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Dirtpickers
'A magnificent novel' Belinda McKeon, author of Solace and Tender
'Truly unforgettable' Fíona Scarlett, author of Boys Don't Cry
A heart-swelling beauty of a debut novel of love, trauma and found family - perfect for fans of Chris Whitaker, Liz Moore and Marilynne Robinson.
'Little Maude Rowe sits in the crick, her pockets heavy with gold, the blood on her palms turned to powdered rust . . .'
In a remote valley in Idaho in 1981, a man, a woman and three children stop running to wash the blood from their hands and bodies. They are the few survivors of a terrible tragedy. Their only choice now is, somehow, to become a family.
Five years earlier, Opal and her husband James arrive in the small mining community of Silver Valley, drawn by promises of fortune and independence. There they meet Baron Rowe, the charismatic visionary who controls the community with an iron fist. Baron's son Denny has spent his life trying, and failing, to live up to Baron's expectations, and to protect his little sister Maude from their father's excesses.
Soon, a tragic accident will change all their lives. And five years later, change will come again at the barrel of a gun . . .
*A winner of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024*
'Truly unforgettable' Fíona Scarlett, author of Boys Don't Cry
A heart-swelling beauty of a debut novel of love, trauma and found family - perfect for fans of Chris Whitaker, Liz Moore and Marilynne Robinson.
'Little Maude Rowe sits in the crick, her pockets heavy with gold, the blood on her palms turned to powdered rust . . .'
In a remote valley in Idaho in 1981, a man, a woman and three children stop running to wash the blood from their hands and bodies. They are the few survivors of a terrible tragedy. Their only choice now is, somehow, to become a family.
Five years earlier, Opal and her husband James arrive in the small mining community of Silver Valley, drawn by promises of fortune and independence. There they meet Baron Rowe, the charismatic visionary who controls the community with an iron fist. Baron's son Denny has spent his life trying, and failing, to live up to Baron's expectations, and to protect his little sister Maude from their father's excesses.
Soon, a tragic accident will change all their lives. And five years later, change will come again at the barrel of a gun . . .
*A winner of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024*
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 30, 2026
Thanks so much Echo for sending this my way, we will miss you.
Always the best, as diversity is what I love in my reading, and this is a whopper of a unique read. A debut novel (how?), this impressive and eerie story is absolutely a slow burn, yet it is so cleverly written I found myself reflecting on all the creatives out there with mountainous amounts of deeply interesting and off beat stories waiting to be told.
The found family trope is front and centre, improvised with such humanity in the ability to care for others in adversity, and the resilience to carry on regardless of age.
It was a hard one to keep track of. This is always an issue for me with concentration, life, and the way these will always affect my experience, but this is my issue alone. Originality and writing trump everything here. Lyrical is not used lightly here, I know it’s a much used word when describing the process.
This book was affecting, very soft and hard all at once. The timelines may be challenging, though the book commands and deserves the reader’s attention. I sometimes wonder how young writers know how to do what they do.
Always the best, as diversity is what I love in my reading, and this is a whopper of a unique read. A debut novel (how?), this impressive and eerie story is absolutely a slow burn, yet it is so cleverly written I found myself reflecting on all the creatives out there with mountainous amounts of deeply interesting and off beat stories waiting to be told.
The found family trope is front and centre, improvised with such humanity in the ability to care for others in adversity, and the resilience to carry on regardless of age.
It was a hard one to keep track of. This is always an issue for me with concentration, life, and the way these will always affect my experience, but this is my issue alone. Originality and writing trump everything here. Lyrical is not used lightly here, I know it’s a much used word when describing the process.
This book was affecting, very soft and hard all at once. The timelines may be challenging, though the book commands and deserves the reader’s attention. I sometimes wonder how young writers know how to do what they do.
July 4, 2026
The story starts in 1981, two adults and three children drenched in blood on the run, hiding in the Canadian wilderness. Why they’ve run will be slowly revealed, and we go back in time to when one of the main characters first arrived in a rural valley in Idaho, with a complex (or simple?) hierarchy at play.
As soon as I started this book it had me in its thrall. The lyrical prose and way of writing immediately had my attention.
