by Christy Scott Cashman (Author)
A teenage girl uncovers the dark secrets of her Smoky Mountain town while searching for a missing classmate in this gripping coming-of-age mystery perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing.
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Beulah has always seemed steady--rooted in tradition, shaped by generations, and slow to change. But in 1986, the ground has shifted, and no one feels that more than fifteen-year-old Barrett Childress Owens. Between her parents' unraveling marriage and a school full of kids she can't connect with, she feels invisible in her own hometown.
When Lacy Gunderson, the captivating new girl everyone is curious about, suddenly vanishes, the town's calm surface fractures. Search parties comb the woods. A police investigation begins. Rumors multiply. Families close ranks. And Barrett begins to sense how much the adults around her choose not to say. As Beulah clings to its usual rituals--including the annual Miss Kudzu pageant, which has shaped local girlhood for decades--Barrett is forced to navigate a community where loss lingers in the air and secrets are carefully kept. Her journey through the uncertainty reshapes her understanding of friendships, family, and the complex place she calls home.
A rich coming-of-age story with a pulse of mystery and a budding romance,
What Happened in Beulah explores the fault lines of a small town and the courage it takes to face the truths people would rather bury.
Author Biography
Christy Scott Cashman is a bestselling, award-winning author, actress, and producer. Raised in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains, she draws inspiration from the places, people, and experiences that have shaped her life and storytelling. She is the author of The Truth About Horses and three children's books, and the founder of YouthINK. An active member of the literary community, Christy serves on the Board of the Associates of the Boston Public Library. She divides her time between New York City, Martha's Vineyard, and Pennsylvania, where she enjoys life with her family, two dogs, and four horses.
Number of Pages: 288
Dimensions: 0.91 x 8.41 x 5.41 IN
Publication Date: October 20, 2026
