Wow so many emotions I felt through this book... tears and laughter I had it all. This was such an amazing read. I loved the storyline the characters everything about this.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Reminiscent of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, this is a brilliant little story about mental illness and it’s impacts on family told from the perspective of six-year-old Aoife (EE-fa). Humorous, sad, quirky, and very well-written, All That’s Bright and Gone follows Aoife through her childish imaginations and mysterious discoveries on her hero’s journey after her mother is hospitalized to find out what happened to her older brother and reunite her family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh such a good story!! 6 year old Aoife little world has been turned up side down. This story is narrorated by a 6 year old girl who mom has been taken away “to get better” and she along with teddy (her imaginary little bear) and her Neigbor Hanna try to investigate her brothers death (murder) of Theo thinking that’s the old way to bring her momma home.

I know my brother is dead. But sometimes Mama gets confused.

There’s plenty about the grownup world that six-year-old Aoife doesn’t understand. Like what happened to her big brother Theo and why her mama is in the hospital instead of home where she belongs. Uncle Donny says she just needs to be patient, but Aoife’s sure her mama won’t be able to come home until Aoife learns what really happened to her brother. The trouble is no one wants to talk about Theo because he was murdered. But by whom?

With her imaginary friend Teddy by her side and the detecting skills of her nosy next-door neighbor, Aoife sets out to uncover the truth about her family. But as her search takes her from the banks of Theo’s secret hideout by the river to the rooftops overlooking Detroit, Aoife will learn that some secrets can’t stay hidden forever and sometimes the pain we bury is the biggest secret of them all.


The story was told from the point of view Aoife. A book about mental illness and trying to make her world a better one. It was heart touching as well as times heartbreaking. Very much a sweet , book about love and family.
I was very moved and had to finish this one to have closure for myself and Aoife.

I know my brother is dead. But sometimes Mama gets confused.

There’s plenty about the grownup world that six-year-old Aoife doesn’t understand. Like what happened to her big brother Theo and why her mama is in the hospital instead of home where she belongs. Uncle Donny says she just needs to be patient, but Aoife’s sure her mama won’t be able to come home until Aoife learns what really happened to her brother. The trouble is no one wants to talk about Theo because he was murdered. But by whom?



Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience first time reading anything from this author this book had me on the edge of my seat

What makes this story unique and memorable is that it’s told from the perspective of a child named Aofie. I was drawn in from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book!

Aoife (Eef-fe) is a 6 year old who is struggling to understand what has happened to her family. This story is a bit like 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time' or 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'. The child narrating the story is not really comprehending the magnitude of incidents and conversations as they occur, but you as an observer are able to read between the lines and piece together what is happening.
Aoife finds herself at home with her Uncle Donny and her imaginary friend Teddy, while her mother is in hospital because of her 'confusion'. Aoife with some assistance from her eight year old neighbour Hannah looks for clues as to how her brother 'Theo' died. Will these two be able to solve a murder? According to Hannah they will know the real murderer when he comes after them. For Aoife solving this mystery means making her mother better enough to come home again.
An interesting story of a family struggling with mental illness, interspersed with some humorous observations that could only be made by a six year old. Aoife will make you laugh and cry and want to hug her.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Aoife (pronounced ee-fa) is a six year old girl whose mom just had a nervous breakdown in the middle of an intersection. Aoife says her mom is "confused", especially about whether her brother Theo is dead. Aoife becomes convinced that the only way her mother can overcome her "confusion" is if Aoife can solve the mystery of her brother's death. As Aoife begins to investigate, other troubling truths come to life that will change her life forever. Heartbreaking and beautifully written, Nellums has given us a wonderful story about faith, mental illness and the meaning of family. I loved this book.