Calli Clark is 7 years old. She has not spoken a word since she was four. Petra Gregory is her best friend, who has taken to speaking for her, and protecting her.
Early one morning, Petra's parents wake up to discover her missing. Looking for her at Calli's, they discover that Calli is missing too.
The novel is told from different narrators points of view. And I can't really put my finger on it, but I think that it changes from 3rd person to 1st quite a bit? A little bit distracting, mostly in Calli's chapters, but I think this was done because Calli doesn't talk? I don't know.
Spoilers below ... minor ones.
The bulk of the story is the investigation, and looking into the parents. Primarily Griff Clark, who has a history of alcholism and being a bully. But even, albeit briefly, Calli's older brother Ben. Antonia doesn't really come to the conclusion that her abusive husband is, in fact, abusive, until the very end of the novel. Which was a little disheartening to me. At the end she grieves over the choice she has made to stay with him through it all when looking at what it has done to her children. This seemed dense to me. Lady, he threw you down the stairs in front of your 4 year old daughter. You just now put it together that that may have scarred your daughter (who doesn't talk, mind you - sheesh) for life?
There were other odds and ends about the Gregory's family, told from the Dad's point of view, but it didn't resonate and I skimmed a bunch. Thought it was useful in moving the plot, looking back.
Spoilers below ... minor ones.
The bulk of the story is the investigation, and looking into the parents. Primarily Griff Clark, who has a history of alcholism and being a bully. But even, albeit briefly, Calli's older brother Ben. Antonia doesn't really come to the conclusion that her abusive husband is, in fact, abusive, until the very end of the novel. Which was a little disheartening to me. At the end she grieves over the choice she has made to stay with him through it all when looking at what it has done to her children. This seemed dense to me. Lady, he threw you down the stairs in front of your 4 year old daughter. You just now put it together that that may have scarred your daughter (who doesn't talk, mind you - sheesh) for life?
There were other odds and ends about the Gregory's family, told from the Dad's point of view, but it didn't resonate and I skimmed a bunch. Thought it was useful in moving the plot, looking back.
The story was fast paced and engaging. I literally read the final 200 pages in one sitting. Antonia and Louis were the most interesting characters, even though I think the author wanted me to think that Martin was really interesting, he wasn't. He felt like a literary tool for moving action forward.
I was surprised by the ending, which is always fun because usually you can spot where they are taking you. I recommend this for people that like mysteries, or small town stories. The subject matter is disturbing, and honestly I don't usually read stuff that involves hurting children because I just can't stomach it. There is enough hardship in the world I don't need to read about it in my recreation time.
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