This novel explores how terrifying and deadly fear, suspicion, prejudice, and the need for a scapegoat can be, especially when one person is treated horribly by another person. Author Sarah Langan demonstrates that our imaginations cannot compete with the horrors of reality and what one person can unleash on another. She develops a group of recognizable characters and then lets readers watch as they are pushed to their limits. A terrifying, disturbing, and compelling read.