Babysitter's Worst Nightmare

Karen Connors, a quiet high school senior, is babysitting the Zenner children when seven-year-old Bobby disappears. At first, Karen assumes he's playing with friends, but as time passes, her concern grows. The suburban neighborhood is safe, but Bobby's absence becomes more alarming. Karen's anxiety is compounded by a spat with her boyfriend, Tim, and her own feelings of social isolation. The day's beauty is overshadowed by the chilling realization that Bobby is truly missing, setting off a chain of events that will force Karen to confront the strange abilities she's always tried to ignore.

The Vanished Boy

Karen's search for Bobby leads her to his friends' houses, but no one knows where he is. The boys had been playing hide-and-seek, and Bobby was last seen hiding exceptionally well. Karen's frustration grows as she realizes she has no concrete leads. The other parents and even the police initially downplay the situation, assuming Bobby will turn up. But Karen's unease deepens, and she begins to sense that something is very wrong, even as she struggles to articulate why.

Visions and Doubt

As the hours pass, Karen experiences a vivid, involuntary vision: Bobby is trapped in a dark, confined space, terrified and unable to escape. She smells grease, sweat, and exhaust—details that make no logical sense. Karen is tormented by the knowledge that she "knows" things she can't possibly know, and she's afraid to share her suspicions for fear of seeming crazy. The police and Bobby's parents are skeptical, and Karen is left feeling isolated, burdened by a secret she can't explain.

The Box and the Car

Karen's vision intensifies: Bobby is in a car trunk, specifically a green Honda with a dent and a distinctive bumper sticker. When Tim, her boyfriend, arrives to pick her up, Karen realizes with a shock that his car matches the vision. She insists the trunk be opened, and Bobby is found inside, barely alive. The incident cements Karen's reputation as someone with uncanny abilities, but it also brings her unwanted attention and deepens her sense of being different.

Secrets from the Past

At home, Karen's mother confronts her about how she knew where Bobby was. Their conversation reveals that Karen had similar experiences as a child, including finding a missing neighbor boy. Her mother, too, has had psychic experiences but has always suppressed them, fearing social ostracism. The family's history of moving and secrecy is rooted in these abilities, and Karen is left to grapple with the implications for her own life and identity.

The Psychic's Burden

The aftermath of Bobby's rescue is emotionally exhausting. Karen is plagued by nightmares and a sense of responsibility. She is invited to join the prom committee and nominated for "Cutest Couple," but the trauma lingers. When a police officer, Rob Wilson, approaches her about another missing child, Carla Sanchez, Karen is reluctant but ultimately agrees to help, feeling both compelled and trapped by her abilities.

A Child Lost, A Child Found

Karen visits Carla's home, trying to "tune in" to the missing girl. At first, she feels nothing, but later, while driving with Rob, she is overcome by a vision of Carla's last moments: the girl drowned in a river while wading. The vision is so intense that Karen experiences Carla's memories and emotions. The police find Carla's body where Karen indicated, and the story makes the news, branding Karen as a psychic and drawing national attention.

The Price of Knowing

Karen is inundated with letters and calls from desperate families of missing children. She is overwhelmed by the suffering of others and the impossibility of helping everyone. At school, she becomes a minor celebrity, but her relationship with Tim suffers as he struggles to accept her abilities. Karen is forced to confront the loneliness and burden that come with her gift, as well as the fear and suspicion it provokes in others.

Fame and Fear

The media attention and public fascination with Karen's psychic abilities make her a target for both hope and hostility. Her mother urges her to keep a low profile, fearing for her safety and reputation. Karen's relationship with Tim deteriorates further, as he alternates between fascination and fear. The cost of her gift becomes clear: social isolation, lost love, and the constant pressure of others' expectations.

The Second Disappearance

Karen returns to her summer job at a day care center, hoping for normalcy. But when a woman posing as her "aunt" kidnaps her and twelve infants, Karen is thrust into a new nightmare. She is tied up and left in an abandoned apartment, but manages to escape by setting off a smoke alarm. The children are gone, and the police are desperate for leads. Karen's sense of responsibility is crushing, and she is drawn back into the search.

