In a small town, the discovery of a body in the woods could be the story that breaks the monotony of mind-numbing local news, and Kiki Nunn cannot afford to miss this opportunity. The deceased was none other than Karen Simmons, whom Kiki had previously interviewed for a dating feature. Karen was an outgoing member of a singles group called the Free Spirits, known for her enthusiasm for seeking love.
As Kiki investigates further, she delves into chat rooms on dating apps, eventually stumbling upon a disturbing network of predators. Her investigations uncover connections to an old case involving the murder of a boy named Archie, who was killed sixteen years ago in the same woods. Archie's mother, Annie, reappears after all this time to plead with the police to reopen the case, as there are still unanswered questions surrounding her son's death. A 24-year-old sex offender named Nicky Donovan was arrested at the time but killed himself while in custody, leading them to believe he was wrongly convicted.
All this would never have happened if Kiki had not teamed up with DI Elise King. They expose the dark web of predators lurking in the small town of Ebbing. This novel is narrated by three strong female protagonists and addresses significant issues such as misogyny, sexual violence, and rape. It evokes a wide range of emotions and explores the unimaginable aftermath of these experiences. I am drawn to books with strong female characters, as they resonate with the realities many women face and relate to the #MeToo movement. 4.5 ⭐️