A heartbreaking, chilling tale that is completely dysfunctional but so deliciously evil and haunting. Stayed up late to get to the end of this dark mystery about family secrets and corruption that spans decades. Had me biting my nails. I never knew who to trust. Very well written and thought out plot. It really was. I enjoyed the first half immensely, loved it even, but the last quarter dragged. That's not to say I didn't like the book. Only, some scenes were repetitious and I thought I would go as crazy as the protagonist, Althea Bell, if I didn't finally get the whole convoluted story. Made me impatient...and not in the "oh-my-gosh-can't-wait-to-find-out-what-happened" way. That said, still entertaining read with lots of twisted turns and I would recommend this book to friends without hesitation. Look forward to future reads from Emily Carpenter.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a DRC for review.