Crooked River

In a powerful literary debut, two sisters, Sam and Ollie McAlister, grapple with grief after their mother’s sudden death. They move from Eugene to rural Oregon to live with their beekeeper father, Bear, in a teepee. Their new life takes a dark turn when a young woman is found dead in Crooked River, leading to Bear's arrest for murder. Fifteen-year-old Sam is convinced of her father's innocence despite the evidence against him. Determined to prove his guiltlessness and keep her fractured family intact, she embarks on a perilous quest. Ollie, younger and sensitive, also believes in Bear’s innocence, guided by visions of spirits known as The Shimmering. One spirit, who followed her home from their mother’s funeral, warns her of a lurking danger. As both sisters navigate their haunting experiences, they uncover the truth about the real killer, who may be closer than they think. Told through their vivid perspectives, this story intertwines themes of family, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil, all while maintaining an engaging psychological mystery that captivates until the last page.