Bookish Thursday - What Happened in Beulah by Christy Scott Cashman

I was interested in reviewing this novel mainly because it is basically set in my back yard. I lived in Tennessee until I was 9, but visited back often. However, I was in Western Tennessee rather than the eastern part of the state, near the mountains. 

Secondly, is the references to kudzu. If you live in the South, you know if you stand still, kudzu can overrun you. Entire roadsides are covered with miles and miles of the vines. 

But before I got further, let's get the business out of the way.

Book Summary

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.

She Writes Press (October 20, 2026)

Audiobook: B0HB7D3M2Z

ASIN: B0GPDC6LFN  

ISBN-13: 979-8896364801

Print length:  288 pages

Purchase a copy of What Happened in Beulah

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Happened-Beulah-Christy-Scott-Cashman/dp/B0GPDC6LFN/

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-happened-in-beulah-christy-scott-cashman/1149865398?ean=9798896364801

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/beulah-a-novel-christy-scott-cashman/6d24856cb440b40f?ean=9798896364801&affiliate=1688

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9798896364801

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248267363-what-happened-in-beulah

About the Author, Christy Scott Cashman

Christy is the award-winning author of the bestselling debut novel The Truth About Horses (2023), which earned multiple literary awards and widespread acclaim for its emotionally resonant storytelling, unforgettable characters, and heartfelt exploration of resilience, family, and hope.

She is also the author of the children’s books The Not-So-Average Monkey of Kilkea Castle,  Petri’s Next Things and The Cat Named Peanut Shrimp Cookie Fry Muffin Who Lives on Staniel Cay.

In addition to her literary career, Christy is an accomplished actress and producer who has appeared in more than twenty feature films, including American Hustle, Joy, The Women, Ted 2, and The Forger.

Committed to nurturing creativity, mentorship, and storytelling, Christy founded YouthINK, a nonprofit organization in the U.S. and Ireland that connects aspiring young creatives—including writers, filmmakers, actors, artists, musicians, and storytellers—with accomplished industry professionals who encourage, mentor, and inspire the next generation of creative voices. She is also the founder of YOUthink Creative Wellness and Writing Retreats, which offers immersive writing, creativity, and wellness experiences for adults while supporting YouthINK’s mission.

A passionate advocate for literacy and the arts, Christy serves on the Boards of The Associates of the Boston Public Library, the American Film Institute, and the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. She also proudly supports Raising A Reader, reflecting her longstanding commitment to fostering early reading.

The second-youngest of ten children, Christy was named after Catherine Marshall’s beloved novel Christy and grew up in North Carolina, where her lifelong love of horses began. Today, she divides her time between New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, and her farm in Pennsylvania, where she finds inspiration for many of her stories. She treasures time with her family, four horses, two dogs, and the moments that inspire her writing.

Website: https://christycashman.com/

Facebook:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashman.christy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cashman.christy

Now for my opinion...

I grew up living in a small community where everyone knew everyone. And their personal business. So the book really gave me the feel of a small town in the South. I also lived in the changes which occurred when people from the North moved to the South during the 1970's and '80's. How old homesteads were built over into suburbs of larger, nearby cities. 

Local festivals, with their 'queen' for the event and how much of a hold it has on a community is well described. The importance of them and how the title lasts for a lifetime for the annual winner. Overall, Cashman has captured the flavor of small town in the South in the 1980's very well. 

However, I found the ending a tad disappointing. An old family secret was revealed and the actual 'mystery' was given second place, with everything tied up neatly and sweetly. I wish there had been a bit more 'meat' to the story. But worth a weekend read anyway. 

Before you go and check out other opinions and guest posts, check out the giveaway on WOW - Women on Writing.