Rad Sergeant, his two best friends. Peter Logan and Max Frost, and Rad's little brother Ty, build a raft with plans of floating on the Oakdale Lake all summer as if it were the mighty Mississippi.

However, tragedy strikes on the first floating trip: Ty disappears. "Presumed drowned," the authorities said, and everyone believes them—everyone except Rad and his strong-minded friends of Mountain Valley. They cannot accept that Ty drowned. They believe Ty was kidnapped and intend to find him. Rad and his friends begin a journey filled with doubt and impossible hopes as they search an island filled with snakes and alligators for Rad's little brother, Ty.

“The characters' feelings and their reactions to various predicaments are so pure and sincere one cannot help but continue turning the pages.”

"This suspenseful, realistic detective story will delight readers of all ages for years to come."