Cassie is flawed yet deeply empathetic. Her escape from heartbreak and professional trauma leads her back to her hometown along the quiet banks of the Delaware River. Her attempt to rebuild a simpler life—reconnecting with her childhood best friend Eli and embracing the rhythms of a slower, more domestic existence—is complicated by her struggles with harm OCD. Her intrusive, gory thoughts are portrayed with honesty and care, giving readers insight into Cassie’s private turmoil while grounding her in a raw, human vulnerability.

The shadow of Beth, Eli’s late wife, looms over every inch of Cassie’s new life—her presence felt in the perfectly maintained décor, the home’s routines, and Eli’s unspoken grief. The tension builds beautifully as Cassie begins to sense something unnatural about the home and its secrets. The introduction of the disembodied voice, narrating the house’s hidden truths, adds an eerie layer to the story, turning the setting into a character all its own.

Cassie’s search for answers about Beth’s death unfolds deliberately, grippingly. The novel skillfully balances Cassie’s struggles with the escalating sense of dread, creating a psychological mystery that is as much about Cassie uncovering herself as it is about solving the riddle of the house. Joan, the reserved neighbor who offers quiet moments of wisdom and guidance, serves as a subtle foil to Beth’s idealized memory, further deepening the novel’s exploration of traditional domestic roles and the expectations placed on women.

It’s an engrossing and beautifully written exploration of the ghosts we carry, both real and imagined.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.