Darling Girl

Michalski’s well-constructed second novel (after Evenfall) extends the world of Peter Pan into a fascinating contemporary drama which dives deeply into themes of aging, generational trauma, and the things parents are willing to do for—or to—their children. Holly Darling, skincare entrepreneur and granddaughter of the famous Wendy (who was the informant to J.M. Barrie’s novel), has two living children: Eden, who's been comatose for the last decade because of a rapid aging condition, and Jack, whose severe injuries, incurred during the accident that killed his father and twin, can be temporarily cured by secret injections of Eden’s blood, which has miraculous healing properties. When Eden disappears from the house in Cornwall where Holly hid her, Holly suspects Eden’s father, Peter Pan, is responsible, and that the whole Darling family could be in danger. Michalski offers creative reworkings of classic characters—a dangerously narcissistic Peter, an unhinged and abused Tinker Bell, and a relentless one-handed detective who may or may not be Captain Hook—but it’s the real-world side of the drama between Holly, her mother, her children, and her business partner that takes center stage. This dark, magical tale is sure to win fans. Agent: Andrea Cirillo and Jess Errera, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (May)