J.E. London’s novel is a haunting and deeply layered story about family, betrayal, and long-buried secrets. At its heart, the book follows Faith Johnson as she returns home and unearths painful truths about her lineage. When she receives a journal filled with dark confessions, she is forced to confront the past in a way she never expected. The story weaves through multiple generations, exposing cycles of trauma, the weight of silence, and the devastating consequences of hidden sins. With a gripping mystery at its core, the novel unspools at a deliberate pace, pulling the reader deeper into Faith’s journey as she pieces together the puzzle of her family’s history.

The writing in this book is strikingly raw, almost poetic at times, but also unflinchingly brutal. London doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, and that’s what makes this book so compelling. The moment when Faith reads Elizabeth Henley’s journal for the first time is unforgettable. The shift from mundane daily entries to horrifying revelations about a known stalker watching a young girl is gut-wrenching. The suspense in that scene is masterfully crafted, making you feel the same dread Faith does as she turns the pages. It’s not just a story; it’s an experience, forcing you to sit with the weight of what’s being uncovered.

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of this novel is how it explores silence as a form of complicity. Faith’s internal struggle about whether to judge or understand the choices made by the women before her adds so much depth to her character. The scene where she debates whether Grandmother Judy had simply watched and waited while evil lurked nearby is particularly powerful. It’s frustrating, heartbreaking, and deeply human. The book forces you to ask tough questions, what would you do in the same situation? How much of our actions (or inaction) are dictated by fear, survival, or societal expectations? London doesn’t offer easy answers, which makes the book all the more impactful.

Another standout element is how vividly the setting is painted. The stormy weather, the ominous barn, the tension-filled conversations all of it adds to the book’s gothic, almost cinematic quality. There’s a scene where Faith looks out and sees what she thinks is Abigail’s ghost standing near the barn in a bloodstained dress. It’s chilling, and for a moment, it blurs the line between reality and the supernatural. This moment, whether a hallucination or a manifestation of Faith’s growing paranoia, highlights how the past refuses to stay buried. It clings to the land, the buildings, the people who live there, and most of all, to Faith herself.

This book is not a light read. It’s intense, often unsettling, and emotionally heavy. But it’s also beautifully written and deeply meaningful. If you love stories that explore generational trauma, moral ambiguity, and the dark corners of human nature, this book is for you. Readers who appreciate slow-burning mysteries with deep psychological layers will find themselves captivated.

Pages: 184 | ASIN : B07NS3VHXV