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What Happened in Beulah: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26A teenage girl uncovers the dark secrets of her Smoky Mountain town while searching for a missing classmate in this gripping coming-of-age mystery perfect for fans of
Where the Crawdads Sing
.
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Beulah has always seemed steady—rooted in tradition, shaped by generations, and slow to change. But in 1986, the ground has shifted, and no one feels that more than fifteen-year-old Barrett Childress Owens. Between her parents' unraveling marriage and a school full of kids she can't connect with, she feels invisible in her own hometown.
When Lacy Gunderson, the captivating new girl everyone is curious about, suddenly vanishes, the town's calm surface fractures. Search parties comb the woods. A police investigation begins. Rumors multiply. Families close ranks. And Barrett begins to sense how much the adults around her choose not to say. As Beulah clings to its usual rituals—including the annual Miss Kudzu pageant, which has shaped local girlhood for decades—Barrett is forced to navigate a community where loss lingers in the air and secrets are carefully kept. Her journey through the uncertainty reshapes her understanding of friendships, family, and the complex place she calls home.
A rich coming-of-age story with a pulse of mystery and a budding romance, What Happened in Beulah explores the fault lines of a small town and the courage it takes to face the truths people would rather bury.
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Beulah has always seemed steady—rooted in tradition, shaped by generations, and slow to change. But in 1986, the ground has shifted, and no one feels that more than fifteen-year-old Barrett Childress Owens. Between her parents' unraveling marriage and a school full of kids she can't connect with, she feels invisible in her own hometown.
When Lacy Gunderson, the captivating new girl everyone is curious about, suddenly vanishes, the town's calm surface fractures. Search parties comb the woods. A police investigation begins. Rumors multiply. Families close ranks. And Barrett begins to sense how much the adults around her choose not to say. As Beulah clings to its usual rituals—including the annual Miss Kudzu pageant, which has shaped local girlhood for decades—Barrett is forced to navigate a community where loss lingers in the air and secrets are carefully kept. Her journey through the uncertainty reshapes her understanding of friendships, family, and the complex place she calls home.
A rich coming-of-age story with a pulse of mystery and a budding romance, What Happened in Beulah explores the fault lines of a small town and the courage it takes to face the truths people would rather bury.
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 27, 2026
ohh i love love loved this. you know when you just read a really good story and feel satisfied with how it all turned out? i really enjoyed my time with this and the fact it turned out to be even better than the (already intriguing) synopsis had me believe.
i loved the way this was written, it had so many elements that worked really well together. small town mystery novel set in high school with a YA feel? sign me up. sign me UP. it felt so cosy and i was actually sad that it ended - i wanted to continue reading about everyone! i loved barrett, she was such a great main character and i loved how we got to see her story unfold. she was relatable and i cared about what happened to her as i did all the characters, they were done really well.
there was just the right amount of everything here sprinkled in to create a great balance of a story that was heartwarming and familiar yet mysterious and intriguing, and i feel so lucky to be given opportunities to read stories like this that i would never have come across otherwise. everything about this was so well rounded and so well done, and as a reader i was left feeling more than satisfied once i’d finished it - i loved that ending so, so much.
thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this early !! 💚
i loved the way this was written, it had so many elements that worked really well together. small town mystery novel set in high school with a YA feel? sign me up. sign me UP. it felt so cosy and i was actually sad that it ended - i wanted to continue reading about everyone! i loved barrett, she was such a great main character and i loved how we got to see her story unfold. she was relatable and i cared about what happened to her as i did all the characters, they were done really well.
there was just the right amount of everything here sprinkled in to create a great balance of a story that was heartwarming and familiar yet mysterious and intriguing, and i feel so lucky to be given opportunities to read stories like this that i would never have come across otherwise. everything about this was so well rounded and so well done, and as a reader i was left feeling more than satisfied once i’d finished it - i loved that ending so, so much.
thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this early !! 💚
September 26, 2026
I absolutely loved What Happened in Beulah by Christy Scott Cashman! Set in the Smoky Mountains this coming of age story also contains an element of mystery. The rich description of the mountains and small town brings the setting to life and reminds us that where we live can, and often does, influence the trajectory of our lives.
In 1985 teenager Barrett Childress Owens struggles to fit in, both at home and in her community. Life is stressful. Barrett’s family is forced to sell their home. Her mother has a serious drinking problem and her rather eccentric father is under employed.
Just when Barrett thinks she might be starting to fit in a classmate goes missing. The days and weeks that follow cause Barrett and the members of her community to face themselves and their past.
This novel explores themes of friendship, love, loss, community and kindness. I highly recommend What Happened in Beulah by Christy Scott Cashman.
In 1985 teenager Barrett Childress Owens struggles to fit in, both at home and in her community. Life is stressful. Barrett’s family is forced to sell their home. Her mother has a serious drinking problem and her rather eccentric father is under employed.
Just when Barrett thinks she might be starting to fit in a classmate goes missing. The days and weeks that follow cause Barrett and the members of her community to face themselves and their past.
This novel explores themes of friendship, love, loss, community and kindness. I highly recommend What Happened in Beulah by Christy Scott Cashman.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What Happened in Beulah is an absolutely incredible read! The descriptions are so vivid that I could actually feel the terror of the hounds closing in, and I swear I can see the kudzu taking over my own yard as we speak. Beyond the gripping tension, the story beautifully captured the deeply familiar challenges of being a teenager and figuring out who you are. I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews