The Lost Girl of Craven County

by Emily Matchar

Brought together by chance, bound together by secrets.

A decade into the Great Depression, Millicent Green is a twenty-five-year-old "old maid" living with her marriage-obsessed mother and domineering older brother in the stiflingly small Jewish community of New Bern, North Carolina. Smart and prickly, she’s struggling to find her place in the world following the loss of her beloved younger brother, and with him, her dreams for the future.

One humid August day, Millie is sent to run an errand and discovers a young woman unconscious on the ground. This mystery woman, mute and without identification, will upend Millie’s life. Together, they set out on a quest that will lay bare some of the twentieth century’s most shameful episodes.

From a historic river town to the hinterlands of rural North Carolina, The Lost Girl of Craven County delves into the impossibility of burying secrets forever. It’s a story of love, loss, and—above all—the indelible, world-moving power of female friendship.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Jewish, Adult Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Interested in me talking to your book group? I'd love to! Just fill out the request form: https://www.emilymatchar.com/book-clu...

About me: I’m a writer and author originally from North Carolina

My debut novel, In the Shadow of the Greenbrier, a multi-generational saga about a Jewish family living near the iconic Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, will be published in March 2024 by Putnam at Penguin Random House. Before turning to fiction, I was a journalist for many years.

When I’m not working, I like to hike, cook, garden, try new foods, and travel with my husband and two sons.

Follow me on Instagram at @emilymatcharwriter

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1939 New Bern, North Carolina on the cusp of WWII, this historical fiction book follows the life of 25 year old Millie, a Jewish girl uninterested in marriage, despite her matchmaking mother's most ardent desires.

She stumbles upon an unconscious, near starved girl who turns out to be mute and uncovering the mystery of this girl's past will lead her down a dark path.

Filled with loss, grief, love, female friendship and the horrors of the American Eugenics movement, this was good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Necessary lies, The lies they told or Only the beautiful. While I've read similar stories to this one, the Jewish lens, the drama, twists and suspense made it feel fresh all the same.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

I saw the author and the title of this book and immediately picked it up. I went in totally blind and it did NOT disappoint but I already knew it wouldn't😊

In the late 1930s, in New Bern, North Carolina, Millicent Green is twenty-five and considered an "old maid." She's not married and lives with her parents, contemplating her life's direction. Hailing from a close-knit Jewish community where personal matters are often communal knowledge, her life takes an unexpected turn one day. While running an errand, she discovers an unconscious young woman who is mute and without identification. Millicent kindly takes her in, and together they embark on a journey to uncover the truth.

This was a truly immersive, thought-provoking historical fiction read exploring the topics of girls' reform schools for the "feebleminded," forced sterilization (which I still can't believe happened here in the U.S.!), and female friendships. Told in two parts, it was fascinating, compelling, and emotional. Part one had an intriguing mystery, and part two definitely surprised me. I was completely drawn into the lives of Millie and Cecilia. I admired Millie's independence and the way she embraced being different, and I loved the setting of New Bern, NC. A captivating, engaging story that I enjoyed SO much! I most definitely recommend adding to your TBR!🩷

[Amy]

Yes: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)

I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:

This sounds like a really interesting plot. Alanna Grace wants to read in her book club!

[Cristina Bahre · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride. I don't think many Americans truly know the depths of eugenics that occurred in our country. And I think there needs to be more awareness and education on the subject because it is very true that our history is written and documented by victors, not by those who endured the harsh and underprivileged conditions this country handed to them. This book had bravery, compassion, tragedy, hard truths, mystery, and friendship. A book I hope many will read.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read the description, I was not sure if would like this one. But I really enjoyed it! I would categorize it as historical/literary fiction. It also had a hint of mystery. The main character Millie did get on my nerves in the first half of the book. But by the end she had grown on me. It had a couple of twists that I did not see coming. I would definitely recommend!

[Marie Girulat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @emilymatcharwriter and @putnambooks #PutnamPartner for the generous #gifted book and @PRHAudio #PRHAudioPartner for the #gifted accompanying audiobook.

