Ellen Von Steil weaves a narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The Baek family—Patrick, Stella, their daughter Isla, and Patrick's mother, Moni—spend a seemingly idyllic week at their lake cabin. Despite their status as a blended Korean-American family, everything appears perfect.

However, beneath the surface, cracks begin to appear in Patrick and Stella's relationship, leading to heated arguments. Moni endeavors to shield Isla from the turmoil, but the young girl senses that something is amiss without understanding the root cause.

As their lake retreat concludes, Isla stumbles upon a young black girl, Marlow, alone in the woods during a violent storm. With no recollection of how she arrived there, Marlow is adopted by the Baek family. Yet, it becomes apparent that Marlow harbors a mysterious and dark side.

Fast forward to age 17, Marlow is discovered by a modeling agent and becomes a global sensation as Marlow Fin. Breaking her usual secrecy, Marlow grants an interview to a carefully chosen journalist, unraveling the enigma surrounding her. The narrative unfolds through perspectives alternating between Isla, Marlow's interview, and an intrigued stranger fixated on the Baeks.

Ellen Von Steil's storytelling is masterful, guiding the reader through a rollercoaster of unexpected twists, culminating in an ending that defies expectations. This book is a testament to Steil's writing prowess, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

I found this book so gripping that I could not stop reading until I finished it. The ending left me gasping. I re-read it a few times to make sure of its implications. I’m pretty sure those are the trademarks of a successful thriller.

Although only one of the two main characters is named in the title, the book is a dual narrative that juxtaposes a chapter each for Marlow and her adoptive sister Isla Park. It also has multiple timelines that crisscross, beginning in 1995 Minnesota and ending in 2022.

Isla’s doting father Patrick Baek is a literature professor of Korean descent, her mother Stella is a beautiful and intelligent white woman, and they dote on their precocious only child. No one adores her as much
as her paternal grandmother, Halmoni, or Mini as everyone knows her, who lives with her son’s family, and cooks and cares for everyone—family and friends alike. She particularly loves feeding Isla’s friends, Sawyer and Oliver.

Marlow’s story begins on a classic dark and stormy night in 1995. Five year old Isla and her parents and grandmother are happily ensconced at their isolated cabin near Grand Marais, Minnesota, a family tradition for the 4th of July weekend. A late night hurricane-force storm disrupts their usually peaceful last night there. But even more terrifying than the weather is what Isla discovers when she runs out into the night in pursuit of a little girl she believes had been watching her through the window during their entire stay.

This is the beginning of a fraught new episode for the picture-perfect family. When the speechless little girl is released from hospital, the Baeks take her to their home in Henley. Patrick and Mini are absolutely in love with her; Isla comes and goes, mostly awestruck but also feeling inferior because of Marlowe’s great beauty. Stella is withholding at best, and openly hostile at worst.

The first of the present-day Marlow chapters is presented as a televised ´tell-all’ uncovering the secrets of her life with the family that eventually adopted her when no one came forward to claim her as their own. Marlow by this time is a world-famous model, actress and singer. She has offered this opportunity to an African American newscaster whose own experiences with racism makes her—half-Black herself-especially worthy of such a scoop.

Marlow has changed her name to Fin, French for ´the end’, an act that signifies her estrangement from her family, which is forceful and ‘no holds barred.’ Interspersed between the shocking revelations of her self-centred confessional are the stories of those whose life she has touched, and rarely for good, especially Isla’s. But Marlow’s determination to tell the story as the only possible truth, while gaining her much public attention and sympathy, is ultimately challenged by her lesser-light big sister, who takes the last word to herself. The costs to all are enormous.

"Becoming Marlow Fin" by Ellen Won Steil is a compelling novel that explores the mysterious life of Marlow Fin, a troubled actress known for her beauty and success. The narrative weaves together family secrets, unspeakable lies, and the consequences of the past.

The story unfolds in 1995 when young Isla Baek discovers an abandoned six-year-old Marlow in the woods near the Baek family's lakeside cabin. Marlow, with little memory of her past, is adopted into the Baeks' seemingly idyllic Midwest life, becoming Isla's enigmatic new sister. However, Marlow's presence turns out to be unnerving and disruptive, leading to a shocking tragedy that changes their lives forever.

The novel shifts to the present, where the whole world awaits a prime-time interview in which Marlow is expected to reveal everything. The narrative spans decades, gradually unraveling the truth about Marlow, the impact of family secrets, and the extreme lengths people go to in the name of love.

The exploration of Marlow's enigmatic past and the anticipation surrounding her revelation creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the consequences of keeping secrets, and the toll that the past can take on the present.

