Part of the reason I read this book is because it took place in the area where I mostly grew up. It's kind of fun to read about places I know. I could easily imagine the situation. 
 Troy sees a boy thrown from the Lake Champlain Ferry and jumps in to save him. At first the little boy won't tell Troy his name, Paul. He speaks French. When Troy finally gets some information from him, she jumps into research mode and tracks down the father. Worried that the father had something to do with the boy's situation, Troy goes to vet the father in Ottawa. Convinced the father wants his boy back, and learning more about the kidnapping, Troy brings Phillipe to NY to reunite with his son. Phillipe asks her to come to Ottawa to help him get Paul settled in a new place. When she's free, Troy goes to Burlington, VT to find the men who held Paul. She's not exactly successful, but does discover what's really happening. 
 To appreciate the book, you may have to suspend some disbelief. Still interesting, though.