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Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Rape, Murder, War
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, War
Moderate: Rape
- Hana Babic, a 47-year-old librarian in Minnesota, lives a quiet, solitary life until Detective David Claypool delivers devastating news—her closest friend has been murdered.
- The crime forces Hana to confront a dark past she buried decades ago, one that began in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia thirty years earlier.
- Set across dual timelines—modern-day Minnesota and war-ravaged Bosnia—this haunting story explores trauma, survival, and the lengths we go to for those we love.
- Genre-Bending: Eskens masterfully blends historical fiction with suspense and mystery, creating a page-turner that kept me hooked until the end.
- Dual Timeline: The seamless transitions between present-day Minnesota and the brutal realities of 1990s Bosnia add depth and tension without disrupting the flow.
- Eye-Opening History: This book offered my first glimpse into the Bosnian War. Eskens highlights its atrocities—ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and unimaginable loss—while handling these brutal truths with care and sensitivity.
- Complex Themes: The story tackles how war turns neighbors into enemies, how trauma lingers long after the violence ends, and how revenge can consume us. It also beautifully explores female friendship, survival, and the burden of dark secrets.
- Strong Female Lead: Hana/Nura stands out as a resilient, complex, and deeply human protagonist. Watching her transform from a quiet librarian into a fierce protector felt both heartbreaking and empowering.
- Beautifully Written: Eskens crafts haunting yet elegant prose, balancing heavy topics with moments of quiet beauty and human connection.
- Gripping & Fast-Paced: Despite its weighty themes, the plot moves quickly. The suspense kept me turning pages, while the emotional stakes made it impossible to stop.
- Satisfying Ending: The conclusion felt complete and well-earned—a rare achievement in stories this complex.
- Delicately Handled Darkness: Eskens addresses graphic and traumatic moments with care, making the horrors real without relying on gratuitous detail.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, War
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, War
Moderate: Torture
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Racial slurs, Medical trauma
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Minor: Rape
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Torture
Moderate: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail