[1] The novel's protagonist Detective Jo Harper had previously appeared in Golding's debut novel Little Darlings.
[2] It was published on November 9, 2021, by Crooked Lane Books.
[3] The book received mostly positive reviews from critics, who noted its ambiguous and layered plotlines.
[1][4] Publishers Weekly wrote that "Golding smoothly mixes folklore with an insightful exploration of motherhood".
[2] Claire Forster, writing for Foreword Reviews, described the novel as a "superlative fairytale-infused thriller".