About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the 'ghosts' of a family separation or seeking to understand a parent who left without a clear explanation. It is a sophisticated, atmospheric mystery that speaks to the way we reconstruct our own histories and the weight of what remains unsaid in families. The story follows sixteen-year-old Declan as he investigates a death in his family's massive, labyrinthine home, an event that forces him to confront the buried memories of his mother's disappearance six years prior. While the book functions as a gripping psychological thriller, its true value lies in how it validates the complex feelings of adolescents who feel stuck in a 'waiting room' of grief. It explores identity, the unreliability of memory, and the slow process of forgiveness. Parents should be aware that the book contains mature themes regarding death and family secrets, making it most suitable for mature middle schoolers and high school students who appreciate a literary, slow-burn mystery that respects their emotional intelligence.
