By 
Christy Scott Cashman, the Author of “What Happened in Beulah” has written a captivating, intriguing and intense novel. The Genres for this Book are : Teen and Young Adult Fiction in Bullying, Mystery, Suspense, Romance and Coming of Age. In this well written novel, the author vividly describes the scenery, background,setting, landscape, plot, and the dramatic and colorful characters. The timeline for this story is set in 1986, in the foothills of Beulah, Tennessee. The characters are complicated, complex, quirky and flawed. Some of the younger characters are Coming of Age, and dealing with the pressures from their peers, school and family. Some of the families are dysfunctional. There are secrets, betrayals, deceptions, bullying, economic differences between the treatment and acceptance of the rich and poor, threats, disappearing persons, and murder. This novel has twists and turns, unexpected conclusions, and suspects. One of the main problems is young adults or children different in any way. I appreciate how the author discusses problems of alcoholism and the tragic effects of the family and community. There is a big difference in what part of the town one lives in. There is class division, between the poor and rich. There are irresponsible people using vicious dogs to attack and threaten people.
A teenage girl, Barrett feels the changes in this town, after living in the wealthier part of town, and is forced to move to the poor part of Beulah, when her parents divorce. Barrett’s mother is an alcoholic. Barrett is picked on in school and her friend Cassie is there to protect her. The new family that moves into Barrett’s house, is wealthy and has a daughter, Lacy that is Barrett’s age. Cassie and Lacy become friendly, and at times Barrett feels alone . When Lacy disappears, Barrett and some other students are looking into the mystery. This is a memorable and thought-provoking book that I highly recommend for others.
