Heiress of Nowhere

by Stacey Lee

An orphan races to uncover a killer—who may have come from the sea—when she and her beloved orcas fall under suspicion in this “atmospheric…beguiling” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) historical gothic mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl, Stacey Lee.



1918. Orcas Island, Washington.



Lucy Nowhere has spent her eighteen years working on the vast estate of the eccentric shipbuilder who took her in after she washed ashore in a green canoe as a baby. But she has long wished for a life off the island, and in a matter of days, she is set to leave for college—and, for the first time, choose her own future.



Then she finds her employer’s severed head on the beach. Rumors swirl that a mischievous spirit and its minions, the sea wolves, have struck again. Lucy doesn’t believe in myths. She knows that a human—a human murderer—killed him. And when she is unexpectedly named heiress to the estate, she understands the next target is her.



Her closest friend, the estate’s vigilant young guard, begs her to escape while she can. But Lucy knows the only way she can discover who she is, and free the island of its curse, is to find the real killer—before she becomes the next victim.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Gothic, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Thriller

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 17, 2026

About the author

Stacey Lee is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of historical and contemporary young adult fiction, including THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL, Reese's Book Club Late Summer 2021 YA pick, and her most recent, LUCK OF THE TITANIC which received five starred reviews. A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults). Find her
@staceyleeauthor on Instagram and Twitter, and @staceylee.author on Facebook.

Reviews

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

It's 1918 on Orcas Island, Washington, and Lucy's spent her life working at the estate of an eccentric shipbuilder. She washed ashore in a canoe as a child, and the shipbuilder took her in. Lucy's wanted answers that the island can't give her, but she didn't want to find those answers by stumbling across her employer's severed head. Lucy now not only has to ward off the local rumors of a mischievous spirit being the murderer, but she also has been unexpectedly named heir of the estate—putting her future in peril and casting suspicions that she may be the killer. Stacey Lee does historical mysteries like no other, and this sounds outstanding. —Kelly Jensen

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Nowhere lives on an island with her benefactor. She washed ashore when she was an infant and he took her in. She was basically hired help and she wanted to leave the island when she turned 18 and go to the University. Then, her benefactor is murdered and she is his heir, not his nephew. It is in her interest to stay and try to find the killer and at the same time, try to find who she is and how she got there.

This was a creative story and it has a touch of the supernatural in it and a touch of romance and a touch of suspense. It really was a mystery and I had no idea how it was going to turn out. The main characters were definitely people you could invest time with and those revolving around her were all a bit suspicious at times. You will not guess the ending.

This book is geared for young adults, but as an old adult, I really enjoyed reading it.

I would like to thank Simon and Schuster B0oks for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Orcas, rare plants, and a murder mystery? Incredible. I definitely got tricked by the Red herrings (iykyk), but I caught on a little before our heroine. I liked the atmosphere and a couple of our characters, but the love triangle bogged the story down and at times felt like it was actively getting in the way of the plot. This book still kept most of my attention, but I don’t think I’ll be racing to get a copy on release day.

[Evie Oliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Stacey Lee for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This was such an interesting story. I have a habit of collecting books by authors even if I haven't had the chance to read them yet and Stacey Lee is one of them. I have several hardcovers and digital copies of past releases and have always meant to read them. I just haven't had the opportunity to read them yet. Heiress of Nowhere is the first time I've had the chance to sit down and enjoy a book by Stacey Lee and I'm so glad I read this book. It had solid writing, well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. I've already pre-ordered an official copy to go on my shelves where I have confirmed I have my other Stacey Lee novels. It will be a 2026 goal to now work my way through the past books that I can happily say I'm grateful I own for myself. It's always good to find a new author and their work to enjoy.

Heiress of Nowhere follows Lucy Nowhere in 1918 on Orcas Island, Washington. She has been working for her employer all her life and has just been accepted to attend a university. But the day she decides to inform her eccentric boss of her plans, she finds his severed head on the beach. Rumors swirl that some kind of monster is responsible for the death, along with a previous victim from some years before and other things that have been happening on the island. The belief is that it is a curse and the people are scared and uncertain of their future. Then Lucy is named heiress of the estate of Nowhere and Lucy realizes that whoever killed her boss will now focus their attention on her. Lucy has to focus on finding who the true culprit is before she becomes the next victim.

