This was my first time reading Ann Cleeves, and I was eager to dive into this mystery based on the blurb. The premise was fantastic—murder, a missing teen, and the possibility of a cult lurking in the shadows had me ready for an edge-of-my-seat thriller. However, the story felt weighed down by an overwhelming number of characters who didn’t contribute much to the plot. If you enjoy stories rich in detail and with a large cast of characters, this might be the book for you.

*Thank you to Ann Cleeves,  ​​St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.