The Bright Forever by Lee Martin

This book proves that you can't judge a book by it's cover - or it's title. When I saw the paperback at a used book sale, I thought it screamed "chick lit". The cover is pastel blue with a picture of a lock of hair. I imaged it to be a romantic book designed for 16-year-old girls. But just as I was putting it down, I noticed a seal in the corner that said it was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist so I figured it was worth a dollar. This book is nothing like I thought it would be. In fact, it's quite dark. It's about a 9-year-old girl from a wealthy family who is missing. We also are introduced to some pretty creepy characters who live in her town and we hear their stories. It's easy to determine that one of these guys had something to do with her disappearance, but all the clues don't come together until the very end. Very well written and a good, quick read. -June