What Remains of Her

Professor Jonah Baum's life changes when his wife and young daughter vanish without explanation from their small Vermont town. After the devastating loss, he withdraws to live alone in a remote cabin. Twenty-five years later, Jonah spots a young girl in the forest during a snowstorm. The child's presence forces him to confront his past and pulls him into a web of small-town secrets and dangerous revelations. Rebecca, a local detective, investigates the case while wrestling with her own personal struggles. Her pursuit of answers leads her down paths that intersect with Jonah's search for truth about both the present and his long-ago tragedy. The novel explores themes of grief, isolation, and the lingering effects of loss on human connections. Through its atmospheric Vermont setting and complex character studies, the story examines how past traumas shape present choices.

Readers note the book starts strong but loses momentum in the middle sections. The atmospheric Vermont setting and the author's descriptive writing style receive frequent mention in positive reviews. Likes: - Detailed character development of protagonist Jonah Baum - Tense, foreboding atmosphere throughout - Effective use of flashbacks - Strong emotional impact of the family tragedy elements Dislikes: - Pacing issues after first third - Some found the ending predictable - Several readers felt misled by marketing suggesting this was a thriller - Multiple reviewers noted confusion about certain character motivations Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (450+ ratings) Representative review: "The prose and atmosphere are excellent, but the story drags in the middle and the resolution left me wanting more." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers compared it unfavorably to Rickstad's Canaan Crime series, noting this standalone novel has a different tone and pacing.

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon A grieving mother uncovers dark secrets in a Vermont town where children have vanished for generations.

The Lake House by Kate Morton A detective reopens a cold case about a missing child from a Cornwall estate, revealing family secrets spanning decades.

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson A woman with memory loss pieces together her past through a secret journal, discovering truths about her husband and identity.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn A reporter returns to her hometown to investigate missing girls, confronting her own family's buried secrets.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens A realtor escapes captivity and struggles to uncover who orchestrated her abduction while dealing with trauma.

🔍 Author Eric Rickstad wrote much of this psychological thriller while living in rural Vermont, the same haunting setting where the story takes place 🌲 The book's atmospheric winter scenes were inspired by Rickstad's own experiences during Vermont's notoriously harsh and isolating winter months 📚 Despite its dark themes, the novel was partially written during the author's stays at the Vermont Studio Center, an artist retreat known for fostering creativity in a peaceful setting 🏆 Eric Rickstad is also known for his bestselling Canaan Crime series, but "What Remains of Her" marks a departure as a standalone psychological suspense novel 💭 The protagonist's psychological struggles with grief and isolation were developed through extensive research into trauma responses and survivor's guilt