At the end of a long winter in bucolic Ridgedale, New Jersey, the body of an infant is discovered in the woods near the town’s prestigious university campus. No one knows who the baby is, or how her body ended up out there. But there is no shortage of opinions.
When freelance journalist Molly Sanderson is unexpectedly called upon to cover the story for the Ridegdale Reader it’s a risk, given the severe depression that followed the loss of her own baby. But the bigger threat comes when Molly unearths some of Ridgedale’s darkest secrets. Meanwhile, Sandy, a high school dropout, searches for her volatile and now missing mother, and PTA president Barbara struggles to help her young son who’s suddenly having disturbing outbursts…
When something appears picture-perfect, it usually isn’t. Where They Found Her is a tightly written, suspenseful tale of suburban secrets and domestic facades. Following the discovery of a baby’s body in the woods, everybody is happy to share their opinions. However, they’re not so happy to give up their secrets. Journalist Molly juggles her desire to forge a new career with the revival of her own painful memories, discovering her own strength even as her life starts to unravel. Barbara is struggling to maintain the facade of perfect wife with perfect family, while Sandy, who knows her life is far from perfect, hopes for something more. It’s an insightful, empathetic and thrilling novel that kept me riveted with its carefully plotted twists and turns.
One for readers who love a good thriller, like being kept awake reading, and appreciate authentic character development.
Available from good bookstores (RRP $29.99). My copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
Monique Mulligan
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David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television