The detailed and profound effect her mother's murder had on her is hard to read. But the family dynamics and relationship expectations provide context to this complex story that involved so many people.

Sarah Perry easily became a favorite author for me. She has a way with words that transport and amaze while crafting a brilliant story. I want to say this book is beautiful. And it’s important for so many reasons. I appreciate the courage, commitment, and honesty shared in this book. If anything feels even a little familiar while you’re reading, that’s important.

B R U T A L. Ive read an amazing amount of sad and heartwrenching books. But this one is just devastating. I have never felt so uncomfortable while reading a book. It's just so raw. The author Sarah Perry was just twelve years old the night her mother Crystal was gruesomely murdered in their home. She heard the whole awful event from her bedroom. This is her story of the before and the after. And let me tell you something: she doesn't hold back. She is incredibly honest.

So beautifully written. And just special. Not just a fantastic true crime memoir but an incredible achievement in writing, period. Her mother would be so proud.

I highly recommend this to EVERYONE..who thinks that they can handle it. I almost couldn't.

I hope Sarah finds peace. And I hope she continues to write because she is one talented, brave, and inspiring woman.

This book was not an easy read for me. The amount of pain and tragedy in it for this one girl is palpable. I struggled to get through parts of it and some of the details became repetitive for me, so I hovered between giving it three or four stars. I decided on four because for such a tragic topic, it is written beautifully. Sarah - the author and also the secondary victim to the murder shows amazing strength and for that reason, I think this book deserves recognition.

Such a powerful memoir that explores a daughters journey towards understanding after her mother is murdered. This is a coming of age book while coming to understand loss. Complicated and well told!

This was a captivating read, although sometimes hard (emotionally). But very well-written and I'm glad this story is out there. I hope it has brought the author some peace.

I hope Ms. Perry got the same sense of wholeness and completion from writing this book as she provides to the readers. Unusually gentle even in its piercing determination not to look away.

I am not one to read nonfiction, but I've been trying to expand my horizons lately and this book served me well. It was a wonderful love letter from a daughter to a mother. In the end, there was no shocking Law-and-Order twist as one might expect in a typical thriller, which, to me, made it seem even more real.

Well-written and compelling. Ms. Perry tells the story of her mother’s murder in vivid prose while avoiding sensationalism. Her writing is clear and honest.