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Winner of the 2021 Edgar Award for Best First Novel In this “beautifully written, thoughtful page-turner” (Chloe Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists) from “the next big voice in crime fiction” (Susan Scarf Merrell, author of Shirley), two young women become unlikely friends during one fateful summer in Atlantic City as mysterious disappearances hit dangerously close to home. Summer has come to Atlantic City but the boardwalk is empty of tourists, the casino lights have dimmed, and two Jane Does are laid out in the marshland behind the Sunset Motel, just west of town. Only one person even knows they’re there. Meanwhile, Clara, a young boardwalk psychic, struggles to attract clients for the tarot readings that pay her rent. When she begins to experience very real and disturbing visions, she suspects they could be related to the recent cases of women gone missing in town. When Clara meets Lily, an ex-Soho art gallery girl who is working at a desolate casino spa and reeling from a personal tragedy, she thinks Lily may be able to help her. But Lily has her own demons to face. If they can put the pieces together in time, they may save another lost girl—so long as their efforts don’t attract perilous attention first. “You won’t be able to stop turning the pages of this heartbreaking” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) and compelling psychological thriller that explores the intersection of womanhood, power, and violence.
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The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for providing feedback. (via NetGalley)
I enjoyed reading this. It was a fast paced read that made it hard for me to put down.
What an incredible debut novel! Following the unlikely friendship of two women, both struggling to move forward with their lives while living in a dying Atlantic City. Women are disappearing and Clara and Lily are searching for answers and trying to stay safe. Two women with very different stories yet they both grew up in Atlantic City and want nothing more than to break free of the curse of this fallen city.
As a former Atlantic City vacationer, I was intrigued just reading the title description and it made the read that much more enjoyable as I was able to imagine and remember places mentioned in the book.
A real edge of your seat kind of book - I found myself so invested in these character's stories and I struggled to put it down. Incredibly tragic and sad stories of women who were never able to break free of the shady side of this city and never seemed to have a fighting chance. My heart ached for each of them - broken women and their stories. All held back by something or someone in their lives, just trying to get beyond this crumbling boardwalk. Fabulous book - HIGHLY recommended!!
Edgar Award Winner, 2021, Best 1st Novel!
Main characters are a Tarot card reader, 2 SPA organizers and a deaf mute. Takes place in Atlantic City during economic tough times. All characters are down on luck and carry baggage!
Tarot card reader starts seeing visions of murdered young girls but not enough to locate girls. She and the 2 female SPA organizers work together to figure this out!
I'm not good at reviews, check what other reviews were left! I think you will like this! David N.