Set in North Carolina in 1939, this story draws you into Millie’s world as she discovers a mute, injured girl at her family’s pickle factory. Driven by compassion, she brings her home, and as she uncovers Cecilia’s mysterious past, Millie is drawn into helping her.

Millie is a captivating character. At just 23, she's unmarried despite her Jewish mother’s wishes for her to marry. She’s navigating a profound loss, which brings judgment from her community and family. Educated and ambitious, with dreams of becoming a journalist, Millie also has a big heart for those who are lost or struggling. I loved how her bond with Cecilia blossomed into a strong friendship.

The narrative shifts between Millie and Cecilia, each sharing their compelling backstories. Both have faced loss and heartbreak, but they cope in different ways. Millie retreats inward, while Cecilia faces her challenges head-on. Cecilia’s spirited attitude ultimately encourages Millie to find her own happiness. Her story is especially poignant as it sheds light on the dark history of eugenics in the South.

The layered storytelling kept me hooked, revealing more about Millie and Cecilia with each chapter.

The narrators did an outstanding job of bringing Millie and Cecilia to life, leaving me eager to discover more about their stories.

If you're drawn to tales of female friendship and forgotten histories, this book is a must-read.

[Gary Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story but one sadly based on fact and one that needs to be told so history doesn’t repeat itself ever again. Well written!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book! Go in blind—learn as little about it beforehand as possible—and let Matchar guide you through

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book! I really enjoyed the story as well as the historical information about New Bern. I want Emily Matchar to give a trolly tour on historic, Jewish New Bern!

[Julia Eikey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lost Girl of Craven County had all the ingredients of a haunting Southern historical mystery: Depression-era North Carolina, buried secrets, a mute stranger, family pressure simmering like August heat on a tin roof. Unfortunately, for me, the story moved at the pace of molasses sliding uphill.

Slow. Slow. Slow.

Not the lush, atmospheric kind of slow where tension quietly coils beneath every conversation either. More the kind where you keep waiting for the engine to catch and instead hear the narrative idling in the driveway for chapters at a time. The premise is genuinely compelling, especially Millie herself: sharp-edged, grieving, restless, trapped between obligation and the life she imagined before tragedy narrowed her world. Her loneliness feels authentic, and the exploration of female friendship carries emotional weight.

But the pacing drained much of the suspense from the central mystery. Every revelation seemed delayed just long enough to lose momentum, and scenes often lingered past their purpose. There are important historical threads woven throughout the novel, including some deeply painful chapters of twentieth-century America, yet even those discoveries lacked the urgency and emotional punch they deserved because the story took so long to arrive there.

The atmosphere, though, is undeniable. The book practically sweats humidity. You can feel the dust, the claustrophobia of small-town expectations, the heavy silence hanging over families determined to keep secrets buried deep enough to fossilize. Fans of character-driven historical fiction may appreciate the deliberate pacing more than I did.

In the end, this felt less like a gripping mystery and more like a very long walk through grief, repression, and survival. Thoughtful and well-researched, but for me, it never fully escaped first gear. 📚🌫️

[Green Eyed Girl Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost Girl of Craven County had a lot of potential and genuinely pulled me in at times, but overall I’m left feeling conflicted and disappointed. The premise was intriguing and there were moments where the story became genuinely exciting, but those moments were often followed by sections that felt flat or underdeveloped.

One of my biggest issues was that the book tried to tackle so many heavy subjects at once that none of them seemed to get the depth or attention they deserved. Topics that should have carried real emotional and psychological weight felt rushed, almost like they were included for impact without being fully explored. Because of that, some parts of the story ended up feeling unconvincing rather than powerful.

I also couldn’t help comparing the eugenics storyline to Women of a Promiscuous Nature because the themes felt very similar, though I personally felt the execution here was weaker. There’s definitely an interesting story buried underneath everything, which honestly makes the disappointment stronger because I wanted more from it.

I didn’t hate this book at all. In fact, I liked parts of it quite a bit. But for me, this was ultimately a case of loving the concept more than the execution.

