Heather

Author: Caitlin Mullen
Publisher: Celadon Books
Published: June 9, 2026

As a long-time resident of New Jersey, I was delighted every time the author brought up the myth of the Jersey Devil, born with “the head of a goat, bat’s wings, horns and hooves,” after Mother Leeds cursed her 13th pregnancy. The New Jersey Pine Barrens is the setting for Heather, and living in NJ the second thing you learn is that much of the Pine Barrens is preserved land. The first thing you learn, though, is the Jersey Devil myth!

But beyond that, this is a cold case, reopened by newly installed Chief of Police Callie Hauser. The case revolves around an abandoned baby, but brings up so many revelations to Callie that she wasn’t expecting – her mother, her father. The creepy guy with the snake tattoo. An unnamed “older man”. Twins, one of whom was reported pregnant when she was young, and both now missing. On top of that, she has to battle the “old boys” network that thrives in her small town police department.

While this book is classified as a mystery/thriller, it also makes a statement about small-town culture, secrets, unsupported families, sexism, trauma that continues across generations, and the lack of justice.

This was an emotional read, but with a feisty main character who was bull-headed enough to sort out this complex mystery. The comparisons to Mare of Easttown are spot on, and this would make an engaging TV series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an ARC of this book. I’m so happy I put this on my summer reading list!