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The Existence of Bea Pearl
Sixteen-year-old Bea Pearl knows her brother isn’t dead. Even if her parents don’t agree. Even if the entire town doesn’t believe her. She knows it’s true. When orders came to evacuate Lake George due to rising floodwaters, Bea Pearl saw Jim head toward the river. She followed him. Only she returned.
When her parents have Jim declared legally dead, Bea Pearl decides it’s up to her to figure out where her brother could be if he is alive, and so begins to unravel the mystery of his disappearance. But it seems like someone else wants to know what he was hiding when his bedroom is ransacked. More clues come together: a scrap of paper, mysterious numbers that may lead to swamp monkeys, Jim’s shoes turning up in unexpected places. Bea Pearl can’t figure out what connects them all until she’s stolen from her bed in the dead of night.
Bea Pearl’s insistence that Jim’s alive and her quest to figure out why he went down to a flooding river in the first place takes a toll on her shattering family. But she must unearth the truth surrounding her presumed dead brother. Otherwise, the rumors are true and she has killed him. Because if Jim can stop existing, could she too?
When her parents have Jim declared legally dead, Bea Pearl decides it’s up to her to figure out where her brother could be if he is alive, and so begins to unravel the mystery of his disappearance. But it seems like someone else wants to know what he was hiding when his bedroom is ransacked. More clues come together: a scrap of paper, mysterious numbers that may lead to swamp monkeys, Jim’s shoes turning up in unexpected places. Bea Pearl can’t figure out what connects them all until she’s stolen from her bed in the dead of night.
Bea Pearl’s insistence that Jim’s alive and her quest to figure out why he went down to a flooding river in the first place takes a toll on her shattering family. But she must unearth the truth surrounding her presumed dead brother. Otherwise, the rumors are true and she has killed him. Because if Jim can stop existing, could she too?
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
6 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
Candice Marley Conner
15 books34 followersGrowing up between swamps, a river, and the Gulf Coast, Candice Marley Conner’s stories emerge from gnarled cypress knees, muddy water, and salty air. She is the kidlit haint at a haunted indie bookstore (but not haunted how you’re thinking), a Local Liaison for SCBWI, and an officer for her local writer’s guild. Her short stories and poems are in various anthologies and magazines including Smarty Pants Magazine for Kids, Highlights Hello, Cabinet of Curiosities, Under the Full Moon’s Light, Babybug, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and more. Her picture book, SASSAFRAS AND HER TEENY TINY TAIL debuts June 8, 2021 and her YA Southern mystery, THE EXISTENCE OF BEA PEARL, releases June 15, 2021. She lives in Alabama with her husband and two children (one of whom is possibly feral).
Candice is represented by Katelyn Detweiler of Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
Candice is represented by Katelyn Detweiler of Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 4, 2021
"Limestone covered in Ferns, Spanish Moss hanging from Cypress Branches, Mullet jumping, Damselflies spreading Rainbows"~~~~The Beauty of a River. (quoted from a card the author sent me for winning a little Instagram contest called this or that).
"I am indebted to the past of Lake Geneva and the stories told to me by other generations. To Michael McDowell's Blackwater Saga (and Lake Pinchona) that first showed me how to wrap the familiar into atmospheric stories" ~From the author under Acknowledgements
I loved this book! No, I mean...I really loved it! I came across this local author thru a Facebook book club I am in. I read a few of her short stories in some of the Mobile Writer's Guild Anthologies. I mostly knew I would love anything she was putting her hand to when she co-led a discussion we had in our book club for Michael McDowell's, The Elementals last summer/fall. (August 2020). She brought so much background to the setting and about McDowell himself. We also couldn't help but discuss Blackwater in our week-long group read. I was blown away by her enthusiasm and knowledge of the author and the place Blackwater was set in. She "brought it!" and I was amazed!
I was so excited when I began to see her post about writing this book about sweet Bea Pearl. When I saw it was going to be offered on NetGalley I requested it immediately. I was not disappointed. Candice will be a go-to author from here on out. This is a coming-of-age novel set amidst the rivers and swamps about 3 hrs away from me. I loved young Bea Pearl so much. While I admit I enjoy beaches, sand, and waves, seashells and mermaids more than swamp life, I have to say I grew up spending summers off a river in Greene County, AL, and I have some of the best memories of floating down the river and swinging from a rope into the river. I broke my ankle doing that one summer. I think I was about 13. I let go too soon and hit the bank. Oh man, that hurt! But, anyway...I loved river life until I moved to the Gulf Coast and became a beach girl. I still love Spanish moss and damselflies!
So..the story begins...hey have declared Bea's brother dead. They never found his body after he and Bea got swept off by a flood. Bea is miserable. Some would say it was her fault. Maybe even her own mother thinks that. Bea cannot give up hope her brother is still alive out there somewhere. She saw a boat pick him up and lift him out of the water. Half the town thinks she has lost it. Nothing seems like it will be normal for her again. A lot of shenanigans go down at the restaurant her father owns and people blame her. She meets a cute boy and we find out he knows a little bit, but is it enough? They share some summer kisses on the river (and of course you want them to). How is he involved tho? And then there are mean girls. Really mean girls who want to see Bea suffer and someone definitely thinks Bea might be on to something with her investigations and make attempts to stop her. Bea questions her own existence. She is falling in love too.
The author said she loved reading Nancy Drew growing up and I did too. (and sometimes still do!) This is so much better! The author's note is one you will not want to miss. Bea's world is a world I feel I know very well and setting can make or break a book. I also grew up spending a lot of time out on some property my grandparents owned close to Tuscaloosa, AL, called Big Sandy. We often swam in that icy cold creek water, dark and full of little bugs and what other little creatures...who knows what. But we loved it!
