Synopsis:

A woman investigates her brother’s mysterious death while coming to terms with her own haunting past in this atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow

The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James’s deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition—she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life. 

When James arrives in the rural town of Six Rivers, California to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He’s also the only man she’s ever loved. 

But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn’t quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he’s not the only one. What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny’s death, but in the end, she’ll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.

When I pick up an Adrienne Young book, I know I’m guaranteed an atmospheric read, and once again she delivers in her latest adult novel, A Sea of Unspoken Things.

Set in Six Rivers, a small town nestled in the forests of northern California, Young paints a mysterious and haunting picture of a town closed off and protected by the surrounding trees.

We were made in the dark. I used to hate it when Johnny said that, but now I know it’s true.

Our story centers on James, an artist who escaped Six Rivers and made a life in San Francisco. She is reeling from the sudden death of her twin brother Johnny, a photographer who had never moved from Six Rivers. His death has been ruled an accident, but she’s not so convinced. She reluctantly returns to settle his affairs and can’t help searching for answers.

Along with the physical distance, James and Johnny had grown apart, somewhat keeping each other at arm’s length for various reasons which we learn throughout the tale. As James reconnects with people from her past, trying to get an idea of just what Johnny was involved in, she discovers various trails to follow. 

And of course one of those connections is her old flame Micah, who was Johnny’s best friend and James’ first love.