What Remains After
Pauline J. Grabia
Tellwell Talent (2026)
ISBN: 978-1834384511
Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views (05/2026)
She swore she’d never go back. Decades had passed, but the nightmare of her childhood had never gone away. But when her estranged mother dies, Coverville, Alberta, lures her back for the funeral. She remains far longer than she’d like when her brother, Otto, has a traumatic accident, sending him to the hospital, and his fate is undetermined.
Surrounded by her foster parents and sisters, Beth and her family remain at Otto’s bedside. His injury sparks unsettling memories of her childhood and that one summer when everything changed. Those soul-crushing days, living with her mother and Uncle Gary, were rife with abuse, breaking both her spirit and stealing her innocence. Beth had been so close to losing hope.
Sometimes you have to go back before you can move forward.
What Remains After by Pauline J. Grabia is a chilling psychological thriller that is deeply affecting and emotional. Some may be triggered by the mentions of physical abuse, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation, and the author cautions readers to tread carefully. That being said, it’s also a novel about courage and healing as Beth’s recollections transport us back to her tumultuous childhood, where she experiences immense personal growth and overcomes adversity. Themes of coming of age, family, and faith are explored throughout.
Grabia’s writing is unflinching and raw, which elicited a visceral reaction from me as I read. There were times when I wanted to transport myself into the book and strangle the people who were hurting Beth, and other times I had to take a moment to breathe and rein in my sobbing as I didn’t think I could handle more diabolical behavior by people with whom she shared blood. The author has also done an excellent job of highlighting how the child welfare system fails so many innocent children. It was infuriating that Beth and her brother’s voices were left unheard for so long; just another example of the heartbreaking consequences Beth faced when the buck kept getting passed to another adult who didn’t follow through.
What Remains After will appeal to mature readers who enjoy a rising-from-the-ashes type of novel and are capable of handling deeply disturbing topics. Abuse is portrayed through a childhood lens, prompting important questions. Grabia’s writing illustrates the inspiring regenerative ability of the human spirit through Beth’s transformation.
AT A GLANCE: A psychological thriller about a woman who returns to her hometown after her estranged mother’s death and is forced to confront a childhood marked by abuse and trauma. Raw and emotionally intense, with themes of healing, faith, family, and coming of age. Contains depictions of physical abuse, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation.
BEST FOR READERS WHO ENJOY: Psychological thrillers, survivor stories, coming-of-age fiction, books about healing from childhood trauma, stories about family dysfunction, faith and resilience, literary fiction with emotional depth, dark but ultimately hopeful narratives, books that address child welfare system failures