJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Crutcher's harrowing, sensitively written story of child abuse, a therapist investigates the abduction and murder of the young daughter of one of his patients.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Child therapist Wilson Corder is apprehensive that his theories may become chilling facts in Crutcher's outstanding, yet wrenching, look into child abuse. Corder's primary concern is the missing Sabrina Parker. After the girl is found dead, he receives letters warning him against treating her traumatized brother, Jerry, who might have been the only witness to his sister's kidnapping. Her supposed abductor attacks Corder and Jerry during a visit to the place where Sabrina was murdered, and a psychotic, dangerous newcomer enters the scene and terrorizes Corder's children. All of these elements crescendo to a gripping, bone-chilling climax. Alone, the realism of the child abuse is depressing and overwhelming, but Crutcher's superb, sensitive style coupled with the prudent use of his unique humor makes this a first-rate, ``can't-put-it-down'' novel.
- Mike Printz, Topeka West High School, KS
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821744259
• ISBN-13: 978-0821744253
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,568,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Crutcher grew up in Cascade, Idaho, and now lives in Spokane, Washington. He is the critically acclaimed author of six novels and a collection of short stories for teenagers, all chosen as ALA Best Books. In 2000, he was awarded the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring his lifetime contribution in writing for teens. Drawing on his experience as an athlete, teacher, family therapist, and child protection specialist, he unflinchingly writes about real and often-ignored issues that face teenagers today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A happy discovery for fans of Crutcher's YA fiction, October 8, 2007

By 

grrlpup (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deep End (Paperback)

If you like Chris Crutcher's young-adult books, go back and try this thriller. The main character is a child and family therapist with his own history of anger and mistakes. The plot isn't all that subtle, but it will pull you through the book with a few violent shocks and a lot of affection for the characters. I especially liked the glimpses of what it's like to work with kids in play therapy.

The details are a bit dated ("He's got one of those cellular phones.") and a few of the characters are stock (biker with the heart of gold, for example) but the emotions ring true as they do in all of Crutcher's books. I have a huge crush on him for the way he speaks out for kids and keeps it real.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Deep End, March 30, 2000

By 

Linda C. Newman (Ashland, Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deep End (Paperback)

Wilson's job as a therapist provides many opportunities to see into the lives of abused or neglected children. Sabrina is Jerry's sister and she is missing. Wilson counsels Jerry and his mother, Peggy, and with the help of the police, tries to find Sabrina and bring her back to safety. Wilson realizes that there is something about the night Sabrina was taken from her home that does not fit with the story Jerry and Peggy have told him. Wilson soon finds himself in the middle a dangerous situation that involves the kidnapping of the most important people is his life. This highly intensified mystery leads Wilson through events that leave him a changed person. His own children are in danger and Wilson will do anything to insure their safety. Sabrina is found but at the same time, other people are also involved that add to the suspense of the story. A young child named, Craig, is introduced as a burn victim and his stepfather, Dr. Bonner, is accused. This is when the book really gets interesting. Through the eyes of Wilson, we are able to "see" the abuse with such clarity and realism. Chris Crutcher has the experience from his own counseling to adequately portray these young victims. There is a heart breaking murder that was somewhat unexpected. The story does follow the old "good guy gets the bad guy" scenario, but by the time that happens, you are ready for it! The conclusion of the book forced me to ponder the desperate situation that young children and adults face when abuse is present. I have thought about this book many times since finishing it. I highly recommend this book to young adults.

4.0 out of 5 stars An exciting book with an important message., March 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Deep End (Paperback)

This is, as the subtitle to the book suggests, a novel of suspense. For me it did more than just keep my attention and entice me to keep turning the pages. The importance of what the author calls "tribal" parenting needs to be mass communicated. As Arthur Miller suggested in his play years before, children and even adults are "all our sons." Maybe there are a few stick figures here and there in the book, but so what, the story and theme make the novel very worthwhile to read.