I mean, I’ll be honest, I didn’t always know what was going on. The author leaves breadcrumbs of half-explanations as to what has happened and leaves the interpretation wide open. But that’s a skill, and it is well executed. I can see this won’t be for everyone as it’s a slow burn but for me it was excellent. The narrative goes back and forth in time, something to keep track of, to slowly reveal the mystery of why the characters find themselves where they are.
What really made this a stand-out read for me was the writing and the atmosphere the author creates. The characters were so vivid without explaining too much about themselves. It was more the feeling the story gave me and I’m a sucker for those kind of books!
Read if you like: literary fiction, slow burn mystery, lyrical prose, intergenerational trauma and atmospheric setting.
“She did her best to feel another way about things, but couldn’t shake the shroud of indifference that sat comfortably across her shoulders. Like a winter quilt, patchwork, each square lovingly sewn with sorrow at its seams. She wrapped herself in its embrace, allowed the knowledge of having been loved so tenderly for such a short time settle her spirit. But the loneliness never left her; it grew like weeds when she wasn’t looking.”
I highly recommend this beautiful, heartbreaking, atmospheric literary fiction debut!
As soon as I started this book it had me in its thrall. The lyrical prose and way of writing immediately had my attention.
I mean, I’ll be honest, I didn’t always know what was going on. The author leaves breadcrumbs of half-explanations as to what has happened and leaves the interpretation wide open. But that’s a skill, and it is well executed. I can see this won’t be for everyone as it’s a slow burn but for me it was excellent. The narrative goes back and forth in time, something to keep track of, to slowly reveal the mystery of why the characters find themselves where they are.
What really made this a stand-out read for me was the writing and the atmosphere the author creates. The characters were so vivid without explaining too much about themselves. It was more the feeling the story gave me and I’m a sucker for those kind of books!
Read if you like: literary fiction, slow burn mystery, lyrical prose, intergenerational trauma and atmospheric setting.
“She did her best to feel another way about things, but couldn’t shake the shroud of indifference that sat comfortably across her shoulders. Like a winter quilt, patchwork, each square lovingly sewn with sorrow at its seams. She wrapped herself in its embrace, allowed the knowledge of having been loved so tenderly for such a short time settle her spirit. But the loneliness never left her; it grew like weeds when she wasn’t looking.”
I highly recommend this beautiful, heartbreaking, atmospheric literary fiction debut!
February 6, 2026
Thanks to netgalley for this advanced copy.
This slow burn character driven novel will pull you into the lives of 5 people - an unlikely ‘family’ forged by troubles so deep and profound you are left wondering at the end of the book how they did it. Beautiful prose, thought provoking and at times heart wrenching. I think this book could win awards!!
This slow burn character driven novel will pull you into the lives of 5 people - an unlikely ‘family’ forged by troubles so deep and profound you are left wondering at the end of the book how they did it. Beautiful prose, thought provoking and at times heart wrenching. I think this book could win awards!!
June 21, 2026
Slow start but so worth reading to the end
Did Not Finish
June 28, 2026I love a slow burn. I love character driven novels where they are the story. But the great ones are effortless, and this was far from. Was preventing me from reading. Need to move on.
May 2, 2026
3.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Vibe check: Slow Burn, Character Driven, Atmospheric
full review ⬇️
The book blind date gods strike again. The cover and title had me intrigued but I had no clue what was in store when I opened Dirtpickers.
This was an interesting one for me. Edie did a great job of making me feel really immersed in the era. The atmosphere felt troubled and lived in, which made it easy to picture the world at the time and its harsh realities.
I did struggle a little with the historical setting (not my usual genre) and some confusion, particularly at the beginning, with the characters and figuring out who was who. It took some time to settle into the story and feel properly grounded.
Once it got going though, I found myself drawn into the slow burn unravel of why this group of characters had all ended up in the same situation. That element of mystery kept me engaged and wanting to piece things together.
While not my typical read, it gave me similar vibes to James by Percival Everett with that mix of historical setting and a more character driven, slightly reflective narrative style.
If you enjoy slower paced historical fiction that focuses on atmosphere, layered characters and gradually revealing backstories, this could be one for you to pick up.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for sharing a story out of my usual comfort reading zone.
Vibe check: Slow Burn, Character Driven, Atmospheric
full review ⬇️
The book blind date gods strike again. The cover and title had me intrigued but I had no clue what was in store when I opened Dirtpickers.
This was an interesting one for me. Edie did a great job of making me feel really immersed in the era. The atmosphere felt troubled and lived in, which made it easy to picture the world at the time and its harsh realities.
I did struggle a little with the historical setting (not my usual genre) and some confusion, particularly at the beginning, with the characters and figuring out who was who. It took some time to settle into the story and feel properly grounded.
Once it got going though, I found myself drawn into the slow burn unravel of why this group of characters had all ended up in the same situation. That element of mystery kept me engaged and wanting to piece things together.
While not my typical read, it gave me similar vibes to James by Percival Everett with that mix of historical setting and a more character driven, slightly reflective narrative style.
If you enjoy slower paced historical fiction that focuses on atmosphere, layered characters and gradually revealing backstories, this could be one for you to pick up.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for sharing a story out of my usual comfort reading zone.
June 15, 2026
I have given this 3.5 stars
I'm actually really glad I stuck with this one.
I'll be honest, for the first quarter or so, I wasn't completely sold. It felt quite slow, and because there are quite a few characters to get to know, I found myself having to concentrate more than I normally would. I wasn't sure where the story was headed, and for a little while I wondered whether it would be for me.
But somewhere along the way, something changed.
I stopped worrying about where the plot was going and started caring about the people instead. Once that happened, I found it really hard to put down because I genuinely wanted these characters to find some sort of peace after everything they'd been through.
This isn't an action-packed story. It's much quieter than that. It's really about people carrying around enormous amounts of trauma and trying to build something that resembles a normal life. I thought that was probably the book's biggest strength. It doesn't try to rush their healing or pretend that starting over magically fixes everything. Life is still messy, they're still carrying their past with them, and you feel that on almost every page.
I particularly liked Opal. She isn't perfect, and she certainly doesn't have all the answers, but she just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. There were so many moments where she simply did what needed to be done, and I found myself really respecting her for that. Denny was another character who slowly grew on me. He's carrying so much emotional baggage that he sometimes struggles to express anything at all, but beneath it all is someone who desperately wants to protect the people he loves.
And then there's Maude.
For someone so young, she's had to grow up far too quickly. There were several moments with her that really stuck with me because you realise just how much of her childhood has been taken away. Those quieter moments were probably some of my favourites in the whole book.
I also loved the setting. The forests, the old hunting cabin, and the isolation all contributed to the sense that the characters could never quite relax. Even when they were technically safe, there was always this sense that the past wasn't very far behind them.
I do think readers need to know that this isn't a fast book. If you're picking it up expecting a thriller, you might be disappointed because that's not what this is trying to be. It takes its time, and sometimes maybe a little too much time. There were definitely sections where I wanted the story to move a bit quicker.
Having said that, by the time I reached the final pages, I realised I'd become completely invested. I wasn't reading to find out what happened anymore; I was reading because I cared about these people.
Those are often the books that stay with me the longest.
This ended up being a really rewarding read. It wasn't love at first chapter, but it quietly won me over, and by the end, I was genuinely pleased that I'd given it the time it needed.
I'd happily recommend this if you enjoy slower, character-driven literary fiction that explores found family, survival, resilience and what it really means to begin again after everything falls apart.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I'm actually really glad I stuck with this one.
I'll be honest, for the first quarter or so, I wasn't completely sold. It felt quite slow, and because there are quite a few characters to get to know, I found myself having to concentrate more than I normally would. I wasn't sure where the story was headed, and for a little while I wondered whether it would be for me.
But somewhere along the way, something changed.
I stopped worrying about where the plot was going and started caring about the people instead. Once that happened, I found it really hard to put down because I genuinely wanted these characters to find some sort of peace after everything they'd been through.
This isn't an action-packed story. It's much quieter than that. It's really about people carrying around enormous amounts of trauma and trying to build something that resembles a normal life. I thought that was probably the book's biggest strength. It doesn't try to rush their healing or pretend that starting over magically fixes everything. Life is still messy, they're still carrying their past with them, and you feel that on almost every page.
I particularly liked Opal. She isn't perfect, and she certainly doesn't have all the answers, but she just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. There were so many moments where she simply did what needed to be done, and I found myself really respecting her for that. Denny was another character who slowly grew on me. He's carrying so much emotional baggage that he sometimes struggles to express anything at all, but beneath it all is someone who desperately wants to protect the people he loves.
