This debut novel is not for the emotionally faint of heart. If you have a sister, beware of its impact. The book opens with Tess already dead, but is told by Beatrice (Bee) the elder sister. She covers the time from receiving news that her sister is missing forward as a narrative addressed to her sister. There are flashbacks to earlier times in the way we do when something in the present triggers a shared memory. There are apologies and criticisms and tears. But this is no weepy-waily-oh poor me story – Bee evolves into her best, strongest self as she works to uncover the truth of her sister’s death. What grabbed me was the grinding sense of loss that permeates the narrative on an almost subconscious level – always present but not overt. This felt universal to one who has three sisters and never even wants to imagine this loss. Beautifully written and with a great twist at the end, I’m glad it’s fiction.
cas
