The Third Eye (novel)
The Third Eye is a 1984 supernatural suspense novel aimed at young adults, authored by Lois Duncan. It centers on Karen Connors, an eighteen-year-old who possesses psychic abilities.
Plot summary
Karen starts a relationship with Tim, a well-liked student, which makes her feel more accepted. Her mother supports this relationship, hoping it will help Karen fit in socially. Karen is employed as a babysitter for the Zenner family. When Bobby Zenner goes missing, Karen notifies the police. Officer Ronald Wilson, distinguished by his striking blue eyes and youthful demeanor, interviews her but appears indifferent. Karen experiences visions that reveal Bobby unconscious and trapped inside the trunk of Tim’s car. She confronts Tim, and together they manage to rescue Bobby.
Officer Wilson later requests Karen’s assistance in locating another missing girl, Carla Sanchez. Despite objections from her parents, Karen agrees to help. Through her psychic insight, she uncovers evidence that leads to Carla’s body being found submerged in a river.
After these incidents, Tim ends their relationship and graduates. During the summer, Karen develops a close bond with a toddler named Matthew at her daycare job; Matthew’s remarkable blue eyes are inherited from his father’s family—a detail that becomes important later.
One day, a woman named Betty Smith offers Karen a ride but soon reveals malicious intentions. Karen is abducted and restrained in an apartment where she experiences visions of a mysterious young girl urging her to activate the fire alarm. Demonstrating quick thinking, Karen escapes and discovers that Betty and an accomplice named Jed have kidnapped infants from the daycare—including Matthew, who is Officer Wilson’s nephew.
Disregarding her mother’s advice to take a vacation, Karen teams up with Officer Wilson to search for the missing babies. They consult Anne Summers, a psychic who survived an attack linked to the kidnappings but is now incapacitated. Karen assumes responsibility for locating the children.
Following the trail to Colorado, Karen and Wilson camp near the suspects’ hideout. During their mission, Karen develops romantic feelings for Wilson. They locate the house where the infants are held for illegal sale. A dog guards the property; during their attempt to investigate, Wilson is attacked and shot. Police arrive just in time to rescue them and recover all the babies—thanks to Karen’s mother alerting authorities after receiving a vision.
Karen’s mother discloses that she also possesses psychic powers but chose to keep them hidden to avoid social stigma. She advises Karen to conceal her own abilities and focus on finding love. Nevertheless, Karen decides to embrace her gift and accept herself completely. In a concluding vision, she sees the blond little girl again—her future daughter—who has vivid blue eyes like Matthew’s and Officer Wilson's, suggesting a future family connection.
References
- Duncan, Lois. The Third Eye (p. 141). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Kindle Edition.