Conner shares, "The two rivers in Bea Pearl's world are modeled after real ones that flow down lower Alabama and reach the Gulf of Mexico near the Destin, FL and Fort Walton Beach area-the Choctawhatchee and one of its tributaries-the Pea River. Talakhatchee is the Muscogee name for the Pea River which translates to "pea green stream." The Chatothatchee is modeled after the Choctawhatchee. It's an incredibly biodiverse area (hence Colin's sturgeon storyline), and along with two other neighboring river basins, it makes up the highest level of biodiversity in the United States. The Choctawhatchee is named after the Choctaw Indians. But the Native Americans that lived in this region were the Chatots, though the name was spelled incorrectly on those early British maps. This story is my little way of correcting the clerical mistake and paying homage to the now extinct Chatot tribe." (author's Note).
I really can't say enough about this book. It is most certainly my favorite read so far of 2021. Many thanks to the publisher, Oak Hollow Press, via NetGalley, and the author, Candice Marley Conner, for a digital copy to read for review. The pleasure has been all my own. Publishes June 14. $4.99 on kindle. It’s totally worth that price. Go read it! #swampwild
"I am indebted to the past of Lake Geneva and the stories told to me by other generations. To Michael McDowell's Blackwater Saga (and Lake Pinchona) that first showed me how to wrap the familiar into atmospheric stories" ~From the author under Acknowledgements
I loved this book! No, I mean...I really loved it! I came across this local author thru a Facebook book club I am in. I read a few of her short stories in some of the Mobile Writer's Guild Anthologies. I mostly knew I would love anything she was putting her hand to when she co-led a discussion we had in our book club for Michael McDowell's, The Elementals last summer/fall. (August 2020). She brought so much background to the setting and about McDowell himself. We also couldn't help but discuss Blackwater in our week-long group read. I was blown away by her enthusiasm and knowledge of the author and the place Blackwater was set in. She "brought it!" and I was amazed!
I was so excited when I began to see her post about writing this book about sweet Bea Pearl. When I saw it was going to be offered on NetGalley I requested it immediately. I was not disappointed. Candice will be a go-to author from here on out. This is a coming-of-age novel set amidst the rivers and swamps about 3 hrs away from me. I loved young Bea Pearl so much. While I admit I enjoy beaches, sand, and waves, seashells and mermaids more than swamp life, I have to say I grew up spending summers off a river in Greene County, AL, and I have some of the best memories of floating down the river and swinging from a rope into the river. I broke my ankle doing that one summer. I think I was about 13. I let go too soon and hit the bank. Oh man, that hurt! But, anyway...I loved river life until I moved to the Gulf Coast and became a beach girl. I still love Spanish moss and damselflies!
So..the story begins...hey have declared Bea's brother dead. They never found his body after he and Bea got swept off by a flood. Bea is miserable. Some would say it was her fault. Maybe even her own mother thinks that. Bea cannot give up hope her brother is still alive out there somewhere. She saw a boat pick him up and lift him out of the water. Half the town thinks she has lost it. Nothing seems like it will be normal for her again. A lot of shenanigans go down at the restaurant her father owns and people blame her. She meets a cute boy and we find out he knows a little bit, but is it enough? They share some summer kisses on the river (and of course you want them to). How is he involved tho? And then there are mean girls. Really mean girls who want to see Bea suffer and someone definitely thinks Bea might be on to something with her investigations and make attempts to stop her. Bea questions her own existence. She is falling in love too.
The author said she loved reading Nancy Drew growing up and I did too. (and sometimes still do!) This is so much better! The author's note is one you will not want to miss. Bea's world is a world I feel I know very well and setting can make or break a book. I also grew up spending a lot of time out on some property my grandparents owned close to Tuscaloosa, AL, called Big Sandy. We often swam in that icy cold creek water, dark and full of little bugs and what other little creatures...who knows what. But we loved it!
Conner shares, "The two rivers in Bea Pearl's world are modeled after real ones that flow down lower Alabama and reach the Gulf of Mexico near the Destin, FL and Fort Walton Beach area-the Choctawhatchee and one of its tributaries-the Pea River. Talakhatchee is the Muscogee name for the Pea River which translates to "pea green stream." The Chatothatchee is modeled after the Choctawhatchee. It's an incredibly biodiverse area (hence Colin's sturgeon storyline), and along with two other neighboring river basins, it makes up the highest level of biodiversity in the United States. The Choctawhatchee is named after the Choctaw Indians. But the Native Americans that lived in this region were the Chatots, though the name was spelled incorrectly on those early British maps. This story is my little way of correcting the clerical mistake and paying homage to the now extinct Chatot tribe." (author's Note).
I really can't say enough about this book. It is most certainly my favorite read so far of 2021. Many thanks to the publisher, Oak Hollow Press, via NetGalley, and the author, Candice Marley Conner, for a digital copy to read for review. The pleasure has been all my own. Publishes June 14. $4.99 on kindle. It’s totally worth that price. Go read it! #swampwild
July 2, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Mixed Bag
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the book overall. I loved Bea, Honey, and Colin. Loved the setting. However, I hated every adult in this book. Especially Bea's parents. There is one incident that takes place in the book that you find out Bea's mother was responsible for that just nailed the coffin shut for me. These people basically let the entire town think their daughter is crazy!? I also had an issue with the ending. It felt rushed, far-fetched, and honestly, a little eye rolling. 🤷🏻♀️
**ARC Via NetGalley**
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the book overall. I loved Bea, Honey, and Colin. Loved the setting. However, I hated every adult in this book. Especially Bea's parents. There is one incident that takes place in the book that you find out Bea's mother was responsible for that just nailed the coffin shut for me. These people basically let the entire town think their daughter is crazy!? I also had an issue with the ending. It felt rushed, far-fetched, and honestly, a little eye rolling. 🤷🏻♀️
**ARC Via NetGalley**
May 16, 2021
BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR, so far!
Candice Marley Conner tells a unique coming of age story abut a misunderstood teenage girl who is convinced her missing brother is alive, against all odds - and the local belief that he was caught up in the river and drowned during a storm.
I especially enjoyed this book because it reminded me of one of my all time favorite family sagas, "Blackwater" by Michael McDowell, the way this author knew her way around a swamp and the creatures who lived there.
The characters were realistically fleshed out - the only one who remained an enigma was her mother. I think because it was Bea Pearl's narrative and they were both too caught up in their own grief and frustration to see each other's point of view.
The story kept me engaged through all the interesting twists & turns and I absolutely loved the ending!
Highly recommended as a suspenseful mystery for adults as well as teens.
Candice Marley Conner tells a unique coming of age story abut a misunderstood teenage girl who is convinced her missing brother is alive, against all odds - and the local belief that he was caught up in the river and drowned during a storm.
I especially enjoyed this book because it reminded me of one of my all time favorite family sagas, "Blackwater" by Michael McDowell, the way this author knew her way around a swamp and the creatures who lived there.
The characters were realistically fleshed out - the only one who remained an enigma was her mother. I think because it was Bea Pearl's narrative and they were both too caught up in their own grief and frustration to see each other's point of view.
The story kept me engaged through all the interesting twists & turns and I absolutely loved the ending!
Highly recommended as a suspenseful mystery for adults as well as teens.
April 4, 2021
I loved everything about this book. It grips your from the very beginning and has you guessing through the whole story. So many twists and turns, and finally you think you’ve worked it out and then something changes or is discovered and has you back guessing again. I loved the characters how there all so real and relatable, and how your always second guessing whos good and who’s the villain in the story. I’ve never read a book as fast because I couldn’t stop wanting to know what happened next and what Bea would discover about herself, her brother or someone else...it was amazing.
It is truly a great book and the ending was not what I expected which was exactly what I hope for from a good book!
I received this free for reviewing purposes, nevertheless this is a review of my true thoughts and feelings towards this book.
It is truly a great book and the ending was not what I expected which was exactly what I hope for from a good book!
I received this free for reviewing purposes, nevertheless this is a review of my true thoughts and feelings towards this book.
May 23, 2021
4 Stars
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for advanced access to The Existence of Bea Pearl! This title releases June 15, 2021.
6 months ago, Bea Pearl followed her brother Jim to the flooding river during a storm. She and Jim were both caught up in the current and Bea was knocked unconscious, only to wake in the hospital and learn that her brother had not been found. But while the rest of the town and her family and friends have accepted that Jim is dead and try to move on, Bea is convinced that her brother is still alive and is determined to figure out the mystery of what happened to him.
It is rare that I come across an author that writes likes they are painting- that you can truly see each and every detail, and practically feel like you are right in the book with the characters- Candice Marley Conner absolutely has this talent. I live in the south, although not as deep in the south as Bea does, and greatly appreciated how beautifully the author painted the scenery, wildlife, and culture of the south. She made it seem truly magical.
I greatly enjoyed this book, and in fact, had a lot of trouble putting it down. Again, the author's writing is truly beautiful and she really develops her characters very well. Bea's character really kept me guessing- in some ways, she is very much an unreliable narrator which really moves the plot along and has you second-guessing every aspect of the book. I found the plot to be fast-moving and entertaining, and it really brought out a lot of empathy in me for Bea and her family. My only critique is that I wish the ending had been more fleshed out and well-rounded. It seemed to come very suddenly and didn't provide some of the resolutions I wish it had.
Lastly- how beautiful is that cover??
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for advanced access to The Existence of Bea Pearl! This title releases June 15, 2021.
6 months ago, Bea Pearl followed her brother Jim to the flooding river during a storm. She and Jim were both caught up in the current and Bea was knocked unconscious, only to wake in the hospital and learn that her brother had not been found. But while the rest of the town and her family and friends have accepted that Jim is dead and try to move on, Bea is convinced that her brother is still alive and is determined to figure out the mystery of what happened to him.
It is rare that I come across an author that writes likes they are painting- that you can truly see each and every detail, and practically feel like you are right in the book with the characters- Candice Marley Conner absolutely has this talent. I live in the south, although not as deep in the south as Bea does, and greatly appreciated how beautifully the author painted the scenery, wildlife, and culture of the south. She made it seem truly magical.
I greatly enjoyed this book, and in fact, had a lot of trouble putting it down. Again, the author's writing is truly beautiful and she really develops her characters very well. Bea's character really kept me guessing- in some ways, she is very much an unreliable narrator which really moves the plot along and has you second-guessing every aspect of the book. I found the plot to be fast-moving and entertaining, and it really brought out a lot of empathy in me for Bea and her family. My only critique is that I wish the ending had been more fleshed out and well-rounded. It seemed to come very suddenly and didn't provide some of the resolutions I wish it had.
Lastly- how beautiful is that cover??
April 30, 2021
I saw a comment from the author that she grew up reading Nancy Drew and I could totally feel the Nancy Drew inspiration as I read - especially in the quick pacing of the story and the slightly unrealistic turn of events. Are some aspects of “The Existence of Bea Pearl” a little far-fetched? Maybe. But for me, that just added to the charm. Overall, the writing is great and the mystery kept me intrigued. It was a quick, enjoyable read that kept me guessing. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital arc.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital arc.
March 10, 2021
Author review here! :) I'm so thankful to the amazing ladies at Owl Hollow Press for believing in Bea Pearl's existence as much as I do.
My favorite pastime growing up was reading Nancy Drew books by a swamp in the middle of the woods. I grew up on a fish farm that had been a recreational hotspot from the ‘30s to the ‘70s thanks to an artesian-fed pool, and heard stories from teachers and old men in front of the hardware store of how they met their love out there as teens. My family and I would find fossils in the limestone banks from when the whole area was under a primordial sea. We had alligators eating out of the dog’s food bowls, ‘possums in the cat’s food, crawfish in the swimming pool, and had to check our boots for tadpoles or snakes before putting them on. It was an amazing swamp-wild childhood with such history that I wanted to claim it somehow. Let the past and present exist together somewhere.
