The second, highly anticipated novel from Carnegie-shortlisted author Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock.Come on a journey across the rural American West . . .Meet the teenagers who live in the small towns across these states, separated by distance, but whose stories are woven together in the most unexpected of ways.Whether they are brought together by the spread of wildfire, by the priest who's moved from state to state or by the hunt for a missing child, these incredible tales blaze with secrets, rage and love.A novel like no other, this intricate, intense and beautiful book will take your breath away.'A clever and unusual novel . . . powerful.' Sally Nicholls'Gorgeous and compelling . . . breathtaking.' Katherine Webber'A beautiful literary writer.' The Bookseller'It's cut like a gemstone. Turn the pages, and facets gleam.' Hiliary McKay'Beautifully observed and deeply satisfying.' Lisa Williamson'Breathes life into wonderful, complex characters.' Lisa Heathfield'A heartbreakingly brilliant tangle of teenage voices.' Judith EagleContent warning: child abuse, arson, bereavement, addiction

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, author of The Smell of Other People's Houses, was a long-time journalist for Alaska Public Radio and prior to this spent many years fishing commercially, raising her children on a boat. She was born in Alaska and lives there still in a yurt with moose wandering through her backyard, a yurt that was lucky to escape the wildfires of 2019.Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock says:'I'm so excited for readers to experience these small towns and their quirky, complex characters. When the world is on fire, we need each other more than ever."