And then there's Maude.
For someone so young, she's had to grow up far too quickly. There were several moments with her that really stuck with me because you realise just how much of her childhood has been taken away. Those quieter moments were probably some of my favourites in the whole book.
I also loved the setting. The forests, the old hunting cabin, and the isolation all contributed to the sense that the characters could never quite relax. Even when they were technically safe, there was always this sense that the past wasn't very far behind them.
I do think readers need to know that this isn't a fast book. If you're picking it up expecting a thriller, you might be disappointed because that's not what this is trying to be. It takes its time, and sometimes maybe a little too much time. There were definitely sections where I wanted the story to move a bit quicker.
Having said that, by the time I reached the final pages, I realised I'd become completely invested. I wasn't reading to find out what happened anymore; I was reading because I cared about these people.
Those are often the books that stay with me the longest.
This ended up being a really rewarding read. It wasn't love at first chapter, but it quietly won me over, and by the end, I was genuinely pleased that I'd given it the time it needed.
I'd happily recommend this if you enjoy slower, character-driven literary fiction that explores found family, survival, resilience and what it really means to begin again after everything falls apart.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2026
It feels really hard to review this book - because the author is one of my dearest friends.
In reality, this is a 3.5-4 star read, and I am not entirely sure how to grade it. But I have to put my true thoughts down or I'd be doing a disservice.
This book is for the most part, a beautiful, lyrical elegy. Books and films that come to mind when reading this include The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, Deliverance and O Brother Where Art Thou. There are however, several moments that are made confusing by the names changing (to reflect their dynamic) but because the names interchange at random points, it becomes distracting having to remind yourself that Bunny = Maude and Billy = Bear. I'm also annoyed that Baby doesn't get a name at the end.
Apart from that, I did find this book to be a lot slower paced than I expected, and I think it could have been structured better to facilitate more tension, and it felt like it was 20-25 pages too long.
The thing that really grabs you about this book is the setting which is evocative, dark, threatening, tense and in their new life - hopeful. If there was ever a book written about hope, it's this one. The characters are brilliantly written for the most part. Denny's arc is simply glorious; Maude is frustrating but comes into her own later but Opal - oh Opal.
The biggest problem I have with this book is most evident when we're with Opal. I hoped the book would show me her love of James, but I never believed it, and I hoped we'd see more of something between Opal and Denny, but we only got a little bit of a hint in the last 60 pages or so, and it felt sudden to show Denny's attraction when it was barely hinted at during the first half of the book. The distance created by the narrative style means that at certain points where I craved more insight, more intimacy and more of the character's own personalities, it never came. There is a richness missing at points that the longer I read began to encroach on the story. The distance should have narrowed more, the family become closer, but with the way it was structured, that did not come across as I think was intended.
Apart from those things, I found this book to be harrowing and heavy to read, and yet at times so uplifting it would make me close it and simply sit in the silence it left. The pacing was slower than I think it needed to be and at times there was just too much distance between the narration and the characters for me to entirely connect with them, especially with Opal. The best parts of this book are when they are still in Idaho, and whenever Denny is the Main POV we're following, I genuinely believe this book has the potential to win some awards for the delicacy in which Edie handles writing about trauma and how it effects people. I cannot wait to read her next book.
In reality, this is a 3.5-4 star read, and I am not entirely sure how to grade it. But I have to put my true thoughts down or I'd be doing a disservice.
This book is for the most part, a beautiful, lyrical elegy. Books and films that come to mind when reading this include The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, Deliverance and O Brother Where Art Thou. There are however, several moments that are made confusing by the names changing (to reflect their dynamic) but because the names interchange at random points, it becomes distracting having to remind yourself that Bunny = Maude and Billy = Bear. I'm also annoyed that Baby doesn't get a name at the end.
Apart from that, I did find this book to be a lot slower paced than I expected, and I think it could have been structured better to facilitate more tension, and it felt like it was 20-25 pages too long.
The thing that really grabs you about this book is the setting which is evocative, dark, threatening, tense and in their new life - hopeful. If there was ever a book written about hope, it's this one. The characters are brilliantly written for the most part. Denny's arc is simply glorious; Maude is frustrating but comes into her own later but Opal - oh Opal.
