The premise of "The Night Flowers" is intriguing. A detective on the verge of retirement takes on a cold case - finding the identity and solving the murder of a woman and two young girls found in barrels in the 80s. She is joined by a librarian who is familiar with genealogy, a woman who needs something to focus on while dealing with the aftermath of breast cancer surgery.

Unfortunately, for me, the book didn't deliver. There is a third storyline, told by the deceased woman, and this perspective didn't add anything for me. It was weird, and distracting. It bogged down the pace of the story, and I often felt confused by what was going on in that world between life and death. It added another layer of characters and story that I didn't need.

In general I felt there were too many side-stories and characters for me to keep track of, and all of them took away from the main plot. It muddied the waters of an already murky tale.

When a couple on a hike inadvertently discover several barrels full of human remains (a woman and two children) in the Gila desert, it kicks off a mystery that will stretch on for the next thirty years. Laura, a librarian just finishing up treatment for breast cancer, dives into a trail of research that leads her closer to the truth, eventually taking her to the Gila desert. She teams up with the somewhat reluctant detective Jean, who is reassessing her own life and work now that she is at retirement age. The mystery is told from the POVs of Laura, Jean and the ghost of the dead woman, who is sorting through her own murky memories of what led to her body in a barrel. The ghost POV is a fascinating addition to this murder mystery. Her portion of this story is part dreamlike discovery of the ghost world while parenting two little girls through the afterlife, and part sorting through her own trauma. The ghosts are also able to influence the physical world, and this one finds small ways to nudge the women towards the truth (for example, causing flowers to bloom at night at the site where the bodies were found). This story is also an exploration of womanhood through this young, dead woman and her children, Laura, who may have beat cancer but who can no longer rely on her body to function dependably in the aftermath of chemo, and Jean who is about to be a grandmother but does not want to give up her work solving cold cases. This is a fresh, new literary thriller and I'm excited to read what the author comes up with next!

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This book was really good. I started it one night and woke up super early the next morning to finish it. It centers on the mystery surrounding the bodies of a woman and 2 children in the New Mexico forest. The bodies were discovered 30 years ago but the deaths seemingly happened decades before that. Jean, a local coke case detective, and Laura, a novice genealogist, both take an interest in the case and end up partnering up to investigate. You also get chapters told from the POV of the murdered woman, who is still hanging around the murder site in a ghost-like way.

I normally don’t like a book where you hear from the “ghost” but the character was really well written and I bought into the magic. I also enjoyed both Jean and Laura and found them to be very real characters with whom I could empathize, even when they made poor, and very human, decisions. I liked the dynamic between them and felt that the author gave me just enough details to understand how their research worked together to get closer to the truth.

I struggled a bit with the genealogy piece and trying to keep straight all the many family members and how they all fit together. I got there, but sometimes had to stop and remind myself who was who and how they were connected. I guess real genealogy is likely this complicated and one part of me appreciated the author not simplifying things, even if it did get confusing at times.

Overall, a really good book that I suspect will stick with me. Would definitely recommend to those who like mysteries with a little bit of police work thrown in. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest recode.

The Night Flowers is: a murder mystery, a ghost story, a meditation on violence and the fragility of the body. Iinsightful, and evocative.. Goid read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

More than thirty years ago, two steel barrels were found in the wilderness of Gila National Forest. The barrels contained the bodies of a woman and two young girls. Thirty years later, their identities remain unknown, but librarian Laura MacDonald and detective Jean Martinez want to change that. The story follows Laura and Jean as they work to figure out who the victims are and the mysterious woman in the barrel.

Though there were some beautiful moments, there were times when this book just seemed to drag. There was no snap or tension to hold the reader in the thrall of the words. While well-written, it wasn't that exciting or consuming. I think some of that could have been cleared up by simplifying. The line from the mystery woman to who killed her was so complicated that I lost track of all the people named along the way. I know it was meant to keep the killer under wraps, but it got to the point where it was difficult for the reader to follow all the names and how they were linked.

this was so well done. Genetic genealogy, ghost story, and murder investigation wrapped into one. The characters were well thought out and the story was believable yet so creepy,
The one thing this book would benefit from is a family tree at the end/middle when laura starts to connect all the dots.
There are too many names/name changes/strange connections between the families for me to follow.
Overall a great read.

Thanks to publisher, author and Netgalley for ARC

Debut author Sara Herchenroether introduces us to two richly drawn characters in this highly emotional story of a cold case crime set in New Mexico.

