In the marshlands near the town of Barkley Cove lives a mysterious girl of much rumor and speculation. The townsfolk know little about her, so when a young man named Chase Andrews is found dead in 1969, and possibly murdered, all eyes turn to the “Marsh Girl” as a suspect. Her name is Kya, and while her life has been hidden from most, her tale is a tragic one. 

As a child, Kya lived with her parents and siblings, but due to her father’s abusive nature, her mother decides to leave the home and never return. Kya’s siblings also leave one by one and Kya is left alone with her father. Eventually, he leaves the property as well. Only a child, Kya must learn to survive on her own in the marsh. She makes money by selling mussels to a shop owner named Jumpin’ and befriends the gulls and critters of the marsh. As time passes, she observes the behavior of the animals around her and can recognize the parallels between their survival and her own.

Due to the harsh judgment of the townsfolk, Kya only ever attends one day of school, but when a friend of her brother’s, Tate Walker, grows curious about the Marsh Girl, he starts teaching her to read and brings her books to independently study. She proves to be highly intelligent and self-motivated, but not only that, sparks fly between her and Tate. Unfortunately, as life pulls them apart, she then becomes romantically involved with Chase Andrews instead, who eventually is found dead. Can Kya defend herself against the accusations of the town that’s always been against her?

This is a book about survival and instinct. Kya is every woman who’s had to fight her own battles and look out for herself when no one else will. She can’t rely on anyone…not even those she loves most. When you read her story, you really feel for her and identify with her on a deeply personal level. She’s alone and has become accustomed to being alone, but still desires love and companionship. As her story is woven throughout the investigation into Chase Andrew’s death, the pages just keep turning as you become hungry to know how much involvement Kya has in Chase’s death, if any involvement at all. It’s not until the very last pages that readers finally learn the truth.

I loved this book. I think it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. There’s romance, mystery, facts about nature I never would’ve thought about on my own, bits of poetry sprinkled throughout, and a distinct narrative voice telling the tale. This book was beautiful and tragic, and just as how Kya survives, this book will surely survive the test of time.