Six novels exploring how we process trauma

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of several popular young adult novels including the Dark House series, the Touch series, Project 17, Shutter, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series.

Her newest novel is Jane Anonymous.

At CrimeReads, Stolarz tagged six novels exploring how (and how long) we process trauma, including:

The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham

Agatha is pregnant and works part-time at a grocery store, anxiously awaiting the birth of her child. During her shifts, Agatha looks forward to crossing paths with picture-perfect Meghan, who frequents the store. To Agatha, Meghan has it all: two beautiful children, a handsome husband, an idealistic marriage, a circle of fashionable friends, plus a fabulous job; Meghan writes a funny parenting blog in which she confesses about her daily struggles as a mom. It’s a blog that Agatha reads each night, unbeknownst to Meghan. When Agatha discovers that Meghan is also pregnant, she musters up the courage to initiate a conversation. Little-by-little, Agatha orchestrates her way into Meaghan’s life. But why? Where does her motivation come from? The reader sees how childhood trauma and neglect influence Agatha’s chilling (and heartbreaking) present-day action, motivation, and relationships.

Read about the other entries on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue