Identity Unraveling

Lana Myers, living under a stolen identity as Kennedy Carlyle, faces exposure when Hadley Grace, an FBI agent and close colleague of Lana's boyfriend Logan, confronts her with evidence of her past. Lana's carefully constructed life—built on lies, plastic surgery, and altered records—teeters on the edge as Hadley's suspicions grow. Lana's composure and quick thinking allow her to deflect Hadley's accusations, but the encounter ignites a new level of paranoia. Lana's dual existence as both a loving girlfriend and a vengeful vigilante is at risk, and she must act quickly to protect her secrets from those closest to her, especially as the FBI's investigation into a serial killer intensifies.

The Boogeyman's Challenge

Logan Bennett, an FBI profiler, is drawn deeper into the hunt for a sadistic serial killer known as the Boogeyman. The killer escalates his crimes, leaving messages that directly implicate Logan and threaten those he cares about. The investigation becomes personal as the killer's actions grow bolder, targeting women near Logan's home and leaving taunting clues. Logan's professional detachment erodes as he fears for Lana's safety, realizing the killer's focus may shift to her. The team's urgency increases, and the lines between personal and professional blur as the Boogeyman manipulates their every move.

Dangerous Protection

With the Boogeyman on the loose, Logan insists on police protection for Lana, stationing officers outside her home. This "protection" complicates Lana's secret activities as a vigilante serial killer, making it nearly impossible for her to continue her own campaign of vengeance. The presence of law enforcement is both a shield and a cage, threatening to expose her hidden murder room and disrupt her plans. Lana's frustration grows as she navigates the suffocating scrutiny, all while maintaining her façade as a normal girlfriend under threat.

Secrets Behind Closed Doors

As Logan and his team increase their presence in Lana's life, personal tensions rise. Logan's ex-girlfriend Lisa, now a colleague, and other team members bring jealousy and suspicion into Lana's home. Lana's relationship with Logan deepens, but so does the risk of discovery. The couple's moments of vulnerability and passion are shadowed by the secrets Lana keeps, and the ever-present threat of the Boogeyman. The emotional stakes heighten as Lana struggles to balance love, trust, and the darkness of her true self.

Tensions and Jealousies

The FBI team's dynamics become strained as jealousy, past relationships, and the stress of the case take their toll. Logan's protectiveness over Lana clashes with his responsibilities, while Lisa's bitterness and Hadley's suspicions create friction. Detective Duke, assigned to protect Lana, becomes a point of contention, especially as Logan's jealousy flares. The team's unity is tested, and the investigation is complicated by personal entanglements and emotional volatility.

Trauma and Trust

Lana's traumatic history as a victim of sexual violence and her transformation into a killer are mirrored in the stories of others around her. Hadley's own abuse at the hands of her stepfather, and the scars carried by other women in the narrative, create a tapestry of pain, survival, and the quest for justice. Lana's relationship with Logan offers moments of healing, but trust remains fragile. The characters grapple with the long-term effects of trauma, the difficulty of intimacy, and the search for redemption.

The Hunter Becomes Prey

The Boogeyman strikes directly at Logan's team, orchestrating a violent attack that leaves agents injured and the investigation in chaos. The killer's ability to anticipate the FBI's moves suggests an inside leak, and paranoia spreads. The team's sense of safety is shattered, and the case becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse. Lana, feeling both vulnerable and enraged, is pushed to the edge as the threat draws ever closer to her own life.

Shattered Alliances

The attack on the FBI team exposes fractures within the group. Logan's failure to communicate with Lana during the crisis leads to a painful rift between them. Lana, feeling betrayed and suffocated by the constant surveillance, pushes everyone away and reverts to her solitary, vengeful instincts. The emotional fallout is severe, as trust is broken and alliances are tested. The characters are forced to confront the limits of their loyalty and the cost of their secrets.

Vengeance in the Shadows

Freed from the constraints of police protection, Lana resumes her mission to punish abusers. She tracks down and kills Kenneth Ferguson, Hadley's abusive stepfather, uncovering a web of child victims in the process. Lana's methods are brutal but precise, and she takes steps to protect the innocent, rescuing a young girl and ensuring her safety. The act of vengeance is both cathartic and isolating, deepening Lana's sense of purpose but also her alienation from the world.

The Innocent and the Damned

Lana's rescue of Laurel, a child victim, and her placement with Lindy May—a fellow survivor—highlights the possibility of healing and hope amidst horror. The bond between victims and the creation of new, chosen families offer a counterpoint to the cycle of violence. Lana's actions, though criminal, are driven by a desire to protect the vulnerable and right the wrongs of the past. The narrative explores the blurred lines between justice and vengeance, and the ways in which trauma can forge unexpected connections.

