NetGalley Buddy Readers discussion

Six women--mothers, daughters, sisters--gone missing. When the first is found floating dead in the river, it reveals the disturbing truth of a small Ohio town. Inspired by the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six, this harrowing and haunting novel tells the story of two sisters, both of whom could be the next victims, from the internationally-bestselling author of Betty.

Arcade and Daffodil are twin sisters born one minute apart. With their fiery red hair and thirst for an escape, they forge an unbreakable bond nurtured by both their grandmother's stories and their imaginations. Together, they create a world where a patch of grass reveals an archaeologist's dig, the smoke emerging from the local paper mill becomes the dust rising from wild horses galloping on the ground, and an abandoned 1950s convertible transforms into a time machine that can take them anywhere.

But the two sisters can't escape the generational chaos that grips their family. Growing up in the shadow of the town, the sisters cling tight to one another. As an adult, Arcade wrestles with these memories of her life, just as a local woman is discovered drowned in the river. Soon, more bodies are found. While her friends disappear around her, Arcade is forced to reckon with the past while the killer circles ever closer. Arcade's promise to keep herself and her sister safe becomes increasingly desperate while the powerful riptide of the savage side becomes more difficult to resist.

Drawing from the true story of women killed in her native Ohio, acclaimed novelist and poet Tiffany McDaniel has written a powerful literary testament and fearless elegy for missing women everywhere.

Theresa and I are starting this one!

Through Part 1

I didn't expect the family story to be so dark to start
(view spoiler)[ well. . .I think we knew the girls would be abused. I'm glad it was just in that one chapter

not to say their starving and being locked in and unloved wasn't awful - it was - but the sexual assault was pretty awful

So they have found a body. I'm interested to see where this goes from here

and we know that Arc dies right? Isn't she the one who said she's just a dead girl? I wonder if she'll find one and then, eventually, be one. I wonder how many years they find bodies? I don't know anything about this true case. . .

(hide spoiler)]

Part 2

(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure what we learned from that section. I'm sad Daffy was a great swimmier and she clearly had to give that up

it's crazy that they aren't sleeping in their own house and the mom and aunt don't seem to notice/mind?! that breaks my heart

I'm not sure what all to make of John. he's a mess, for sure

and that stuff with highway man. it's all a little confusing (hide spoiler)]

I just realized I also have this one to read. I will try to join in soon if I can,

JenniferJ wrote: "I just realized I also have this one to read. I will try to join in soon if I can,"

ooh, can't wait to see what you think of this one!!

Through Part 3 & 4

(view spoiler)[ this is really sad and tragic. I hate that they are now addicted - that her sister lost her shot to get out

and now Sage Nell is gone. And they are selling themselves to johns. . .Ugh.

But if the murderer ends up being The Highway Man, I'm going to be disappointed because then it wasn't even kind of a mystery. . .

that moment where he beat them all up and then used the brush on Thursday's feet. awful (hide spoiler)]