Becca Reviews: Grabtown by Sarah P. Blanchard

Read the Q&A with Sarah P. Blanchard here.

Grabtown is a dual-timeline novel focused on epistolary elements. Protagonists, twin sisters Cassie and Ana, read a manuscript addressed to them, edited by their mother, Marla, and written by her friend AJ.

I seem to be really drawn to novels set in New England lately, and there's something particularly special about those set in small towns as opposed to big cities. When a novel is set in Boston or NYC, I think the location becomes a character in itself, but here, in Grabtown, the setting is a small town. As AJ says, “Small towns are great for scolding the kids who throw too many snowballs, but not always good at spotting real evil.”

Cassie and Ana are at their mum's house, clearing furniture and sorting through a life's worth of stuff, when they come across 2 envelopes addressed to each of them, both containing part of a manuscript. Through the writing of beloved family friend, AJ, history starts to reveal itself as the tale uncovers truths from a cold case.

As is often the case, the twin sisters, Cassie and Ana, are very different people and are immediately torn between burning the manuscript or turning it into a novel. They are initially uncertain about whether the story is just that or if there is truth behind it; could it be the missing clue in the cold case?

The story within the story opens with the murder of a local man, which eventually reveals a huge circle of secrets and abuse. Because of the small town nature, everyone is involved in some capacity, whether a guilty party, an accomplice, a victim, or a complicit bystander.

Grabtown is definitely a story of two halves. The beginning builds the atmosphere of tension, secrets, and vulnerability, made worse by the fact that all those feelings are being felt in their childhood home, a place that should be a sanctuary.

Rather than traditional twists as a plot device, Blanchard expertly creates layers to the story that are possible peel back if you have a keen eye. There are some truly horrific tragedies and hard-hitting plot points within this novel, so I really would suggest checking a list of trigger warnings, but beyond that, Grabtown is a tale of loyalty, silence, and fierce devotion to others.

The characters are complex and flawed, as any good character is, and experience intricate development arcs. During the Q&A with Blanchard, she noted that in order to physically write down some of the more traumatic plot points, she simply 'take[s] a deep breath and dive[s] in', noting that the justice served offers a satisfying ending - which it certainly does!

If you're a fan of Gillian Flynn, you'll love Grabtown!

Sarah P. Blanchard's website.

Read: 20/01/2026

Published: 15/10/2025

Price: £14.17 (GBP)