I love the opening to this book. It starts with Lucy out in her canoe sketching the "sea wolves", or the orcas that live off the coast of Nowhere. Everything about this scene highlights what the readers should know about Lucy and it is a great introduction to her and to the book. She reflects on what people believe about orcas and then quickly has to get herself back to land when a couple of whales get too close to her canoe. She's scrambling to get back to safety and yet quips about the danger she's in and jokes about herself being not worth the effort of eating. Lucy shows respect for the animals around her, knowing the threat they pose should she fall into the water. She took a risk to work diligently on her drawing which is meant for her employer, who has given her the task of getting sketches of plants and animals around the island for a book he is working on. She's ready to move on to a new life which happens to be pursuing an education at a university which shows that she's ambitious and has a need to travel and learn more about the world.

Once Lucy is back on land and moving back up to the house, I knew I was going to like this girl. I thought she had a clear way of thinking, a healthy respect for the things around her and a clear motivating factor, trying to find somewhere to belong as she is an orphan who was taken in by the Nowhere Estate and its own, Mr. Sanders. Everything about this first chapter was strong, drawing the reader in with the threat of the sea wolves and the girl daring and stubborn enough to do something that could have gotten her killed. I wanted to learn more about this girl and wanted her to find out more about who she is after learning how she was found in a canoe before she was a day old. Nothing revealed felt out of place. It all flowed with an easy rhythm, giving the information readers needed without making it feel like a barrage of facts.

All the characters from that point on were well-developed, showing the readers what they needed to know as the book went on, proving who was an ally for Lucy and who we needed to keep an eye on concerning the central mystery of the book. I liked some characters more than others and the overall cast was diverse and interesting. I enjoyed Lucy's point of view, the way she had to expand her world as the new heiress by tackling new things and learning who she could trust from her new lady's maid and her new secretary, to the people who helped run the businesses she is now in charge of and the people tied to the estate. The way everything unfolded kept me focused on the story and each person in this book had something important to contribute to the plot. It shows that Lee has a deft hand with the writing when the entire cast of a book has something to add and no one feels tacked on or out of place. . I did want to wring the neck of Lucy's "childhood friend" mentioned in the synopsis but fine, they're teenagers, it's expected that they are going to be bull-headed. It shows that Lee is talented if I still want to knock that boy over the head this long (an entire morning) after reading the book.

In terms of the plot, I was hooked on the summary reveal about a head found on the beach. That was only the start of the mystery but it's enough to draw readers in without a doubt. I wanted to know who could do something like that, why these people were targeted. The stories and legends about the orcas added to the mystery, lending a strange twist to the plot of a person who used the fear of the residents against them, to keep them focused on something supernatural so they could hide their actions in plain sight. It helped to show what kind of person the villain was so that when the reveal finally happened, it hit a certain way because of everything already seen. The buildup was worth it and I love when a book manages to make the leadup they've established make sense at the end of the book. It leaves a very satisfied feeling behind for me as reader.

In the end, this was a very respectable read from Stacey Lee. I'm looking forward to when my copy arrives in the mail. I will be reading all of Stacey Lee's past books and paying attention to all future releases from now on. There were a few things that I felt a little miffed on but not enough to really detract from my love for this book.

Rating on my scale: 9 Stars. As I said, while I mainly loved this book, there were a few things that bugged me about that stubborn kid that I mentioned but I was happy with how Lucy processed everything around her and was impressed with how she ended up handling him. Nothing was drawn out and there was no waffling so it helped cement that I needed to order this book as a new addition for my library. Next, I'll be looking through the Stacey Lee books I have and working out which one to read next for the new year.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Barley Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stacey Lee has long been celebrated for her immersive historical fiction, and with “Heiress of Nowhere,” she turns her talents toward the gothic and the mysterious, crafting a story as haunting as the Pacific Northwest coast where it’s set. Equal parts coming-of-age tale, murder mystery, and atmospheric ghost story, this story pulls you into a world of fog, folklore, and the fragile line between science and superstition.

