4.25 stars 

 

I have read all three of Tracey Lange’s novels now, and I have to say that her upcoming novel WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS? is my favorite. The author has a theme in all her writing so far, and that’s healing after crisis/tragedy. Her other two novels focused on big family sibling dynamics, but this one focused on divorced couple Kyle and Casey. 

 

I think you might not know what to expect by looking at the cover. Were the McCrays taken from their house in the dead of winter? No. The McCrays are a divorced couple, and Kyle has been summoned back to his hometown to help out after his father is hospitalized. Casey still lives in the town. This novel moves back and forth between present day and the history of their relationship. 

 

There are plot-related triggers in this novel (two big ones!), so check a more thorough summary if you feel that would turn you off. 

 

Why I didn’t rate this higher is the main thrust of this novel isn’t very original. I’ve seen it quite a bit. I did think Lange had a deft hand in her writing though. She drops enough hints that you can piece together what happened before it’s revealed. Because this is a novel about healing and not one of suspense, I was completely good with not having any jaw-dropping moments. 

 

I thought the main characters  were good people going through stuff, so I had a good amount of empathy with them. 

 

There were two audiobook narrators, one male and one female, for this novel. Since the perspective switched between Casey and Kyle, the two narrators made sense. It also made it easier to keep track whose perspective the reader was in, and both narrators did a great job. I’d recommend taking in this novel on audio. 

 

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advance listener copy in exchange for an honest review. 

 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS? publishes January 14, 2025. 

 

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