My Sunshine Away

By: M. O. Walsh

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"A tantalizing mystery and a tender coming-of-age story...Unputdownable."—Oprah.com

In the summer of 1989, a Baton Rouge neighborhood best known for cookouts on sweltering summer afternoons, cauldrons of spicy crawfish, and passionate football fandom is rocked by a violent crime when fifteen-year-old Lindy Simpson—free spirit, track star, and belle of the block—is attacked late one evening near her home. As the dark side of this idyllic stretch of Southern suburbia is revealed, the close-knit neighborhood is irreversibly transformed.

In My Sunshine Away, M.O. Walsh brilliantly juxtaposes the enchantment of a charmed childhood with the gripping story of a violent crime, unraveling families, and consuming adolescent love. Acutely wise and deeply honest, it is an astonishing and page-turning debut about the meaning of family, the power of memory, and our ability to forgive.

Named A Book of the Year by NPR, The Dallas Morning News, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist

An Entertainment Weekly 'Must List' Pick

Critic reviews

“A page-turner you want to read slowly and a literary novel you can’t look away from. At times funny, at times spine-tinglingly suspenseful, and at times just flat-out wise.” —Tom Franklin, bestselling author of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter

“The last page is as satisfying as the first. A mystery you cannot wait to solve.” —Kathryn Stockett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Help

“An outstanding examination of the way that the past and the weight of our memories shape us."—Kevin Wilson, author of The Family Fang

Probably more interesting to Baton Rougeans.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

A bit tedious in the middle.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Ending was satisfying.

Which scene was your favorite?

The descriptions of the neighborhoods in Baton Rouge were enjoyable because I'm from BR and obvously the author is either from or has spent time in BR. The scenes, the traditions, the streets and the stores were identifiable and familiar. The neighborhood is home for me.

Do you think My Sunshine Away needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I do not. I think the characters are complete.

Truthful journey to manhood...raw...very real

This is a story of my city....my school....my friends....with all the little deep dark secrets I never knew. This book may be about a boy growing up and his perfect world changing before his eyes....but to me it was a story that touched my heart and soul and brought back memories of black smoke rising from my school, milk crates, parties after dances, friends I haven't seen since graduation....memories of a childhood.

The narrator does a good job. He is not perfect but he is still very good.

This book is a mystery...and a coming of age....a little dark....but it's honest. I can't wait for more from M.O. Walsh.

Worth a credit for sure!

it's a good listen

I'm not sure how I feel about it but I kept listening all the same.

Not that great

This book was kind of all over the place for me. I might even rate it 2.5. I felt like it was trying to be like "Devil in The White City" by going back and forth between stories and descriptions about the city/country and Lindy's story. But it felt too jumpy. I also thought some of the prose was long-winded and I found myself having to go back and re-read sections because I started thinking about something else. I did enjoy the end of the book.

eh...

never took off as a story :( just went on all different directions had potential but just not for me