The biggest problem I have with this book is most evident when we're with Opal. I hoped the book would show me her love of James, but I never believed it, and I hoped we'd see more of something between Opal and Denny, but we only got a little bit of a hint in the last 60 pages or so, and it felt sudden to show Denny's attraction when it was barely hinted at during the first half of the book. The distance created by the narrative style means that at certain points where I craved more insight, more intimacy and more of the character's own personalities, it never came. There is a richness missing at points that the longer I read began to encroach on the story. The distance should have narrowed more, the family become closer, but with the way it was structured, that did not come across as I think was intended.
Apart from those things, I found this book to be harrowing and heavy to read, and yet at times so uplifting it would make me close it and simply sit in the silence it left. The pacing was slower than I think it needed to be and at times there was just too much distance between the narration and the characters for me to entirely connect with them, especially with Opal. The best parts of this book are when they are still in Idaho, and whenever Denny is the Main POV we're following, I genuinely believe this book has the potential to win some awards for the delicacy in which Edie handles writing about trauma and how it effects people. I cannot wait to read her next book.
June 26, 2026
I found myself completely invested in this unusual little family - people brought together not by blood, but by love, loyalty, and so much shared pain. Their joys felt hard earned, their heartbreaks authentic.
The heart of this novel is its characters, this family and neighbours. Their relationships are messy and tender, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their lives, and to want so much for them both individually and collectively.
This isn't a fast-paced thriller or a book built around shocking twists. Instead, it slowly reveals its secrets through two timelines, allowing the story to unfold piece by piece. I loved the way the past and present intertwined, gradually showing how these characters became who they are.
Edie May Hand has a beautiful way of capturing both tenderness and brutality on the same page. The story deals with trauma, grief, violence, loneliness, and loss, but it never once feels hopeless. At its heart, this is a novel about survival, second chances, and the families we choose for ourselves.
There are scenes in this book that broke my heart and others that put it back together again.
If you love character-driven stories, found family, and pools and pools of emotional depth, I can't recommend Dirtpickers enough.
Afterall, family isn't always who you're born to. Sometimes, it's those who help you survive.
The heart of this novel is its characters, this family and neighbours. Their relationships are messy and tender, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their lives, and to want so much for them both individually and collectively.
This isn't a fast-paced thriller or a book built around shocking twists. Instead, it slowly reveals its secrets through two timelines, allowing the story to unfold piece by piece. I loved the way the past and present intertwined, gradually showing how these characters became who they are.
Edie May Hand has a beautiful way of capturing both tenderness and brutality on the same page. The story deals with trauma, grief, violence, loneliness, and loss, but it never once feels hopeless. At its heart, this is a novel about survival, second chances, and the families we choose for ourselves.
There are scenes in this book that broke my heart and others that put it back together again.
If you love character-driven stories, found family, and pools and pools of emotional depth, I can't recommend Dirtpickers enough.
Afterall, family isn't always who you're born to. Sometimes, it's those who help you survive.
Review of advance copy
Opal and Denny have created a family. All they want is for their three children to be loved and to feel safe. In order to do this, the couple have to leave their home and start again. It will be difficult, neither have much money, but they are both hard workers and know how to live off the land. While the family of five carry few possessions, the weight of their grief and terror of the past are the heavy burden they carry with them.
Denny discovers a small, rundown cabin nestled in the forest, a place they end up calling home. Their neighbour and landlady, Mrs Schweers, becomes their first ray of hope for the future, someone who doesn’t question their past but is there to offer a hand to help when needed.
The highlight of this book is the relationships formed throughout. The love for a friend. The love for a baby. The love and hope for a better life for children who have had so little.
Reading this book is like trying to solve a difficult puzzle. It was a challenging read, but worth digging through to get to the precious story hidden deep below.
Thanks to Good Reading Australia for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
Denny discovers a small, rundown cabin nestled in the forest, a place they end up calling home. Their neighbour and landlady, Mrs Schweers, becomes their first ray of hope for the future, someone who doesn’t question their past but is there to offer a hand to help when needed.
The highlight of this book is the relationships formed throughout. The love for a friend. The love for a baby. The love and hope for a better life for children who have had so little.