Laura MacDonald is a young breast cancer survivor, true crime junkie, and research librarian. The current crime piquing her interest was discovered on the day when she was born, almost exactly 30 years ago, but the murders were probably committed two decades earlier.

Jean Martinez is a veteran detective on the Sierra County police force, now investigating cold cases. She’s decided to tackle the one considered the hardest, the woman and two girls found in barrels by hikers in the middle of the Gila National Forest, as the anniversary of the find approaches.

As these two veer towards each other geographically when their individual hard work starts to scrape away some of the mystery, another POV, that of the murdered woman’s ghost is introduced to make this otherwise straight-on police procedural a spooky retelling of injustice done to a vulnerable woman (who might finally find some peace for herself and her children).

The plot was intriguing and the eventual partnership between Jean and Laura makes you want to see more of them in the future. Both are dealing with personal challenges (health issues for Laura; impending retirement for Jean). The ghost’s POV was interesting (validating Laura’s suspicion early on that she was a woman with a daughter named Daisy). The more intricate backstories of the lead characters gave the reader much to think about in terms of vulnerable women. There were times when the ghostly backstory was a bit confusing as other long ago characters appeared, although it was wrapped up neatly in the end. Yet, it’s an excellent debut thriller. 4 stars.

Thank you to Tin House and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some hazel, dark brown and sapphire eyes, but no green ones.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): Blame it on the cover: Datura, or moonflower, jimsonweed, angel’s trumpet, devil’s trumpet, or thorn apple plays an important part of the plot and is native to the southwest and Mexico. The highly poisonous angel’s trumpet does bloom at night, but very few dark blue irises, as depicted on the cover, do.

Wow, thank you to Netgalley and Tin House for this memorizing book. A woman is found in a barrel with two children, no name, and no identification. Two women go above and beyond in this book to solve this mystery while dealing with their own issues. So good and such an inspiring read. The author is one to remember and note for her courage. Thanks, Sara, for this book! The night flowers are blooming for this book!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

As soon as I read the description of this book I knew I had to read it. It was one of my my most anticipated book of this year. And it did not disappoint. I did have some trouble getting into this book but once I was in I was hooked. I really liked the plot of this book, it was original and creative. The only problem I had with it was keeping track of everyone’s name. It was a lot but once the whole story came together it made since and I was able to piece together who was who. I really liked both of the main characters, they felt very real and thought out. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Thank-you to NetGalley and Tin Horn Publishers for an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I loved the premise for this story. Laura, a librarian specializing in genealogy teams up with middle-aged detective Jean Martinez to try to uncover a cold case - murder of a woman and two young girls that has remained unsolved for over 30 years old. The victims have never been identified. Adding a twist is the ghosts of the victims who weave their own story throughout the book. This had the makings of a really engaging mystery/thriller. Layer by layer, the ghosts were revealing more of the story of what happened to them, while at the same time Laura and Jean were getting closer to discovering the truth. But then too many characters and "rabbit trails" got in the way and the whole story became confusing. It wasn't until the very end when Jean was telling the account of what happened to a surviving family member, that I actually understood who was connected to whom! I think this was an excellent beginning for a debut author. I'm sure she will build on what she has learned during the writing of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

"The Night Flowers" by Sara Herchenroether follows two women Laura and Jean who are both investigating a 30 year old case of the bodies of two children and a women.

I would give "The Night Flowers" by Sara Herchenroether a 3-star review because, 1; I loved the plot 2; the investigation part was my fav 3; the writing was good but 4; there were things that just didn't fit and were confusing.

I really loved the premise of this book. Two women from different parts of the country, working the same cold case murder mystery. The bodies of three women (a mother, her daughter, and another young, unrelated girl) were found in barrels by hikers in New Mexico. Laura was my favorite character - a librarian with a deep interest in genealogy and true crime, who trolls the internet to find missing persons. I also really liked the fact that this character was a breast cancer survivor. That brought an interesting angle into the story - one I haven't really seen - especially her experiences with PTSD and health issues resulting from cancer treatment. The only thing I struggled with in the book were some of the sub-plots, and by the end, I felt a bit confused tracking the various characters names and their specific involvements. Overall, the author's language throughout the book was amazing. She vividly described settings, objects, people. This was an impressive debut, and I'm excited to read her next book. Thank you Net Galley for the early copy.

