This book felt so much different that what I'm used to from Paula McLain, but at the same time was still written to the same atmospheric caliber. A near contemporary mystery mixed with true crime and the author's own personal experiences, the narrative was raw and gut-wrenching.

The book is well laid out with good small town vibes and a lot of internal character monologue work. The pacing is a little languid, but doesn't feel overly bogged down or stagnant. Instead, it gives a bit more of a contemporary feel to the book, adds humanity to the protagonist, and makes the story about much more than just solving a missing person's case.

I felt emotionally conflicted by the use of the Polly Klaas case in the story. It is a case I remember well in an area that I also know well. This connection made the narrative hit harder, but also somehow made the movement of the story feel awkward when the case was mentioned. Utilizing this information makes sense for the story, but for me it felt a little forced and shoehorned into the narrative.

Perspective readers should be aware that this is not a thriller, but a mystery. In addition, it is written in McLain's signature style, which means that the language is very atmospheric and descriptive, giving the book a bit more of a literary feel. For me, that's a beautiful style of writing and makes it much more enjoyable than your typical police procedural. Anna was a much more realistic protagonist for me and the clash of her profession and personal life really added to the depth of the narrative.

This may not be my favorite Paula McClain, but it is still a wonderful read and I would definitely recommend it.