GIRL ON TRIAL

A 16-year-old experiences heartache before healing in her misguided quest for popularity.

Self-conscious Emily wants to project a very different picture of her life to her peers, especially after her only friend calls out Debbie, Emily’s mother, for her alcoholism during an argument. Debbie can’t afford the nice clothes and house Emily would prefer, and because of her drinking, she’s emotionally unavailable. Eager for acceptance, Emily befriends pretty, outgoing Hannah after carefully observing her on social media. Despite her misgivings, Emily follows wherever Hannah leads. The prologue sets the scene for Emily, who’s preparing to share her story at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in 2022. From there, the third-person narrative moves between Emily’s criminal trial in early 2019 and the spiral of events the previous year that led up to her being accused of manslaughter. The reveals come slowly, and readers will be on edge as Emily’s decisions lead her to become involved in and vulnerable to dangerous situations. It’s all painfully believable, especially when Emily blames herself for the deaths of the family for whom she was babysitting. When the truth is finally established, Emily is able to assess what happened and deal with what comes next. Her road is made bearable by the support of some caring characters, including Debbie, who, post-trial, makes her own turnaround. The epilogue brings the roller-coaster ride to a satisfying conclusion. Most characters are cued white.

Gripping, tragic, but ultimately hopeful.