It’s 1975 and camp counselor Louise wakes up to find one of her campers missing from her bunk. Not just any camper; Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of the camp’s wealthy owners. As everyone rushes to solve the mystery, the entire town remembers the tragedy of 14 years earlier when the Van Laar’s other son went missing. Investigator Judy Luptack tries to peel back the layers of misdirection and coverups that seem to link both cases and in the process we realize that regardless of social class, some people can successfully decide to break the cycle – though the cycle in question may be wildly different.
The Van Laars (and those in their social circle) have teeth. It is almost shocking to see just how impervious to consequence they believe themselves to be and how easily they do whatever they want with no consideration of the people they damage along the way. Not a single one of them is likable – not even poor Alice who was a victim of circumstance. Moore weaves together suspense and social commentary beautifully and offers a cracked window into the shifting rights (and what they themselves recognize as their rights) from the 60s through the 70s.
4.75 out of 5 stars.
Pair with: whiskey ginger
Peaches to Apples 