Reading this book is like trying to solve a difficult puzzle. It was a challenging read, but worth digging through to get to the precious story hidden deep below.
Thanks to Good Reading Australia for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
June 23, 2026
What a book - the story follows a family or sorts, bound together not by blood but by trauma and circumstance. What follows is two timelines, past and present as we see this family change, grow and become a unit while slowly piecing together what happened in their past lives. This author writes with a unique voice, a turn of phrase rarely found in literature of today. The quality of writing is astounding, lines that you will ponder over and reread, others that will hit you, get you right in the gut immediately. The characterisation is so strong, so real that you picture these characters, weep for them, yearn with them and think fondly of them long after closing the book.
The quiet tension that builds throughout the book keeps you going, wondering, piecing together fragments until all is revealed. Themes of trauma, loss, grief, loneliness, love, hope and redemption are delved into, creating a rich portrait of a family and what it means to forgive, be forgiven, move on and start again.
This book is wonderful in every way, I hope it will receive the accolades it so truly deserves: I urge you to buy this book, read/listen to this book, it is truly a magnificent debut!!
The quiet tension that builds throughout the book keeps you going, wondering, piecing together fragments until all is revealed. Themes of trauma, loss, grief, loneliness, love, hope and redemption are delved into, creating a rich portrait of a family and what it means to forgive, be forgiven, move on and start again.
This book is wonderful in every way, I hope it will receive the accolades it so truly deserves: I urge you to buy this book, read/listen to this book, it is truly a magnificent debut!!
December 12, 2025
Beautiful just beautiful
Beautiful just beautiful
I particularly enjoyed this immense novel it’s warm hearted and hopeful And at the same time exciting and violent
I was immediately grabbed by the characters and highly invested right from the start thinking that I was going to love this book and I was right, it is a great novel.
The novel follows a group of individuals who have become a family of choice after suffering a an immense bloody tragedy. They have run away together and I’m making their lives in the American countryside as a newly blended family.
The book does switch time periods quite often and I were occasions when I found I lost the sequencing leaving me a bit confused .however I did love the way the back story emerges slowly from the flashbacks
The author has a clear flowing distinctive writing style, which is a pleasure to read
There are some incredibly moving pieces in this novel. I particularly liked the love of the blended family and how they had found their way together in a non-typical fashion. Also the description of the neglectful and violent childhood of the two children was also very moving.
You learned that the blended family have formed following some form of violence altercation from which they are all running away. This episode isn’t actually fully described until the end of the novel.. When you do discover the full horror, it really hits you and I hadn’t predicted it.
There’s something timeless about this novel It’s set in the late 70s early 80s in America but it could also somehow be gold Rush era there is a Victorian lawless level of violence throughout
The author describes emotions so perfectly that you feel them yourself. It’s a complex mix of poetic language and reality.
I loved the ending
Would recommend a novel for those who love a character based novel if you love books such as Deacon King Kong by James McBride or James by Percival Everett then I think you will love this novel too
I think this novel is going to be very big it’s not published until the 21st of May 2026 in the UK by Boner books UK but I thoroughly expect this book to be very popular when it is published. I would’ve thought that this is this type of literary novel that would appeal to the Booker prize judges.
I read an early copy of the novel on publication it will also appear on Amazon and Waterstones
Beautiful just beautiful
I particularly enjoyed this immense novel it’s warm hearted and hopeful And at the same time exciting and violent
I was immediately grabbed by the characters and highly invested right from the start thinking that I was going to love this book and I was right, it is a great novel.
The novel follows a group of individuals who have become a family of choice after suffering a an immense bloody tragedy. They have run away together and I’m making their lives in the American countryside as a newly blended family.
The book does switch time periods quite often and I were occasions when I found I lost the sequencing leaving me a bit confused .however I did love the way the back story emerges slowly from the flashbacks
The author has a clear flowing distinctive writing style, which is a pleasure to read
There are some incredibly moving pieces in this novel. I particularly liked the love of the blended family and how they had found their way together in a non-typical fashion. Also the description of the neglectful and violent childhood of the two children was also very moving.
You learned that the blended family have formed following some form of violence altercation from which they are all running away. This episode isn’t actually fully described until the end of the novel.. When you do discover the full horror, it really hits you and I hadn’t predicted it.
