The Trade: A Novel [Hardcover]

Shirley Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2003

Matt Lowell never set out to be a hero . . . But he wasn't given a choice.

As a wildfire rages in the canyons around Malibu, Matt Lowell races along the edge of the surf in a desperate attempt to reach his house and save his dog, Barney. But as he runs he stumbles upon a horror that stops him in his tracks: a newborn baby abandoned in the sand. And before he can get her to safety, the baby dies in his arms.

When the police find the baby's teenage mother dead on the side of the canyon road, her body covered with wildflowers, Matt can't ignore the unexpected sense of duty he feels for these innocent victims. And so he decides to get involved, a decision that will set in motion irreversible consequences -- and lead him straight into the midst of an unspeakable crime ring of greed, slavery and murder.

Matt Lowell is about to find out that doing the right thing could be the last thing he ever does . . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

..".[a] powerful debut novel...This romantic thriller explores the complexities of culture as well as those of the human heart." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Shirley Palmer has achieved much critical success with her previous novels. Danger Zone received rave reviews, and A Veiled Journey and Lioness, which she published under the pseudonym Nell Brien, both placed prominently on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. Shirley lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Mira (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551667355
• ISBN-13: 978-1551667355
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,794,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thriller with Heart, April 3, 2010

By 

Karen Holtz "NJ Book Girl" (Woodside, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Trade: A Novel (Hardcover)

Matt Lowell is a single guy who lives on the beach in Malibu and loves his dog. And he needs that dog, because as far as women are concerned, he has a problem with commitment. As the story opens we find Matt racing home to rescue said dog from a raging wildfire. The area has been closed off, but that's not stopping Matt. As he dashes though the surf, he finds an abandoned newborn. He picks up the baby and continues he dash home. Unfortunately, the child dies before he can get help.

The police are quick to put Matt directly in the crosshairs of their suspicion. Then, when the baby's teenage mother is found dead, they galvanize their sights on Matt even as Matt begins to feel a sense of duty to this perished mother and her child. He can't leave the situation alone. He can't rest until he finds out what had happened to them and why.

Then, while in the woods look for clues, he comes upon more children, runaways. But runaways from whom? One of the children is ill and he takes her home, hoping she might be the key to the mystery. He calls and asks his ex-girlfriend Ginn Chang for both support and legal advice. He has never really gotten over her, though she makes it very clear she has no intention of picking up where they left off, as she is definitely aware of his commitment problem.

Then he calls a doctor friend to help with the girl and they find that the child is afraid of men, and, if that isn't enough, that night someone tries to break into his home and kidnap the child. What has Matt gotten himself into? He's about to find out as his investigation drags him into the underbelly of the criminal world and eventually leads to some very bad, very connected hombres who endanger not only Matt, but those he holds dear.

In my opinion Ms. Palmer has written a powerful story, one that should open a lot of eyes. I know it did mine. I always thought slavery ended with the Civil War. Well, apparently it didn't. This is a thriller with a message, a thriller with heart, a thriller not to be missed.

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED THIS BOOK!, August 9, 2004

By 

Shirley Palmer fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trade: A Novel (Hardcover)

I am a huge fan of Shirley Palmer, have read every one of her books (Danger Zone; Veiled Journey; Lioness) and I have to say this is her best yet! Palmer reveals an underworld that is shocking and eye opening. Highly recommended!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Trade, July 2, 2005

By 

C. Acton (Walnut Creek, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Trade (Mira) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a very exciting and well written book. The hero is a real human. The trade in children is very moving and the ending is exciting and unexpected.