Deeply compelling, well-crafted ... Yet the literary heart of this brilliant novel, its probing meditations on class, power, and the inevitability of crime, is rendered with the same nuance and intensity as Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan quartet.
Captivating ... The novel feints at being a thriller, but is more consistently the coming-of-age story of a nosy, idealistic and arrogant young woman with a well-meaning savior complex ... She's no antihero, but she isn't always easy to root for, either, particularly as the novel barrels toward its mostly predictable conclusion. While Grames' protagonist is slow to learn, her story has plenty to teach about the potential pitfalls of good intentions and the fictional Santa Chionia is an enchanting destination.
An elaborate puzzle of mystery, crime, and romance that will resonate with readers ... Recommended for mystery and historical fiction readers who are interested in the cultural complexities and hardships of life off the map.
The novel contains a multitude of characters and plot threads, many of which require careful attention, causing confusion for Francesca and perhaps readers as well. There’s a big, abrupt twist at the very end, which makes one wonder if a sequel might be in store. With The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia, Grames has created a village teeming with life, and, as it turns out, danger and death.
