Small town dynamics, prejudice, misconceptions, and yearnings are slowly revealed when a girl goes missing. A thread, it turns out, then when tugged begins to unravel unexpected knots in the small community.

Interestingly, this was heavily character driven, but mostly unconcerned with character arcs. That doesn’t mean there’s no development though. As the narrative skips around from a man who moves into a now committed spinsters home, said old lady herself, and the younger sister of the girl who disappears, we begin to get a larger picture of the town and its sordid past.

I really liked the juxtaposition between the old woman’s thoughts and the child; especially the child, I think. Kids see and connect far more than we give them credit for. In a household where they have to take care of themselves, even more so. I liked that this view was depicted as valid as it was. Three different generations; three different POVs; all uniquely living with invisible splinters that cause them constant emotional pain.

Slow paced, almost meditative. Not particularly concerned with plot, despite a fairly Big Bang of an inciting incident. I really liked that this subverted my expectations constantly. And the divergence doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, either. It’s short and thoughtful, highlighting the odd and savagery of society, without somehow not being mired in the darkness whatsoever. It’s a book that I think would benefit from a reread, where expectations are more aligned with what it actually is.