Matthew Corbin washes his hands. He washes them constantly because he fears the germs he is sure are everywhere. Sometimes he wears latex gloves, but he knows his father doesn't approve. His father doesn't understand the fear and guilt Matthew lives with every day.
Because of this OCD behavior and the constant fear and worry, Matthew hasn't been going to school. Instead, he sits at an upstairs window where he has a view of all the houses and activities on his cul-de-sac. One day he observes two young children arriving at his neighbor's, an elderly man named Mr. Charles. He watches them playing in the neighboring garden.
One day Matthew sees Teddy, the toddler, wander among the flowers throwing petals to the ground. The next thing he knows, Teddy wanders through the gate and disappears. The police are summoned, and the search for young Teddy begins.
Matthew answers questions from the authorities, but he doesn't have any idea where Teddy may have gone or who may have taken him. Soon Matthew joins forces with a girl from the neighborhood, and together, they investigate the disappearance.
Author Lisa Thompson weaves a complex tale involving a small neighborhood, a missing toddler, OCD, and the importance of observation.
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