Children at Risk

Karen Van Rheenen

may, 2022 · FriesenPress

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Lillian, a social worker, is used to making tough decisions involving families. Widowed in her 40s and haunted by a tragedy from early in her career, she’s been struggling to find her footing. Especially with two troubling cases that are making her examine closely her decisions. One involves a loving dad who’s a religious fanatic refusing to allow medical intervention for his deaf twins. In trying to find the best situation for the children, Lillian slowly uncovers patterns in the father’s behaviour that appear to point to a sinister past.

At the same time, Lillian realizes she’s ready to find love again. At her best friend’s nudging, she delves into online dating, trying to fill the void her husband Chuck left behind. Soon after, Lillian finds herself the target of escalating harassment. Is it related to her present or past child welfare cases or perhaps a spurned suitor? In Children at Risk, we’re drawn into Lillian’s complex and increasingly mysterious world, where nothing is at first as it seems.

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Karen Van Rheenen spent most of her four-decade professional career as a social worker in the system helping people with disabilities. Early on, she worked in child welfare and drew on these experiences to portray an accurate picture of the complex role of social workers in Children at Risk. Mothering her youngest daughter who is deaf gave her insights into the deaf community and admiration for the deaf people she has met.

Karen Van Rheenen is an avid reader, theatre attendee and volunteer. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, near her two daughters and two grandchildren.