1997. Rosie is with older sister Laurel who tempts a toddler from a playground to a canal path. There are "Oaks that stood guard, wise and silent .. as the trees whispered above them, watching and waiting."
Years later in a coastal Devon hotel on a storm night, New Year's Eve, a 5 y.o. girl has gone missing. Amongst the guests are Johnnie plus his daughter Evie (14). His new partner Hazel (25) is there too. Max, anothe guest, is away from his family trying to meet a writing deadline.
Hillier (female) and Ellis (male) are investigating.
In London, New Years Day, Joanna Denton (a lawyer) is recovering from a hangover. She had a 2 y.o. niece Kirsten Swan, who was murdered by a canal. She works with Will.
Hazel is Rosie. She and her parents started a new life. She was 6 when Kirstie died and recalls nothing of the event. Laurel had claimed that she'd abandoned Kirsty unconcious and that someone else must have tortured and killed her. Laurel has been inside ever since, not visted by family (her mother's dead anyway), and her release campaigned against by Joanna.
Hillier suspects Marek, a sous-chef who in the past his dated 15 year-olds.
Max recognises Hazel (from one photo 19 years before!) and confronts her, telling her it would be better to tell the police now. He sees an opportunity for fame - maybe even a book. He sees it as an escape for Hazel too. Johnnie already knows, but Evie hasn't been told. However, Hazel has been getting strange mail and presents for 2 months from someone who knows (Evie I suspect).
Toby, Laurel's uncle, is a lawyer and visits her monthly. His defence of her in court had caused a rift between him, his parents and Laurel's parents.
A third through the book the missing toddler is found. But the police don't think that she just drifted off. Marek overhears about Hazel's past and tells the grieving parents.
In the following weeks reporters harrass Hazel. Laurel at last progresses towards getting parole. Max (novelist, ghost-writer, ex-journalist) suggests that it would be useful if the sisters meet.
In parallel we follow the original trial and the legal process to release Laurel. Toby learns that he has terminal cancer.
The meeting of sisters loosens Hazel's memory. Hazel and Johnnie bypass Max, dealing straight with his agent. His hope of fame is dashed, but he still has a cassette of the girls that might be useful. It turns out that Laurel lied to protect someone. To do that when 10 sounds unlikely.
Similar real-life crimes are mentioned.
Other reviews
- nutpress (The author looks at it from every perspective: from family member to police officers to perpetrator to traumatised potential witness/bystander to the press and media right down to concerned members of the public together with those who are more voyeuristic or looking to profit from it.)
- Alison Flood (There’s an enjoyably perceptive and driven detective on the case; the plot is clever and twisty )
- MarinaSofia (Sensitively and bravely, The Flower Girls deals with many issues that most of us would rather not think about. However, it’s a shame that there is too much of an emphasis on creating a twist, which leads to the author withholding some critical pieces of information as a device to generate suspense, and shock. The ending comes rather abruptly, spoiling the steady build up of atmosphere up to that point. This is sad, because the book is haunting enough even without the twist. )
- Good reads (see Gerry's comments)
- Amber Mears Brown
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