[Cindy P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
Thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! While the storylines of this dual timeline book were intriguing, the book felt disconnected at disorganized at times. New characters would randomly be mentioned, sometimes with no background of who they were or their purpose in the story, while other times overly detailed. This one was just ok for me.

[Leah M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read another book by Matchar previously, and I loved how she represented a Southern Jewish community while exploring historical events that are new to me. This book sounded so intriguing that I quickly became engrossed in the story, which was nothing like I was expecting, and in the best possible way.

In the late 1930s, Millie is 25, unmarried, and doesn’t seem to have much of a desire to wed, to the dismay of her mother who is obsessively focused on getting Millie wed as soon as possible. She lives with her mother and her overbearing, unlikable brother in New Bern’s Jewish community, which isn’t big so it gives small-town vibes. Two major historical events occurred during the story—the tail end of the Great Depression and the looming threat to European Jews with Hitler in power.

They live in a close-knit Jewish community, but it felt like their practices were more assimilated. That makes sense, because Jewish people weren’t always welcomed or free to practice safely in some Southern communities at that time. Even so, there were two important tenets of the Jewish faith that they did incorporate consistently. One of them is speaking up for social justice—Millie and her family treat Black people the same way they do white people and other Jewish people. Additionally, as a family who has more than enough while many people go without, first her younger brother Auggie and then Millie herself would deliver packages of food to the hobos who rode the rails, even marking the mailbox with a special symbol that let hobos know this was a safe place.

There are some pretty heavy themes in the story, and grief and loss is a major one. Millie was very close with Auggie, and when he passed away her life spiraled out of control, leading to her leaving college and affecting her marital prospects. She’s also unwilling to lower her standards. She’s smart, kind, and generous, although she can be a little prickly at times. She also gets along well with her sister-in-law, Fannie, who had left Germany while she could, and still has family living there. It adds a heavier layer of what Jewish people experienced at the time, even those outside of Europe.

I have to admit that I loved Millie right from the start. She’s a girl after my own mind, and I really enjoyed watching her stay true to herself regardless of what anyone else thinks. The family’s pickle factory led to the family’s financial success even through the Great Depression, while Millie’s best friend who is a guy has a steady job working at the train station, and I loved how they were written—it felt so realistic when I think about my own friendships, and I could also empathize with the fallout of a broken friendship that Millie experiences. But perhaps the thing I loved the most about Millie is how she doesn’t think and just acts kindly towards everyone around her, including family and friends, members of the Jewish community, and even a soaking wet mute girl she finds behind a pickle barrel.

The main plot centers around who this girl is, and what happened to her. I enjoyed how things unfolded with this character, Cecilia, and the way Millie was so kind and caring. While her brother is suspicious of this visitor as I would have expected, I was surprised to discover that her mother was on board with helping people in need. While the family isn’t very religiously observant, they do embody two major values in Judaism—charity and tikkun olam, the concept of repairing the world by doing good deeds. And the Green family is overflowing with these traits.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read, and the plot unfolded in a way that I was constantly being surprised. It took on a shameful episode in American history that involves eugenics, and I was just as outraged as Millie and Cecilia at how this practice was being implemented among poor, rural communities. The pacing was a bit slower in some parts, although there was a lot going on. There are many characters who are introduced over the course of the story, and at times I struggled to integrate characters because they just appear with little explanation. However, I really enjoyed seeing the friendship blossom between Millie and Cecilia, and how it grew into a genuinely strong female friendship. The book dealt with some very heavy topics and the author discussed them in a sensitive and natural way, with themes ranging from grief, loss, isolation, mental health, eugenics, and yet another shameful episode in American history.

Bottom line: An enjoyable read exploring female friendship, loss, grief, and a hidden history of eugenics, all done in a sensitive way, while still representing a long-standing Jewish community in the American South.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several books over the years that touch on eugenics programs in the United States, but The Lost Girl of Craven County introduced me to North Carolina’s role in that history. What begins as the mystery of an unidentified young woman hiding behind a pickle warehouse soon becomes a story about friendship, survival, and the devastating consequences of a system that failed some of society’s most vulnerable people.

