By Samantha Picaro
Fans of mysteries and suspense will enjoy following a reporter named Sloane as she investigates a decades-old crime involving her own mother. Thirty years ago, her mother and three other women disappeared during a music festival, and the event promoter, Colton, was convicted without the bodies. Now, Sloane is determined to find out if Colton is innocent, like he claims, and to finally locate the bodies.
This is a dual-timeline, point-of-view book. One is Sloane’s point of view in the present as she investigates a town that would rather forget the event that almost ruined them. The other is Sheriff Taggart from the past, as he tries to maintain safety and order at an ill-planned event, and as he investigates the disappearances of the women.
Both main characters are unique and likable in different ways, and they are foils to each other. Sloane sees herself as emotionless, but she’s compassionate towards victims and their loved ones, and she has a strong sense of justice. Taggart was very likable for his strong sense of morals and justice, and for being the only person with reason in the town. He is an example of a tragic character who tried but was powerless to stop the ill-fated festival and attendees from getting hurt.
Readers will enjoy the book's important themes. These themes come up in the real world, including true crime. Navigating small-town politics is a significant challenge because residents do not like dredging up the painful past, and many are reluctant to talk to Sloane. Reputation is another big theme. The mayor and Colton insisted on the festival despite safety concerns that proved true, to make money and avoid angering the town. Many of the criminals Sloane has put away had positive reputations, such as a preacher, and she received death threats.
The setting itself feels like a character because it is so crucial to the story. The town held a music festival to make money. Isolation of the festival location and the fact that it was hard to leave due to traffic literally trapped the victims and other characters. The town's small size is one of the reasons news about Sloane’s investigation travels fast. Like people, a town changes, and the reader is shown through Sloane’s eyes how much it has changed since the tragic events of thirty years ago.
Fans of the following tropes in mystery or any other genre will find them in this book: small town, investigator with a troubled past, and overlooked crucial details. Twists make a great mystery, and this book does not disappoint on that front.
I usually do not read mysteries, but this book has made me consider reading more of this wonderful genre. I recommend this book to someone starting in the genre and to longtime fans.
