A forty-something singleton is found dead in the woods in Ebbing, and Detective Elise King is on the case. The murdered woman, Karen, owned a local hair salon and created a group for singles in the area to meet up and do various things together.

I do enjoy police procedurals, and Barton nails the tiny details that help the case feel real for readers as the investigation takes many twists and turns. I thought the multiple points of view did work in this book, but I found Kiki in particular a bit insufferable (perhaps this was the authors intent all along). I thought the impacts the current case had on Annie in both losing her son in the past and dealing with her husband in the present added intrigue to the storyline as well. The first half of the book was definitely a slow burn, and might lose the attention of some readers, but stick around for part two!

I am not a reader that needs trigger warnings, but I know many readers do, and I think this book could use some for the rape and pedophilia referenced within the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, Fiona Barton, and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Author: Fiona Barton

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Publication Date: August 27, 2024 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5/5)