Too Shattered for Mending — Peter Brown Hoffmeister

A gripping -- and gritty -- literary mystery that shines a light on rural poverty.

“Little” McCardell is doing all he can just to keep it together after the disappearance of his grandfather “Big” and the arrest of his older brother, JT. He's looking out for his younger cousin, hunting and fishing to keep food on the table, and staying in school -- barely.

When the cops turn up asking questions about Big, Little doesn't want to get involved in the investigation. He half cooperates, but his mind is elsewhere, pining after Rowan, the girl JT was dating until he got locked up.

Soon Little finds himself drowning in secrets, beholden to the sheriff, to JT, to Rowan, and to Big's memory, with no clear way out that doesn't betray at least one of them. And when Little's deepest secret is revealed, there's no telling how it could shatter their lives.