Thus Bea Pearl was born.
This story is my ode to girls who search out the truth no matter how society tells them to behave, and my love letter to the swamp and river that shaped me. As one of the most bio-diverse river systems in the U.S., I want people to see past the mud and decay to the natural beauty and know it’s something valuable to treasure.
It's also about believing in yourself and those you love. About existence and what kind of life you choose. I hope you fall in love with Bea Pearl, and Honey, and the mysterious Chatothatchee River as much as I have.
My favorite pastime growing up was reading Nancy Drew books by a swamp in the middle of the woods. I grew up on a fish farm that had been a recreational hotspot from the ‘30s to the ‘70s thanks to an artesian-fed pool, and heard stories from teachers and old men in front of the hardware store of how they met their love out there as teens. My family and I would find fossils in the limestone banks from when the whole area was under a primordial sea. We had alligators eating out of the dog’s food bowls, ‘possums in the cat’s food, crawfish in the swimming pool, and had to check our boots for tadpoles or snakes before putting them on. It was an amazing swamp-wild childhood with such history that I wanted to claim it somehow. Let the past and present exist together somewhere.
Thus Bea Pearl was born.
This story is my ode to girls who search out the truth no matter how society tells them to behave, and my love letter to the swamp and river that shaped me. As one of the most bio-diverse river systems in the U.S., I want people to see past the mud and decay to the natural beauty and know it’s something valuable to treasure.
It's also about believing in yourself and those you love. About existence and what kind of life you choose. I hope you fall in love with Bea Pearl, and Honey, and the mysterious Chatothatchee River as much as I have.
September 30, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Why hello my little spooky book. I feel like it was the perfect time to jump into The Existence of Bea Pearl. Mostly because it's fall weather time and I'm ready for all the scary movies and books to come my way. Heck, I might even do a conjuring movie marathon this weekend.
In this, you will meet Bea Pearl. I mean the title of the book really gives it away so you shouldn't be surprised. She's about 16 years old and is basically the only person alive who doesn't think her brother is dead. Even after he's declared dead she still wants to figure out what actually happened.
Move on over Nancy freaking Drew because Bea Pearl means business and she's going to solve this mystery!
Now I'm not going to lie. I was completely suspicious of every person or thing in this book. Especially whenever Bea is near the water. At times I didn't know what to think or believe because each twist and betrayal that came my way confused me so much. In a good way though because it kept me and the true suspect(s) on their toes. Or my toes really.
In the end, I kind of wished I liked the characters a bit more. Don't get me wrong, some were likable but a lot weren't my cup of tea. I also felt like Bea was a pretty unreliable narrator at times. Especially when it came to her memories/dreams throughout this book. I'm still very happy that I got the chance to dive into this book and now I need more spooky reads in my life!
Why hello my little spooky book. I feel like it was the perfect time to jump into The Existence of Bea Pearl. Mostly because it's fall weather time and I'm ready for all the scary movies and books to come my way. Heck, I might even do a conjuring movie marathon this weekend.
In this, you will meet Bea Pearl. I mean the title of the book really gives it away so you shouldn't be surprised. She's about 16 years old and is basically the only person alive who doesn't think her brother is dead. Even after he's declared dead she still wants to figure out what actually happened.
Move on over Nancy freaking Drew because Bea Pearl means business and she's going to solve this mystery!
Now I'm not going to lie. I was completely suspicious of every person or thing in this book. Especially whenever Bea is near the water. At times I didn't know what to think or believe because each twist and betrayal that came my way confused me so much. In a good way though because it kept me and the true suspect(s) on their toes. Or my toes really.
In the end, I kind of wished I liked the characters a bit more. Don't get me wrong, some were likable but a lot weren't my cup of tea. I also felt like Bea was a pretty unreliable narrator at times. Especially when it came to her memories/dreams throughout this book. I'm still very happy that I got the chance to dive into this book and now I need more spooky reads in my life!
January 22, 2022
Southern charm. A gothic feel. Young love. A mystery. Commitment to a belief in something as hard to prove as the existence of swamp monkeys.
These are a few of the surprises scattered across the pages of this nature-infused YA tale. Once you flip that first page, be prepared to read as fast as kudzu grows.
These are a few of the surprises scattered across the pages of this nature-infused YA tale. Once you flip that first page, be prepared to read as fast as kudzu grows.
April 5, 2021
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.
An absolute YES to “The Existence of Bea Pearl” - a fantastic YA story about hope, strength, and believing in yourself.
An absolute YES to “The Existence of Bea Pearl” - a fantastic YA story about hope, strength, and believing in yourself.
December 4, 2024
One of my favorite books of the year! Bea Pearl (future baby name?!?!?!) has my heart. Her dedication to her family was unwavering, never letting others opinions get under her skin. I absolutely adore Colin and their budding romance. My parents bought me this book from a local author, and it’s signed to me! Beware the swamp monkeys!
Want to read
December 28, 2019Soooo you're telling me this is basically kind of similar to All The Bad Apples' plot? Hell, sign me up already!
May 2, 2021
"The Existence Of Bea Pearl" by Candice Marley Conner
Sixteen year old Bea Pearl knows her brother Jim isn't dead. She doesn't care if no one else believes her. When her parents choose to declare him legally dead Bea sets out to prove to those around her that they've made a mistake. Her heart says he didn't drown when the orders came to evacuate the river but only she followed him to the river that day and only she returned. Bea's persistence and love for her brother will send her on a dangerous quest full of clues and it's up to her to connect them to find out the truth.
