This novel cured my reading slump. I was given the opportunity to read this ARC thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House.
Stanhope is a small town that has always been safe… until it wasn’t.
Avery Wooler a nine year old girl, has vanished and everyone seems to be hiding something.
Her father William seems to be a perfect man on the outside but he’s far from it. He has been having an affair with a neighbour, Nora. He also has a temper geared towards his oppositional daughter and was the last person to have seen Avery alive.
Her Mother Erin is very caring but finds Averys behavioural challenges difficult and gives in more than not to avoid the outburst.
Her Brother Michael is jealous that Avery has all the attention all the time. He feels invisible to his parents and is sensitive.
The family reports Avery missing and the investigation into her disappearance begins.
It seems almost everyone on the street is unaware of any wrongdoing until a witness comes forward with information that may or may not be true and with that the ball begins to roll, everyone shares their thoughts and opinions with police. Leads or not they follow up. Everyone in the neighbourhood is starting to become unhinged and they begin to see each other as suspects.
Is it Averys only friend who deems her a liar? her brother who is jealous of the attention she gets? her parents who struggle with her behaviours? Nora’s husband getting back at her and William for their affair? a predator?or someone else? The suspect list is long but you will not see the twist coming and the motive behind it.
I finished this novel in 24hrs, I couldn’t put it down. It really kept me guessing the whole time as the possibilities were endless. A five star read that I highly recommend!