Have You Seen Luis Velez?

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde brings heartwarming authenticity to the story of two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear.

Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn’t belong. Not with his mother’s new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father’s wife. Not at school, where he’s an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he’s tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who’s introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez?

Mildred Gutermann, a German Jew who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, has been alone since her caretaker disappeared. She turns to Raymond for help, and as he tries to track Luis down, a deep and unexpected friendship blossoms between the two.

Despondent at the loss of Luis, Mildred isolates herself further from a neighborhood devolving into bigotry and fear. Determined not to let her give up, Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there’s hope if you have someone to hold on to.

©2019 by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Trustee, or Successor Trustee, of the Catherine Ryan Hyde Revocable Trust created under that certain declaration dated September 27, 1999. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A master of making a heartwarming tale feel authentic and socially urgent, Hyde (Just After Midnight, 2018, etc.) deftly sketches the plights of Raymond and Millie, weighting their friendship with worries and regrets that echo as true…A tender tale of new families born of chance and the determination to bring light into darkness.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Buy this book

I loved this book. The characters were well-developed and lovable. The story was important and loving. The reader was excellent. This is the kind of book I wish would go on forever, because it made me feel so much. Excellent writing.

There are not enough words to explain...

The story was sweet and pure. Characterization was thoughtful and sensitive. The narration was unbelievable. Crouch is a genius with his voice and his ability to portray accents; completely believable. From an old German woman to many Hispanic characters. From a 16 year old boy to all the ages surrounding it. If Crouch does not win an award for his incredible gift, I would not understand. This book is a true gem!

A Gospel for today!

I am a fan of Ms. Hyde but this the best ever of all previous. It is a gospel which could happen anywhere in our country. Happy, sad, and yes funny at times. The characters became my friends quickly as I followed them throughout and left them with reluctance.
The tribalism aspect hit me like a truck at high speed. I accept at great sorrow the truth of this reality...the sadness of that truth will remain.

Sensitive Examination of Friendship

On the surface, a simple story; however, many complex issues are subtlely posed. Lots of topics to examine to try to understand.

The voices added to the story; particularly the thoughtful hesitancy of Millie

Moving story.

Moving story about teen age boy who finds an interesting life outside his family. Uplifting. Thought provoking.