Set in 1938, the story follows Millie Green, a young Jewish woman living in New Bern, North Carolina. Still grieving the loss of her brother and feeling the weight of expectations from family and society, Millie’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers an injured young woman hiding behind her family’s business. Unable or unwilling to explain who she is or where she came from, the stranger, later known as Cecilia, draws Millie into a search for answers that uncovers painful secrets and a disturbing chapter of American history.

One of the aspects I appreciated most was the portrayal of Jewish life in eastern North Carolina during the 1930s. It is not a perspective I encounter very often in historical fiction, and it was woven seamlessly into the story. Millie’s faith and cultural background influence her family relationships, community ties, and outlook without becoming her defining characteristic. Instead, they feel like a natural part of her daily life and add richness to both her character and the setting. They also help explain the empathy she extends to Cecilia when others might have looked the other way.

The relationship between Millie and Cecilia forms the emotional center of the novel. While I enjoyed both perspectives, Cecilia’s chapters were the ones I was always most eager to return to. I was deeply invested in her fate and anxious to see what would become of her. At the same time, she wasn’t always easy to like, which ultimately made her feel more authentic. There were moments when she seemed impatient with Millie despite everything Millie was risking to help her. Occasionally she even came across as somewhat opportunistic, focused more on her own immediate needs than on the sacrifices being made for her. Yet I never stopped sympathizing with her. After everything she endured, her distrust and instinct for self preservation felt understandable, even when they frustrated me.

Because I cared so much about Cecilia, I found myself wishing for a fuller picture of her life before she was institutionalized. We learn a great deal about what happened afterward, but I would have loved more insight into her relationships, ambitions, and hopes for the future. Having a stronger sense of who she was before everything changed would have made her losses even more devastating.

There were a few areas where I wanted additional depth. Several supporting characters, particularly some family members and secondary relationships, never felt as fully developed as they could have been. I also found some of the antagonists fairly one dimensional. Given the complexity of the issues being explored, greater nuance would have strengthened those characters considerably.

My biggest criticism is probably the ending. It felt as though events came together a little too quickly and a little too neatly considering everything that had happened. Given the gravity of the subject matter and the lasting effects these experiences would likely have had, I wanted more time with the aftermath rather than having so many threads resolved in the closing chapters.

I was also disappointed by the author’s note. One of my favorite parts of historical fiction is learning what was real, what was fictionalized, and how the author approached the research. In this case, the note was surprisingly brief and focused primarily on source materials. I would have welcomed a more detailed discussion of the history and the creative choices behind the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Lost Girl of Craven County. Despite a few shortcomings, including an ending that felt a bit too neat and an author’s note that lacked the depth I was hoping for, I was fully invested in the mystery, the friendship between Millie and Cecilia, and the history at the heart of the story. It’s a compelling read that shines a light on an important chapter of North Carolina history that deserves to be remembered.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this story blindfolded and not knowing what to expect.

The plot reads like a Mrs. Maisel mystery. Quick witted ladies who come across a non verbal stranger. From the start, the writing just reels you in. You are caught hook, line, and sinker. And with each chapter, Matchar drops subtle clues that keep you turning the pages. The plot builds gradually and is initially captivating. Until you catch on. Once you catch on, the twists become predictable. Matchar seems to want to delve into some really interesting topics like reform schools, cancer treatment, eugenics, depression and women's rights and yet she only grazes the issue or rushes through the details. And despite the heavy content, there is always a happy ever after feeling to the book.
3⭐️

The book pulled me and I was engrossed and couldn't wait to get back to it. I gasped out loud, I giggled and found myself swallowing my anger. My head was constantly looking for clues and working through hypothesis. As a mystery, it was extremely entertaining but as a historical fiction, it only grazed the surface. 4,5⭐️


The writing style truly demonstrates Matchar's artistry. She has many storylines colliding simultaneously and leaves us wanting to know more. What happened to him? Why did she do this? In the end, all the stories come together nicely. She also uses the idea of double identity and confessional writing to move the story along. There is no doubt that the structure of her writing is well thought and perfectly put together, but towards the end it read rushed and too perfect of an ending- too happily ever after. 4⭐️

Millie is our initial protagonist. She is funny and adventurous but also self deprecating and grieving. She dreams of being the heroine, bit without her sidekick she doesn't recognize herself. Finding her confidante, has inspired her to find herself. The lost girl has gumption, intelligence and is resourceful. Not to mention a bit conniving and manipulative. They are well rounded and characters with whom you can empathize with and have compassion for.
5⭐️

As a HF, it was lackluster. As a mystery, it was engaging and not an adrenaline overdose. The characters were delightful and jumped off the page. The informative part of the novel was not flushed out and created a rushed feeling. So my heart ranks it a 3⭐️.

If you are interested in rhe eugenics(which is a hot tocket these days) I found Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner to give a more complete picture of it.

3,75⭐️. Rounding down.

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

North Carolina holds a special place in my heart as a destination I have often visited and made some wonderful memories. Any book set in this locale peaks my interest, add a historical element and I'm hooked. Such is the case for Emily Matchar's newest novel, The Lost Girl of Craven County, being published by Penguin Random House , April 14, 2026.

The book begins in New Bern North Carolina, 1939, on the tails of the great depression, with the whispers of upcoming war in Europe. New Bern is a culturally diverse town with a thriving jewish community. Matchar focuses the story on two female characters, Millie, the 25 year old daughter of a pickle factory owning jewish family, and a mysterious young lady who shows up hurt and mute behind some pickle brining barrels one hot August afternoon. Over time the puzzle deepens as Matchar weaves the details of the two women and their subsequent lives into a wonder tale of twists, turns of intrigue.

As an avid reader, few plots surprise me. I generally have the basics of the story figured out early in a novel, and then I am just verifying my premise to the end of the story. Matchar surprised me over and over again. Just when I thought I"d figured out the identity of the lost girl, I'd be proved wrong with another detail. Her well layered plot kept my attention to the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Lost Girl of Craven County. To be honest, it's killing me to not share the story, but It's just too good to ruin it for anyone. So reader, you'll just need to grab the book in April and read it yourself!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House and, Emily Matchar for an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ary.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Girl of Craven County by Emily Matchar is a quietly powerful historical novel that lingers long after the final page.

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in coastal North Carolina, this story follows Millie Green—a sharp, emotionally guarded woman grappling with grief, societal expectations, and a future that feels increasingly out of reach. When she discovers a mysterious, silent young woman with no identity, the novel unfolds into both a personal reckoning and a broader exploration of hidden histories.

What stood out most to me was the atmosphere. Matchar vividly captures the tension of a small, insular community and the weight of unspoken truths. The writing is immersive without being overly dense, and the setting feels richly lived-in. Millie herself is not always easy to love—but she is deeply real, and her emotional journey is compelling in a way that feels earned rather than forced.

The heart of the story lies in its exploration of female friendship and resilience. The bond that develops is tender, complicated, and ultimately the driving force of the narrative. I also appreciated how the book sheds light on lesser-discussed aspects of 20th-century history, adding depth and purpose to the mystery at its core.

The pacing is more reflective than fast-moving, which may not work for readers expecting a plot-heavy thriller. At times, I wanted a bit more momentum, especially in the middle. However, the emotional payoff and thematic depth more than make up for it.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, character-driven story about grief, identity, and the enduring power of connection. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong emotional undercurrents and a touch of mystery, this is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Putnam Books for the ARC

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Girl of Craven County by Emily Matchar is a poignant historical novel that blends mystery, grief, and female friendship against the backdrop of the Great Depression in rural North Carolina.

Millicent Green is a sharp, emotionally guarded young woman already carrying the weight of personal loss and a life that feels smaller than it should be. Her days are defined by family pressure, social expectations, and the lingering grief of losing her younger brother.

