The Butterfly Net

Child abduction is a hot news story. Tragic in its very premise, the blatant truth is that exploitating children sells and it sells big. In, The Butterfly Net, Kristen Thomas,the television news reporter lands the story of her dreams. A small town, homegrown, All-American child was plucked from her middle class bedroom without a trace. Kristen's urgen arrival in Greenville is quickly stalled as the only suspect is dismissed. At a loss for an angle to her story, Kristen targets a child attending the news conference. Similar in composite as the missing child, Kristen slants the story, "through the eyes of a child". America loves the little girl, so does the serial killer. The Internet pedophile's obvious exploitation is paired with the subtler exploitation exhibited by the other characters in the novel. The ultimate question becomes at what point does covering such a tragdy become immoral? Adults acting like children, and children wise beyond their years promote the message that protecting children is all that truly matters.