Hannah Fitzgerald has established a new life for herself in St. John's. She has friends, a social life, work, school and a possible love interest. She has escaped the manipulations and erratic moods of her controlling mother. However when Adelaide Fitzgerald is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease and needs to go to a care home, Hannah must put her life on pause to go empty out her decrepit salt box home by the sea and help get her mother moved.

However, things do not proceed as expected when she arrives. Her mother is unpredictable, violent and sometimes frighteningly lucid. What do the keys around her neck open? What is she hiding? Can the caregiver Colleen be trusted?

I was so impressed with this debut novel from a young Newfoundland writer. The plot was twisty, the mother was sinister and the tension was palpable. The setting and atmosphere rang absolutely true - there are so many corners of Newfoundland that are deserted, lonely and quiet except for the sound of waves and wind. What deeds can be done and quietly covered up, with no one the wiser?

Well done, Emily Hepditch, and I cannot wait to read your next novel Alone on the Trail. I would give this a 4.5 if Goodreads allowed half-stars.