Everything changes when she finds a mysterious, unnamed woman unconscious in the road—silent, unidentifiable, and seemingly disconnected from everything around her.

What begins as an act of help slowly becomes a journey that unravels hidden histories, buried truths, and the painful realities of a world shaped by silence and survival.

What makes this story especially powerful is its emotional focus:

* grief and unresolved loss
* constrained female lives in historical society
* secrets buried within communities
* identity and belonging
* resilience in hardship
* the transformative power of friendship

The relationship between Millie and the unnamed girl becomes the emotional core of the novel. It’s not just about solving a mystery—it’s about two women finding understanding and connection in a world that constantly tries to limit them.

The historical setting is vividly drawn, highlighting both the beauty and the suffocating limitations of small-town life during a difficult era.

This is a quietly powerful novel—less about explosive twists and more about emotional truth, human connection, and the ways women survive when the world gives them very little room to breathe.

[Hijabi_booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

*The Lost Girl of Craven County* by Emily Matcha is an atmospheric and emotionally layered mystery that keeps you turning pages late into the night. Set against a hauntingly vivid backdrop, the novel blends small-town secrets with a deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and identity.

Matcha excels at building tension gradually, weaving together past and present timelines in a way that feels both natural and compelling. The protagonist is well-developed and relatable, carrying emotional weight that adds depth to the unfolding mystery. The supporting characters, while sometimes leaning on familiar tropes, still contribute meaningfully to the story’s overall intrigue.

The pacing is steady, though it slows slightly in the middle as the narrative focuses more on character backstory than plot progression. However, this ultimately enriches the story, making the final revelations more impactful. Matcha’s descriptive writing brings Craven County to life, creating an eerie, immersive setting that almost feels like a character itself.

While the resolution may not surprise seasoned mystery readers, the emotional payoff and strong sense of place make the journey worthwhile. Overall, this is a gripping and heartfelt read that will appeal to fans of slow-burn mysteries with a touch of psychological depth.

**Rating: 4/5 stars**

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a surprise. What initially seemed like a family-centered story in a small southern town turned out to be a story with a lot of weighty historical topics. While girls’ reform schools, eugenics, and forced sterilization were the big ethical topics, there was also a glimpse into the life of the poor and hobos and the struggles of women who were expected to live their lives in traditional gender roles despite having their own dreams.

The story follows 25 year old Millie who has had a rough time with the loss of her brother Auggie. She finds a strange woman who doesn’t speak by her family’s pickle business. Helping the woman and solving the mystery of where she came from gives her some sorely needed purpose.

Set in New Bern, North Carolina in the 1930s, Matchar did a wonderful job portraying the insular Jewish community and setting. With the Great Depression just barely behind them and WWII just in front of them, I felt like I really got a good understanding of this big time of change.

The author surprised me with a few unexpected twists and turns. At first I was a bit annoyed at the twists but then as I thought more about it, the changes actually made a lot of sense.

I wanted a little bit more with Cecilia’s conclusion to see if she reunited with her family. I also wanted to read Millie’s publication.

I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this complex historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression, readers follow Millicent Green, who lives with her marriage-obsessed mother and domineering brother in a small Jewish community in New Bern, North Carolina. Struggling to find her place in the world after her younger brother’s death, Millie discovers an unconscious young woman on the ground, and this discovery upends her entire life. Together, the two women set out on a journey that will expose some of the century’s biggest secrets and call attention to the circumstances that brought this young woman into Millie’s life. The characters are complex and have a fascinating relationship, and readers will really enjoy seeing how their dynamic changes as their quest continues. The other characters are well-written, and Matchar has really captured the intimacies of small communities and family expectations in Millie’s interactions with her mother, brother, and community over the course of the novel. The depth of historical detail really brings the setting to life and highlights the changes and secrets that dominate this period of American history, and the challenges ahead of the characters force them to grow and change accordingly as this immersive and occasionally difficult novel from Emily Matchar progresses.