There’s something timeless about this novel It’s set in the late 70s early 80s in America but it could also somehow be gold Rush era there is a Victorian lawless level of violence throughout
The author describes emotions so perfectly that you feel them yourself. It’s a complex mix of poetic language and reality.
I loved the ending
Would recommend a novel for those who love a character based novel if you love books such as Deacon King Kong by James McBride or James by Percival Everett then I think you will love this novel too
I think this novel is going to be very big it’s not published until the 21st of May 2026 in the UK by Boner books UK but I thoroughly expect this book to be very popular when it is published. I would’ve thought that this is this type of literary novel that would appeal to the Booker prize judges.
I read an early copy of the novel on publication it will also appear on Amazon and Waterstones
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Good Reads Magazine & Echo Publishing for the advanced copy.
This book hooks you from the very first chapter. As you read, you realise the full story is always just out of reach. With each page, more pieces fall into place, yet you’re never quite certain you’ve figured it out. The answer remains tantalisingly just beyond your grasp.
Edie May Hand’s prose carries you effortlessly through the story, rich with imagery that allows you to truly see and feel everything these five unlikely characters experience. Bound together in the most trauma-filled way, their journey is both confronting and deeply moving.
Denny, Opal, Maude, Billy and Baby will leave a mark on your soul. As the depth of what they’ve endured unfolds, there’s also a quiet thread of hope, an underlying sense that despite it all, a brighter future may be waiting for them.
This book hooks you from the very first chapter. As you read, you realise the full story is always just out of reach. With each page, more pieces fall into place, yet you’re never quite certain you’ve figured it out. The answer remains tantalisingly just beyond your grasp.
Edie May Hand’s prose carries you effortlessly through the story, rich with imagery that allows you to truly see and feel everything these five unlikely characters experience. Bound together in the most trauma-filled way, their journey is both confronting and deeply moving.
Denny, Opal, Maude, Billy and Baby will leave a mark on your soul. As the depth of what they’ve endured unfolds, there’s also a quiet thread of hope, an underlying sense that despite it all, a brighter future may be waiting for them.
July 30, 2026
This story starts in 1981 and what we appear to see is a family running for their life , from what , we don’t know at this point. It’s a slow burn of a novel that slowly goes from the present to the past to reveal why they are in this situation. Firstly there is Orla, Denny and 3 children , Maude who is Denny’s sister , Billy and a baby. There is so much trauma and violence that these poor people have endured, but what really shines through is the resilience and perseverance they show to each other . They are met with kindness from a lady who is really a recluse who lets them stay in her lodge that her late husband used for hunting . She helps with the children , providing food and clothes . I had no idea what was going to happen but I was hoping they would get through the brutality they had endured. Well worth a read
May 26, 2026
Dirtpickers is the haunting debut novel by Edie May Hand. It’s a rich, layered and beautifully crafted story of survival and found family told across different timelines.
⛏️Dirtpickers is an atmospheric and complex novel. It’s one to slowly immerse yourself in rather than rush as the shifting timelines can be a little confusing. But you can forgive that as the prose is beautiful and vivid.
What these characters have endured is at times horrific, but for Denny and Opal especially their drive to do the best for this blended family is admirable. These characters have experienced so much trauma it’s at times heartbreaking.
I loved the gentle unfurling of what happened, how it happened and why this new family group is trying to make a new life. This was beautiful and emotional storytelling.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for a copy to review.
⛏️Dirtpickers is an atmospheric and complex novel. It’s one to slowly immerse yourself in rather than rush as the shifting timelines can be a little confusing. But you can forgive that as the prose is beautiful and vivid.
What these characters have endured is at times horrific, but for Denny and Opal especially their drive to do the best for this blended family is admirable. These characters have experienced so much trauma it’s at times heartbreaking.
I loved the gentle unfurling of what happened, how it happened and why this new family group is trying to make a new life. This was beautiful and emotional storytelling.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for a copy to review.
June 7, 2026
Dirtpickers is a beautifully written debut that explores loss, survival, and the meaning of family. Set against the rugged backdrop of Idaho, the story follows a group of people brought together by tragedy as they attempt to rebuild their lives and create a sense of belonging. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, with a strong focus on character relationships and emotional healing.
