Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I am on a roll when it comes to reading excellent books. Although this book is a murder mystery, it is so much more than that. We are introduced to Kya as a very young girl. She lives in a rundown shack in the marsh on the coast of North Carolina. Her mother leaves after years of abuse by the hands of her husband, leaving behind Kya and her older siblings. It's not long before Kya's siblings all leave and it's just Kya and her father. By the time Kya turns 10 years old, her father leaves one day and never comes back. 

So, Kya raises herself in the marsh, with the help of a three wonderful people: Jumpin', his wife Mabel and a boy named Tate. My heart warms just thinking of these three! Jumpin' & Mabel find creative ways to support Kya, although Kya works hard to earn that support. Jumpin' buys the mussels that Kya spends hours digging for each morning - and he buys her "smoked fish" on consignment. Jumpin' makes sure she always has gas for her boat, while Mabel keeps her clothed. Kya does attend school for one day, but decides it's not for her, so she never goes back. She is truly a "marsh girl", which is what the town people call her. Then there is Tate, the boy who teaches her how to read - and encourages her love of all things that live in the marsh. He also gives her the tools to record her love of the marsh through drawings and words.

Kya is beautiful, both physically and spiritually. Basically, inside and out. ;) She gets lonely living by herself in her shack. She is attracted to Tate and falls in love with him. Tate has his own path he needs to follow however, and leaves to attend college. Then Kya meets - or finally gets acquainted with - Chase, the town "hunk". Kya, who misses Tate and feels betrayed by his continued absence, falls in love with Chase, despite his womanizing ways.  Kya trusts that Chase loves her and that they will be married. Then she finds out that he is engaged to someone in town. When Chase is found dead in the marsh, Kya, the "marsh girl" is an obvious suspect.

This is a story of resilience, betrayal, acceptance, forgiveness and love. Kya is a survivor, in the truest sense of the word. Everyone she loves, leaves her, and yet she finds a way to keep going. It's an incredibly heartbreaking and heartwarming story. I highly recommend it!

Wendy's Rating: *****