Author Laura Powell gives us an unsettling novel set in a Cornish fishing village. The story alternates between time periods with plenty of twists along the way which keeps the pace strong.
The year is 1956, and village women are being murdered. Eager newspaper reporters come to town and stay at the local boardinghouse which fifteen-year-old Betty and her mother run. Mr. Gallagher is one of these reporters, and he has quite an effect on young Betty. A friendship begins to grow between the two eventually deepening into something more intimate. The problem? He is twice her age. Adding to the complications is the descent into madness portrayed by Betty's mother.
Betty and Mr. Gallagher find themselves with knowledge about the murders which force them to make difficult choices. These choices will shape their lives and the life of an innocent man forever. We see the after-effects fifty years later when we follow Betty down the rabbit hole of guilt.
This book is very complex with questions of guilt, love, morality, and regret. There are plenty of suspects in the killings to keep you guessing. Definitely not a light read but if you like a dark atmospheric read, this is a good choice.