A unique story that weaves climate change, small towns, big secrets, and a murder mystery together along with a childhood friendship that is tested over time. Some surprises and twists, and I learned a lot about nature! Can't wait to read her next book. ( )

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

3.5ish stars. I enjoyed the story but for some reason I feel like I still don't know the characters that well. While I enjoyed it, i wasn't entranced either - I could put it down at any point but I also didn't have a hard time picking it back up. Perhaps it was just the writing style that I had a hard time with, but I can't put my finger on it exactly. I do think nature got described more than the people which is why I'm at feel a disconnect with the characters. ( )

A great, atmospheric mystery that tries to do just a little too much.

Cadie is back in her hometown after many years away – the prototypical prodigal daughter. She’s tried running from the secret she’s kept buried deep for what seems like eternity. Reuniting with her childhood best friend Daniela might be more than she can handle however.

Part coming of age, part mystery, with a heavy dose of environmental action, the various plot lines and elements were a bit distracting to the emotional focus. Unwinding the clues to what really happened “that summer” when Cadie was a kid was quite intriguing, though – with surprising twisty turns – as were the flashbacks to her wild, backcountry youth.

For the book club lovers out there, there is an excellent and easy book club night out suggestion page, including a fabulous Reading Group Guide available from the publisher at https://www.torforgeblog.com/2021/01/25/forge-your-own-book-club-waiting-for-the....
A big thank you to Julie Carrick Dalton, Forge Books, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.

#WaitingForTheNightSong
#JulieCarrickDalton
#ForgeBooks
#TorBooks
#NetGalley
#WomensFiction ( )

This one is incredibly similar to Where the Crawdads Sing, but the plot becomes convoluted with too many issues. There’s a murder, immigration policy, climate change, coming-of-age, first love, and more. The story got lost in the heavy-handed issues and sermonizing. I found myself rolling my eyes and probably should have DNFed, but I kept waiting for it to find its footing and move past its talking points. I saw the “twist” coming a mile away and that didn’t help either. ( )

Waiting for the Night Song, is far more than a mystery and suspense novel. It is a powerful, compelling, genre-defying intersectional debut.
Cadie and Daniela grew up in rural New Hampshire on a beautiful lake. The setting is atmospheric and an essential part of the story. They were enjoying an idyllic childhood summer, until they became involved in a shocking murder. The trauma of this event fractured their friendship until decades later Daniela calls Cadie back to her childhood home; something they have feared will happen has finally come to pass.
Cadie is an entomologist and ecologist. Her research involves investigating a beetle that has invaded due to climate change and is harming the trees and causing the forests to become more vulnerable to fire. The exposure of the crime committed many years ago may threaten her career and important research.
The story involved two timelines: the haunting events of that summer, and decades later when Cadie returns home to confront the fallout from the crime with Daniela. The tension is skillfully built, the writing beautiful, descriptive and lush. I especially appreciated the theme of how a place become an integral part of someone, even right down to a molecular level.
Waiting for the Night Song explores the issues of family, friendship, courage, global warming, the government suppression of science, immigration, racism and xenophobia. These themes powerfully intersect throughout the story and the reader is captivated from the beginning. Waiting for the Night Song is not to be missed. Highly recommended. ( )