So Pipe the Young: literary suspense about a mother who makes the wrong choice

by Jen Watkins

Annabelle Granger has always made good decisions. That’s why she quit oil painting in college to become a robotics engineer. That’s why she married Dr. Paul Granger, management consultant, her supportive modern mate. Together with their five-year-old son, Heath, they are living the suburban dream. But Annabelle fears her sensible life lacks originality. Will she ever make her mark?

Following a violent death at Heath’s school, the Grangers uproot for Box Elder, New Mexico, a rural Hispanic farming valley, seeking the simple life. While Paul travels to clients each week and Heath plays all day with his new friends at the river, Annabelle seizes her chance to leave a mark. She builds an Instagram brand, remaking herself as a bellwether warning of the ills of suburbia and touting the joys of homesteading.

But her Instagram image disguises a much darker reality. Life amongst the underserved families who have lived on the same land for generations challenges Annabelle’s worldview and has set her decision-making compass spinning. Are the neighborhood children independent or neglected? Are they helping Heath recover from the terrible incident at his old school or encouraging his morbid fascination with death? Is this wholesome country life or something much more sinister?

Annabelle has always made good decisions, but moving to Box Elder will not be one of them.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2021

About the author

I write unsettling stories from my tiny farm in rural New Mexico. I'm working on a four-book collection (one for each season) wherein the people who incautiously choose the rural life suffer tragically. I like my novels like the far side of the moon: dark, lonely, and unforgiving.

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Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cuts deep. Be warned that if you are going to read this on the train, you will audibly gasp. I feel eerily similar to Annabelle in her research-based approach to life. The end is a gut punch I've been thinking about for days. The changing perspectives between Annabelle and Paul Granger and Dan Quintana adds a richness to the book and shifts your understanding of what is happening in a fun and satisfying (and shocking) way. I would love to discuss this book, so I've recommended it to a number of friends. So now I play the waiting game!

[Paperwitches ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has very deep, dark topics involved in a multi-POV story that I (at times) found hard to follow but rewarding none the less. I appreciate it's unique take on the way it approaches characters, as well as Annabelle's almost analytical look on life that rivals my own. Instead of feeling jarring, the multiple POV's actually serve to add a good amount of exposition.

I can't say I liked the very abrupt pace shifts, and there is a LOT of convolutions within the story. Nevertheless I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Storyorigin for this ARC, I am willingly leaving a review.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh me! This is a story that will stay with you a very long time. I am not going to outline the story or give away any spoilers. I will say that this story captivated me. You might just find that your life is similar to our protagonist. This is one of those stories that just catches you on the very first page and continues to haunt you in the similarity of your own life. This is one that you just can't pass you by. I highly recommend this author and I plan to read of this authors work.

[Matt Heavner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Great story and description of New Mexico, modern life, family, technology, etc.. And a great narrative and great ending!! I loved it - different voices (and very different perspectives) woven togther. Great!!

[Jen Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

obviously.