"Knife River" by Justine Champine is a compelling family drama and literary suspense debut that delves into the mysteries surrounding a mother's disappearance and the complex relationships between sisters. The story follows Jess, who, after receiving a call that her mother's remains have been found, returns to her hometown of Knife River with the intention of uncovering the truth about her mother's disappearance.

The narrative explores the aftermath of the traumatic event that shaped Jess and her older sister Liz's lives. Jess, who had fled Knife River in her youth, returns to find the town frozen in time, and Liz obsessed with unsolved missing persons cases. As the sisters delve into the investigation surrounding their mother's death, they are confronted with more questions than answers. The bones of their mother, exposed to the elements for years, become a poignant symbol of the unresolved past.

The novel is praised for its atmospheric and evocative writing, capturing the essence of a small town and the complexities of familial relationships. The portrayal of the two sisters, each dealing with the trauma in their own way, adds depth to the narrative. The suspenseful elements of the story keep readers engaged as they navigate the twists and turns of the investigation.

"Knife River" is not only a mystery but also a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the intricacies of sisterhood. The characters grapple with the imperfections of their relationships, adding emotional depth to the storytelling. The novel has been commended for its tension, intimacy, and its skillful ability to twist readers' expectations.

This book delves into the heart-wrenching journey of Jess and her sister, Liz, who are haunted by the mysterious disappearance of their mother when they were young. Their lives have been marked by grief and an unending quest for answers. Jess, trying to escape the shadows of her past, has lived a nomadic existence, drifting from one relationship to another. However, a fateful call changes everything: their mother's remains have been discovered.

Returning to their small town of Knife River, Jess is confronted with a place suspended in time, where Liz remains fixated on unsolved missing persons cases. What was supposed to be a brief visit to find closure only deepens the mystery. The long-exposed bones raise more questions than answers, and Jess is drawn into the enigma of her mother's disappearance. Along the way, she rekindles a relationship with her high school girlfriend, adding layers of complexity to her understanding of the past and the people in her life.

This novel is a poignant exploration of the imperfect but profound bonds that women share—be it in romantic relationships, intergenerational friendships, or the unique sisterly connection. The story unfurls with tension and intimacy, painting a vivid picture of the complexity of love and loss.

However, while the novel offers a touching perspective on the impact of a mother's disappearance on her daughters, I have mixed feelings about it. I found the narrative disjointed and hard to follow. The interplay between the investigation and Jess's romantic relationships left some feeling disconnected. The story meandered in places, making it challenging to maintain engagement. The characters, notably Jess, resonated with a few readers, but the lack of clarity in the point of view and the pacing left others feeling disconnected from the narrative.

Overall, "Knife River" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the enduring bonds between women, wrapped in a tapestry of mystery and loss. While it carries a profound emotional weight, it may not resonate with me due to its narrative structure and pacing.

I eventually settled on giving it a solid three stars, with the thought that this story could be told more effectively, which might have helped me empathize more with the characters.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group/ Dial Press for providing me this digital reviewer copy in exchange my honest feedback.

This book doesn't so much solve a mother's disappearance as it explores the impact of the mother's disappearance on her daughters. Very little happens in this book. I suppose it could be seen as a character study but spending time with these two characters is bleak indeed. They're not particularly likeable, though at times they are at least human in their emotions. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. This was a very slow burn. I really thought the writing was wonderful, but the book was a bit drawn out. For that I give three stars. Overall it was a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC Sadly, this was a hard miss for me. I really didn't understand what was going on between the sister's mothers investigation from being missing and between Jess's romantic relationships. I was more interested in the beginning with Jess and her girlfriend Sarah wanting to get pregnant. This book was all over the place. Jessica's sister Liz is introduced as a mess but yet after she's not portrayed like that and when she works she dresses nicely? okay. This just dragged on and on in was very info dumpy as well, I honestly think that this could have been written way better than it was, The only character that has life to her is Jess but we don't even know what POV it is until chapter 4. I really was hoping to like this but I didn't, it was just boring.

When Jess was thirteen, her mother disappeared. Fifteen years later, when her mother's remains are discovered, she returns to her hometown of Knife River to stay with her sister Liz while they wait for answers. It's not really a thriller or mystery; it's more of a melancholy portrait of grief and how it can leave you stuck in limbo. Beautifully written; it's hard to believe it's a debut novel. I'll watch for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Outstanding writing! Champine has a hit with Knife River. I liked the story and how it unraveled. Well done. Explores sister relationships, small towns, and partner problems. I didn't want it to end. I love when a book leaves me feeling like that. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

An underwhelming and slow read. There was not really anything about the story that kept me engaged, and I really just wanted it to end.