The Search for Carla

Rob Wilson, whose nephew is among the missing, enlists Karen's help. They consult Anne Summers, a renowned psychic who has been working on a similar case in Texas. Anne is hospitalized after being shot by the kidnappers, but she and Karen share visions of a house by a river, a blue van, and a mountain with snow. Karen and Rob set out on a road trip, following the clues from their visions, determined to find the missing children.

The River's Secret

As they drive north, Karen's visions become more specific: pink rock formations, a snowcapped mountain, a house by a river. A chance encounter with a postcard confirms the location as Colorado Springs. They camp overnight, and Karen realizes she is falling in love with Rob. In the morning, her sense of the children's presence is strong, and they follow a winding road to a remote house by a river, where they spot the blue van.

The Psychic's Dilemma

Rob attempts to scout the house, but is attacked and wounded by a guard dog. Karen, sensing danger, rushes to warn him but is captured by the kidnappers. Inside, they find the children drugged and ready to be sold on the black market. Karen's psychic confession convinces the kidnappers she is a threat, and it seems all hope is lost. But a vision of her own future child gives her the strength to hold on.

The Copycat Kidnapping

The police, tipped off by an anonymous call, storm the house and rescue the children. Rob survives his injuries, and the kidnappers are apprehended. The ordeal cements Karen's reputation as a psychic, but also brings closure to the families of the missing children. Karen returns home, exhausted and changed, and is reunited with her parents.

The Trap is Set

Karen's mother confesses that she, too, has psychic abilities, but has always suppressed them out of fear. She admits to making the anonymous call that led the police to the kidnappers, guided by her own vision. The two women share a moment of understanding and acceptance, realizing that their abilities are both a gift and a burden, and that they must choose how to use them.

The House by the River

Karen dreams of her future daughter, a child with blue eyes like Rob's. She realizes that her gift is part of who she is, and that she cannot deny it or hide from it. The trauma and loss she has experienced have made her stronger, and she is determined to use her abilities to help others, even at great personal cost.

The Final Vision

Karen's journey has taken her from isolation and fear to acceptance and purpose. She understands that her psychic abilities are not a curse, but a responsibility. She is no longer afraid to be different, and she looks forward to a future where she can use her gift to make a difference. The story ends with a sense of hope, as Karen embraces her identity and the possibilities ahead.

Mother and Daughter's Truth

The final chapter brings Karen and her mother to a place of mutual understanding. They acknowledge the pain and fear that have shaped their lives, but also the strength and resilience that come from accepting who they are. Karen's vision of her future child symbolizes the continuation of their legacy, and the hope that the next generation will be able to live more openly and authentically.

Characters

Karen Connors

Karen is a quiet, introspective high school senior who has always felt set apart from her peers. Her psychic abilities, which she tries to suppress, emerge under stress, allowing her to "see" the locations and experiences of missing children. Karen's journey is one of self-acceptance: she moves from fear and denial to embracing her gift as a responsibility. Her relationships—with her mother, boyfriend Tim, and police officer Rob—reflect her struggle to balance normalcy with the demands of her abilities. Karen's psychological depth is marked by guilt, empathy, and a longing for connection, making her a complex and relatable protagonist.

Rob Wilson

Rob is a young police officer whose nephew is among the kidnapped children. He is driven by guilt, family rivalry, and a deep sense of responsibility. Rob's own trauma—being mauled by a dog as a child—mirrors Karen's psychic wounds. His partnership with Karen evolves into mutual respect and romantic attraction, and he becomes her anchor in the search for the missing children. Rob's willingness to believe in Karen's abilities sets him apart from other adults, and his vulnerability makes him a compelling and sympathetic character.

Mrs. Connors

Karen's mother is a complex figure, both protective and controlling. She has her own history of psychic experiences, which she has repressed out of fear of social rejection. Her relationship with Karen is fraught with tension, as she both fears and envies her daughter's abilities. Ultimately, she reveals her own psychic past and becomes an ally, helping Karen accept her identity. Her character explores themes of generational trauma, inheritance, secrecy, and the longing for normalcy.

