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Sixteen-year-old Sadie Wade has recently started a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant called Shay's, allowing her to contribute to her family's bills. She is also a high school student, but unfortunately, she faces bullying from her peers. For six years, Sadie has been haunted by a traumatic memory from 2009 in Tennessee, where she witnessed a boy being beaten by two men. She feels guilty for not intervening during the incident. As fate would have it, Sadie learns that Detective Dominic Sousa is investigating the case of a missing girl, Lucia Alvarez, who disappeared in 2006 from Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Sadie approaches Dominic to recount what she witnessed years ago and expresses her desire to find out whether the boy is alive or dead. Dominic realizes that the cases of Lucia Alvarez and the beaten boy are suprisingly connected.
In her work, Porter delves into the issues of high school bullying, sexual harassment, false rumors, and trauma. The author tackles these subjects head-on, examining how bullying can significantly impact a victim's mental health, leading to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and helplessness. Additionally, the spread of false rumors can further harm victims, as people are often quick to believe what they hear, resulting in prejudice against those targeted. Porter also addresses the horrifying consequences of brutal assaults and how such events can haunt individuals for years, especially if they feel guilty for not intervening to help others. The narrative effectively shows how the burden of guilt can weigh heavily on these individuals, and when triggered by certain memories, it can feel as though they are reliving those painful moments. Readers will find this book engaging due to its many twists and turns, which will keep them on the edge of their seats.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review