Praise

Dalton “mixes mystery with pointed (but beautifully written) commentary about the natural world.”
— Chicago Review of Books

“Both a timely and timeless literary mystery, Waiting for the Night Song is as seductive as it is smart, blending the allure of Julie Dalton’s beloved rural New Hampshire setting with the dark undercurrents of a community’s racial divisions and betrayals. This is a story of love, of home, of friendship and family, of a childhood’s innocence and an adult’s comeuppance, all of which are in the line of fire in this beauty of a page turner.”
— Michelle Hoover, award-winning author of Bottomland and The Quickening

“Julie Carrick Dalton’s deftly constructed, urgent yet slow-burning debut novel reads like a warning from the frontlines of our rapidly deteriorating natural world.”
— Omar El Akkad, American War

“Human nature clashes with Mother Nature in this riveting and heartbreaking coming of age story – – gorgeously written, and wonderfully told. With its combination of powerful themes and intensely immersive setting, fans of Delia Owens will swoon to find their new favorite author. A phenomenal debut!”
— Hank Phillippi Ryan, award-winning author of The First to Lie

“Waiting for the Night Song is a singular, riveting portrait of persistence and friendship at the end of empire. Through tender prose and a thrilling story, Julie Carrick Dalton tracks the inescapable connectedness between inequity and the body politic, humankind and ecology, and hidden truths and memory. Dalton writes masterfully of an uncertain world that has already arrived.”
— Michael Zapata, author of The Lost Book of Adana Moreau

“Smart and searingly passionate, Dalton’s absorbing mystery debut explores many timely issues including global warming, female friendships, childhood secrets, and the lengths we take to protect them — Waiting For The Night Song is an illuminating snapshot of nature, betrayal and sacrifices set in the evocative New Hampshire wilderness.”
— Kim Michele Richardson, award-winning author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“A killer, gorgeous debut that tackles love, racism and even climate change. Waiting for the Night Song will break your heart, leave you breathless and wanting more.”
— Rachel Barenbaum, bestselling author of A Bend in the Stars

“Dalton weaves the vagaries of friendship, the wonder of the natural world, and the power of truth to create a powerful and unforgettable story.”
— Erica Ferencik, bestselling author of The River at Night and Into the Jungle

“Intricate and brilliantly crafted, Waiting for the Night Song gives new spark to a classic mystery set-up: A decades old murder and cover-up, but instead set against the backdrop of drought and the threat of wildfire. Julie Dalton writes with grace, passion, and obvious ecological expertise. I haven’t read a mystery novel this smart or surprising in a long time.”
— Kate Moretti, NYT bestselling author of In Her Bones, The Vanishing Year and The Blackbird Season

“In Waiting for the Night Song, Julie Carrick Dalton has skillfully layered an intriguing murder mystery, a testament to the bonds of female friendship, and a timely examination of the innate horrors of climate change. As the compelling story reaches its fiery climax, Dalton’s complex and intelligent protagonist is forced to consider what pieces of the past are worth salvaging … and what she should let go.”
— Kathleen Barber, author of Truth Be Told

“I marvel when I come across a book that is at once timely and timeless, and that’s just what Julie Carrick Dalton’s Waiting for the Night Song manages to be. It’s a novel that burns–figuratively and literally–with sharp prose and uncommon wisdom. The world needs more books like this, and more writers as thoughtful and conscientious as Ms. Dalton. Do yourself a favor and have a look for yourself.”
— Peter Geye, award-winning literary suspense author of Wintering and The Lighthouse Road

“Waiting for the Night Song is a compelling read about friendship, family, and the high price of secrets. Set against the lush background of the New Hampshire woods, Julie Carrick Dalton reminds us that seemingly small actions can have catastrophic consequences.”
— Julie Clark, author of The Last Flight and The Ones We Choose

“It was refreshing to read an original and intriguing take on the thriller genre. As well as being wonderfully written, the nature elements and convincing plot blended together to create something brilliant. Cadie was a startling protagonist, who we eagerly followed in her quest to hide the truth of her dark past. The entomology angle and the atmospheric setting of the woods really enhanced the notion that no one can hold back the power of nature, and also served as an excellent backdrop to a more familiar plot line.”
— Madeleine Milburn, judge for the 2018 Caledonia Novel Award

“Waiting for the Night Song is a fresh and engaging tale of the lasting effects of childhood secrets that also provides a fascinating and clear-eyed look at climate change. I did not want the story to end.”
— Kelli Estes, USA Today bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote In Silk

“In Waiting for the Night Song, Julie Carrick Dalton takes on big themes—climate change and racism—and weaves them into a satisfying mystery, as Cadie moves between present and past to unravel a secret that has haunted her since childhood. Within the mystery is a coming of age story, and it is in those quiet moments where Dalton shines. Timely and beautifully written, Dalton’s debut hits every mark.”
— Kim Savage, author of After the Woods, Beautiful Broken Girls, and In Her Skin