Raised in isolation in the marshes of the Upper Peninsula, Helena grew up not realizing the father she simultaneously adored and feared kidnapped her mother and was holding them prisoner for her entire childhood.

Helena discovered this dark secret as a teenager, spurring her and her mother's escape. Her father was eventually captured and is serving a life term in prison. Now an adult, Helena has kept her identity a secret from her husband and two young daughters, leading a quiet, happy life selling jam, hunting with her loyal dog, and enjoying the outdoors. She struggles still with fitting in with society and cannot fully hate her upbringing or her father, despite the evils he wrought against both her and her mother.

Helena's secret identity as the notorious Marsh King's Daughter is exposed after her father murders two prison guards and escapes back into the wilderness near Helena's home. Helena believes she is the only person who can find her father, beginning a dangerous cat and mouse game.

Spanning a short time period in the present parts of the novel while also delving deeply back into Helena's childhood, this is a thrilling, scary ride into the depths of what it means to be a family, to be a father, to be a daughter. You never quite know what Helena's endgame is. Will she kill her father or will she let him go once she wins their sick game?

A great audiobook as well, the narrator was excellent. Highly recommend.