Review: Invisible by Carla Buckley

Invisible by Carla Buckley

Publisher: Random House 

Pages: 384 

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Growing up, Dana Carlson and her older sister, Julie, are inseparable—Dana the impulsive one, Julie calmer and more nurturing. But then a devastating secret compels Dana to flee from home, not to see or speak to her sister for sixteen years.

When she receives the news that Julie is seriously ill, Dana knows that she must return to their hometown of Black Bear, Minnesota, to try and save her sister. Yet she arrives too late, only to discover that Black Bear has changed, and so have the people in it.

Julie has left behind a shattered teenage daughter, Peyton, and a mystery—what killed Julie may be killing others, too. Why is no one talking about it? Dana struggles to uncover the truth, but no one wants to hear it, including Peyton, who can’t forgive her aunt’s years-long absence. Dana had left to protect her own secrets, but Black Bear has a secret of its own—one that could tear apart Dana’s life, her family, and the whole town.



Kritters Thoughts:  A powerful book that will keep me thinking for weeks.  This book had everything from sibling relationships to a small town to environmental issues - it all fit together seamlessly.  Dana is the younger sister that leaves the small town after her life is turned upside down.  Peyton is her niece, who is trying to deal with the death of her mom and the return of a long lost aunt.  Together they narrate this book with each having chapters told through their own voices and I think having these two characters tell the story make this book even bigger and better than if it had been told by one or the other.

A unique book that gave some mystery to this small town as many of its residents are dealing with kidney disease.  Dana returns and makes it her mission to find out what is making all of her childhood friends and family affected by this debilitating disease.  I loved how the environmental aspect of this story unfolded.  The reader is only told the details piece by piece as Dana investigates; it allowed for me to try to draw conclusions.

I would recommend this book to readers who love family drama, but with the added mystery gives the book great added drama.  I will be reading Buckley's other book and following her from now on!   

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2012 Challenge: 74 out of 25

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Random House via Edelweiss.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.