Sixteen-year-old Ree Dolly lives with her ailing mom and her two younger brothers. She's a high school dropout intent on helping her family survive the trials of their gritty rural Ozark lifestyle. When a policeman comes to tell Ree that her dad's failure to appear for his trial will lead to the seizure of the family house, Ree knows that she must do whatever it takes to find her father and keep her family safe. Unfortunately, this means that Ree will have to deal with her many harsh, meth-dealing, and taciturn relatives.

The beginning of the novel reminded me a lot of [book:Once Upon a River|9658159] in its matter-of-fact presentation of almost unbearable circumstances. I was hooked by the atmosphere, eager to see the mystery play out. I felt that Woodrell did not maintain the sense of urgency very well throughout the story; events seemed to be building toward a climactic breakdown, but I thought the climax was unfulfilling.