Sam Sylvester is not overly optimistic about their recent move to the small town of Astoria, Oregon, after a traumatic experience in their last home in the rural Midwest. They make several new friends and a potential love interest in Shep, the pretty neighbor. However, Sam can't seem to let go of what might have been, and is drawn to investigate the death of a teenage boy in 1980s Astoria. Sam is convinced he was murdered--especially after threatening notes and figures hidden in shadows begin to disrupt Sam's life. Would they risk their new life for a half-lived one?-- adapted from Goodread info