Thanks to NetGalley, Putnam, and GP Putnam's Sons for the advance copy.

[Dive Into A Good Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book transports you to New Bern, North Carolina. A small hamlet consisting of mostly Jewish families. More in name than in tradition. The summer air will bake you if you stand outside long enough. Pushing air out of your lungs and making it a struggle to breathe. Millicent Green is twenty-five-years old and unmarried. Making her the crazy old maid of New Bern. In my view Millie is magnificent. She is highly intelligent, stubborn, wants to do what she wants to do, has deep empathy, and wants to be a journalist. Something has occurred in her past to make her dreams come crashing down around her.

On the day of her cousin's wedding dress reveal. Millie's mother sends her to their family's pickle warehouse to grab a jar of Felix's Famous Pickles. Millie finds more than pickles. She finds a woman strangely dressed in a toga and pants. She appears to be mute, but not deaf. Who is she? Where did she come from? Millie brings this woman back to her family's home to try to uncover this woman's past and how she ended up in New Bern.

I tore into this book like I was a detective on the case. Needing to know where this woman came from. With her wide eyes and a hunger that no one can feed. I loved how the book switched in the middle to be told through multiple points of view. The plot is fantastic and keeps you guessing. Thank you to Emily Matchar and Putnam for my gifted copy of this emotional tale.

[Sarah Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

“She’s never getting married. Send her off for the pickles.”
“We all need a story.”

Millicent (aka Mille) is a 25 year old living in a Jewish community in New Bern, North Carolina during the Great Depression. The community is close knit and closing in on her. In addition, her mom is taking her on the marriage circuit to find a suitable match. When she is sent on a simple task to get pickles, she discovers a young lady who is in need of help. The young lady in question is not speaking so Millie does what she thinks is the best. She takes the stranger home.While attempting to unlock the mystery of the stranger, Millie gets to tell her story of unfulfilled dreams. Why is Millie viewed as the loony old maid in her community? Will she find her way back to her purpose? Matchar gives the readers insight to some particularly dark aspects of the times such as American Eugenics and the treatment of women in asylums. This title was a book club selection (#over40booktok). I likely would have not picked up this novel for myself. I encourage readers to give it a chance and do not dive into too many reviews. I am intrigued by Matchar’s writing so I will likely pick up her novel at some point.

[Cindy Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

At 25, Millie is considered almost a spinster in her 1930s Jewish neighborhood of New Bern, NC. Still recovering from the untimely death of her brother from cancer, she left college and spent some time in the psych ward. One day, on an errand, she spots a young girl lying on the ground who hears but doesn't speak. After bringing the girl home to take care of her, Millie and her family's initial discovery of the girl's identity ends up not being the true story.

This novel explores how Millie recovers from trauma and how she ultimately breaks away from the expectations placed on her. At the same time, the book deals with the issue of eugenics and how it was misused to prey upon the poor and uneducated in the US, a practice pursued in the shadow of the same practices being used in Nazi Germany.

While Millie's Judaism is not the central theme of the novel, there's a minor subplot involving her German Jewish immigrant sister-in-law who fled Nazi Germany and whose fears for her family frame the eugenics issue that is described in the book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Bonnie Ludlum · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s summer 1939 in New Bern, North Carolina. In the heart of the Jewish community of town, "Little Jerusalem," Millie finds herself feeling a disappointment to her family, a failure as she did not complete college nor begin the career she wanted, dealing with the loss of a sibling and not having a sense of belonging.
On an errand for her mother at the family’s pickling warehouse, she finds an unconscious, unidentified girl amidst the pickling barrels. She has no identification and appears mute. Millie sets out to help this girl and the two form a friendship. Secrets shared by Millie begin to assist her in letting go of much that holds her down while the identity of the girl is revealed. She is Cecilia originally from Lenoir County. She was caught up in a most heinous institution near Kinston that practiced eugenics from where she escaped.
Cecilia is on a mission to go back one more time and enlists help from Millie. Both girls are on the cusp of their lives changing; Many emotions play out in this novel; there is loss and love, a sense of failure and finding one’s way amidst family and community plus friendships that cause daring changes for three girls.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Lost Girl of Craven County” is by Emily Matchar. While I was gripped by the story, maybe because I’ve read too many thrillers lately, I put some of the mystery pieces together rather early. Did I get all of them correct, no, but the ones I didn’t didn’t surprise me (if that makes sense). I think if I hadn’t recently read a book about what the mystery girl was running from recently (or knew less about the time period) I might’ve been more surprised (and horrified). I think that at times this book felt a bit forced - people are sometimes introduced bluntly and I’m not sure I quite believed that everyone acted their age (granted, different time, different situations). While I read the story quickly and found it engaging, in the end I realized I really didn’t care too much about the main characters. I think if you enjoy historical fiction, North Carolina based books, and mysteries, this might be a book to pick up. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

