To 15 year-old Cat, everything about the rural town in Michigan that her family has moved to is lonely and strange. However, when she meets Marlena, her beautiful, manic neighbor, all of that changes. Cat, desperate for a friend, is quickly lured into Marlena's orbit. As the two girls turn their small town into a kind of playground, Cat catalogs a list of firsts: first drink, first pill, first cigarette. Meanwhile, Marlena's habits intensify and within the year, Marlena is dead, drowned in six inches of water in the woods nearby. Now, decades later, Cat is still trying to forgive herself and move on.
I liked this book well enough, although I found both of the characters to be off-putting. However, I liked the way that the author explored the relationship between the two girls, focusing on Cat and through Cat, showing Marlena's own struggles. The story has a palpable sense of slight unease because although it's revealed early on that Marlena has died (so that's not a spoiler above), you're not sure how things get to that point. You wonder how out of control she will get, and wonder if Cat will also spin out of control. Interesting story, although I don't see picking it up for a second read.
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