The Gift
Actress Lyla McCord’s eight-year-old daughter has vanished. Desperate for answers, her husband Nolan hires a psychic who claims to have uncanny visions of the lost girl. Lyla suspects the man is a con artist, but the most terrifying possibility is that he might actually be telling the truth. Alison Gaylin delivers a gripping short story about how far a mother will go to keep her family together.
- Lyla - Nolan’s wife
- Nolan - Lyla’s husband
- Fidelity - Lyla and Nolan’s daughter, 8
- Courtney - Fidelity's nanny
- Carl - Psychic
- Fidelity was not at school when Courtney went to pick her up.
- Nolan and Lyla consult Carl who asks if the name Lisa means anything to them.
- Nine years ago Lyla disappeared to get away from the pressures of Hollywood and reappeared with a baby, telling Nolan it was his.
- Lisa is the name Lyla used when she ran away from home.
- Lyla stole Fidelity from a homeless woman and then killed her.
- When Lyla realizes Carl knows Fidelity isn’t her real daughter, she kills him and dumps his body in the water.
- Fidelity is found alive.
- She had wandered off during recess and got lost in the woods.
- Fidelity tells Lyla she saw a ghost in the woods with blue eyes—Carl—who said that Lyla was not her real mother before disappearing.
The Gift by Alison Gaylin was a great short story. It was fast-paced, and there was tension and mystery throughout. Tvhere was good character development for a quick read and as a grieving mother, Lyla was easy to sympathize with.
The real highlight was the ending. It delivered a shocking twist that caught me off guard. The way everything wrapped up made it a highly satisfying read. If you are looking for a quick thrill, this book is a great choice.
- Murder
- Kidnapping
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
ASIN: B08BZJH8Q7
Publication Date: July 30, 2020
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
