Set against the backdrop of the Adirondack summer camp in 1975, the story begins with the chilling disappearance of Barbara Van Laar, a 13-year-old from a powerful family that looms large over the local community. This isn’t the first Van Laar tragedy; Barbara’s older brother vanished under eerily similar circumstances 14 years prior.

From the first page, Moore sets the stage with a hauntingly vivid atmosphere. It almost felt like a movie being played as you ease yourself into the cinematic mystery setup and feel the tension humming through the campgrounds.  The cast, predominantly composed of women looked promising from the get go. However, despite its promising start, the story falters as it progresses. The cast of characters grows unwieldy, making it difficult to keep track of their arcs— and this is quite something coming from a mystery afficiando  who thrives of CHAOS!

The book loses its footing and although the mystery settles on you, the plot meanders mid-story and the  story feels like going nowhere. 

The women at the story’s heart—whether Van Laar family members or the women in their orbit—are complex, flawed and undeniably intriguing.  Moore’s novel doesn’t just tell a mystery; it tells the stories of women—their lives, struggles, and sacrifices. These women are caught in a web of societal expectations, family obligations and secrets.  This focus on women’s stories is the novel’s greatest strength. Moore writes them with empathy and depth, capturing the nuances of their inner lives. 

 

Yes, but with a warning: go in for the vibes, not the resolution.