Book Synopsis
This is a fascinating story set in 1927, told through the journal of Fumiko Saito, a Japanese-American high school senior. It’s a blend of a nature adventure, a murder mystery, and a coming-of-age tale, all unfolding in a summer outdoor program at MacArthur County Park in West Virginia.
It is a rich narrative about how Fumiko’s father has to travel to Japan for family reasons, so she’s sent to this two-week program designed mostly for adults, with just a couple of teenagers, including herself. The story really captures the historical and cultural context of the time—especially the challenges of being mixed-race in during that time in America, and the stigma around therapy in her family.
Fumiko’s father encourages her to write everything down, almost as a form of therapy, since Japanese culture at the time didn’t really embrace counseling. So her journal becomes our window into the events, her thoughts, and the unfolding mystery.
The mystery really kicks off early. Beatrix falls ill after AJ slips Veronal, a barbiturate, into her drink to get some freedom. Then Louis Johnson, a reclusive man living near the park, is found dead in a cave. Initially, it’s ruled an accident or suicide. And then Stella Fraganza, a woman in the group claiming to be Louis’s sister, dies suddenly at home after the funeral. At first, it seems natural causes, but suspicion grows.
The book coveys a powerful message about courage, truth, and the complexity of human nature. The story leaves us with hope and the promise of new beginnings.