Dark and Shallow Lies

La Cachette, Louisiana calls itself the Psychic Capital of the World. In this small bayou town, Grey has returned for the summer to search for answers about her best friend Elora's disappearance six months ago. The town holds dark secrets beneath its surface, and Grey must navigate both supernatural and earthly dangers to uncover the truth. Along with the other "Summer Children" - a group born in the same season seventeen years ago who possess psychic abilities - she pieces together fragments of memory and vision. The mystery deepens as Grey discovers connections between Elora's disappearance and other tragedies in La Cachette's past. Her investigation leads her through swamps, family histories, and the complex relationships between the town's residents. The novel explores themes of grief, identity, and the line between truth and deception in a community bound by both gifts and secrets. It questions how well we can truly know the people and places we call home.

Readers describe this YA mystery as atmospheric but slow-paced. The Louisiana bayou setting and supernatural elements create an engaging backdrop, though many found the plot takes too long to build momentum. Liked: - Rich descriptions of small-town Louisiana culture - Complex family dynamics and relationships - Integration of psychic abilities into the mystery - LGBTQ+ representation - Strong emotional core between characters Disliked: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Too many characters to track - Plot twists felt predictable to some readers - Romance subplot seemed forced - Ending left questions unanswered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (100+ ratings) "The atmosphere is the real star here" - Goodreads reviewer "Great setting but the mystery meanders" - Amazon reviewer "Needed better pacing but loved the characters" - BookTok review

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🌙 The book is set in the real-life village of La Cachette, Louisiana, which calls itself "The Psychic Capital of the World"—though the author took creative liberties with the town's details. 🔮 Author Ginny Myers Sain drew inspiration from her own experiences as a theater teacher and director when crafting the character of Grey, who uses acting techniques to cope with difficult situations. ⚜️ The story incorporates authentic Cajun folklore and traditions, including the concept of "traiteur" healing practices that have been passed down through generations in Louisiana. 🌊 The novel's atmospheric setting was partially influenced by the author's childhood memories of summer visits to her grandmother's house near the Louisiana bayou. 📖 The term "Dark and Shallow Lies" comes from a poem within the book, written by one of the characters, and serves as both a literal description of the bayou waters and a metaphor for the story's mysteries.