breathtaking and beautifully written

Dawn created a beautifully constructed story that pulls at the heartstrings and yanks at the soul. We bounce between three-time frames 2010, the 70s and the 80s, following the trauma and pain of two families. The Wyatts and the Dunkins, are the one family that has to experience the pain of losing a child. When Chelsea Wyatt goes missing and is later found murdered. And the story is from the point of view of Billy as he watches his father's violent attacks on his mother Ruby Duncan. The story looks at the consequences of violence against children and how it shapes their views of the world. It also shows the snowball effect it has and how it twists and distorts the perspective of children that can eventually change their worldview as an adult. Billy and his brother, David are constantly failed by the system that is supposed to protect them. It also shows the lack of support that is available to women in abusive relationships with nowhere else to turn. How the past affects future events that destroy the lives of two families. 
The Wyatt family are dealt a horrible hand, Tom and Kendra are forced to endure the thing most parents never want to go through. We get to see things through both parents' eyes and it is truly heartbreaking. The way Tom emotionally closes down over his daughter's death, while Kendra flips to rage and becomes overwhelmed by grief. I love that Kent the son has a very innocent outlook on the situation until his sister's death is revealed. It's not just the family, it also looks at the domino effect it has on everyone who had their lives touched by Chelsea. Like Nicola who is Chelsea's best friend, the way she tries to cover her pain with drugs.
Dawn also shows the effect this has on the community, and the fear it spreads. Best represented in the scene where Nicola's father sets the ground rules about her quitting her job and coming straight home. Dawn created a brilliantly crafted story, full of suspense and shocks. That left my heart racing, some parts made me angry like when Ruby's father turned her away when she needed help. Ruby shows concern for Lee when Billy runs him down when they attempt an escape, I was screaming at my phone. Dawn knew how to tap into your emotions with this story, and made incredibly complex characters. Showing how consequences have actions and the way grief affects people in different ways. She also shows how pain and trauma can change people, making or breaking a person. Dawn has a great paced story and is beautifully written as my first experience with a crime thriller. It is an amazing read and an incredible genre introduction.

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