Hildy Nybo is a successful biologist, her study of the Pacific Northwests wild fish both a passion and a career. But behind her professional brilliance, Hildys reclusive private life reflects a childhood fraught with uncertainty. Despite her fathers love and her mothers sympathy, she grew up constantly losing even her most cherished belongings, unable to recall where she misplaced them. Haunted by the confusion of those early years, she now records her life in detailed diaries and clings tightly to memory-prompting keepsakes.

Then her mothers health fails, and Hildy accepts a job near her childhood home, joining a team of scientists who will help restore her beloved Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. There Hildy settles into one of the cabins on her familys rustic resorta place she both loves and dreads, for reasons she cant fully explain.

When local artist Miranda Rimmer rents an adjacent cabin for her pottery studio, Hildy shrinks from such a close neighbour. But then Mirandas carpenter brother, Luke, shows up to help with construction and captures Hildys attention. Now a few years beyond a tragedy that brought him to his knees, Luke recognizes a kindred soul in Hildy, and they build a relationship that dismantles the walls Hildys built to keep people out. As troubling pieces of the past surface, Hildy dares to wonder if she can banish the shadows that have burdened her and follow her rivers course to freedom.

What the River Keeps is a compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, and overcoming painful secrets that explores the beauty of the natural world
A poignant and emotive contemporary novel perfect for fans of Delia Owens and William Kent Krueger
Includes discussion questions for book clubs