The title of the book refers to "a long bright river of departed souls," those that have died as a result of opioid overdoses in the Philadelphia neighbourhood of Kensington.
Two sisters split apart by addiction: Kacey is an addict that lives on the streets and turns tricks to support her drug habit, whereas Mickey, a single mom, patrols those same streets as a police officer. Even though they don't speak, Mickey is always watching for Kacey and worrying that she is going to find her dead from an overdose.
But then Kacey disappears at the same time that other young women are being murdered. The killings are taking place in Mickey's district and she becomes obsessed with not only finding her sister, but who is responsible before it's too late.
Opening with a list of names of those that have died from opioid overdoses, Long Bright River is an uncomfortable read. It is an unflinching look at addiction and the opioid crisis in America. Moore doesn't judge. Instead she captures the incredibly harsh realities of addiction and gives a voice to those that struggle—she shines a light in a very dark place.
Moore's writing is beautiful, harrowing, and nuanced. Her character development is nothing short of amazing. Mickey is layered, complex, flawed, and deeply human. At first she appears to be the sister that has it all together when in fact, she is completely marred by her past and her sister's drug addition.
Alternating between the present-day mystery and the backstory of the sisters' upbringing, this suspense-filled novel is a story of hope, addiction, and the bond between sisters. Long Bright River is a slow burn that is intricately paced and well worth the your patience.
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LIZ MOORE is the author of the acclaimed novels Heft and The Unseen World. She won the 2014-15 Rome Prize in Literature.
Moore lives in Philadelphia.
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