Set in 1918 on Orcas Island, Washington, the story follows Lucy Nowhere, an orphan who washed ashore as an infant and was raised by a wealthy, eccentric shipbuilder on his isolated estate. Having grown up as a servant and assistant to her benefactor’s research on the island’s flora and fauna, particularly its majestic orcas, Lucy dreams of escaping the island for university. But her plans are shattered when she discovers her employer’s severed head on the beach, echoing a local legend about vengeful sea spirits and “sea wolves” that once killed a man on the island.

When the will is read, Lucy is stunned to learn she, not the shipbuilder’s entitled nephew, is his sole heir. Suddenly, she’s not only a suspect in the murder, but also a target. With rumors swirling about curses and spirits, and danger closing in from both land and sea, Lucy must untangle the truth of her past and the identity of a killer before she becomes the next victim.

Lee’s prose is lush and cinematic, capturing the wild, eerie beauty of the Pacific Northwest with the cry of the orcas, the whisper of the pines, the salt-stung wind that seems to carry secrets. The story’s scientific details about marine life and early-20th-century research lend a fascinating realism to the otherwise spectral mood, grounding the gothic atmosphere in a tangible, textured world.

Lucy herself is a compelling heroine. She is curious, witty, and deeply human, torn between her rational belief in science and the ghost stories that haunt her island home. The supporting cast is equally intriguing: a loyal yet mysterious cowboy guard, a jealous relative, and townsfolk whose whispers feel as dangerous as any knife. There’s even a slow-burn romantic triangle, perfectly balanced between tenderness and tension. I’m not a fan of love triangles, so I didn’t particularly enjoy this part of the story, but the romance didn’t overwhelm the plot.

While there were a few subtle clues before the final reveal, Lee keeps the suspense taut with layered twists and a final act that’s both shocking and emotionally resonant. It’s a book that rewards close attention; every strange occurrence, every whispered rumor, every flicker in the fog might mean more than it first appears.

Overall, “Heiress of Nowhere” is a beautifully written, atmospheric mystery that combines the logic of science with the allure of myth. It’s an utterly captivating story about inheritance, identity, and the monsters we make of each other. Fans of gothic suspense, slow-burn romance, and richly drawn historical settings will find this one impossible to put down.

[Sofia Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m falling in love with gothic books. Something about a lived-in isolated house that feels haunted, secrets in every cranny of the family history, and a young woman thrown into the deep end of a pool of untrustworthies is addictive every time. In this gothic novel, Lucy is coming of age while trying to solve the murder of the man who raised her. This isn’t a single-sitting book. I recommend taking the time to let the atmosphere of Orcas Island wash over you. I felt utterly transported. I loved the nigh supernatural connection to nature that Lucy had. And she’s a great main character in general, always searching for a solution and trying ideas out, and striving for what she wants. She doesn’t shy away from her responsibilities, and isn’t a pushover. One thing, I’d have liked it to lean a little heavier into the need to know one’s origins, and the feeling of needing to belong. Lucy was treated like an outsider, but didn’t feel like an outsider, if that makes sense. Just a member of the lower class whose sudden elevation scrambled people’s brains on how to treat her. There’s a reveal about her past that I’d thought would be more significant, considering the time period, but was really brushed over, yet that could have helped with the townsfolk in justifying their viewing of her as other. Though I picked up on the biggest twist at a quarter through the book, the reveal and climactic scene were excellently done, and there were enough smaller mysteries along the way to keep me engaged and strategically muddy the waters to make me doubt myself. It felt like a YA with a little bit Rebecca, a touch of Peril at End House, with a focus on connection to the natural world. There was a romantic subplot which overshadowed the main plot a couple of times, but overall I like how it was done, and the resolution of it suited Lucy well. The side characters were also given time and attention that I appreciated, and I enjoyed the friendships made along the way. They were not paper cutouts to make the world look full, but people I felt like I truly got to know. I’d quite liked Lee’s The Downstairs Girl, and with this book, she continues to keep me hooked.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the review copy! I leave my review honestly and voluntarily.

[Jenny K (On partial break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see that Stacey Lee has a new book coming out! It did not disappoint. I don't usually read YA, but these are always fantastic.

Plot summary: Lucy arrived at Nowhere, a private part of an island off Washington state, on a canoe, alone, just as she was born in 1900. Nowhere's owner, Daken Sanders, takes her in and has his servants raise her. The story starts the day she turns 18 and realizes she has some kind of gift of understanding the orcas, or what they call sea wolves, that sometimes come near the shore.

It's hard to explain what happens in this complex story without spoiling it, but there is a murder, and Lucy discovers important facts about her parentage. She also needs to step into a new, daunting role and choose between two admirers. Can she figure out who the killer is before he strikes again?

This is quite a ride! I admit it took me some time to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. There is so much going on, and pretty much everyone could be the killer, so it's full of red herrings. It's down to the wire for Lucy to figure this out.

There are beautiful, lush descriptions of the island and its flora, and the story is full of meaning and insight about human relationships and how we treat the environment. Lee always has strong, young heroines with Chinese heritage, and here she also talks about how Native Americans were treated at that time.

I didn't love the love triangle. I'm tired of books where every male falls in love with the heroine, but it was handled well, and it was hard to know who Lucy would choose. I found the resolution satisfying, instead of the usual over-romantic way things go.

There are several loose threads at the end, and Lucy even remarks that not all mysteries are meant to be solved. While in general I don't mind a few open threads if they make sense, there were some questions I felt should have been addressed, even if others could reasonably have been left open.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster, and Stacey Lee for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received a free advance copy of this book for review.

The author said that several changes were made after the physical arcs were printed before the finished copies will be printed, so just a heads up on that to any early reviewers. There were a couple small aspects that I thought could be a stronger so I look forward to revisiting it later and think that will bump it up to a full 5 stars for me.

The conclusion of mysteries can often drop my rating because it is really unsatisfying or feels cheap or unbelievable that really taints the rest of the book for me. It was the opposite for this book because I was wavering between 4 and 5 stars but it really stuck the landing and pushed it to 5 stars for me. As someone who is often pretty good at guessing the culprit in mysteries I was really happy to see that I kept guessing and changing my mind in this one and did not have it all figured out, but yet looking back I can see all the clues that were laid out.

This story had a great atmospheric setting with its Pacific Northwest island setting. The premise and setting along with the historic aspects worked together to create great gothic vibes. The mystery plot combined well with the human and nature aspects to create a full and multifaceted story of a girl just trying to find meaning and belonging.

Trigger/content notes: murder, light violence. A bit of mild/moderate language (no F words). Spice level is kissing.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Report: Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee

Lucy Nowhere has spent her entire life on Orcas Island…raised on a sprawling estate by the shipbuilder who took her in after she mysteriously washed ashore as a baby. On the brink of leaving for college and finally choosing her own future…Lucy’s plans are shattered when her guardian is found brutally murdered and she’s named his unexpected heiress. As island legends of sea wolves and mischievous spirits swirl…Lucy is certain the danger isn’t myth but human. To survive and uncover who she truly is…she must unravel the island’s secrets before she becomes the next target🌲🔍

My PNW friends will absolutely relish this atmospheric mystery that feels deeply rooted in our own backyards and coastlines. The nods to local names…history and regional culture were such a treat to spot throughout and I was instantly drawn in by the eerie island of Nowhere and the people who inhabit it. The mystery kept the pages turning…even when the story felt a bit jumbled in places (I read an ARC and am very curious to see how revisions shape the final version) Overall…this is a moody…coastal read perfect for anyone who loves nature soaked settings…folklore vibes and a sharp female lead finding her footing 🌊

