The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker

 

A toddler has been murdered. The townspeople are on edge. The police are conducting interviews and most parents are keeping a closer eye on their kids. Eight year old Chrissie continues as usual. She has little parental oversight. She's  stays out late, steals, treats other kids poorly and has a big secret. She is the killer. 

It's been twenty years and Chrissie now goes by the name Julia.  She spent years in a juvenile home, has changed her identity and has a young daughter named Molly. Julia's is trying to be the best mom possible but lives in constant fear that her daughter will be taken from her by the authorities. 

Tucker's debut novel chills you and takes you on a psychological rollercoaster. The story is told from both Chrissie and Julia's point of views flipping back and forth from current to present time. This is a dark intense read that is not for the faint of heart.