Haunting, magical, mysterious, intense, educational, captivating …

The Night Flowers by Sara Herchenroether is a fabulous debut. The book deals with a bit of everything - ancestry research, DNA science, romance, illness, evil, subterfuge, disappointment, satisfaction, family trauma and most of all ghosts who help reveal their story.

Could not put it down!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tin House for the opportunity to read this excellent ARC.

This book actually took me a long time to read because it kept creeping me out and I would have to put it down! I don’t read this genre often for that reason but I’m so glad I read this. First of all, I cannot believe this is a debut novel. Sara Herchenroether you have a skill.

This read will appeal to all of your senses. She builds physical scenes around the reader and makes them feel what the characters are going through. I was transported.

Couldn't put it down! Gripping cold case mystery with female detective and librarian turned amateur sleuth. The victim as ghost provides backstory and atmosphere in the dry desert and forested landscapes of New Mexico, Grudgingly at first, Detective Martinez uses the information unearthed by breast cancer survivor and genealogy research librarian Laura. As they near discovery, the two women work together to identify their Jane Doe and find her killer.

I know that is only February, but this was the best books that I have read this year. I recieved an ARC from W.W. Norton & Company last week and was floored by The Night Flowers by Sara Herchenroether. I finished this book in 2 days and was still thinking about it days later. The Night Flowers is a must for anyone who loves a great mystery. It all starts when Laura finds a newspaper article about a cold case murder that was now 30 years old, happens to be the same day has her birthday. Laura then goes digging of who this woman and 2 children were. One of the girls is Jane Doe's biological daughter the other one is not. In New Mexico Jean has just been assigned to the cold case department. Her first case that she wants to solve is the Jane Doe's that were found in large drums in a remote part of the desert. Using her skills as a librarian, Laura then tracks down Jane Doe's half sister. After their meeting Laura decides to go to New Mexico to solve the crime. Toghter with Jean, Laura helps to put a name to all 3 victims and who was involved in the murder. This book kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. I hope that this is turned in a series and that Jean and Laura are together as team solving more cold cases.

Feminist and unexpectedly touching story transcends both the psychological thriller and police procedural genres as well as the dead girl narrator trope. Unique storytelling breathes freshness into these well worn saws. Very “Tin House” in flavor. I will definitely keep this author on my radar.

320 pages

3 stars

I loved the idea of this book. Two women from different parts of the country are working the same murders. The bodies were found in barrels by hikers in New Mexico.

Laura is a librarian who has a deep interest in genealogy and true crime. She trolls the internet ceaselessly to find missing persons. Jean is a cop in New Mexico who is close to retirement, and hating just the thought of it. She is working the cold case of the bodies in the barrels that were found some years earlier.

When Laura flies to New Mexico the case becomes more intense as both women work it.

I usually like a little paranormal with my mysteries. However, the ghost in this story just irritated me. In fact, I found the whole ghostly aspect of the story a distraction. I also wasn’t taken with Laura’s struggle with breast cancer. My mother died of breast cancer, and it was just too painful to revisit. I understand including the topic in the story, but it was far too much for me.

I could relate better to Jean. She loved her work and did not want to retire. I can relate. I, too, had a job I loved and when the financial crisis hit in 2008, my company closed. I cried for days. Jean and I got along much better than Laura and I. I could also relate to Jean’s ambivalence about becoming a grandmother.

The writing in this book is good. The story line seemed to travel around a bit, at least for me. Perhaps there was too much going on, too many subplots?

I want to thank NetGalley and Tin House for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Haunting and beautiful - this is not your average thriller nor is it your average police procedural.

In the Night Flowers we meet Jean Martinez who is on the cusp of retiring from the force. Jean is burnt out and having trouble making time for her daughter's pregnancy, Jean is working cold cases when she is approached by an unlikely assistant - Laura MacDonald is recovering from a terrible breast cancer treatment and has utilized her librarian skills to identify missing persons in a case that Jean is working. It's a complicated situation that keeps them busy throughout the book - all of the time there may be someone on their tail trying to prevent justice.

This duo may be my favorite yet! Herchenroether has made these characters as real as your friends and neighbors and just as likeable. Just when I think I have read enough police procedurals I meet them. PLEASE Sara! Write a sequel !!!!

If you love real live heroes and strong female characters, if you love a police hunt or a cold case, The Night Flowers is for you! #TinHouse