Birdie, Linzie, Mary-Beth — each perspective is distinct, and Madden does a remarkable job in rendering their inner lives. The way trauma reverberates through their years, how their relationships with memory, guilt, justice, and loss twist together — it all feels very real. I found myself caring about them deeply. Madden’s empathy is one of the novel’s strongest assets.
The plot moves between different timelines and vantage points, which helps build suspense: the ferry ride, the encounter, Calvin’s murder, the tangled pasts. Madden doesn’t shy from hard questions: Who owns truth? How do systems of incarceration and rehabilitation fail — and who gets to tell the story? That kind of moral depth lifts Whidbey beyond a standard thriller.
This is a very strong 4-star read that I’d highly recommend. It’s not perfect, but its rewards are substantial: beautiful, unflinching writing; memorable characters; and a story that lingers long after the last page. This is a debut that signals an author with both heart and head — I’m looking forward to what T. Kira Madden does next.

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that element that I was wanting and enjoyed in this type of book. The characters worked well in this tense atmosphere and was engaged from start to finish. T Kira Madden was able to weave a strong storyline and was able to make the book work with the genre and glad I got to read this.

Whidbey is part mystery, part character study, and completely gripping. Three women—each tied to the same abusive man—find their lives colliding after his murder, and what unfolds is as much about survival and justice as it is about revenge. The shifting perspectives keep you hooked, while the story digs deep into trauma, power, and who gets to control the narrative. If you like dark, layered dramas that blur the line between thriller and literary fiction, this one’s a must-read.

I know this is not the general opinion of this book, but it did not maintain my interest at all and I DNF’ed this book. I really tried to skim, etc to see if it got more interesting but it did not for me. Thank you for the ARC Netgalley.

There are a lot of good elements to this story, which mostly follows the perspectives of two childhood SA survivors and the mother of the abuser. We see the victim blaming, the disbelief, and the lack of empathy that victims face. I thought the perspective of the mother was especially fascinating, following a mind that wants to protect the innocence of her adult child and continue to be a good mother to him. What the book lacks is momentum. I started off enjoying these perspectives but even with an unsolved murder involved I didn't feel like there was much to really push the narrative forward besides introspection.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

DNF - I initially liked the way this book was written, the “voice” was unique and intriguing, but because the story is so slow to unwind, I soon lost interest, and the sections told from the mother’s point of view were hard to read because the character was so painfully a cliche.

Unsparing. This book is nonstop and takes a hard look at the definitions of both victim and villain. Really heavy subject matter is covered so fair warning that this is by no means a light read. Whidbey is incredibly good, just prepare to be overwhelmed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner for the opportunity to read this book.

I got as far as the content warning, and then I was turned off. I am really thankful for the content warning. Sexual abuse of children just isn't my cup of tea. Very thankful to the author and publisher for this transparency.

A totally surprising and devastating read that kept its momentum at a steady pace the whole way through.

I was initially excited about this book because I grew up on Whidbey island and was also a victim of childhood sexual abuse. For me this book was part nostalgia, part traumatic, and I'm the end, satisfying. I will say that it was probably too much for me. It cut deep. But I'm sure it was therapeutic for the author to write. Thank you for the arc

Birdie Chang is heading to Whidbey Island, the most remote place she could find to deal with the reemergence of the man, Calvin, who assaulted her as a child. To make matters worse, another girl he assaulted, Linzie, has now released a memoir that everyone is talking about. Birdie meet someone on the ferry to Whidbey Island who offers to kill Calvin, and Birdie wonders if this is real. So, when Calvin is murdered soon after, Birdie reckons with what may be the consequences of her own actions. Told primarily through the viewpoint of Birdie, Linzie, and Calvin's mother Mary Beth, this is an interesting look into how assault can change your life, and the lives of those around you forever.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

I knew of T Kira Madden for their memoir and I wasn't aware a fiction novel was in the works, but as soon as I saw it up on NetGalley, I hit that request button and I was so joyous once I received the approval email.

The story is thrillingly compelling. An intense novel which will force you to continue your reading no matter the cost.

Wow, this book was hard to put down. Thrilling, tragic, satisfying, I felt so many things as I read. It shows how 3 women are connected because of one man’s actions. When there’s an opportunity for revenge it throws chaos into the mix. As the women seek answers and healing it shows how someone’s harmful actions can send a nearly never ending shockwave into so many lives. I was impressed by the inclusion of the theme of the justice system being flawed. This book certainly makes you think about it long after you finish. The writing was beautiful and the characters were so intriguing and relatable in many ways.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Review will be posted on Instagram and Amazon on pub day and links added to NetGalley.

This novel blew me away. It shows how wide the scope of damage can be from abuse. It's beautifully written with deep character studies.