All Good People Here (by Ashley Flowers)
I’ve been wanting to read “All Good People Here” by Ashley Flowers since its release. I’m thrilled I finally made it a priority.
Set in Wakarusa, Indiana, Margot Davies was six years old when her neighbor and best friend, January Jacobs, vanished from her home in the middle of the night. Her body was soon discovered in a ditch near the family’s property. Tragically, her murderer was never apprehended. Fast forward 20 years, and Margot, now a reporter, returns to her hometown to care for her uncle, who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Shortly after her arrival, five-year-old Natalie Clark goes missing. Margot notices striking similarities between the cases of January and Natalie, which propels her to solve January’s murder.
While engrossed in the book, I couldn’t help but think of my favorite true crime TV show, “Dateline.” This is likely because Ashley Flowers hosts the true crime podcast, “Crime Junkie.” Although I haven't listened to her podcast or had any prior knowledge of her work, I could sense the parallels between her writing style and that of a journalist determined to solve a crime—or two.
“All Good People Here” surprised me in several ways. Firstly, I thoroughly enjoyed the story far more than I anticipated. Once I became immersed in the characters’ secrets and understood the potential consequences of those secrets, I couldn’t stop listening. Secondly, I initially believed I had solved the crime early on, but I was mistaken. The narrative unfolded in a way that kept me guessing until the very end. While Ashley Flowers provided closure to the crimes and revealed all the secrets, I still had to pause and process the conclusion—it was astonishing and unique. I eagerly anticipate reading more books by Ashley Flowers.
I borrowed the audiobook of “All Good People Here” from my local library using Libby. The narration was exceptional, delivered by Brittany Pressley and Karissa Vacker. I particularly appreciated Ashley Flowers’ contribution to the narration, especially her reading of the Epilogue.
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