The Cost of Survival

The aftermath of Lana's vigilante actions reverberates through the lives of those around her. The FBI investigation into Ferguson's murder threatens to expose Hadley and Lana, while the rescued child's future hangs in the balance. Lana's willingness to risk everything for others underscores the personal cost of survival and the burden of carrying secrets. The narrative examines the price of justice, the weight of guilt, and the difficulty of moving forward after unimaginable loss.

Unmasking Monsters

The investigation into Ferguson's crimes reveals the extent of his depravity and the failures of the system meant to protect children. The FBI, led by Logan and Duke, confronts the reality that monsters often hide in plain sight, shielded by authority and denial. The discovery of evidence, the testimonies of survivors, and the exposure of institutional complicity force the characters to reckon with the true nature of evil. The pursuit of the Boogeyman and the parallel hunt for hidden abusers converge, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted.

The Web Tightens

As the FBI delves deeper, they uncover links between the current killings, past abuses, and the town of Delaney Grove—a place with a dark, unspoken history. The realization that multiple victims and perpetrators are connected by shared trauma and secrets complicates the investigation. The team must navigate a labyrinth of lies, cover-ups, and personal vendettas to uncover the truth. The web of relationships, both past and present, tightens around Lana and those she seeks to protect.

Kindred Spirits

Lana and Hadley, once adversaries, are revealed to be kindred spirits—survivors shaped by violence and betrayal. Their stories intersect through the figure of Ferguson and the legacy of abuse. The narrative explores the ways in which trauma can isolate or unite, and the potential for solidarity among those who have suffered. Lana's empathy for Hadley, and her efforts to shield her from further harm, reflect a growing sense of responsibility and connection.

The Past Never Dies

The ghosts of Delaney Grove haunt Lana and Lindy, as the truth about the town's complicity in past crimes comes to light. The narrative delves into the enduring impact of childhood trauma, the difficulty of escaping one's origins, and the persistence of memory. Lana's quest for vengeance is revealed to be as much about reclaiming her own narrative as it is about punishing the guilty. The past, far from being buried, continues to shape the present in profound and dangerous ways.

Love in the Crosshairs

Lana and Logan's relationship deepens, offering moments of tenderness and healing amidst the chaos. Their intimacy is fraught with danger, as Lana's secrets threaten to destroy the trust they have built. The couple's struggle to balance love, honesty, and survival is at the heart of the narrative. The risks they take for each other underscore the vulnerability and strength required to love in a world defined by violence and betrayal.

The Final Confrontation

As the FBI closes in on the Boogeyman, the killer turns his attention to Lana, attacking her in her own home. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, with Lana's fate uncertain and the threat more immediate than ever. The confrontation between predator and prey, justice and vengeance, reaches a fever pitch. The stage is set for a reckoning, as all the threads of the narrative converge in a final, deadly encounter.

Characters

Lana Myers

Lana is a complex protagonist, living under a stolen identity after surviving a brutal sexual assault that destroyed her former self. Her trauma has transformed her into a meticulous, calculating vigilante who hunts and kills abusers, while maintaining the façade of a normal life and a loving relationship with Logan. Lana's psychological landscape is marked by compartmentalization, hypervigilance, and a deep sense of isolation. Her capacity for love and empathy coexists with her capacity for violence, making her both a protector and a threat. Throughout the novel, Lana's struggle to reconcile her need for vengeance with her desire for connection drives her development, as she navigates the dangers of exposure, betrayal, and her own haunted past.

Logan Bennett

Logan is a dedicated FBI agent whose professional life is upended by his relationship with Lana and the personal nature of the Boogeyman case. He is intelligent, principled, and fiercely protective, but his emotional investment in Lana clouds his judgment and exposes his vulnerabilities. Logan's past relationships, particularly with colleagues like Lisa and Hadley, complicate his personal and professional life. His journey is one of learning to trust, confronting his own limitations, and grappling with the moral ambiguities of justice. Logan's love for Lana is both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness, as it makes him a target and blinds him to the secrets she keeps.

Hadley Grace

Hadley is a brilliant forensic expert and former hacker, recruited by the FBI after a troubled childhood marked by abuse and betrayal. Her relentless pursuit of the truth is driven by a need to protect others from the kind of harm she suffered. Hadley's suspicion of Lana is rooted in her own experiences with deception and trauma. As the investigation into her stepfather's crimes unfolds, Hadley is forced to confront the reality of her past and the limitations of the justice system. Her relationship with Logan is one of mutual respect and camaraderie, and her eventual recognition of Lana as a kindred spirit marks a turning point in her development.

