by Maggie Meehan
Where The Crawdads Sing, by Celia Owens, is an amazing mystery following the life of a girl named Kya in a small town on the coast of North Carolina during the 1960’s and 70’s. Kya grew up with almost no one. Most of her family left her when she was only 7 years old, the only person to stay was her father, who eventually left as well. She lived in a small house in the marsh, and because she had very little money and didn’t have the items that most of the other kids had, she got bullied and made fun of, receiving the nickname “Marsh Girl.” At a very young age, Kya meets a man named Jumpin’ who owns a bait shop between her house and the main town. Jumpin’ helps Kya survive on her own by giving her food, clothes and a little money. As Kya grows up, she meets two boys, one of whom is found dead later in the story. This killing causes a series of events to unfold, shaping the main plot of the book and a singular question… “Who did It?”
I really enjoyed reading this book. It started out slowly, but as time went on, the story really picked up. It's safe to say I couldn't put it down. In my opinion, the plot was well thought out and covered every detail without interfering with the pacing and making it boring. Owens did a really good job with the use of imagery in the book as well. While you're reading, you can really picture every moment in your mind which helps to develop the plot. Honestly, I loved the majority of the characters, although my favorite was Jumpin’ and his wife Mabel because throughout everything that happened, they always stuck by Kya and showed her the love that she never got at home. When you read this book, which I think you should, get ready for the ending! As the storyline continues, you honestly don't know what to think or what to believe...then once you get to the end and you think the story is done and the mystery is resolved...it's not!
If you love a good mystery, a book that covers the trials and tribulations of growing up as a girl alone, and a jaw dropping ending that will leave you breathless, then this is the book for you!