First published 2010
Alice Hayward whispers "There" to Reverend Stephen Drew after her baptism. That evening her husband murders her and kills himself. Drew cannot forget Alice's final word or shake his growing doubts about God. He meets Heather Laurent, who writes popular books about angels and survived her own parents' murder-suicide as a child. Heather offers to mentor Alice's daughter Katie while supporting Stephen as he abandons his pulpit to rebuild his shattered faith. Their fragile healing process breaks apart when the State's Attorney questions the official story. Evidence suggests Alice's husband might not have committed suicide. The investigation reveals Alice confided secrets to her minister that cast her death in a different light. Stephen must confront what he knew about Alice's life and what role his knowledge played in her fate. The case forces all involved to examine the stories they tell themselves and others.
Genres: fiction, drama, mystery, crime, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: State's Attorney
370 pages · Hardcover · Shaye Areheart Books
Content warnings: death, murder, suicide