Where the Crawdads Sing

Young girl, abandoned by all

Left in the marsh to care for herself

Kya did the best that she could

Despite the ire of the townsfolk.

She was dubbed “Marsh Girl”,

And only Jumpin’, Mabel, and Tate

Knew who she was–

A kind, resourceful, bright young woman.

Tate went away, abandoned her

As everyone else had done.

She lost her faith in humanity.

Loneliness caused her to trust Chase, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He lied to her, used her,

Took advantage of her.

She didn’t see it because she was so lonely, so hungry

To be loved and accepted.

Kya and Chase ran into each other in town.

A girl with pearls introduced herself as his fiancee.

Kya ran away, maddening Chase

He came after her, attacking her as her father had attacked her mom.

One night, while Kya was out of town,

Chase died, and she was accused of murder.

One friendly lawyer, nice to her since childhood,

Defends her to a jury of her “peers”.

Kya, found not guilty, returns to her home.

Tate begs forgiveness, and they love each other.

They live together among beautiful creatures

Deep in the marsh where the crawdads sing.

Many years later, Kya dies in her beloved marsh.

Deep in grief, Tate goes through her things and discovers the truth

Told by a hidden shell on a string.

Kya was guilty of the murder.