Really good. Very reminiscent of [b:Grit|31706530|Grit|Gillian French|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485342551l/31706530._SY75_.jpg|51273687] in a lot of ways, which is a good thing.

I'm always looking for great YA Mystery writers, and I think I've found one in Gillian French. Her stories are so much more than the actual mystery, and I love the intricacy that feels easy. There are so many things I loved about this book, it's hard to figure out where to start.

First, I'm always going to be a fan of the us vs. them trope. The haves and the have-nots. For whatever reason, I like seeing the way the lines are drawn and what happens when people cross them. I also love having a glance into the world of the rich and the reckless. Pearl enters into this walled-off world in order to see if there's anything to find out, and it's interesting seeing how she handles it.

Second, the setting. I love a small-town, beach-town setting. I haven't read very many books set on the coast of Maine, so Tenney's Harbor (a fictional town on the real island of Mount Desert Island) was a welcome setting for this book. I also really liked the dynamic that these people that Pearl needed to get in with only live in this place for 3-4 months per year. It's like, they blow in and create all this tension and drama, but also they are what sustains the touristy town's economy-- can't live with them, can't live without them.

Finally, the mystery. This family, particularly Cassidy (the daughter), haunted me throughout this book. It was like she was there just below the surface the whole time. But it was so much more than: What happened to the Garrison's? It was friendship and family too. I especially liked the way Pearl had to deal with her father's drinking problem and how that was a factor in the book. Also, the way she crushed on her best friend Reese-- and all the pain that caused her.

Now that I'm officially a Gillian French superfan, I'm running to get her newest book, [b:The Missing Season|39937609|The Missing Season|Gillian French|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539639276l/39937609._SY75_.jpg|61830251]!

OVERALL: Giant yes!! This is what YA Mysteries should be. I loved the beach-town, the intricate characters, and how it was a mystery with so much more going on. Totally 100% recommend.

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It takes a special writer to 'get' the essence of Maine when writing fiction. Nowhere is this apparent than when creating a story that features natives VS PFAs (People From Away). In this dark and gritty story, Gillian French nails both groups perfectly. Having grown up near the coast and later serving as library director in a wealthy Maine community, I know of what I speak. The characters, setting and slow reveal are all done just right, leaving those still standing at the end, scarred, but with enough hope to keep going. The ending is perfect. ( )

An entertaining summer read about the thrills and horrors of the über rich on their summer vacations.

It was richly developed through the novel until the end. It had an abrupt and unsatisfying ending.

CW: mental/emotional abuse, violence, murder ( )

This was my first book by Gillian French and I really enjoyed it. The story wasn’t exactly original, but I was deeply involved in helping the main character figure “out who did it”. Some of her choices aren’t the best, but this is an 18-year-old character. Looking forward to reading more by this author. ( )

Nothing new or surprising here, but a quick fun read. ( )