Thank you Simon Teen for the ARC

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this is a preview copy but something about Stacey Lee's signature immersive historical fiction combined with a little mystery and gothic setting really works...this time it's Pacific Northwest and there are killer whales. I LOVE me some orcas, and Stacey Lee does not disappoint; basically, a maidservant on a wealthy shipbuilder's island comes across his, er, remains, and then inherits his fortune. I love a good rags to riches story, with the bonus of having the inheritor being suspected of the murder and all that it reveals about human nature. In this case, there is a lot of nature -- the patriarch and the maidservant (turned research assistant) were scientists studying the flora and fauna of the island and that makes for some pretty atmospheric and tensely-gorgeous scenery by itself. I wanted to stay in this book forever. Also, there's a love triangle...one you can't predict for a goodly while. Loved this book and I can't wait for it to come out so I can discuss that ending with someone. I hope and pray there's a good audiobook narrator, too. Lucy needs the perfect voice for all her ups and downs and humor and horror...okay, no more spoiling. Nabbed an ARC of this book.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 Rounded up

Heiress of Nowhere is a gothic mystery that feels covered in a low lying fog that is so thick you can feel the sea spray. The author does an amazing job at creating an island drenched in atmosphere. We are immediately thrown into a murder mystery which waste no time upping the stakes and escalating the overall feeling of dread and danger.

We are given mythology and hints of the supernatural that lingers around the edges of the story. It’s a moody with an historical setting set during World War 1 yet whispers of something ancient. The beginning and the ending this story hit hard but some of the pacing in the middle does falter a bit. The supernatural aspect felt underdeveloped and ambiguous. I just wanted more. More about the curses and myth of the sea wolves.

Overall, despite a few pacing and ambiguity issues the story was strong and the mystery compelling.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 36%

I love the idea of a historical gothic mystery/thriller on a misty island known for its orca population, so I was excited for this one, especially since I enjoyed Lee’s Luck of the Titanic. But, unfortunately, I lost interest before it could even start to fulfill the promise of its premise.

The synopsis says there’s a murder on the island and our main character and her orcas fall under suspicion. But at almost 40% in, there’s still no sign of that plotline. It’s just a lot of Lucy just walking around the island and then learning how to be the heiress. Even after the murder, the focus is more on the logistics of the island and running the business she inherited than the murder. It’s possible it gets better as the book goes on, but it didn’t capture my attention quick enough to find out, and I’m trying to DNF more books if I’m not enjoying them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing this ARC.

This book had a very slow start, and I had a difficult time pushing through at first. About halfway through, however, it began to pick up, and I found myself really enjoying it. The love triangle between Koa, Nash, and Lucy felt a bit forced early on, but it flowed much better in the final third of the book. As Nash opens up about their shared childhood, the relationships begin to make more sense and feel more natural. That said, at times the romance seemed to overshadow the main plot.

I was especially drawn in by the mystery surrounding Lucy’s parents and their unknown identities, as well as the dangerous events that unfold around them. That said, the ending felt somewhat rushed—once the murderer is revealed, everything happens very quickly. Still, I appreciated the use of a red herring and was genuinely surprised by who the murderer turned out to be.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical novel centers around Lucy, an orphan living on a large estate on Orcas Island in the early 1900s. It is the only life she has ever known. She knows very little about her father and nothing about her mother, only that she was found floating in a canoe near where she now lives, and has been raised by the shipbuilder who owns the estate. When a series of gruesome events unfold Lucy is on the cusp of leaving the only place she has ever known to attend college. That is until she finds the severed head of her benefactor on the beach and is somehow named his heiress. Lee beautifully writes young women who are determined and smart despite the opinion of the time. This story told in a wild, untamed place captures an interesting moment in history, along with a long gone way of life. The story pulls you in as the mystery deepens. Highly recommended.

[H. Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is almost a five. I was so thoroughly engrossed in this mystery that it took me a bit to notice the lovely thread of magic written in. What a wonderful story, so many twists and turns! The plot is great and there’s something for everyone, animals, romance, murder, friendship, and fantastic characters. All of us have questions in our lives we want answers to and identify with Lucy’s search for answers. Readers will appreciate her struggle to understand who to trust. Even though she’s gotten so much, unexpectedly, Lucy is not an unrealistic young woman, Her two male protectors keep readers guessing. Unexpected allies appear, as they do in life. And how can we not be enchanted by our beautiful sea wolves?

