This book had a Kate Morton feel to it given its lush, atmospheric setting. But here is what was most compelling to me: how people can go to the grave with HUGE secrets that are lost to subsequent generations. We live our lives with devastating secrets - experiences that we think about every single day that we never share with those around us, yet affect every aspect of our relationships. And those secrets die with us.

This book was ambitious - it stares down white privilege and explores racism during some pivotal times in US history. Yes, it falls short in many ways but I believe it was a brave effort. This was beautifully written, wonderfully atmospheric, and kept the family's secrets right up until the end. I couldn't put this book down!