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Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism
Minor: Mental illness, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Murder
Moderate: Infidelity
I just love her stories, the dual timeline, the multi-generational family mysteries, the amazing settings and atmosphere. This one is no exception.
When you've read Kate Morton before, you will anticipate certain plot twists and revelations. And even if you haven't, I think the main mystery in this book is pretty obvious and easy to guess rather quickly. This was the reason I thought it would only be a 4-star book for me. But then towards the end, more details were revealed than I could dream of, and I was left broken-hearted (also a recurring experience with Kate Morton novels).
This book is long, though, and it has taken me quite long to finish it. It's very slow and character focused, which I love. But in addition to that, it also has a book within a book. Since I love this narrative device, I was pleasantly surprised that it was included here. Plus, it's a true crime novel about the events of the main story. And the way this true-crime book was written just blew me away. I had the same feeling I had when I read In Cold Blood, which had left a lasting impression on me when I read it a few years ago.
The themes in this book were a little too close to home sometimes. A lot of complicated mother-daughter-dynamics. Great exploration of motherhood from several points of view, and also great representation of women who don't want to become mothers. And as a bonus, a love letter to stories and storytelling and how much it can influence people's lives and memories.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
Minor: Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Medical content, Kidnapping, War
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Misogyny, Medical content, Colonisation, War
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death