Jennifer Fawcett weaves together a haunting and emotional mystery about grief, family legacy, and what we inherit from the past. In 1993, Fiona Green’s mother vanished after being abducted by a truck driver, who was later convicted as a serial killer. Decades later, with the killer on his deathbed claiming innocence in her mother’s case, Fiona returns to her hometown searching for answers. But when another woman goes missing under eerily similar circumstances, Fiona becomes caught in a chilling web of secrets, guilt, and generational trauma that refuses to stay buried.
I loved this one. I’ll admit, it started off a bit slow, and there’s a side storyline I wasn’t sure would fit but once it clicked, it really worked. The mystery was so well crafted, the atmosphere perfectly moody and autumnal, and the exploration of what it means to live in the shadow of someone else’s sins and decisions was both moving and unsettling.
What really got me, though, was the raw look at postpartum depression and motherhood woven into the story. As a young mom, I connected deeply with both Fiona and Ann. With their fears, their exhaustion, their quiet strength as they enter into motherhood. Being a parent is beautiful and rewarding, but it’s also heavy, isolating, and complex especially in the ‘fourth trimester’ and for on. Having had two very different postpartum experiences myself, this hit close to home. I can’t imagine navigating those emotions without the kind of support system I have around me and feel lucky to be alive in a time where we’re starting to recognize the silent struggles many women face postpartum. As a society we still don’t talk about it enough. I personally like seeing representation in media and books, and hope it be the thing that helps someone in their time of need. Fawcett portrayed the post-partum struggle so authentically and honestly this is what sold me on the story.
This book is suspenseful, emotional, and deeply human. Definitely recommend.
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP | ★★★★★
Keep This for Me is out now. Huge thank you to Atria Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
