THE FOURTH GIRL

Four friends who separated when one mysteriously disappeared reconnect years later to finally learn the truth.

Back in 1997, four inseparable friends imagined they’d be in each other’s lives forever. Growing up in the town of Mulberry Bay, New York, each of the girls imagined a different future for herself after high school. Even-tempered, chatty Talia Shaw is heading off to Sarah Lawrence. Beautiful, mischievous Kelly Barrow is determined to break the hearts of wealthy playboys. Midge Kennedy is set on following in her police officer father’s footsteps. And then there’s Caroline Winterfield. Unlike her older sister, Mary Beth, who’s something of a wild child, Caroline’s always wanted to follow her parents’ rules, even if they are a little rigid and religion-inflected. A fast-forward from 2000 to the present day finds Talia, Kelly, and Midge estranged from each other. They’ve taken very different paths, and there’s a secret that’s torn the friendship apart. Could it all come down to the truth about what happened to Caroline on prom night, their last night together? When Caroline couldn’t be found the next morning, the town mourned her disappearance as a drowning. But at least one of the former friends knows what really happened. As Midge investigates the sudden death of Caroline’s former boyfriend, Gordy, the past may be resurfacing in a way that brings the truth to light.

Distinctive voices add depth and flavor to an otherwise routine storyline.