Where the crawdads sing - Delia Owens

Set in the 1950s and 1960s, Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya Clark, known as the "Marsh Girl" by the residents of Barkley Cove, a small town in North Carolina. Kya’s family abandons her when she is just a child, leaving her to fend for herself in the wild, remote marshlands. Over the years, Kya becomes a solitary figure, learning to survive by foraging for food, fishing, and observing the natural world around her.

As Kya grows up, she becomes deeply connected to the marsh, which provides her with a sense of belonging and beauty despite her isolation. Despite her knowledge and love of the natural world, she faces judgment and cruelty from the townspeople, who consider her wild and uneducated. The lack of social connection and education leaves Kya vulnerable, but she learns to rely on her strength and resilience.

As Kya matures, she becomes a talented self-taught naturalist, documenting the creatures and flora of the marsh. Her beauty also draws the attention of two young men from Barkley Cove: Tate Walker, a kind-hearted boy who teaches her to read and develops a deep bond with her, and Chase Andrews, a charming but troubled young man who has a much darker side. Kya and Tate share a quiet, sweet romance, while Kya's brief relationship with Chase ultimately leads to tragedy.

The novel shifts between Kya's past and the present-day murder investigation of Chase Andrews. In 1969, Chase’s body is found at the foot of a tower in the town, and Kya becomes the prime suspect due to her rumored involvement with him. Despite her reclusive nature and the lack of evidence linking her to the crime, the town turns on her once again. Kya must now fight to clear her name, while also confronting her past and the trauma of being abandoned by her family.

As the story unfolds, secrets about Kya’s upbringing, the relationships she had, and the events leading up to Chase’s death slowly come to light. The novel explores themes of abandonment, loneliness, resilience, and the power of nature to shape and heal.