Review of What Happened in Beulah
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What Happened in Beulah. You can check out lots of other fun stops, an author interview and a giveaway HERE.
More about What Happened in Beulah
A teenage girl uncovers the dark secrets of her Smoky Mountain town while searching
for a missing classmate in this gripping coming-of-age mystery perfect for fans
of Where the Crawdads Sing.
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Beulah has always seemed
steady—rooted in tradition, shaped by generations, and slow to change. But in 1986, the ground has shifted, and no one feels that more than fifteen-year-old Barrett
Childress Owens. Between her parents’ unraveling marriage and a school full of kids she can’t connect with, she feels invisible in her own hometown.
When Lacy Gunderson, the captivating new girl everyone is curious about, suddenly
vanishes, the town’s calm surface fractures. Search parties comb the woods. A police
investigation begins. Rumors multiply. Families close ranks. And Barrett begins to
sense how much the adults around her choose not to say. As Beulah clings to its
usual rituals—including the annual Miss Kudzu pageant, which has shaped local
girlhood for decades—Barrett is forced to navigate a community where loss lingers in
the air and secrets are carefully kept. Her journey through the uncertainty reshapes
her understanding of friendships, family, and the complex place she calls home.
A rich coming-of-age story with a pulse of mystery and a budding romance, What
Happened in Beulah explores the fault lines of a small town and the courage it takes
to face the truths people would rather bury.
More about Christy Scott Cashman
Christy is the award-winning author of the bestselling debut novel The Truth About Horses (2023), which earned multiple literary awards and widespread acclaim for its emotionally resonant storytelling, unforgettable characters, and heartfelt exploration of resilience, family, and hope. She is also the author of the children’s books The Not-So-Average Monkey of Kilkea Castle, Petri’s Next Things and The Cat Named Peanut Shrimp Cookie Fry Muffin Who Lives on Staniel Cay.
In addition to her literary career, Christy is an accomplished actress and producer who has appeared in more than twenty feature films, including American Hustle, Joy, The Women, Ted 2, and The Forger.
Committed to nurturing creativity, mentorship, and storytelling, Christy founded YouthINK, a
nonprofit organization in the U.S. and Ireland that connects aspiring young creatives—including writers, filmmakers, actors, artists, musicians, and storytellers—with accomplished industry professionals who encourage, mentor, and inspire the next generation of creative voices. She is also the founder of YOUthink Creative Wellness and Writing Retreats, which offers immersive writing, creativity, and wellness experiences for adults while supporting YouthINK’s mission.
A passionate advocate for literacy and the arts, Christy serves on the Boards of The Associates of the Boston Public Library, the American Film Institute, and the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. She also proudly supports Raising A Reader, reflecting her longstanding commitment to fostering early reading.
The second-youngest of ten children, Christy was named after Catherine Marshall’s beloved novel Christy and grew up in North Carolina, where her lifelong love of horses began. Today, she divides her time between New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, and her farm in Pennsylvania, where she finds inspiration for many of her stories. She treasures time with her family, four horses, two dogs, and the moments that inspire her writing.
Meet the Author
Website: https://christycashman.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashman.christy/
Thoughts about What Happened in Beulah
This book does a good job of capturing the awkwardness of teenaged life. The feelings of not belonging, the uncertainty about the future, the shifting loyalties, the absolute certainty that adults are useless. The dramas of the teenagers, led by the disappearance of a young newcomer, rips back the veil covering a twenty year old secret. There are quite a few convenient coincidences but overall I enjoyed this book. Technically labelled Young Adult, it also is a good read for adults. It would be ideal for a mother-daughter book club.
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