I really enjoy Jess Lourey's writing generally. This one was an interesting mystery and really had me creeped out along the way. Some creepy characters, unreliable narrator, interesting familial relationships, 80's vibes, and terrifying small town environment all had me generally vibing with this plot. However, it had one of my biggest annoyances... the use of language and perspectives that are prejudiced without any balance or calling out of it. I can accept the "language of the time" argument IF it is called out in the process, or at least a character that we are made aware that they don't like it. It kind of felt like the language was used without a conscious thought of it.. which is concerning to say the least. Having read a few books from this author though... I question this feeling because I haven't picked up on this in other books.