The synopsis is what really grabs me. The writing is detached, refusing to assign a personage to all but two characters. Aside from Alison and young Clairey, everyone else is "the fat one," "the actor," "the father." Most sentences are curt and written in an active voice. Nonetheless, fantastic metaphors and similes are used, as well as alliteration. The literary element of this book is exceptional. I was immediately reminded of the Natalee Hollaway case that was so highly publicized when I was eighteen. I read an interview (available on Edelweiss+) in which the author states her story was not based on Natalee's disappearance, but instead was more inspired by the JonBenet Ramsey case. This story feels highly pertinent today, now that Aniah Blanchard's remains have been discovered after the month-long nation-wide coverage. America has an insatiable fascination with the disappearance and murder of beautiful young girls. My boyfriend also read this sample and he is determined to pre-order a copy if he does not win the raffle. He was so highly moved by this book that I am amazed, since he is rarely so taken by a novel.