Into the Woods

Rowan wrote a true crime novel - celebrated by the critics, but a commercial flop.  An online troll targets Rowan and causes massive damage to his hands. 

Rowan moves in with his sister, her wife and daughter for convalescence. He hears a story about three young teenage girls disappear into the woods - found days later. Rowan smells a story.  

The narrative is Rowan struggling to heal,  combating alcoholism,  despair and self loathing. It also flashes back to the 1980s, when Violet and Catherine were students at the new age school Silver Birch. 

It is a long book - could crop some repetitive areas, etc. I liked the twists.  Rowan's drive to discover what was hidden, his budding relationship with his niece, Snowdrop, his reconnecting with family and determining who he wants to be. Intriguing mystery.