Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

Plot Summary

The story centers on Claire, who is only seven years old when her 18-year-old sister, Alison, disappears on the last night of a family vacation at a luxury resort on the fictional island of Saint X. Alison's body is found days later, and two local resort employees are arrested but soon released due to a lack of evidence. The case becomes a national tabloid sensation, but the mystery remains unsolved. 

Years later, Claire is living in New York City when she has a chance encounter with Clive Richardson, one of the men originally suspected of her sister's murder. This meeting sparks an obsession in Claire, leading her on a quest to uncover the truth about what happened that night and to understand who her sister really was. 

Key Themes

• Race and Privilege: The novel examines the chasm between the lives of the privileged tourists and the island locals, highlighting the dynamics of race and class in the context of the tragedy. 
• Grief and Obsession: The narrative delves into the long-lasting psychological effects of Alison's death on all involved, particularly Claire's consuming obsession with the case and its impact on her life. 
• Identity and Perception: The book questions how we perceive others and ourselves, exploring how a single event can define the lives of many different people.