This read started off pretty slow and I hate to say it didn't really pick up. Towards the end I found the ending quite rushed and also pretty anti climatic. I didn't care for Bea's character and I also found her to be quite unreliable as a narrator. I often forgot that Bea was sixteen because of how she spoke which I found to be confusing at times as well. I really wanted to love this novel but unfortunately I just didn't. 2.5/3 🌟
#TheExistenceofBeaPearl
#NetGalley
Sixteen year old Bea Pearl knows her brother Jim isn't dead. She doesn't care if no one else believes her. When her parents choose to declare him legally dead Bea sets out to prove to those around her that they've made a mistake. Her heart says he didn't drown when the orders came to evacuate the river but only she followed him to the river that day and only she returned. Bea's persistence and love for her brother will send her on a dangerous quest full of clues and it's up to her to connect them to find out the truth.
This read started off pretty slow and I hate to say it didn't really pick up. Towards the end I found the ending quite rushed and also pretty anti climatic. I didn't care for Bea's character and I also found her to be quite unreliable as a narrator. I often forgot that Bea was sixteen because of how she spoke which I found to be confusing at times as well. I really wanted to love this novel but unfortunately I just didn't. 2.5/3 🌟
#TheExistenceofBeaPearl
#NetGalley
April 24, 2021
Bea Pearl knows her brother didn't die in the flood - but apparently nobody else does. Not her parents, her friends, the entire town in fact. And while everybody else tries to recover when he's declared officially dead, Bea Pearl tries to figure out what really happened. She doesn't know why he went back to the reiver, she doesn't know why she couldn't save him and she doesn't know if she really saw that boat near Jim either - she doesn't know where to start. But then there's Colin ... who may or may not be a Water Sprite, or a merman, or something equally suspicious - who always seems to appear whenever Bea is near water and he might just be who she needs to finally solve the mystery once and for all.
The existence of Bea Pearl was a southern mystery about family and deception - about really existing and what it means. The story was brilliant but for me it felt quite rushed, especially when we reached the climax and it left me feeling deflated. Bea Pearl as a narrator I found unreliable, and her voice felt very child-like so I just couldn't relate to her enough to get fully engrossed in the story. However, this was still a great little mystery with a very unique charm to it.
The existence of Bea Pearl was a southern mystery about family and deception - about really existing and what it means. The story was brilliant but for me it felt quite rushed, especially when we reached the climax and it left me feeling deflated. Bea Pearl as a narrator I found unreliable, and her voice felt very child-like so I just couldn't relate to her enough to get fully engrossed in the story. However, this was still a great little mystery with a very unique charm to it.
September 20, 2021
This book is like a trip through an Alabama river delta in a literary glass-bottomed boat. The swampy, bayou-y descriptions are so vivid that I found myself swatting imaginary mosquitoes and keeping a wary eye out for gators. And dropped smack into the middle of all this watery miasma is a girl named Bea Pearl who seems to be the only person in town who believes her brother Jim isn’t dead. He disappeared suspiciously during a flood, but his body was never found, and there are way too many unexplained circumstances that no one but Bea Pearl cares about.
Bea Pearl herself is quite the diverse ecosystem. At times fearless, naïve, brilliant, gullible, silly, vengeful, and brokenhearted, she checks all the teenage boxes for dealing with the normal growing pains, plus she’s got the added stress of trying to prove she’s not crazy and her brother is still alive. Actually, I experienced quite a bit of emotional angst myself while reading because I adore young love stories and wanted a bit more in this one between Bea Pearl and the mysterious hunky guy named Colin who shows up in town, but then I realized that the deepest love story in this book is Bea Pearl’s love for her brother and her devotion to finding out the truth about what happened to him. Everything had to take a back seat to that, and rightly so.
I disliked a lot of characters in this book, mainly Bea Pearl’s parents. Her father isn’t mean to her, just kind of apathetic and inattentive, but her mother is terrible. Yes, she’s grieving the loss of her son, but she shows zero concern for Bea Pearl and is downright antagonistic most of the time. I also didn’t like most of Bea Pearl’s classmates except for her loyal best friend, Honey, who is a true sweetheart. Oddly enough, I felt quite a bit of sympathy for one of the semi-antagonists named Junior. He isn’t the right guy for Bea Pearl and makes some bad decisions, but I often felt for him and wanted to know more about his heart.
The mystery and developing clues are hard to understand and keep track of because of Bea Pearl’s problem with being able to tell memories and dreams apart. I kind of wish she had decided to make a list of them toward the end of the book to help herself (and the reader) remember them and their significance, but that just made me even more eager to get to the conclusion. I usually only get to read a chapter a night because of all my other reading commitments, but I had to read the last couple of chapters in one night to find out the ending.
Definitely looking forward to reading more by this emerging author!
Bea Pearl herself is quite the diverse ecosystem. At times fearless, naïve, brilliant, gullible, silly, vengeful, and brokenhearted, she checks all the teenage boxes for dealing with the normal growing pains, plus she’s got the added stress of trying to prove she’s not crazy and her brother is still alive. Actually, I experienced quite a bit of emotional angst myself while reading because I adore young love stories and wanted a bit more in this one between Bea Pearl and the mysterious hunky guy named Colin who shows up in town, but then I realized that the deepest love story in this book is Bea Pearl’s love for her brother and her devotion to finding out the truth about what happened to him. Everything had to take a back seat to that, and rightly so.
I disliked a lot of characters in this book, mainly Bea Pearl’s parents. Her father isn’t mean to her, just kind of apathetic and inattentive, but her mother is terrible. Yes, she’s grieving the loss of her son, but she shows zero concern for Bea Pearl and is downright antagonistic most of the time. I also didn’t like most of Bea Pearl’s classmates except for her loyal best friend, Honey, who is a true sweetheart. Oddly enough, I felt quite a bit of sympathy for one of the semi-antagonists named Junior. He isn’t the right guy for Bea Pearl and makes some bad decisions, but I often felt for him and wanted to know more about his heart.
The mystery and developing clues are hard to understand and keep track of because of Bea Pearl’s problem with being able to tell memories and dreams apart. I kind of wish she had decided to make a list of them toward the end of the book to help herself (and the reader) remember them and their significance, but that just made me even more eager to get to the conclusion. I usually only get to read a chapter a night because of all my other reading commitments, but I had to read the last couple of chapters in one night to find out the ending.