The themes of beauty, success, and the dark underbelly of fame add depth to the narrative. Marlow's story becomes a lens through which the author examines the price of societal expectations, the burdens of a public persona, and the sacrifices individuals make to fit into predetermined roles.

The book's structure, with a dual timeline and a central revelation, builds suspense and engages readers in Marlow's journey of self-discovery. The exploration of memory, identity, and the lasting impact of traumatic events contributes to the emotional depth of the story.

Overall, "Becoming Marlow Fin" promises a riveting narrative that combines elements of mystery, family drama, and the high stakes of fame. Ellen Won Steil's storytelling is likely to captivate readers as they unravel the layers of Marlow's past and the truths that define her present.

Oh my! I wish I could give more that 5 stars for Becoming Marlow Fin. So many twist and turns that keep me intrigued to the very end!!! Loved it!

Becoming Marlow Fin by E.W. Steil, published by Lake Union Publishing is the second book by this author.
Her debut , Fortune, was a smashing success and this is the highly anticipated next book.

The story spans decades, starting in 1995 when she was found by Isla, an 8 year old girl somewhere in the woods. Becoming a famous actress and model she's lived a colorful life, made mistakes, loved, disliked strongly.
And now she's giving an interview that'll change the outlook on everything.

I started reading and was intrigued right from the start. I'm not a huge fan of jumps between past and present and this book does it a lot. Somewhere on the way I was just confused.
All in all a good read full of twists and turns, 4 stars.

Marlow Fin has had a mysterious troublesome life as a model/ actress as she sits down for an interview to talk about her life,

The Baek’s who are Korean-Americans enjoy spending time at their lake side cabin. Isla, their young daughter, finds an abandoned 6 year old girl, Marlow, in the woods covered in mud. When no one claims her, the Baek’s adopt her. Isla and Marlow grow up as sisters. When Marlow is 17, a modeling agency discovers her.

There are many twists and turns on how everyone lives turn out. It was an excellent read.

My only question is the time line of 1980 to 1995 which seemed off?

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*NO SPOILERS HERE.

Wow. This book blew me away. Ellen Von Steil has crafted a tale with so many twists and turns, that you'll never see the end coming. Patrick and Stella Baek are spending the week at their lake cabin, along with their daughter, Isla, and Patrick's mother, known as Moni. A blended Korean-American family, things are pretty much perfect. Except...

Except Patrick and Stella have begun fighting. Moni tries to shield Isla from their fights as best she can. Isla knows that something is very wrong between them, but she doesn't know why they fight so often.

Just as their week at the lake is ending, Isla finds a young black girl alone in the woods near the cabin during a violent storm. Covered in dirt and leaves, the child has no memory of how she got there. She only knows that her name is Marlow. The Baeks take in the young girl, eventually adopting her as their own. But it soon becomes evident that Marlow has a dark side.

At age 17, Marlow is discovered by a modeling agent. She is soon known worldwide as Marlow Fin. Normally very secretive, Marlow decides to grant an interview with one, carefully selected, journalist. The entire world leans in to finally discover....who is Marlow Fin? How did she get to the lake that mysterious night? What evil acts is she actually capable of?

Told in turns by Isla, Marlow's interview, and a stranger who seems fascinated with the Baeks, this book is well-crafted. Steil is an amazing writer. leading the reader on a wild ride with hairpin turns and an ending the reader will never expect. I highly recommend this book!

You would think that a successful and well-known actress would have received more than enough attention in her life - perhaps too much even, given the routine infringement of personal privacy inflicted by the paparazzi. So why is Marlow Fin actually volunteering to share with the media the secrets of her somewhat mysterious and unusual life in a tell-all interview?

There is a widely held view that Marlow is a troubled soul, but hardly is that surprising, given what is known of her life history.

Found abandoned at the age of six by a girl named Isla Baek, Marlow was subsequently adopted by the Baeks, who had no idea of what they were letting themselves in for. She proved to be a profoundly disruptive influence on the family. And despite her beauty and the recognition she has received since, Marlow still seems to be looking for and lacking for something.

Perhaps in this new interview, the public will find out what that is. Or perhaps, like the Baeks, they will hear more than they bargained for...

This is an interesting and insightful story. There are aspects that are touching, and some that are disturbing. The book examines the nature of family, the price of love, what we do for it and the extent that people will go to justify their behaviour. Worth a read.

A really great read. This book evoked a great deal of emotions and was very engaging. I felt as though I was right there with the characters in the story.