This is a book I'll recommend to everyone. Mesmerising and hypnotic prose, possibly the most beautifully written book I've read this year. I didn't want it to end.
Summer Ryan, twin sister to Raine, goes missing in the summer of '95. The previous year 5 girls have been kidnapped, by a man/ monster known only as The Bird, the girls are never found. Although Summer leaves a note, kidnap at first is off the table but the longer she's gone the more Raine, the town and local police believe she's also been taken.
The chapters alternate between goings on in the small town of Grace, Alabama, and Summer's life; not as perfect as everyone thinks. As her secrets unfold the tensions in the town mount, with Raine running her own investigations.
Raine's friends Noah and Purv offer much needed comic relief at times. Their friendship is so moving I definitely shed a tear or two at times.
This isn't just a story of a girl gone missing, but of love and friendship, and also the darkness in small towns, of fire and brimstone religion across the Bible Belt in Alabama. A story of families facing poverty and illness, the battles with addiction and ultimately right and wrong. Whitaker has truly impressed me with the diverse cast of characters in this beautiful haunting and dark novel. Loved every minute!
Summer Ryan, twin sister to Raine, goes missing in the summer of '95. The previous year 5 girls have been kidnapped, by a man/ monster known only as The Bird, the girls are never found. Although Summer leaves a note, kidnap at first is off the table but the longer she's gone the more Raine, the town and local police believe she's also been taken.
The chapters alternate between goings on in the small town of Grace, Alabama, and Summer's life; not as perfect as everyone thinks. As her secrets unfold the tensions in the town mount, with Raine running her own investigations.
Raine's friends Noah and Purv offer much needed comic relief at times. Their friendship is so moving I definitely shed a tear or two at times.
This isn't just a story of a girl gone missing, but of love and friendship, and also the darkness in small towns, of fire and brimstone religion across the Bible Belt in Alabama. A story of families facing poverty and illness, the battles with addiction and ultimately right and wrong. Whitaker has truly impressed me with the diverse cast of characters in this beautiful haunting and dark novel. Loved every minute!