Detective Duke

Duke is a local homicide detective assigned to protect Lana during the Boogeyman investigation. His presence introduces new tensions, as he becomes both a potential ally and a source of suspicion. Duke's ambition and desire for recognition put him at odds with Logan, while his genuine concern for Lana's safety complicates his role. Duke's interactions with the FBI team highlight the challenges of interagency cooperation and the personal stakes involved in high-profile cases.

Lisa

Lisa is Logan's former girlfriend and a member of his FBI team. Her lingering feelings for Logan and resentment toward Lana create friction within the group. Lisa's professional competence is undermined by her emotional volatility, and her actions during the investigation reflect the difficulty of separating personal and professional boundaries. Lisa's character serves as a foil to Lana, highlighting the complexities of female rivalry and the impact of unresolved relationships.

Donny

Donny is a steady presence on the FBI team, providing support and perspective amidst the chaos. He is pragmatic, empathetic, and often serves as a mediator during conflicts. Donny's loyalty to Logan and the team is unwavering, and his insights into the case help drive the investigation forward. He represents the possibility of integrity and stability in a world marked by betrayal and violence.

Craig

Craig is the team's supervisor, responsible for managing the investigation and balancing competing priorities. He is analytical, decisive, and willing to bend the rules when necessary to protect his people. Craig's leadership is tested by the escalating violence, internal betrayals, and the emotional toll of the case. His ability to adapt and delegate is crucial to the team's survival.

Lindy May

Lindy is a former resident of Delaney Grove and a survivor of the same culture of abuse that shaped Lana. Her willingness to care for Laurel, the rescued child, and her loyalty to Lana reflect her strength and compassion. Lindy's character embodies the possibility of healing and redemption, even in the aftermath of profound trauma. Her alliance with Lana is based on shared experience and mutual trust.

Laurel

Laurel is a young girl rescued from abuse by Lana and placed in Lindy's care. Her resilience and capacity for trust, despite her suffering, symbolize hope and the potential for recovery. Laurel's presence in the narrative underscores the stakes of the fight against abusers and the importance of protecting the vulnerable.

Kenneth Ferguson

Ferguson is Hadley's abusive stepfather and a social worker who preyed on vulnerable children. His murder at Lana's hands exposes the failures of the system and the depths of his depravity. Ferguson's character serves as a catalyst for the convergence of the main characters' stories and the escalation of the central conflict.

Plot Devices

Dual Identity and Hidden Past

The narrative is built around Lana's double life as both a loving partner and a vigilante killer. Her ability to evade detection relies on meticulous planning, altered records, and psychological manipulation. The tension between her public persona and private actions creates constant suspense, as the threat of exposure looms over every interaction.

Cat-and-Mouse Structure

The central plot is structured as a high-stakes game between the FBI and the Boogeyman, with each side anticipating and countering the other's moves. The killer's personalized messages, attacks on the team, and manipulation of the investigation create a sense of relentless danger and urgency.

Trauma as Motivation

The characters' histories of abuse and betrayal are not just backstory—they are the engines driving their choices, relationships, and quests for justice. The narrative uses flashbacks, confessions, and psychological analysis to explore the long-term effects of trauma and the ways in which it can lead to both destruction and healing.

Foreshadowing and Red Herrings

The novel employs foreshadowing through cryptic messages, suspicious behavior, and the gradual revelation of connections between characters. Red herrings—such as the suspicion cast on Hadley and the shifting focus of the investigation—keep readers guessing and heighten the sense of uncertainty.

Thematic Symbolism

Lana's collection of nails from her victims, the hidden murder room, and the recurring references to scars and masks serve as symbols of the characters' inner lives. These motifs reinforce the themes of identity, memory, and the struggle to reclaim agency after victimization.

Analysis

Sidetracked by S.T. Abby is a dark, fast-paced thriller that explores the intersection of trauma, justice, and identity through the lens of a female vigilante serial killer. The novel interrogates the failures of institutions to protect the vulnerable, the corrosive effects of secrets and lies, and the blurred boundaries between heroism and monstrosity. By centering the narrative on survivors—women who have been silenced, betrayed, and dismissed—the book offers a raw, unflinching look at the cost of survival and the hunger for retribution. The love story between Lana and Logan provides moments of hope and healing, but is always shadowed by the threat of exposure and the legacy of violence. Ultimately, Sidetracked challenges readers to consider the limits of forgiveness, the meaning of justice, and the ways in which the past can never truly be escaped. The novel's cliffhanger ending leaves the characters—and the reader—on the precipice of reckoning, with the promise that the fight against monsters, both real and metaphorical, is far from over.

Last updated: June 27, 2025