Rust & Stardust

A Novel

By: T. Greenwood

Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer

“Greenwood’s glowing dark ruby of a novel brilliantly transforms the true crime story that inspired Nabokov’s Lolita. Shatteringly original and eloquently written....So ferociously suspenseful, I found myself holding my breath.” —Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You

Based on the experiences of real-life kidnapping victim Sally Horner and her captor, whose story shocked the nation and inspired Vladimir Nabokov to write his controversial and iconic Lolita, Rust & Stardust is a heart-pounding audiobook by award-winning author T. Greenwood, who at last gives a voice to Sally herself.

Camden, NJ, 1948. When 11 year-old Sally Horner steals a notebook from the local Woolworth's, she has no way of knowing that 52 year-old Frank LaSalle, fresh out of prison, is watching her, preparing to make his move. Accosting her outside the store, Frank convinces Sally that he’s an FBI agent who can have her arrested in a minute—unless she does as he says.

This chilling audiobook traces the next two harrowing years as Frank mentally and physically assaults Sally while the two of them travel westward from Camden to San Jose, forever altering not only her life, but the lives of her family, friends, and those she meets along the way.

More praise for Rust & Stardust:

“A beautifully written, unnerving tragedy woven from equal measures of hope and menace.” - Booklist

©2018 T. Greenwood (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Thérèse Plummer's striking characterizations and focused tone immerse listeners in the rapidly changing characters and settings...This audio is ideal for fans of true crime and Nabokov's LOLITA, which was inspired by Sally's story." -AudioFile

"A harrowing, ripped-from-the-headlines story of lives altered in the blink of an eye, once again proving her eloquence and dexterity as an author.” —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl

"Greenwood is unmatched in her innate ability to weave lush, poetic language into a riveting story that hooks the reader from page one." —Amy Hatvany, author of Best Kept Secret, and It Happens All the Time

Great book!

This type story is hard to read, but the author did an excellent job of taking me there with enough detail, but not more than necessary. This story is Loaded with heroes, and reminds me to trust my gut especially when it comes to kids safety!

Outstanding!

This was probably one of the best books I have ever listened to. Both the story and narrator were spectacular. Moving story.

Gut wrenching and captivating

Rust & Stardust is a gut-wrenching, hauntingly beautiful novel that lingers long after the final page. From the first chapter, it pulls you into a story that is as captivating as it is devastating, blending lyrical prose with an unflinching look at obsession, innocence, and the quiet brutality of control.
What makes this book so powerful is its emotional restraint. Rather than sensationalizing the horror at its core, the author allows the weight of what is happening to settle slowly, making the experience deeply unsettling. The alternating perspectives create a chilling contrast—tenderness twisted into manipulation, longing warped into possession—and force the reader to confront the ways evil can cloak itself in love and fantasy.
The writing is vivid and poetic, yet never indulgent. Every sentence feels intentional, steeped in atmosphere and heartbreak. It’s a novel that asks you to sit with discomfort, to feel the ache of stolen childhood and the resilience of a spirit fighting to survive.
Rust & Stardust is not an easy read, but it is an unforgettable one. It captivates through its quiet intensity and leaves you emotionally raw, reflective, and changed. A devastatingly beautiful exploration of darkness, endurance, and the fragile hope that persists even in the bleakest circumstances.

One of the best books I've every read..

this was one of the best books I've ever read,,, and the first book that ever made me cry. It just kept going on and surprising me with every little event that occurred. Even in the end with the author's note was another surprise altogether. This was one of the books that I could never put down and just had to finish from beginning to end. great work T Greenwood.

Absolutely captivating

It's beautifully written, captivating story of a young girl abducted by older man. Performance was amazing and very accurate.