Kaethe

There's two different stories going on here: in one, Flavia is trying to find out about her mother, missing, presumed dead, since the girl was an infant. The other is a modern mystery about someone going under a train. The first is fascinating, somewhat implausible in resolution, but a deeply satisfying look at family dynamics and the mysteries of one's parents. The other is solved without much detective work on anyone's part, least of all Flavia's, and is even more melodramatic and implausible. But. It must be said, reading about Flavia's relationship with her family, with her first real interest in the backstories of these people around her, and her grief for the mother she didn't have when she grew up: that is writing I needed just now, full of depth, and resonance, and conflicting emotions. That was totally worth it.

ARC provided by publisher