Kukafka has written an interesting story but, if you'll pardon the pun, it moves at a glacial speed and by the end I really didn't care who did it, why they did it or what the point of it all was.

This was a slow and steady read, that keeps the reader focused until the end, because you just have to know who the killer is, don't you? The book in my opinion is a little more suited for a younger market than me, but it was still a good read, and worth the effort.
Recommended.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This took me so long to get in to and I am afraid that I did not finish the book so unfair to give a fair review.

Danya Kukafka is a graduate of New York University's Gallatin School of Individualised Study and previously worked as an assistant editor at Riverhead Books. Kukafka started writing "Girl In Snow" when she was only 19 and finishing up her sophomore year at University, it took her a total of 5 years to complete and was influenced by a number of books she had recently read, including Jeffrey Eugenides's "The Virgin Suicides" and Stephen Chbosky's "The Perks of Being A Wallflower". The idea for the storyline came together after Kukafka watched a particularly harrowing episode of Law and Order in which a suspect could not remember committing the murders for which he’s eventually arrested. The main question she wanted the book to explore was - How far can a writer stretch her reader’s empathy before it fractures? After interest from Simon & Schuster's editor-in-chief, author Paula Hawkins wrote a synopsis to go with the book when it was eventually published. It was released to critical acclaim in August 2017 and was included in the Best Summer Reads of 2017 Selection by W Magazine, Marie Claire. Elle, Yahoo!, InStyle.com and Today.com to name but a few and received praise from many established authors such as Owen King (Son of Stephen King), Lee Child and Brit Bennett. Kukafka is currently writing her second book which as of yet has no expected publication date.

"Girl In Snow" is an impressive debut, especially when you consider just how young Kukafka was whilst writing it. Set in a small suburb of Broomsville, Colorado it begins with the discovery of the dead body of Lucinda Hayes, a popular high school freshman. Suspicion immediately falls on Cameron, a boy known to be fascinated (maybe even infatuated) with her. Cameron often behaves erratically but we know he cannot have been the culprit as that would be too predictable...So who did it?

The book has a very interesting and unique structure - there are three different perspectives which are from the three characters that the story revolves around - there are two first person narratives and one in first person with random interjections of a characters thoughts which they are too anxious to voice. The three perspectives the story is told from are - Cameron Whitley, Jade Dixon-Burns (a classmate of both Cameron and Lucinda) and Russ Fletcher, a police officer who happens to be in love with Cameron's father.

Pefectly paced, well written and tautly plotted, "Girl In Snow" explores the distinction and overlap of love vs. obsession and our inability to be able to distinguish between the two when we are experiencing one or the other (or both). This is such a mature and accomplished novel for a 19 year old to have written, it really is quite outstanding! The main message the author wishes us to take away from the reading experience is that sometimes our perceptions cannot be trusted - what we see is not necessarily how it actually is, this applies even more now with the meteoric rise of social media. There are varying levels of good and evil, and nothing is as simple as black and white. The book is set in 2004-2005 so social media didn't play as big a part in this particuar story but you can see how social media has changed the concept of perception. Danya Kukafka offers a brilliant exploration of identity and of the razor-sharp line between love and obsession, between watching and seeing, between truth and memory.

A complex and intriguing read that is deceptively dark and creepy in places. I finished this in a day as I was propelled by the psychological aspects of the book to find out what actually occurred and the conclusion was a great close to the story. This is an ideal story for the young adult audience as well as those who enjoy dark literary murder mysteries. The prose is luscious and textured and of a higher quality than most YA or mystery/thriller novels so I feel adults will also find something here to appreciate, I certainly did.

A beautifully nostalgic and immersive reading experience, I am already looking forward to Kukafka's next book. The characters come alive on the page and even though they have the customary flaws they also have redeeming qualities which make them relatable - there's no doubt this author is a huge talent!

Many thanks to Picador for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This is a brilliant read. It is a really good idea to write about the people who knew the murder victim. I was gripped from the start and totally immersed in the story. I wanted to know how everyone felt and who the murderer was. This book is really well written with chapters written from different peoples perspectives. I would definitely recommend this book and I hope that Dayna Kukafka continues to write.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Wow! What a surprise this was. Obviously I expected to enjoy it, that's why I opted to review it, but just how good it was was a revelation.

The story revolves around 3 main characters, told from their own perspectives and really, although it is about a murder, it is much more about the lives of the 3 and the small Colorado town they live in.

Cameron is a troubled teen who takes to sneaking out at night and staring through windows at people's lives.

Jade doesn't 'conform' to the teen girl image and is a bit of an outsider but also an observer of people in her own way.

Russ is a police officer, who used to work with Cameron's dad, who has secrets of his own.

When a local girl is found murdered most fingers seem to point at Cameron, who was quite obsessed with her, although Russ also thinks it may be his ex jailbird brother-in-law. To be honest, Cameron looked like the best suspect to me for a large part of the story too.

On the way to catching the killer we learn a lot about the past of all 3 and it is to the author's credit that each had a strong air of authenticity. Throughout the story they all come across as varying shades of 'broken' but by the end they just might all have a chance of some kind of redemption.

A cracking novel, and an author I will certainly be keeping an eye on.