Title: The Sea of Lost Girls
Author: Carol Goodman
First published March 3, 2020
304 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780062852021 (ISBN10: 0062852027)
Rating: 3.46
Overview
The Sea of Lost Girls by Carol Goodman is a riveting story that takes place at a prestigious prep school. Tess is a devoted wife and mother who has kept her past buried deep down.
Her son, Rudy, who has always been difficult to understand, is thriving at the school. But one morning, everything changes when Rudy reaches out to Tess for help.
When she finds him drenched with a dark stain on his sweatshirt, Tess knows something is wrong. Soon after, the headmistress informs her that Rudy’s girlfriend, Lila, has been found dead on the beach.
As the investigation unfolds, Tess’s family is attacked from all sides. Her son is a suspect, and her husband is a person of interest.
Tess discovers that the school has a dark past, and not all skeletons will remain hidden. The Sea of Lost Girls is a gripping tale of love, loss, and the secrets we keep to protect those we love.
About the Author
Meet Carol Goodman, a talented author with an impressive list of accomplishments. She’s written several books, including The Lake of Dead Languages, The Seduction of Water, The Widow’s House, and The Night Visitors, all of which have won prestigious awards.
In addition to her solo work, she’s also co-authored the Watchtower fantasy trilogy with her husband Lee Slonimsky. Carol’s writing has been featured in various literary journals, including The Greensboro Review, Literal Latte, The Midwest Quarterly, and Other Voices.
After graduating from Vassar College, where she focused on Latin studies, Carol taught Latin in Austin, Texas for a number of years. She then pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from New School University.
Nowadays, Carol is a respected literature and writing professor at both The New School and SUNY New Paltz. She and her family call the beautiful Hudson Valley home.
Editoral Review
The Sea of Lost Girls by Carol Goodman is a captivating mystery novel that explores the dark secrets of a prestigious New England prep school. Goodman is an award-winning author of more than 20 novels, including The Lake of Dead Languages and The Night Visitors.
She is known for her ability to intertwine the supernatural with suspenseful plots, and The Sea of Lost Girls is no exception.
The novel follows the story of Tess, a teacher at the prep school, who is haunted by the disappearance of her son years earlier. When her son’s girlfriend goes missing, Tess finds herself drawn into the investigation, uncovering a web of lies and deceit that threatens to unravel her own life.
Along the way, she must confront her own past and the secrets she’s been keeping from those closest to her.
Goodman’s writing is masterful, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the eerie and atmospheric setting of the prep school. The pacing is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
The characters are complex and well-developed, with motivations that are both relatable and surprising.
One of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the pressures and expectations placed on students and faculty at elite prep schools. Goodman delves into the toxic culture of privilege and entitlement that can lead to tragic consequences, a theme that is especially relevant in today’s society.
While the novel is certainly a page-turner, there are moments where the plot feels a bit contrived, and some of the characters’ motivations are not fully fleshed out. Additionally, there are elements of the supernatural that may not appeal to all readers.
Overall, The Sea of Lost Girls is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Fans of Goodman’s previous works will not be disappointed, and anyone looking for a well-crafted mystery with a touch of the supernatural should definitely give this book a read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
