Everyone in Tenneyâs Harbor knows about the Garrison tragedy. How an unexplained fire ravaged their house, killing four of the five family members. But what people donât know is who did it.
All fingers point at Pearl Haskinsâ father, who was the caretaker of the property, but Pearl just doesnât believe it. Leave it to a town of rich people to blame âthe help.â
With her disgraced father now trying to find work in between booze benders, Pearlâs future doesnât hold much more than waiting tables at the local country club, where the wealthy come to flaunt their money and spread their gossip. This year, Tristan, the last surviving Garrison, and his group of affluent and arrogant friends have made a point of sitting in Pearlâs section. Though sheâs repulsed by most of them, Tristanâs quiet sadness and somber demeanor have her rethinking her judgments.
Befriending the boys could mean getting closer to the truth, clearing her fatherâs name, and giving Tristan the closure he seems to be searching for. But it could also trap Pearl in a sinister web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that would leave no life unchangedâĻif it doesnât take hers first.
Gillian French is the author of The Lies They Tell, The Missing Season, and Edgar Award finalist Grit, which was an Indie Next List pick and received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and ALA Booklist. She holds a BA in English from the University of Maine and lives in Maine with her husband and sons. www.gillianfrench.com.