Below is a summation of the members' reactions to this work.
This selection is a modern gothic murder mystery that takes place in a small, somewhat isolated English village where, over the years, 3 preschool girls have died in accidents or disappeared. Now a new vicar has arrived to reopen the local church where one of the children died in a fall. Also, a new family named Fletcher has moved into the house next to the church with their two sons and daughter, a toddler named Millie, who narrowly escapes another "accidental" death in the church. Will the Fletchers be able to protect Millie from becoming yet another accident?
All of the group members enjoyed this selection and would recommend it to others. One member said she put off reading it but then couldn't put it down. Another member said she could only read it during the daytime as it was too creepy after dark. The discussion centered on the elements of a gothic novel and how the author had adapted those elements to this story, which is set in the present with modern technology and up-to-date forensic tools. The group also discussed where in De Soto they might focus a gothic novel and agreed that there really wasn't a suitable location. "We tear everything down," said one member, "so there really isn't anything old enough." Several members said they planned to read some other books by Bolton.