Definitely looking forward to reading more by this emerging author!
May 10, 2021
If you're looking for a bit of mystery and thriller in one of your reads this summer, this book is it. With a backdrop of a small town set on a swampy river in lower Alabama, this book had the perfect uneasy atmosphere to fit its tone. The writing was so immersive and I really enjoyed the simpler, shorter chapters which made it a really quick read for me. And although the writing is on the simpler side, it has a great undertone of more meaningful questions that really hit deep inside you while reading.
The main character, Bea Pearl, made for a really intriguing narrator throughout the story. At times I had full confidence in her version of events and then there were times when I was uncertain if she was a reliable narrator since she even questioned herself. The story had a really interesting spin of most of the side characters essentially gaslighting Bea Pearl which added a really eerie touch along with the uncertainty of what was going on. My entire time reading, I was paranoid about who I could trust and which characters were telling the truth. I also liked how the book portrayed different versions of grief through Bea Pearl's parents and friends and the way it contrasted with Bea Pearl's refusal to believe her brother was dead. There's a lot of tension in the book which added another layer to the uncomfortable atmosphere of the story.
Although I felt the ending was rushed, I did enjoy its conclusion. There were some questions I was left with and I felt like some loose ends weren't tied up adequately but it didn't really dim my enjoyment of the book. I did think Bea Pearl read a little young for 16 years old which kind of feeds into the Southern stereotype of being naive but I did enjoy the unusual romance that crept up during the book.
Overall, I think the atmosphere really adds a special touch to this book. I was supremely entertained while reading and enjoyed its quick pacing. I also think the cover art fits so perfectly with the vibe of the book and I'm really happy I picked this book up.
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!*
The main character, Bea Pearl, made for a really intriguing narrator throughout the story. At times I had full confidence in her version of events and then there were times when I was uncertain if she was a reliable narrator since she even questioned herself. The story had a really interesting spin of most of the side characters essentially gaslighting Bea Pearl which added a really eerie touch along with the uncertainty of what was going on. My entire time reading, I was paranoid about who I could trust and which characters were telling the truth. I also liked how the book portrayed different versions of grief through Bea Pearl's parents and friends and the way it contrasted with Bea Pearl's refusal to believe her brother was dead. There's a lot of tension in the book which added another layer to the uncomfortable atmosphere of the story.
Although I felt the ending was rushed, I did enjoy its conclusion. There were some questions I was left with and I felt like some loose ends weren't tied up adequately but it didn't really dim my enjoyment of the book. I did think Bea Pearl read a little young for 16 years old which kind of feeds into the Southern stereotype of being naive but I did enjoy the unusual romance that crept up during the book.
Overall, I think the atmosphere really adds a special touch to this book. I was supremely entertained while reading and enjoyed its quick pacing. I also think the cover art fits so perfectly with the vibe of the book and I'm really happy I picked this book up.
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!*
January 14, 2022
Honestly, this was the first book in a long time that I just couldn't put down! I even stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, just like I did as a kid under the covers.
This is a fun YA mystery, with some memorable characters, full of twists and red herrings, and is entirely appropriate for young teens on up (yes even us 40-somethings can enjoy it). I was delighted to find it was less creepy than I expected from the description, but still retained a sense of danger and mystery. It was definitely set in modern times with teens texting and with YA dialogue and modern slang, but that wasn't the focus, and though there were a few other references like those which kept it in the present, the story could have easily taken place thirty or fifty or even seventy years ago. Change a few details and it could have been told almost as if it had actually happened, complete with the restaurant and dance hall on the lake.
It reminded me somewhat of one of my favorite authors, Mary Stewart, who wrote clean thrillers about exotic places with strong heroines. But in this case, the landscape was one I called home.
Full disclosure: I grew up with the author (in fact, reader, I was once her babysitter!) so it was easy for me to imagine the house set between the restaurant on the lake and the flood-prone river, with the swampy woods in between. I could see the muddy-green waters, feel the sand between my toes, taste the fried fish and hushpuppies, and I know how hard it hurts when you slide and fall on a limestone creek bed. The story could have happened somewhere else, but it wouldn't have been the same without the character of the wilds and the river.
I enjoyed this walk down memory lane through the eyes of my friend, and loved the main characters' spunk and bravery and fierce love for her brother. And I will always, always be looking out for swamp monkeys on my visits home.
This is a fun YA mystery, with some memorable characters, full of twists and red herrings, and is entirely appropriate for young teens on up (yes even us 40-somethings can enjoy it). I was delighted to find it was less creepy than I expected from the description, but still retained a sense of danger and mystery. It was definitely set in modern times with teens texting and with YA dialogue and modern slang, but that wasn't the focus, and though there were a few other references like those which kept it in the present, the story could have easily taken place thirty or fifty or even seventy years ago. Change a few details and it could have been told almost as if it had actually happened, complete with the restaurant and dance hall on the lake.
It reminded me somewhat of one of my favorite authors, Mary Stewart, who wrote clean thrillers about exotic places with strong heroines. But in this case, the landscape was one I called home.
Full disclosure: I grew up with the author (in fact, reader, I was once her babysitter!) so it was easy for me to imagine the house set between the restaurant on the lake and the flood-prone river, with the swampy woods in between. I could see the muddy-green waters, feel the sand between my toes, taste the fried fish and hushpuppies, and I know how hard it hurts when you slide and fall on a limestone creek bed. The story could have happened somewhere else, but it wouldn't have been the same without the character of the wilds and the river.
I enjoyed this walk down memory lane through the eyes of my friend, and loved the main characters' spunk and bravery and fierce love for her brother. And I will always, always be looking out for swamp monkeys on my visits home.
