September 6, 2021
Colorado librarian Juniper Baker, the protagonist of this lyrical suspense novel from Baart (You Were Always Mine), has complex reasons for returning to rural Jericho, Iowa, which she left 13 years earlier at 19, entrusting her infant daughter, Willa, to be raised by her parents, ostensibly to help an old friend who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis but really so she could escape her demons. Juniper’s brief visits to see Willa over the years have made clear to her how much shared history she has squandered—and that if she hopes to forge anything resembling a real mother-daughter relationship with the 13-year-old, it’s now or never. In addition, there are online rumors that a true crime podcaster plans to reinvestigate the double murder in which her younger brother, Jonathan, became the prime suspect; Juniper hopes by doing some digging herself she can finally figure out what happened. But before Juniper can properly discuss the still unsolved case with him, alarming things begin to happen: her car tires are slashed, and someone poisons Jonathan’s dog. Despite the escalating peril, Juniper forces herself to revisit fraught memories, including those of her heady secret romance with Willa’s father, in search of clues. Baart delivers enough twists not to disappoint as she movingly evokes love and innocence lost. This delayed coming-of-age story will have broad appeal. Agent: Danielle Egan-Miller, Browne & Miller Literary Assoc.