Kim draws on her own life as a Korean immigrant to portray the isolation and loss of identity that comes with moving to a new country.

It examines how small lies and well-intentioned secrets can snowball into life-altering catastrophes. Critical Reception

The mother on trial, often portrayed as a "bad mother" by society despite her deep, albeit complicated, love for her son.

Won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and the ITW Thriller Award.