While I admired the prose and the depth of the characters, the pacing felt quite slow at times, and some sections required patience to fully appreciate. The emotional payoff was worth it, but I found myself more invested in certain storylines than others.
Overall, Dirtpickers is a moving and thoughtful novel about resilience, found family, and hope after heartbreak.
While I admired the prose and the depth of the characters, the pacing felt quite slow at times, and some sections required patience to fully appreciate. The emotional payoff was worth it, but I found myself more invested in certain storylines than others.
Overall, Dirtpickers is a moving and thoughtful novel about resilience, found family, and hope after heartbreak.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ah, this one will break your heart.
Those five character (giving credit to the baby here, who really doesn't do much) running from someone or something
All of them slightly broken
As we skip back and forth in time, we can see exactly what might have broken them, but it's very near the end we find what they're running from.
It's really worth hanging on for this.
An incredible debut, super for anyone who loves a character driven story.
I couldn't put it down until I learnt the what and the why of how we found ourselves at that opening scene.
Those five character (giving credit to the baby here, who really doesn't do much) running from someone or something
All of them slightly broken
As we skip back and forth in time, we can see exactly what might have broken them, but it's very near the end we find what they're running from.
It's really worth hanging on for this.
An incredible debut, super for anyone who loves a character driven story.
I couldn't put it down until I learnt the what and the why of how we found ourselves at that opening scene.
November 5, 2025
I’m not sure what I’ve just read. A man, woman and three children are fleeing, from who or what? The story gradually unfolds, whilst the text moves back and forwards in time to explain how they arrived there and what they were fleeing from. It is difficult to explain the premise but it is so well and beautifully written I didn’t want to stop reading.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 16, 2026
My pal wrote this book so I'm well biased and all but holy moly!! this is one crackin book and deep dense character portrait like a multi-layered chocolate cake of plaintive sorrow and joy. Wahuu!
It's got the sauce folks. If the sauce is exploration of the human condition and how all we have is each other and all that. Which it is. That's what the sauce has always been.
Very good book read it now if you like good books
It's got the sauce folks. If the sauce is exploration of the human condition and how all we have is each other and all that. Which it is. That's what the sauce has always been.
Very good book read it now if you like good books
November 7, 2025
Beautifully written literary fiction. One not to be rushed. A gentle intricate unravelling story that will be a perfect book club read. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A deeply immersive book, the author has a rare flair for language that shines throughout this sensitively written drifter odyssey.
May 8, 2026
One of the most incredible debuts I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Impossible not to fall in love with the characters and Edie’s gorgeous writing style. An absolute triumph.
June 13, 2026
Beautifully written, gorgeous prose, characters to care about, and a tragically beautiful story 🥹
June 29, 2026
Beautiful
July 9, 2026
Interesting style of writing that took me a while to get use too. Powerful.
July 15, 2026
A very slow type of reading book. More for people who know the certain eras written about in the book.
July 19, 2026
3.5. There was a huge part of this book I just didn't understand. And not for lack of trying.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dirtpickers* by Edie May Hand is an evocative debut from a new Irish author. Opal and Denny are on the run. As they get further away from tragedy, the reality of their situation sinks in; no money, no security, and harbouring three children who aren’t their own. Opal and Denny are forced to find ways to support their newfound family while keeping their heads down.
This book is a slow burn, with really evocative, atmospheric prose that pulls at the heartstrings. It is almost entirely character driven, each person, however fringe, fleshed out fully, which is really quite the accomplishment for a nascent author.
This book is a slow burn, with really evocative, atmospheric prose that pulls at the heartstrings. It is almost entirely character driven, each person, however fringe, fleshed out fully, which is really quite the accomplishment for a nascent author.
June 6, 2026
I need to think about this one.
The writing was beautiful and didn’t feel like a debut at all. It drew me into the story immediately, however the story was confusing and it felt like trying to piece together a puzzle. As a result I’m not sure it entirely swept me away.
Maybe I need to reread it again to fully appreciate it.
The writing was beautiful and didn’t feel like a debut at all. It drew me into the story immediately, however the story was confusing and it felt like trying to piece together a puzzle. As a result I’m not sure it entirely swept me away.
Maybe I need to reread it again to fully appreciate it.
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