Title: The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 332 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
Everyone knows the story of “the girl from Widow Hills.”
Arden Maynor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Strangers and friends, neighbors and rescue workers, set up search parties and held vigils, praying for her safe return. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. The girl from Widow Hills was a living miracle. Arden’s mother wrote a book. Fame followed. Fans and fan letters, creeps, and stalkers. And every year, the anniversary. It all became too much. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and disappeared from the public eye.
Now a young woman living hundreds of miles away, Arden goes by Olivia. She’s managed to stay off the radar for the last few years. But with the twentieth anniversary of her rescue approaching, the media will inevitably renew its interest in Arden. Where is she now? Soon Olivia feels like she’s being watched and begins sleepwalking again, like she did long ago, even waking outside her home. Until late one night she jolts awake in her yard. At her feet is the corpse of a man she knows—from her previous life, as Arden Maynor.
And now, the girl from Widow Hills is about to become the center of the story, once again, in this propulsive page-turner from suspense master Megan Miranda.
Review:
The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda is a chilling mystery.
Hospital administrator Olivia Meyer has re-invented herself and distanced herself from her past. But the recent discovery that her estranged mother has passed away stirs up unpleasant memories. Olivia is a little shaken when she begins sleepwalking again but she plans to put measures in place to ensure she cannot leave her bedroom. At the same time, she begins noticing little things around her house that disturb her, but she dismisses them as inconsequential. However, the next night, Olivia discovers the body of a man from her long ago past and self-doubts begin to set in. She is certain she had nothing to do with his murder, but why are her memories of the night before so patchy? And why is Detective Nina Rigby warning her to be careful around her neighbor and friend Rick Aimes?
As a six year child, Oliva (aka Arden Maynor) and her mother Laurel are unexpectedly thrust into the national spotlight. Swept away in a storm, the town of Widow Hills and many other volunteers frantically search for Olivia. After her rescue, Laurel does not hesitate to cash in on their popularity whereas Olivia wants nothing more than forget what happened to her. As a teenager, Olivia finally gets her wish but she cannot leave behind the aftereffects.
However, having changed her name and completed college, Olivia can finally breathe a sigh of relief that no one can find her. In exchange for keeping a tight lid on her secrets, her friendships tend to be a little superficial. Which does not really bother her until her closest friend Bennett Shaw learns about her past. Regretful at keeping him and her other friend Nina Ferano at arms’ length, Olivia tries to explain. Bennett seems to have forgiven her, but Nina has unexpectedly vanished. Although troubled about Nina’s sudden disappearance, Olivia has her hands full trying to protect herself during Detective Rigby’s murder investigation.
The Girl from Widow Hills is a riveting mystery with an intriguing storyline that brings to mind the Jessica McClure story. Olivia is a sympathetic character but her obsessive need to hide her past seems a bit over the top. However, it is very easy to cheer for her as she tries to uncover the truth about who killed the man in her yard and eventually, events from her childhood. The story is fast-paced and it is easy to suspend disbelief for some of the more far-fetched aspects of the plot. With one final stunning plot twist, Megan Miranda brings this unpredictable mystery to a shocking conclusion. Highly recommend to fans of the genre!
