Sundown Girls - by L S Stratton (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When sixteen-year-old Naomi Ward and her family head to a secluded cabin in the Shenandoah Valley for summer vacation they don't know the small, mountain town of Sparksburg, Virginia has a dark and twisted past. But when they arrive, Naomi can't shake the feeling that something about Sparksburg just isn't right--and it smells god awful, but for some reason Naomi is the only who can smell the town's stench. When she learns Sparksburg had once been a Sundown Town--a town where Black people weren't allowed after sunset lest they be murdered--Naomi's unease starts to make sense.

As Naomi digs more into Sparksburg's violent origins, she finds herself haunted by the ghost of a girl, appearing nightly outside her window. Then she learns of two girls who've recently gone missing and suspects the past may still be present in Sparksburg and beneath the quaint façade of this tourist town is a palpable danger.

When Naomi decides to track the disappearance of the two girls herself, she becomes suspicious of a local man who has kindled fear in Naomi more than once. She soon learns he has a connection to one of the missing girls, and Naomi is certain he's responsible for the disappearances.

When no one believes her, Naomi takes matters into her own hands. But to save the missing girls, she'll have to finally face her own past trauma as a "missing girl" as she finds herself in a fight for survival.

Gripping and triumphant, L.S. Stratton tells an important and unforgettable story of racial reckoning inspired by historical events.

Review Quotes

★ "This well-paced debut's immersive narrative and descriptive language support its strong characterization. Stratton effectively crafts complex family dynamics, and Naomi's struggle to reconcile the love she feels for her kidnapper with the heinous crime is compelling. The nail-biting final act, which leads to a shocking reveal, will make readers feel as though they're right beside Naomi, fighting for survival. A riveting, emotionally resonant thriller infused with supernatural intrigue."--Kirkus, starred review

★ "In an eerie speculative thriller, a Black teen finds herself caught in a conspiracy while visiting a former sundown town...The novel's strength lies in its depiction of complex relationships and their impact...Tension continually runs high throughout this illuminating and unsettling thriller that empathetically addresses topics relating to Black history and mental health stigma."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "A combination of thrills, history, mystery, and the supernatural in a story that manages to be both chilling and heartwarming... The writing style is immersive, filled with vivid imagery that sustains a mood of unease and suspense while balancing supernatural horror with contemporary issues."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Stratton's supernatural thriller explores the darkness that lingers in sundown towns and the forgotten stories of their victims. While the mystery will draw readers in, Naomi's transformation and acceptance of her past will tug at heartstrings."--Booklist

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