A powerful, intense, intersectional debut
Waiting for the Night Song, is far more than a mystery and suspense novel. It is a powerful, compelling, genre-defying intersectional debut.
Cadie and Daniela grew up in rural New Hampshire on a beautiful lake. The setting is atmospheric and an essential part of the story. They were enjoying an idyllic childhood summer, until they became involved in a shocking murder. The trauma of this event fractured their friendship until decades later Daniela calls Cadie back to her childhood home; something they have feared will happen has finally come to pass.
Cadie is an entomologist and ecologist. Her research involves investigating a beetle that has invaded due to climate change and is harming the trees and causing the forests to become more vulnerable to fire. The exposure of the crime committed many years ago may threaten her career and important research.
The story involved two timelines: the haunting events of that summer, and decades later when Cadie returns home to confront the fallout from the crime with Daniela. The tension is skillfully built, the writing beautiful, descriptive and lush. I especially appreciated the theme of how a place become an integral part of someone, even right down to a molecular level.
Waiting for the Night Song explores the issues of family, friendship, courage, global warming, the government suppression of science, immigration, racism and xenophobia. These themes powerfully intersect throughout the story and the reader is captivated from the beginning. Waiting for the Night Song is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
Cadie and Daniela grew up in rural New Hampshire on a beautiful lake. The setting is atmospheric and an essential part of the story. They were enjoying an idyllic childhood summer, until they became involved in a shocking murder. The trauma of this event fractured their friendship until decades later Daniela calls Cadie back to her childhood home; something they have feared will happen has finally come to pass.
Cadie is an entomologist and ecologist. Her research involves investigating a beetle that has invaded due to climate change and is harming the trees and causing the forests to become more vulnerable to fire. The exposure of the crime committed many years ago may threaten her career and important research.
The story involved two timelines: the haunting events of that summer, and decades later when Cadie returns home to confront the fallout from the crime with Daniela. The tension is skillfully built, the writing beautiful, descriptive and lush. I especially appreciated the theme of how a place become an integral part of someone, even right down to a molecular level.
Waiting for the Night Song explores the issues of family, friendship, courage, global warming, the government suppression of science, immigration, racism and xenophobia. These themes powerfully intersect throughout the story and the reader is captivated from the beginning. Waiting for the Night Song is not to be missed. Highly recommended.