[Sara Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Matchar’s In the Shadow of the Greenbrier I had high hopes for this one! It did not disappoint. I read it in 8 days- so overall a quick, enticing read!

It was about a young woman named Millie finding a distraught, injured girl behind some barrels at her family’s pickle factory. It goes on to tell Millie’s story battling loss, judgement from her community and family, redemption and love in the end. Millie also uncovers mystery girl’s story and come to find out it is a deeply disturbing and sad one.

I really was fascinated by the insight into the sterilization and asylum practices of young women in that region. It’s horrifying, sad and awful but it’s a portion of history I didn’t know about. It made me angry for those helpless girls. I’d like to learn more about that time.

Additionally, not being Jewish, I’ve loved reading from / about another perspective! It’s enlightening both learning about some practices and about regions that were predominantly Jewish during those times.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This book started out a bit slow for me and was almost a dnf, but it picked up in part 2 and I am glad I finished. I’m not sure if this book is considered a historical fiction. If so, I don’t think it went deep enough into any of the issues/events it touches upon. However, I enjoyed the characters and the story line.

I’ve read critiques that it ties up too neatly and perhaps that is true, but I am ok with good things happening to good people - especially ones to whom a lot of bad things happened first!

At its heart I think this story is about how the lies we tell ourselves are usually so much worse than the truth. Kindness, listening, communication, and forgiveness are the most important things!!! And once we get out of our own heads and let go of fear we can do anything!!

One of my new favorite quotes can be found in this book: “…I always figured it was better to feed a faker than starve someone truly hungry because you were so worried about being tricked.”
Oh how I wish more people felt this way!!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing historical fiction set in New Bern, NC, in 1939, as a young woman finds a wounded younger woman lying next to her family’s pickle factory. To make this tale ever more engrossing, the first woman is from a prominent Jewish family and has suffered emotionally from the death of her beloved younger brother. She has left college and moved back home, seemingly giving up all of her previous goals to be a journalist. The found young woman, the ‘lost girl’ of the title is a mystery for the first half of the book; she does not seem to understand or speak English. As we learn more about the ‘lost girl’ we are exposed to the many ways girls and young women were controlled in the American South of the 1930s-40s. I really enjoyed this book and the unfolding tale is not one I expected. I love a good surprise or two while reading fiction and this book offers several big ones. This is an engaging and compelling tale, not easy to put down.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A decade into the Great Depression, Millicent Green is a twenty-five-year-old “old maid” living with her marriage-obsessed mother and domineering older brother in the stiflingly small Jewish community of New Bern, North Carolina. Smart and prickly, she’s struggling to find her place in the world following the loss of her beloved younger brother, and with him, her dreams for the future.
One humid August day, Millie is sent to run an errand and discovers a young woman unconscious on the ground. This mystery woman, mute and without identification, will upend Millie’s life. Together, they set out on a quest that will lay bare some of the twentieth century’s most shameful episodes.
From a historic river town to the hinterlands of rural North Carolina, The Lost Girl of Craven County delves into the impossibility of burying secrets forever. It’s a story of love, loss, and—above all—the indelible, world-moving power of female friendship."

Young adult, predictable.