A
painfully beautiful first novel that is at once a murder mystery, a coming-of-age narrative and a celebration of nature . . . Owens here surveys the desolate marshlands of the North Carolina coast through the eyes of an abandoned child. And in her isolation that child makes us open our own eyes to the secret wonders-and dangers-of her private world - New York Times Book Review
An Amazon Best Book of August 2018: This novel has a mystery at its core, but it can be read on a variety of levels. There is great nature writing; there is coming of age; and there is literature.
Crawdads is a story lovingly told-one that takes its time in developing its characters and setting, and in developing the story. You'll want to relax and take your time as well, and when you're done you will want to talk about it with another reader. - Chris Schluep, Amazon Book Review
Steeped in the rhythms and shadows of the coastal marshes of North Carolina's Outer Banks, this
fierce and hauntingly beautiful novel centers on...Kya's heartbreaking story of learning to trust human connections, intertwine[d] with
a gripping murder mystery, revealing savage truths.
An astonishing debut. - People
This lush mystery is perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver - Bustle
A nature-infused romance with
a killer twist - Refinery29
Part murder-mystery, part coming-of-age novel, its evocation of the marshland and its inhabitants is
as unforgettable as Kya herself. A story of loneliness, survival and love that's
as engrossing as it is moving - Daily Mail
Heart-wrenching...A
fresh exploration of isolation and nature from a female perspective along with
a compelling love story. - Entertainment Weekly
For a debut the prose is
impressively accomplished . . . A Hollywood film seems inevitable. Yet it will be hard to match on screen the delicacy of Owens's exploration of the natural world.
Kya and her magical little world are a rare achievement - The Times