The Pipers are a family built on optimism. Claire and Gene moved with their precocious, beguiling daughter Alice to Haeden, New York for a fresh start. In doing so, they unwittingly re-write the story of her life. Wendy White has strong roots in Haeden, a late-blooming young woman, mindful of family and home. Her story has a beginning and an end, but is missing the most important piece - the middle. What happened to Wendy White? Stacey Flynn is a reporter, both a seeker and a teller of stories. It is gritty, relentless and ultimately reckless Flynn who will chronicle Wendy White's existence from all the fragments she can find, and forge a path toward the end. But only we will ever know the whole story.
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"I enjoyed reading "So Much Pretty" by Cara Hoffman. The story takes place in a small town in upstate New York. Stacy Flynn, an investigative reporter who recently moved to Haeden from Cleveland to investigate environmental issues, finds herself drawn into the investigation when a young woman goes missing."
— Patricia (4 out of 5 stars)
" Highly recommend this book. An enjoyable read. "
— Carm, 2/17/2014" I probably would have given this book 4 stars as it was pretty engrossing, but it was also pretty implausible. "
— Sharon, 2/2/2014" Disturbing. On many many levels. Moralistically questionable. So much...... stereotyping,..... Of everyone. "
— Lynn, 1/31/2014" I had a hard time getting into this book, but then found I couldn't put it down. The story is told in several voices and lots of layers. The writing is excellent and the story suspenseful, but I can't say I loved the book. "
— Lindaellen, 1/23/2014" This is a curious book to me. After reading it, I wasn't sure if it is terribly written or brilliant. While I didn't enjoy the content of the story, I liked that I wasn't sure what to make of it overall. "
— K., 1/15/2014" If there could be negative stars given for a book, this book would get them. I strongly dislike this book. For the reason why please read what Laila wrote because she said everything I wanted to say and she wrote way better than I could have. "
— Anne, 1/11/2014" Parts of this book were slow going, but overall I liked it. "
— JWA, 1/10/2014" Basically R-rated Jodi Picoult. Except I don't think even Picoult would write an ending that fake and stupid. Read The Women's Room or The Basement instead. "
— Moira, 11/12/2013" You go, girl. "
— Stacy, 10/27/2013" Wow, wow, wow! This was one the most amazing books I have read on violence towards women. The multiple perspectives were confusing at first, and the reader is never given a conclusive answer on what happened, but the overall effect is chilling and oh so powerful. "
— Heaether, 9/20/2013" I found the book difficult to get into. There were so many characters and so many points of view that I had to keep up with. I particularly did not feel like the ending gave me closure nor was justice served for poor Wendy White. "
— Heather, 8/31/2013" This was hard go get into and the multiple points of view and jumping around in the timeline made it harder to follow. The story itself is disturbing. Left me feeling sad and sick to my stomach which I guess is good because it left me feeling SOMETHING. "
— Sheri, 2/3/2013" I was less than enamored with this well reviewed book. It left me feeling vaguely disappointed. "
— Tanaura, 4/20/2012" I didn't mind the writing style, but I felt that the story line involving Claire, Gene, Con, etc., was boring. I see how it enhanced the plot overall, but it was boring and its tone seemed a little smug and self-righteous. "
— Bronwen, 2/15/2012" Very creepy and disturbing (I almost couldn't sleep one whole night) but really held my attention. It's about a young woman who goes missing in a small town but the cops and town turn a blind eye. I can see this happening in real life, which is so sad. "
— Sherry, 12/26/2011" Horrifying and fantastic at the same time. "
— Nicole, 7/1/2011" It was compulsively readable, but I'm not sure how I felt about it. The subject matter is difficult. "
— Jackie, 6/4/2011" Pretty good read. A bit hard to follow until near the end. Definitely worth reading but not one I can highly recommend. "
— Jeanne, 5/22/2011Cara Hoffman is the author of three award-winning novels for adults and also novels for children and young adults. She has received a MacDowell Fellowship and an Edward Albee Fellowship. She is a graduate of Goddard College and a professor of writing and literature.
Aimee Bruneau is an actor, director, professor, narrator, and student of theater. She earned her MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theater. She has worked for theaters in Chicago, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, and France. Her audio narration earned her a spot as a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award in 2010.