

The fog presents itself as an evil character. When it appears, it creeps among the trees and bushes with soft, muffled sounds, seeming to surround unwary visitors. No one in town comes near their home and Piper’s family actually moved away from that area. At first, it seems like a picturesque scene until Neve hears about girls who’ve gone missing near there, including a classmate named Piper’s sister two years ago.

The author establishes an eerie setting as the family’s rented house is located remotely out in the country, next to a lake, a forest, and a swamp.

Neve is eventually forced to take control of her own life and reveal the strong young lady within. However, the plot changes when Ruby begins to mature while Neve isn’t ready to face changes in her life, retreating to the boxes in her room. Ruby’s outspokenness balances Neve’s quiet while Neve is able to help Rose with schoolwork and nerves. The sisters are almost inseparable even though Neve is almost a year younger and their parents think they should become more independent. Family dynamics is an underlying story as Rose and Neve try to adjust to their parents’ separation.
