Review by Booklist Review
Rice, known for her poignant and touching novels, gives readers an inside look at dealing with grief in a mystery touched with elements of true crime. Oli Parrish is in a deep state of depression and desperate to finally learn who killed her sister in the woods in their small town. Months after the murder, she finds Iris in the same spot her sister's body was discovered. Iris, who narrowly escaped perhaps the same fate as Oli's sister, just might be the lead Oli needs, and the two girls team up to find out who's behind the unsettling events. Rice's eerie page-turner of a mystery is propelled not only by the tense plot but by the girls' relationship, especially as they each deal with the trauma of loss and the fear that the killer will strike again. Surprising twists, secret histories, and uncanny atmosphere await readers in this immersive thriller that emphasizes the importance of speaking out when others are getting hurt, especially if staying silent could lead to tragedy.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Supernatural elements heighten the tension of this predictable mystery thriller by Rice (Last Night, for adults). In the small town of Black Hall, Conn., teenage Oli Parrish's beloved younger sister Eloise is found dead and buried in a shallow grave in the nearby woods. Eight months later, no suspect has been identified in her death. On a visit to the crime scene, Oli discovers another girl has been buried there--only this time, the victim is still alive. Oli learns her name is Iris and that she has no memory of her past. Soon, however, details emerge: she and her sister Hayley were both kidnapped and locked in an attic, where Hayley is still held prisoner. Certain Iris and Eloise's situations are related, Oli and Iris endeavor to investigate, free Hayley, and capture the perpetrator. Joined by Oli's crush Matt, the girls follow clues to Miramar, an old Victorian hotel. The appearance of three ghostly figures dressed in white, a sick girl with a rare disease, and mysterious occult practices add texture; confidently wielded language and smooth plotting are a testament to Rice's expertise, making for a fast and enjoyable read. Most characters are white. Ages 12--up. (Sept.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In the latest from bestseller Rice, a teen searches for her sister's killer with the help of his latest victim. It's been eight months since Oli's sister, Eloise, was murdered, and the police still haven't found her killer. Keen naturalist Oli takes solace in spending time outdoors alone and with her friends from the school nature club, including her crush, Matt. While she's visiting the site where Eloise's body was found by some hikers, Oli ends up rescuing Iris, a girl who's been buried alive in the same location. Iris' memory is spotty, but she knows that the kidnapper still has her sister, Hayley, and that he'll kill her if they go to the police. So the girls team up to find Eloise's killer and rescue Hayley themselves, traveling along the Connecticut shoreline. Along the way, they find connections to the ghostly Sibylline sisters, who allegedly were oracles nearly a century ago. After a leisurely start, the plot ratchets up to breakneck speed. The killer's unusual motive, ample information about the flora and fauna of southern New England, and a whisper of the supernatural all add interest to this story about the power of sisterhood. Main characters present white. A fast-paced thriller with particular appeal for fans of nature and family stories.(Thriller. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
