The Red Grove

In Tessa Fontaine's debut novel, The Red Grove, a young woman named Luce faces the sudden disappearance of her mother, Gloria, against the backdrop of her seemingly idyllic community. As Luce delves into the unsettling secrets underlying her protective world—woven together by enchanting narratives and guarded by looming mountain lions—she grapples with the tension between safety and freedom. The story explores the complexities of familial bonds and the lengths to which women will go to safeguard their loved ones, all while questioning the foundation of the life she has always known.