November 6, 2021
*Thank you to NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
Characters
Although I enjoyed the narrative voice throughout, and the untrustworthy narrator aspect (which had me double guessing at several points in the book), unfortunately I found that Bea, Honey and Colin read as quite young in some sections, in both their language and behaviour, and then by the end they were speaking like adults instead of a teenagers. This made sections quite jarring and confusing. However, I really enjoyed the questioning around Colin in the first half of the book, and the way that this relationship grows. It wasn't necessary (I feel this way about a lot of romance, these days), but it was done well in my opinion.
Plot
The first half of the book dragged and it felt like not much was happening, even though there were a fair number of clues being dropped. It took me 3 months to read, as a result. I read the second half quite quickly as things started to pick up and fall into place. However, a lot of the solutions to the mystery were far fetched and I let out an audible sigh of discontent when I put it all together and figured out which direction we were headed in. The resolution felt rushed and unbelievable.
Content warnings: Drugs, Guns, Missing Person, Death of a family member (referred to in past), common use of the word "crazy" to describe the MC, flood, kidnapping
Characters
Although I enjoyed the narrative voice throughout, and the untrustworthy narrator aspect (which had me double guessing at several points in the book), unfortunately I found that Bea, Honey and Colin read as quite young in some sections, in both their language and behaviour, and then by the end they were speaking like adults instead of a teenagers. This made sections quite jarring and confusing. However, I really enjoyed the questioning around Colin in the first half of the book, and the way that this relationship grows. It wasn't necessary (I feel this way about a lot of romance, these days), but it was done well in my opinion.
Plot
The first half of the book dragged and it felt like not much was happening, even though there were a fair number of clues being dropped. It took me 3 months to read, as a result. I read the second half quite quickly as things started to pick up and fall into place. However, a lot of the solutions to the mystery were far fetched and I let out an audible sigh of discontent when I put it all together and figured out which direction we were headed in. The resolution felt rushed and unbelievable.
Content warnings: Drugs, Guns, Missing Person, Death of a family member (referred to in past), common use of the word "crazy" to describe the MC, flood, kidnapping
May 31, 2021
A good mystery.
The story follows sixteen year old Bea Pearl as she struggles to find her brother, Jim, who went missing during a flood. Everyone in her town including her parents think that Jim drowned and declared him legally dead. Bea Pearl is the only one who believes that Jim is still alive. Going against her parents and her town, she tries to solve the mystery behind her brother's disappearance. Will she be able to find her brother? Or, Is he really dead? Read to find out.
This book is loaded with fascinating details of forests, swamps, and lakes. The book cover rightly compliments the natural setting of the story. The setting gives the story a mystical feel and many times I felt that I am reading a fantasy.
Coming to the characters, I like Colin the most. Unfortunately, I didn't like Bea especially in the beginning. She is whimsical and a bit childish. The quality I like about her is that she didn't give up and believed in herself.
The beginning of the story is a bit slow but it picks up somewhere around chapter ten. After that the story became more interesting and I enjoyed the mystery part of it. But, the conclusion disappointed me. It's a bit unrealistic.
Overall, it's an interesting and good mystery to read. I would recommend this to those who likes light and easy to read mystery.
Thank you #netgalley and the publisher for the arc copy.
The story follows sixteen year old Bea Pearl as she struggles to find her brother, Jim, who went missing during a flood. Everyone in her town including her parents think that Jim drowned and declared him legally dead. Bea Pearl is the only one who believes that Jim is still alive. Going against her parents and her town, she tries to solve the mystery behind her brother's disappearance. Will she be able to find her brother? Or, Is he really dead? Read to find out.
This book is loaded with fascinating details of forests, swamps, and lakes. The book cover rightly compliments the natural setting of the story. The setting gives the story a mystical feel and many times I felt that I am reading a fantasy.
Coming to the characters, I like Colin the most. Unfortunately, I didn't like Bea especially in the beginning. She is whimsical and a bit childish. The quality I like about her is that she didn't give up and believed in herself.
The beginning of the story is a bit slow but it picks up somewhere around chapter ten. After that the story became more interesting and I enjoyed the mystery part of it. But, the conclusion disappointed me. It's a bit unrealistic.
Overall, it's an interesting and good mystery to read. I would recommend this to those who likes light and easy to read mystery.
Thank you #netgalley and the publisher for the arc copy.
June 30, 2024
Overall, this was a good read. It's fast and the mystery of it keeps you turning the pages. I liked the premise of The Existence of Bea Pearl: Bea's brother goes missing and everyone is telling her that her brother is dead and to move on, but tenaciously she holds on to the conviction he's not gone. They keep telling her she's crazy, and she's beginning to wonder if they're right. This sends her on a quest to find him and prove to the whole town she's not crazy.
I love the prose of the story and how Conner describes the setting. It's atmospheric and settles you into a small southern town with that lazy summer rocking on the porch feel but balanced by the tension of uncovering clue to Jim's disappearance.
There are some themes, language, and situations in the book that keep me from recommending this story to younger people, but I think it's fine for older teens/new adult and adult readers. The main characters are high school age. There are some mentions of promiscuity between young people, drugs, alcohol use, kidnapping, and other perilous situations.
If you love mysteries set in the south, with persistent heroines and mysterious strangers, you'll like this book.
I love the prose of the story and how Conner describes the setting. It's atmospheric and settles you into a small southern town with that lazy summer rocking on the porch feel but balanced by the tension of uncovering clue to Jim's disappearance.
There are some themes, language, and situations in the book that keep me from recommending this story to younger people, but I think it's fine for older teens/new adult and adult readers. The main characters are high school age. There are some mentions of promiscuity between young people, drugs, alcohol use, kidnapping, and other perilous situations.
If you love mysteries set in the south, with persistent heroines and mysterious strangers, you'll like this book.
July 11, 2021
As soon as I read the first page, I knew I was going to have to clear my schedule for the next few days! In the end it turned into an enthusiastic binge lasting around 36 hours, fueled by many pots of tea and a 6 hour snooze in between.
