4.5 stars. Well-written mystery/coming-of-age where layers of the story are slowly revealed. Her depiction of living in poor, rural America was so heartbreaking and real. I loved the different characters, and particularly Robert and this line about him: "It was unfair how the kids who were starving for attention tended to be so annoying that people had no inclination to give it to them." So true. There are a few scenes that may make this best for high-schoolers.