Roberta Gately's book 'The Bracelet' shines light on human trafficking

‘The Bracelet” by Roberta Gately opens with Abby, a United Nations aid worker witnessing what she believes to be a murder on her last night of training in Geneva. As Abby arrives in Pakistan to begin her UN work at the vaccination clinic, she learns about the horrors of human trafficking and after meeting with the victims, she begins to wonder if the woman who died in Geneva was one of them.

The murder at the beginning of the book, instantly draws the reader in. I also was intrigued by the setting, the characters and their individual stories. Once Abby arrives in Pakistan, the fast pace of the story continues.

The characters are all well developed - especially Nick, a New York Times journalist, Najeela, the local UN worker, Hana, the housekeeper and Imtiaz, the sleazy uncle of Najeela - and essential to the story.

Unfortunately, this story tells the horrors of human trafficking; the cases can be tough to read. But, Gately takes care to share their realities with dignity and empathy. It is clear the author is familiar with this international problem, which I was largely ignorant of before reading the book.

Even though I figured out the connection between the murder in Geneva, Abby, and Pakistan, it didn't diminish my journey through the story. I was intent on seeing the villains brought to justice.

Unfortunately, the reality is that there are millions suffering unimaginable horrors for years and it is likely that while I was reading this book, another child or woman was sold to a man that will continue the horror. As Gately writes in the book, the women who are in these situations believe there are not enough tears in her eyes or prayers to save her.

I would like to believe that, through this book and the telling of their stories, we can begin to save them.