In small town Parson, TX, Louisa (Lou) is helping Miss Kate renovate an old mansion. Miss Kate, mother of her estranged childhood friend, Joanna, was always a 2nd mom to Lou. But, when Lou finds Miss Kate dead in her garden, she begins to suspect Joanna and her brother, Seth, of murdering Miss Kate.
Lou is in a relationship with Heather, her dead brother, Robby's ex and mother of their child, Sarah. But, she can't shake the old feelings she had for Joanna. However, there are many secrets in this small town that come to light as Lou finds the truth about Miss Kate's past, her religious fanaticism, and her friend Peg, who wants to create a haven for women in the town.
Sinister story. ( )

* Starred Review * When a hurricane hits Parson, Texas, in 1970, bartender Louisa Ward’s past and present collide as she seeks to build a future. Lou doesn’t want to leave the town where she grew up, but her aunt and niece have already relocated to San Antonio, and her partner, Heather—who’s also her brother's widow—is getting ready to pull up stakes and join them. Lou’s also still reeling from the sudden, violent death of Miss Kate, the owner of an old plantation just outside of town. When Miss Kate’s daughter, Joanna, returns, planning to sell the plantation, Lou agrees to help clean up the house. They had been childhood friends but had a falling-out in high school and haven’t been in touch since. Joanna’s presence draws Lou back into memories of the past—of their complicated friendship; of her brother, Robby, who died in Vietnam; of Joanna’s sister, Cass, who died in a mysterious accident. But slowly she begins to realize that the memories she’s held as “true” are actually missing vital pieces, most notably Miss Kate’s involvement with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. There’s also a mysterious group of women, led by the charismatic Peg, who live outside of town and have their money bound up in Miss Kate’s house. Despite the inherent drama, this novel is a slow burn. The pacing works wonderfully, though, because just when we think we know something—about Lou’s past, about Peg’s group, about Joanna’s motives—Cochran spins in a new perspective or memory or piece of information that completely alters our understanding of plot, characters, even genre. The constant reversal of certainty is masterfully executed and adds tension in unexpected ways. Cochran also uses the time period to draw a deeper reflection on belonging—and to emphasize the danger for those who will always be “outsiders. ”A thoughtful novel with a hint of mystery. Its still waters run deep. ( )