Despite the high-concept premise, Bestor-Siegal’s debut is not about the hunt for a killer or Alena’s culpability. It’s lyrically written and contemplative, pulling the reader into a complex web of vivid characters. Bestor-Siegal brings an authentic perspective from her own experiences living in France. A perfect book-group title, especially for Francophiles.
Introspective ... While it takes a while to understand how each story and character connects to Julien’s murder due to the slow progression of the plot, Bestor-Siegal excels at character development. Once the author gets going, she cracks open an intriguing world.
A well-paced narrative that moves through time and multiple perspectives with deft precision, this is a heart-wrenching exploration of who counts as family and how dangerous it can be to let someone in ... A novel about the 'people who aren’t completely part of the family' and the true cost of belonging.
