Read an emotionally wrought mystery about the opioid crisis

Long Bright River — Liz Moore

What to Read This Week

Long Bright River by Liz Moore

Sometimes a book makes a big splash when it’s first published but then is immediately overshadowed by bigger, buzzier releases. That’s what I think happened with this one. It became a New York Times bestseller and was a Good Morning America book club pick, but it’s still one that I bring up often and people say, “Huh?”

What It’s About

Kacey and Mickey are sisters, but their lives have veered in completely opposite directions. Kacey lives on the streets of Philadelphia battling addiction, while Mickey patrols those streets as a city cop. They haven’t spoken in years, but Mickey tries to look out for Kacey in any way she can.

When Kacey disappears, everything changes. Mickey knows there have been a string of connected murders in the city, and she fears that Kacey could meet the same fate. She becomes obsessed with finding her sister, no matter the cost, even if it’s her own life.

The book flips between the present-day action of Kacey’s disappearance and the girls’ childhood as they grow up, raised by their grandmother after their mother’s death, and their journeys to become very different adults. While there is a mystery at its center, this book is an incredibly emotional character-driven story that explores toxic family relationships, the prevalence of addiction and how it can affect anyone, and the importance of communication.

Content warnings: I did note content warnings while reading this book, and while it’s a slow burn and relatively character-focused story, there are instances of drug use and abuse, overdose, and pedophilia and statutory rape (off-page). Please take care while reading.

Why You Should Read It

Aside from the incredibly developed and well-plotted mystery, what really stood out about Moore’s writing was the incredible sense of place she developed. Moore took a relevant and prevalent current issue—the opioid epidemic—and fully enmeshed the characters and her readers in the heart of it.

Reader Laura was looking for character-driven mysteries, which inspired this week’s recommendation! It’s a bit grittier than a cozy and certainly has darker subjects, but it’s much quieter than a guns-blazing-type story, which is why I selected it. Another softer mystery with lots of character development and lighter topics overall is one of my all-time favs, Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts.

Are you looking for a recommendation? Let me know what you’re looking for and you could be an inspired-by reader for an upcoming newsletter!

Next Up

I haven’t had a ton of reading time the past few weeks—I’ve been taking a pottery class and loving it, and I’ve also been volunteering writing postcards to voters to remind everyone how important these midterm elections are. If you aren’t sure if you’re registered, head here! Please vote! Like your life depends on it! Because some people’s do!

I did get 2 ARCs in the mail recently—there are not a lot of books that will make me drop everything I’m reading to start immediately, but these 2 books are it. I am dropping everything to be able to read Nine Liars and Anon Pls, and I cannot wait to tell you about them!

More Books

Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations: 

• Read a cozy and magical witchy book about belonging and finding your place

• Read a novel about a reality TV family keeping secrets behind the cameras

• Read a courtroom drama about an unexplained explosion and a police investigation

I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!

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