“The delicacy of [Young’s] writing elevates the drama and gives her two central characters depth and backbone… For all the beauty of Young’s writing, her novel is a dark one…And the murder mystery that drives it is as shocking as anything you’re likely to read for a good long while.” — New York Times Book ReviewA stunning novel that examines the price of loyalty, the burden of regret, the … examines the price of loyalty, the burden of regret, the meaning of salvation, and the sacrifices we make for those we love, told in the voices of two unforgettable women linked by a decades-old family mystery at a picturesque lake house.
In 1935, six-year-old Emily Evans vanishes from her family’s vacation home on a remote Minnesota lake. Her disappearance destroys the family—her father commits suicide, and her mother and two older sisters spend the rest of their lives at the lake house, keeping a decades-long vigil for the lost child.
Sixty years later, Lucy, the quiet and watchful middle sister, lives in the lake house alone. Before her death, she writes the story of that devastating summer in a notebook that she leaves, along with the house, to the only person who might care: her grandniece, Justine. For Justine, the lake house offers freedom and stability—a way to escape her manipulative boyfriend and give her daughters the home she never had. But the long Minnesota winter is just beginning. The house is cold and dilapidated. The dark, silent lake is isolated and eerie. Her only neighbor is a strange old man who seems to know more about the summer of 1935 than he’s telling.
Soon Justine’s troubled oldest daughter becomes obsessed with Emily’s disappearance, her mother arrives to steal her inheritance, and the man she left launches a dangerous plan to get her back. In a house haunted by the sorrows of the women who came before her, Justine must overcome their tragic legacy if she hopes to save herself and her children.
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Great book with unexpected ending
A superbly written novel. Realistic characters with great depth. I eagerly await the next offering from this author.
Well-developed characters with family secrets revealed and connections made throughout generations. A worthy piece of prose.
This book stayed on my mind for several days after finishing it and I’ve recommended it to my three daughters. Could never have imagined the third act!
Good book. Like the writing style of Heather Young. Would recommend to a friend.
I thought I was very good. There were a few things that seemed unrealistic, but maybe it’s just wanting a happier result. But mostly it was great and I couldn’t put it down!
Wonderful human interest story with a bit of mystery. Perhaps a little depressing because all of the characters are so detrimentally impacted by the generation before them, but oh the writing! Excellent! You feel like you’re right there with each of the characters—never being lectured to or finding things stilted. If this author has written anything else, I’m definitely ‘in’!
Quit reading. It was not my preferred style of writing.
Told in 2 voices by women of different generations. The flawed but realistic characters were not easy to like, but the story is amazing and tragic on so many levels. Brought back a lot of memories of being a child in the 40s. Always held my interest and I did not see several of the plot twists, especially the ending, coming. I can’t remember when I enjoyed a book more.
This was a page turner from the beginning with wonderful character development throughout. A few twists here and there and not a lot of predictability. A must read.
1st time in a long long time I’ve read a book I just couldn’t put down. Really hated for it to end.