Camille Preaker was a Chicago reporter sent to cover the story of a child killer in her hometown of Wind Gap in southern Missouri. Returning after years away, Camille reopens wounds caused by her relationship with a mother who never loved her, memories of a dead sister, and regret of the person she used to be. The longer she stays in this town, the more she reverts to her teenage self - repeating the mistakes of her youth.
Camille is isolated and self-destructive - both emotionally and physically, which makes it difficult to investigate the case, challenging to live a normal life, and impossible to form meaningful relationships. Flynn takes the reader inside the head of the character, making us feel for her, even if we cannot identify with her or like her. Camille grew up with a twisted sense of morality. At one point, she rationalizes statutory rape - a gang rape, at that.
The narrative is often uncomfortable. Wind Gap is filled with narrow-minded people a stereotype often depicted for those in a small town.
This was Ms. Flynn's debut novel - written well before she gained fame with "Gone Girl". It is not for everyone. The topic is disturbing, and the characters are deeply flawed. But I liked her depiction of the damaged prodigal daughter struggling against her past.
I found it entertaining.