I bought this book as soon as it came out, but somehow, other titles kept pulling me in first. Then my girlfriend suggested that we read something together, and she proposed this one. I liked the idea of finally getting to it, so we jumped in. It took us longer than planned because, well, life got in the way, but in the end, it turned out to be a fantastic read that I truly enjoyed.

„When their thirteen-year-old daughter Barbara goes missing at summer camp, all eyes fall on the Van Laar family. They’re cold, rich people. They own the camp. And it’s happened to them before. Fourteen years ago their little boy, Bear, vanished without a trace. Two children lost to the same wilderness. Is it a tragedy or a crime?“

Blurb

The writing style is very accessible, yet still rich and evocative. The descriptions of the camp and the Adirondacks were especially beautiful. I could picture the forest paths, the lake, and the cabins so clearly that I felt like I was right there. The atmosphere throughout the novel was tense and oppressive, like a summer storm that never quite breaks, but there were also rare, welcome moments of lightness that made the story feel all the more human.

I had no idea how the book would end, which made the twists and turns all the more compelling. And in the end… my eyes may have watered just a little. The final chapters, where revelations came to light and storylines began to resolve, had a tender quality that struck me. I appreciated the shift in tone, the way it allowed some breathing room after the tension had built up for so long.

Barbara was one of my favorite characters. Strong, grounded, and empathetic. I also had a soft spot for T.J., whose quiet presence made a big impact. On the flip side, I absolutely loathed the Van Laars. The two Peters, in particular, made my blood boil. I honestly hoped for the worst for them. And Alice… well, there were moments when I wanted to slap some sense into her. I felt like shaking her and screaming, “Wake up!”

One thing that stood out to me was how vividly the novel captured the misogyny of the 1970s. It was painful and frustrating, but also portrayed in such a sharp and truthful way that I couldn’t look away. The snobbish entitlement of the wealthy characters, too, was just brutal. Of course, I’ve read other books, especially classics like “Wuthering Heights”, that tackle these themes, but here I felt it more intensely than ever before.

All in all, the book was a powerful, immersive experience. It had beauty, dread, subtlety, and emotion all woven together in a deeply satisfying way. For me, it’s a well-deserved 5-star read.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️