We Don't Talk About Carol

A Novel

De: Kristen L. Berry

Narrado por: Nicole Cash

A dedicated journalist unearths a generations-old family secret—and a connection to a string of missing girls that hits way too close to home—in this “nail-biting debut” (Booklist).

“A well-written, emotionally wrenching tale.”—Associated Press

In the wake of her grandmother's passing, Sydney Singleton finds a hidden photograph of a little girl who looks more like Sydney than her own sister or mother. She soon discovers the mystery girl in the photograph is her aunt, Carol, who was one of six North Carolina Black girls to go missing in the 1960s. For the last several decades, not a soul has talked about Carol or what really happened to her. But now, with her grandmother gone and Sydney looking to start a family of her own, she is determined to unravel the truth behind her long-lost aunt’s disappearance, and the sinister silence that surrounds her.

Unfortunately, this is familiar territory for Sydney: Years earlier, while she worked the crime beat as a journalist, her obsession with the case of another missing girl led to a psychotic break. And now, in the suffocating grip of fertility treatments and a marriage that's beginning to crumble, Sydney’s relentless pursuit for answers might just lead her down the same path of self-destruction. As she delves deeper into Carol's fate, her own troubled past reemerges, clawing its way to the surface with a vengeance. The web of secrets and lies entangling her family leaves Sydney questioning everything—her fixation on the missing girls, her future as a mom, and her trust in those she knows and loves.

Delving into family, community, secrets, and motherhood, We Don’t Talk About Carol is a gripping and deeply emotional story about overcoming the rot at the roots of our family trees—and what we’ll do for those we love.

©2025 Kristen L. Berry (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“So much more than your typical missing person story, We Don’t Talk About Carol is a twisting mystery spanning six decades, as well as a stark reminder of the disproportionate treatment given to missing Black girls by the media. Kristen L. Berry has managed to weave such an elaborate web of thematic threads that when you take a step back to admire the full picture, it’s a pretty wondrous thing to behold. A fantastic debut.”—Stacy Willingham, New York Times bestselling author of Forget Me Not

“[A] nail-biting debut thriller.”—Booklist

“A riveting page-turner by a powerful new voice. I couldn’t put it down.”—Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of With My Little Eye

What goes on here stays here!

Brava! This story has me on the edge! I loved it! Absolutely loved it! This is such an important story to tell as there are so many black/brown girls that have vanished and never thought twice! Every crippling detail that spilled off the pages such as the secrets within families and households , preying on you and impressionable young girls and excusing our elder’s behaviors was riveting! Great audio and I don’t believe there is another way that this story could have been effectively consumed!

Amazing story with layers

I really enjoyed this story and loved the performance of the narrator. I enjoyed the spotlight the plot put on the disparities in the missing among Black people, especially Black girls and women. I enjoyed that out protagonist, Sidney, was who was ambitious and also felt relatable in her doubts and insecurities about the overall future direction if her life. I thought the her and Malik’s really was a great and healthy example of how two people can love each other deeply and still clash but with commitment find common ground even when it’s hard. As for the missing girls, I thought the story was really good and I enjoyed the twist that happens with Carol. I thought there good backstory and layers with Sidney’s fertility journey, her trauma from childhood, her relationships with her mom and sister and her previous struggles with being a crime journalist. Really great first read from this author and narrator and looking forward to more.

The interesting end!

I loved We Don’t Talk About Carol. I can’t wait for Kristen L Berry’s next book. This book is a real page turner! Excellent.

Ending

It started off slow but really started coming together. The ending was chilling and shocking

Engaging characters, important themes, and excellent mystery!

Mystery kept me guessing but also had depth and compassion for its characters, who had real flaws and were believable and likable. I appreciated learning more about racial disparities in missing women and appreciated the author’s sensitivity in handling difficult topics. The narrator was also top-notch!

Wow!!!!

This was an amazing debut novel! Cannot wait to read more from the author! Job well done!!!

Great read for 2025

story kept me engaged and couldn't put it down. great read, it also educated readers on how Black Americans missing don't get a lot of police attention

Excitement and drama from start to finish!

This book was incredible! I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish sizing up possible suspects and outcomes. The author does an amazing job breathing life into each character—making the reader instantly feel invested in their outcome(s). I was drawn in from the very first chapter in eager anticipation of the things to come. This book is a masterpiece with an ending that will leave you speechless and begging for a sequel. And a movie!

Nice perspective on a social issue

As a thriller, it wasn't all that unique, although I was surprised by the twist.

CSI and lifetime love child

This book was intriguing, differing from my initial expectations. Its narrative resembled an episode of CSI or Lifetime. I appreciated the plot twists and Sydney's investigative approach, leading me to categorize this work as suspense rather than a thriller.