Tim Dietz

Tim is Karen's popular, attractive boyfriend, initially supportive but increasingly unsettled by her psychic abilities. His reactions—ranging from jealousy to fear—highlight the challenges of being different in a conformist environment. Tim's inability to accept Karen's gift ultimately leads to the end of their relationship, symbolizing the cost of authenticity and the difficulty of bridging the gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Anne Summers

Anne is an experienced psychic who works with the police to find missing children. She becomes a mentor figure for Karen, offering guidance and validation. Anne's own shooting by the kidnappers underscores the dangers of using psychic abilities in a hostile world. Her presence in the story provides a model for Karen's potential future and the possibility of using her gift for good.

Betty Smith and Joe

Betty and Joe are the antagonists, a couple running a black-market baby ring. Betty is manipulative and cold, while Joe is violent and impulsive. Their ability to blend into ordinary life makes them especially chilling. They represent the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of normalcy, and their interactions with Karen force her to confront the limits and risks of her abilities.

Matthew Wilson

Rob's nephew, Matthew, is one of the kidnapped infants. His vulnerability and eventual rescue provide the emotional core of the story, motivating both Rob and Karen. Matthew symbolizes the stakes of the psychic search and the hope for redemption.

Bobby Zenner

The first missing child, Bobby's disappearance triggers Karen's psychic abilities and sets the plot in motion. His rescue establishes Karen's reputation and the pattern of her involvement in future cases.

Carla Sanchez

Carla's drowning is the first case where Karen's abilities are tested and found wanting—she can locate the body but cannot save the child. Carla's story haunts Karen and shapes her understanding of the limits and costs of her gift.

Mrs. Dunn

Mrs. Dunn is Karen's employer and a figure of warmth and stability. Her trust in Karen is both a comfort and a source of guilt when the children are kidnapped. She represents the ordinary world that Karen longs to protect but cannot always save.

Plot Devices

Psychic Visions as Narrative Engine

Karen's psychic episodes are the central plot device, providing both clues and emotional stakes. The visions are involuntary, vivid, and often traumatic, blurring the line between dream and reality. They serve as both a blessing and a curse, propelling Karen into action but also isolating her from others. The narrative structure alternates between suspenseful searches and introspective moments, using the visions to reveal both external dangers and internal conflicts.

Generational Trauma and Inheritance

The revelation that Karen's mother shares her abilities adds depth and complexity, turning the story into a meditation on inheritance, secrecy, and the struggle to accept one's true self. The mother-daughter dynamic is a key plot device, mirroring the larger theme of accepting and using one's gifts despite fear and social pressure.

Suspense and Foreshadowing

The story uses classic suspense techniques—missing children, ticking clocks, and the threat of violence—to keep readers engaged. Foreshadowing is employed through dreams, visions, and subtle clues, creating a sense of inevitability and dread. The use of red herrings and misdirection keeps the reader guessing about the true nature of the danger and the outcome.

The Outsider's Perspective

Karen's status as an outsider—socially, emotionally, and psychically—serves as both a source of vulnerability and a wellspring of power. The narrative explores the costs and benefits of being different, using Karen's perspective to critique conformity and celebrate individuality.

Realism and the Supernatural

The story grounds its supernatural elements in realistic settings and psychological detail, making the psychic phenomena feel plausible and emotionally resonant. The juxtaposition of everyday life (babysitting, prom, family dinners) with extraordinary events (visions, kidnappings, rescues) heightens the impact of both.

Analysis

The Third Eye is more than a suspenseful tale of psychic phenomena and missing children; it is a nuanced exploration of what it means to be different in a world that prizes conformity. Through Karen's journey, Lois Duncan examines the burdens and blessings of extraordinary abilities, the pain of social isolation, and the courage required to accept one's true self. The novel interrogates the limits of empathy—how much suffering can one person bear, and what is the cost of knowing too much? It also addresses generational trauma, as Karen and her mother struggle to reconcile their gifts with the desire for normalcy. Ultimately, the book suggests that authenticity, compassion, and the willingness to use one's gifts for good are more important than fitting in. In a modern context, The Third Eye resonates as a story about mental health, the stigma of difference, and the power of self-acceptance. Its lessons—about listening to one's inner voice, standing up for what is right, and embracing the full complexity of one's identity—remain as relevant today as when the book was first published.

Last updated: May 2, 2025