Jessica, Norah, and Alicia grew up as foster sisters under the volatile supervision of Miss Crane at Wildwood, a farm in the Australian countryside. While they presented a unified facade to the public, the girls endured a childhood defined by psychological manipulation and strict, unpredictable rules. Decades later, a skeleton is discovered beneath the floorboards of their former home, triggering a police investigation. As the women return to confront their past, they must navigate their shared trauma and conflicting memories to determine which of them knows the truth about the body and the disappearance of another child from the farm.
This psychological thriller suits readers interested in the long-term effects of institutional failure and childhood neglect. It appeals to those who enjoy intricate domestic mysteries centered on sisterhood, reliable versus unreliable narration, and the moral ambiguity of survival. Readers finished the book with a perspective on how early trauma dictates adult relationships and the ways memory shifts to protect the self from uncomfortable realities. It provides a look at the complexities of the foster care system and the lasting bonds formed in high-stress environments.
Insights from Darling Girls
“We were sisters by everything but blood.”
Living with Miss Fairchild was a nightmare disguised as a postcard. Those girls had to be perfect just to stay safe.
“Bad things happened at Wildwood.”
Alicia, Norah, and Jessica found a body under their old house. It brought back every secret they tried to bury.
Foster care can be a roll of the dice. Some people take children in just for the control.
“The past has a way of catching up.”
The way Jessica carries her childhood fear into adulthood is heartbreaking. She still waits for the other shoe to drop.
- Published
- 2024
- Publisher
- St. Martin's Press
- ISBN
- 9781250284525
- Language
- EN
