Publisher: Lake Union Publishing / Brilliance Audio
Published: July 27, 2021
Source: Print: ARC Paperback via Uplit Reads / Audio: ALC via Brilliance Audio
Summary:
An enthralling novel of secrets, second chances, and confronting the past by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of When I’m Gone.
After a series of devastating losses, Chicago journalist Hannah Williamson has landed in Senatobia, Mississippi, to care for her bedridden grandmother and endure grunt work at a small newspaper. But in cleaning out its archives, Hannah discovers a compelling distraction from her life: a series of rejected articles from the 1930s that illuminate a long-hidden mystery.
The articles, penned by a young woman named Evelyn, are haunting accounts of first love, trauma, and surviving a mysterious shooting that left Evelyn paralyzed at the age of fourteen. The articles stir up more questions than answers, and Hannah becomes consumed by what’s left unsaid. Encouraged by Guy Franklin, a local middle school teacher, Hannah’s investigation into Evelyn’s past becomes more personal with each new reveal. For Hannah, as both a journalist and a woman bearing her own emotional wounds, this is a chance to move forward and bring closure to the story of the girl whose secrets are buried in Senatobia.
What Hannah’s about to discover next is that, even after nearly a century, the truth she’s been looking for still has the power to change lives. Especially her own.
My thoughts:
I have been a fan of Emily Bleeker’s books for quite some time now, ever since reading her book Working Fire. I was excited when I saw she had a new one coming out, and that it paired two of my favorite genres – historical fiction and mystery – and I loved it!!!
This book grabbed me right from the beginning and once I started it, I found I was totally captivated. The story lines were compelling and had just the right amount of complexity so as to keep me invested throughout. I am always a fan of the dual timeline and was equally drawn to both timelines here. This definitely has that story-within-a-story feel to it, which I love. As much as I wanted to know what had happened to Evelyn in the past, I was just as curious as to what was going on with Hannah in the present.
I loved that this book is based on Emily’s great-aunt. I always love when authors use real life to inspire their stories and while I did not know that going into it, it now makes this story all the more incredible. And the use of letters to bring Evelyn’s story to life in the past really drew me in.
This is the type of book that sneaks up on you as to just how thought-provoking it really ends up being. The author manages to weave in some important, rather timely topics, both in the past and the present timelines, handling them in tactful, tasteful ways. To that end, it really would make a great pick for book clubs as there is much to unpack and discuss!
I love Emily’s writing and even though this newest one is a bit of a departure from her previous books, I absolutely loved this one and highly recommend it!
Audio thoughts:
I was able to listen to this one and I thought Shannon McManus did a fantastic job with the narration. She really brought this story to life, giving the characters unique personalities and infusing just the right amount of emotion and tension into her voice as needed.