Not only does Conner capture readers with the heady, swampy atmosphere that she clearly knows by heart, but also with the quirky and colorful characters that are well-developed as they are engaging. I was especially struck by certain sections of descriptive phrasing that were so beautiful I found myself stopping to read over them several times simply out of appreciation.
As a life-long fan of Nancy Drew, I was happy to see similar traits in this beautiful story, especially in the determined lead character who is willing to defy stereotypes and expectations to find the truth she is certain of. Full of heart, humor, atmosphere, and a nicely twisting mystery, The Existence of Bea Pearl definitely checks all of the must-have boxes for me!
Not only does Conner capture readers with the heady, swampy atmosphere that she clearly knows by heart, but also with the quirky and colorful characters that are well-developed as they are engaging. I was especially struck by certain sections of descriptive phrasing that were so beautiful I found myself stopping to read over them several times simply out of appreciation.
As a life-long fan of Nancy Drew, I was happy to see similar traits in this beautiful story, especially in the determined lead character who is willing to defy stereotypes and expectations to find the truth she is certain of. Full of heart, humor, atmosphere, and a nicely twisting mystery, The Existence of Bea Pearl definitely checks all of the must-have boxes for me!
June 14, 2021
Bea Pearl is an interesting character - her ability to investigate and head strong personality, makes her a nice and likable protagonist. I like that the plot started straight away and the world building wasn’t too intense or too wordy. Every feature of the book meshed really well and Candace has a way of writing that is so beautiful, it is hard to not imagine the world whilst going through the plot. My image of the town was so dark, rainy and wet which fits the dreary topic and investigation.
This book made me think about how someone so close to us might be a stranger to us as well, no matter the proximity we have with people, we never really know them as well as we’d like to think.
Overall, the pace and plot were executed excellently. I really enjoyed this book 💖
This book made me think about how someone so close to us might be a stranger to us as well, no matter the proximity we have with people, we never really know them as well as we’d like to think.
Overall, the pace and plot were executed excellently. I really enjoyed this book 💖
April 24, 2021
For a thoroughly enjoyable swampy, atmospheric read, look no further than the Existence of Bea Pearl. The suspense at the core of the story kept me guessing until the end, and I loved the relationship between Bea, the determined teen, and the mysterious Colin, who always seems to appear out of nowhere.
Brimming with delightful southern expressions, this breezy, yet suspenseful tale features a strong sibling tie and a teen who follows her beliefs no matter where they lead. The twists and turns along the way with episodes of possible gaslighting make for a great page-turning tale! Highly recommended!
Brimming with delightful southern expressions, this breezy, yet suspenseful tale features a strong sibling tie and a teen who follows her beliefs no matter where they lead. The twists and turns along the way with episodes of possible gaslighting make for a great page-turning tale! Highly recommended!
November 6, 2021
I actually met this author as she showed me around The Haunted Book Shop. She helped me pick out several books ( all of which I have enjoyed so far). Everyone was so friendly but I especially liked Candice. When was the last time a local author showed you around a book shop and recommended great books in your favorite genre. This is a YA book which takes place in the forest and swamps of Alabama. Her descriptions of the dragonflies in jewel tones sparkling in the air was one of many beautiful ways of describing the forest.
This is a story of young love, family devotion, girl snobbery, small town gossip, and true determination all wrapped up in a good mystery.
Read it!
This is a story of young love, family devotion, girl snobbery, small town gossip, and true determination all wrapped up in a good mystery.
Read it!
June 24, 2021
I received an eARC from @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book! It wasn’t bad at all. It was predictable though. I enjoyed the setting, I thought the author did a great job placing us in that gulfy swamp bayou town. Even though it was predictable, I enjoyed the pacing. I couldn’t pinpoint a couple of plot points, which was nice. Bea was a developed character. Her pluckiness was admirable. Overall it felt like a Cajun Riverdale episode. Take that as you will. (I don’t mean it in a negative way at all!!)
April 4, 2021
This had a good premise, with some interesting twists, but read at times like overwrought fan-fiction. The age of the main character was difficult to remember, as her thinking (“voice”) was often like that of an impaired 10 year old. Those inconsistencies and the rushed, ridiculous ending (local drug ring, including Sheriff, run by teenage girl?!) actually had me rolling my eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2021
I was so caught up in this mystery I didn’t want to stop reading! The atmosphere was perfect, and I loved how the author showed how complicated family is—that it can both have so much love and also a lot of hurt and difficulties. I also loved how Bea Pearl worked so hard to believe in herself, even when no one else did.
August 15, 2021
I devoured this lush YA mystery! Led by an unflappable heroine who refuses to believe that her missing brother is dead, this book takes readers deep into the wilds of Alabama, where all manner of things are lurking (including gators!). This book had me eagerly flipping pages to find out the secrets buried in the swamp, and the ending did not disappoint!
September 29, 2021
The setting is one of the characters in this wonderful YA mystery. Both the small Alabama town and the swampy wilderness around it are authentically, vividly brought to life. As for the story, Bea Pearl grabs your heart from page one and never lets go. The mystery keeps the pages turning to its satisfying resolution, and there's just the right amount of romance.
April 20, 2024
☀️🪦🛥️🌊🍦🏥🏫🌭🔫
“She stopped talking because no one would talk to her. She faded’ til she didn’t exist anymore.”
4.5
I liked it… but idk this seems messed up but I think it would have been better if the author had just let Jim be dead?… idk 💀😭 also some of the writing was kinda here and there but overall yeah it was ok. 👍
☀️🪦🛥️🌊🍦🏥🏫🌭🔫
“She stopped talking because no one would talk to her. She faded’ til she didn’t exist anymore.”
4.5
I liked it… but idk this seems messed up but I think it would have been better if the author had just let Jim be dead?… idk 💀😭 also some of the writing was kinda here and there but overall yeah it was ok. 👍
☀️🪦🛥️🌊🍦🏥🏫🌭🔫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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