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Grabtown: a psychological thriller
by Sarah P Blanchard
Hardcover : 290 pages
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When Cassie and Ana return to their childhood home in rural Connecticut, among their deceased mother's belongings they stumble across an unpublished manuscript: a murder mystery, ...
Introduction
Twin sisters Cassandra and Anastasia have discovered their mother's legacy: a 40-year-old cold case murder.
When Cassie and Ana return to their childhood home in rural Connecticut, among their deceased mother's belongings they stumble across an unpublished manuscript: a murder mystery, written by their mom's girlfriend AJ -and featuring their mother as a key character.
Cassie, a writer, wants to turn the old story into a bestseller. Ana, fearful of what they will learn, wants to destroy it.
As the sisters delve into AJ's story, they uncover a disturbing trail leading to an abandoned village the locals call Grabtown.
As AJ says, "Small towns are great for scolding the kids who throw too many snowballs, but not always good at spotting real evil."
When Cassie's volatile husband, Marsh, demands they stop digging, and a retired detective arrives asking dangerous questions, the twins realize someone believes AJ's story isn't fiction-it's a confession.
What's really behind Marsh's highly successful rare-motorcar enterprise? Why does the past refuse to stay buried? And why is a major crimes detective now urging them to flee?
Set in rural New England, Grabtown is a powerful twofold story that exposes the dark underbelly of small-town secrets, where courage and unshakable loyalty become the only weapons against those who prey on the vulnerable.
If you enjoy suspense, high-stakes tales of sisterhood, and satisfying stories of justice and redemption, you'll love Grabtown. Readers of Grabtown are also fans of Kellye Garrett's Like a Sister, Liz Moore's The God of the Woods, and The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie.
Readers love Grabtown:
"A story that lingers long after the last line-beautiful, bold, and utterly unforgettable."-Kathryn Dare, Seattle Book Review
"Unique, gripping, and well-written...one of my favorite psychological thrillers! Five stars." -Chloe Belle Daffon, Readers' Favorite
"Just brilliant ten-star storytelling! Psychological suspense at its very best...a must-read for everyone who appreciates truly great writing." -Lorraine Cobcroft, Reedsy Discovery
"Grabtown is a beautifully written psychological thriller with a lit fuse and an explosive ending. It's also a search for truth and healing between sisters who face hard realities and deadly threats... Highly recommended! -A.W. Baldwin, bestselling author (Moonshine Mesa, The Antidote)
"I was completely hooked...If you're looking for a story that will keep you on your toes and stay with you long after the last page, Grabtown is it!" -Chrissy Marie, instagram (abeautyandbooks)
"[Grabtown] builds atmosphere-dense, emotional, and quietly suspenseful. It's a book about loyalty, silence, and the courage it takes to look back. If you like your mysteries with emotional depth and a touch of literary melancholy, Grabtown is a beautifully crafted, slow-burning read." - Leanne Hague, Goodreads reviewer
Editorial Review
No Editorial Review Currently AvailableExcerpt
PrologueMetal presses in from three sides, cold and unforgiving. The fourth side is wood, rough-cut planks that give you splinters if you bump against them. Twelve-year-old Elena sits with her bottom on hard smooth steel and her back against a corrugated metal wall. She shifts a little in the dark, trying to get comfortable. Sharp ridges dig into her shoulder blades through the thin t-shirt, now damp with sweat and fear. ...

Discussion Questions
From the Author:1. What do you think of the title? Why do you think it was chosen?
2. When the twins discover AJ’s story about the 1985 murder, what did you think was going to happen? When did that understanding change?
3. As more details were revealed about Jimmy in AJ’s story, what were your thoughts/expectations?
4. What surprised you about the plot? Were there twists you didn’t see coming?
5. As the timeline shifts between present-day and 1985, the point-of-view shifts between third person close (Cassie) and first-person (AJ). Which did you prefer?
6. What’s your first impression of Marla in AJ’s story? How does that change?
7. What about Cassie? Is she a complicated, somewhat sympathetic character or do you see her as mostly selfish? How does that change?
8. Ana is the “good” twin in the contemporary story. Did anything about her surprise you?
9. What about Marsh? Is he a monster, a charming sociopath, or something else? Why did Cassie stay with him all those years, and why is she finally able to pull away?
10. Detective Androski is a bridge between past and present. What other role(s) does he play?
11. Consider other secondary characters from both stories: the Rolands, Jimmy’s wife Charlotte, the reporter Zach, Dotty Kellerman. What roles do they play?
12. This story touches on some hard truths and difficult themes (child abuse, trafficking). How did the author handle these topics?
13. There are other themes to consider: sisterhood, family loyalty, justice, adolescent peer pressure, the vulnerability of children, small-town secrets and failures. Which resonated with you, and why?
14. One theme is second-chances and redemption. How was this explored in AJ’s story? In the contemporary story?
15. How do you feel about the ending of AJ’s story (Marla on the bridge)? What did you like or dislike, and why?
16. What did you like or dislike about the ending of Cassie and Ana’s story? Were you left with questions?
Weblinks
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Author's website
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Book Review from U.S. Review of Books
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Book Review from Booklife
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Book review from Reedsy-"A Must Read"
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Kirkus Review of Book
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