[Michelle Day Da Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! This was a delightful read! I loved the setting in 1918 Washington, and the world was well developed. I also adored the FMC. She was mature while still being believably 18. I was rooting for her the whole time and found her development by the end of the book to be endearing.

The pacing in parts of the book felt a bit slow, and the resolution of the mystery using a trope that is really not my favorite. Additionally, I was more connected to the member of the love triangle that the FMC does not end up with, though the second man did grow on me.

All in all, I enjoyed this read and the symbolism of the Orcas as well, though I wish that was even more intimately tied to the plot than it is. I would definitely read more stories in this world!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey Lee’s latest YA historical fiction is another standout on her already impressive shelf. This time, we meet Lucy—an orphan with a mysterious past, desperate to leave the remote island she calls home. Set against the lush, moody backdrop of the Pacific Northwest with orcas (!) and wilderness. Heiress of Nowhere delivers Lee’s signature mix of compelling historical fiction, gripping mystery, and a fiercely independent heroine. This one adds an environmental twist that felt especially timely and refreshing. I loved the naturalism woven through the plot, and I think this is a fresh, thoughtful pick for high school readers and teachers looking for something smart and engaging.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the first page to the last.
When Lucy was a baby, she washed ashore in a canoe and the man who owns Nowhere takes her in.
The day she asks her benefactor to leave the island to go to college, he is murdered.He had also asked her to stay because he had almost solved the mystery to who killed her father. From here there are twists and turns as to who killed her father, he benefactor, who her mother was. It wraps up with an unexpected ending.
I know I am vague but it has to many good parts to spoil it. Its a really interesting book.

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau]

I read about half of this book, but it didn't seem to be going anywhere and I found it dull. DNF.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Char Grell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and the author, Stacey Lee for an advanced readers copy of this book

Lucy Nowhere, an 18‑year‑old orphan, was found as a baby drifting in a green canoe and raised on the estate of Dakon Sanders, a wealthy, eccentric shipbuilder. She’s spent her life working on his property, longing for answers about her origins and dreaming of leaving the island for college. He ends up leaving his estate to her and she seeks to understand why.

I didn't realize this was rated a YA book when I requested it. It didn't really matter. I enjoyed the storyline, the mystery and the nature of the wild islands as described by the author. Lucy is a strong and independent woman in a time when young women were not to be so independent!

The vivid descriptions of the Orcas and the water was magnificently written. As someone who spends the entire year on, around or in the water in some form, I loved the connection Lucy had with the animals and the water.

The mystery of who her father is/ was and who was out of her kept my interest. This was a fun read that kept me guessing and entertained. It was a nice break from my normal emotionally heavy novels I've been reading lately.

Thank you again to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and the author. This was a great story.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. it has a great twist and the main characters seem familiar but not predictable. I definitely recommend this book to not just young adults but anyone looking for a "good read."

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This pains me to say but this wasn’t my fave. I had a hard time getting into it.

[Sierralynn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacey Lee at her absolute BEST! A big thanks to Simon & Schuster Publishing for the ARC. I am so excited for this to get into the hands of other readers! I couldn’t put it down.

[Amy Dance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this historical mystery set on Orcas Island, WA in 1918. Lucy, who was raised on the island, seeks to know who her parents were. When her benefactor is murdered & she is named heir, she doesnt understand why her instead of his nephew. As she seeks for answers, evil acts from the past are brought to the present. To complicate matters, Lucy can communicate with the local Orcas, which local find suspicious, or even evil. Can Lucy find the killer before he catches up with her? Great story!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC!
#sarahbarleybooks

[rachel x]

"A historical gothic mystery set on Orcas Island, Washington. 18-year-old Lucy Nowhere discovers the mutilated body of her employer on the beach and is named as the sole beneficiary of his massive estate. She must set out to find the real killer before she suffers the same fate."