Karen White’s latest standalone novel, That Last Carolina Summer, weaves together the atmospheric magic of the South Carolina Lowcountry with a deeply personal story of sisterhood, secrets, and the inescapable pull of home. This contemporary mystery-drama showcases White’s signature blend of Southern Gothic elements with family dynamics, creating a narrative that lingers long after the final page.
A Story Rooted in Premonition and Pain
The novel centers on Phoebe Manigault, whose childhood lightning strike left her with more than physical scars—it gifted her with premonitions that have haunted her dreams for decades. When she reluctantly returns to Charleston to help care for her ailing mother, Phoebe finds herself drawn back into the complex web of family relationships she’d spent years trying to escape.
White’s exploration of Phoebe’s psychic abilities feels refreshingly grounded rather than sensationalized. The premonitions aren’t treated as a convenient plot device but as a burden that has shaped every aspect of Phoebe’s life, from her self-imposed exile to Oregon to her complicated relationship with her beautiful sister Addie. The recurring nightmare of a car accident—one that shows faces obscured by protective mental filters—serves as both mystery and metaphor for the truths we’re not ready to confront.
The author’s portrayal of sibling dynamics rings particularly true. Phoebe and Addie’s relationship captures the complex dance between love and resentment that often defines sisterhood. Addie, the former Peach Queen who now works in a restaurant while caring for her daughter Ophelia, represents the dreams deferred and choices that bind us to our past. Their mother Elizabeth, battling dementia yet clinging fiercely to family secrets, adds another layer of generational complexity.
The Lowcountry as Character
White’s depiction of the South Carolina Lowcountry transcends mere setting to become an integral character in the story. The marsh lands, tidal creeks, and historic homes of Mount Pleasant create an atmosphere that’s both beautiful and oppressive. The author’s intimate knowledge of the region shows in every description, from the “pluff mud” that clings to everything to the way the light changes over Jeannette Creek.
The recurring motif of birds—particularly through Celeste’s character and her passion for ornithology—adds depth to the narrative. White uses avian behavior as commentary on human nature, creating parallels between migration patterns and the characters’ own journeys of leaving and returning home. These observations, presented through Celeste’s blog excerpts, provide moments of reflection that enhance rather than interrupt the story’s flow.
Mystery and Resolution
The central mystery surrounding Julie Fitch’s seventeen-year-old disappearance unfolds with careful precision. White avoids the trap of making the resolution feel either too obvious or impossibly convoluted. The truth, when it emerges, feels both shocking and inevitable—a testament to the author’s skill in planting clues without telegraphing solutions.
Celeste Fitch, Julie’s grandmother, serves as both the entry point into this cold case and a mirror for the theme of protective love. Her friendship with Phoebe develops organically, though some readers might question the coincidence of their meeting. However, in a small Southern community where everyone’s story eventually intersects with everyone else’s, such connections feel more authentic than contrived.
Character Development and Relationships
The relationship between Phoebe and Liam, Julie’s brother, provides the novel’s romantic subplot without overwhelming the family drama. Their connection, forged in childhood trauma and renewed in adult understanding, develops with realistic hesitation and genuine emotion. Liam’s protective nature and Phoebe’s reluctance to trust create tension that drives much of the emotional narrative.
Perhaps most compelling is young Ophelia, Addie’s daughter, who serves as both a bridge between the sisters and a reminder of innocence in a story heavy with secrets. Her character development, from sullen teenager to engaged family member, provides one of the novel’s most satisfying arcs.
Literary Strengths and Weaknesses
White’s prose captures the languid rhythm of Southern storytelling while maintaining contemporary relevance. Her dialogue feels authentic to the region without relying on caricature, and her ability to shift between multiple perspectives without losing narrative cohesion demonstrates seasoned craftsmanship.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections where the revelation of family secrets sometimes feels rushed. Some plot threads, including the specifics of the Manigault family’s financial troubles, could have been developed more fully. Additionally, while the supernatural elements are generally well-handled, there are moments where the logic of Phoebe’s premonitions becomes somewhat murky.
The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, may leave some readers wanting more concrete consequences for past actions. The focus on forgiveness and moving forward, while thematically appropriate, might feel unsatisfying for those seeking more traditional justice.
Comparative Context
That Last Carolina Summer fits comfortably within White’s extensive catalog, particularly alongside her Tradd Street series and standalone novels like The Night the Lights Went Out and Dreams of Falling. Readers familiar with White’s work will recognize her talent for blending contemporary issues with historical depth, though this novel relies less heavily on historical research than some of her previous works.
The book shares thematic DNA with other contemporary Southern fiction authors like Dorothea Benton Frank and Mary Alice Monroe, but White’s incorporation of supernatural elements and her particular gift for capturing the nuances of family dysfunction give her work a distinctive voice.
Final Assessment
That Last Carolina Summer succeeds as both a compelling mystery and an emotionally resonant family drama. While it may not reach the heights of White’s best work, it offers a satisfying exploration of themes that feel particularly relevant in our current moment: the weight of family loyalty, the cost of keeping secrets, and the possibility of redemption.
White’s ability to create a sense of place remains unparalleled, and her understanding of family dynamics—particularly the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, and sisters—continues to evolve and deepen. The novel’s exploration of how we carry childhood trauma into adulthood, and how returning home can force us to confront the people we used to be, resonates with universal truth.
For longtime fans of Karen White, this novel delivers the atmospheric storytelling and emotional depth they’ve come to expect. For newcomers to her work, it serves as an excellent introduction to an author who understands that the most profound mysteries aren’t always about who committed a crime, but about why we make the choices that define our lives.
Similar Reads for Further Exploration
Readers who enjoyed That Last Carolina Summer might also appreciate:
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid – For complex family secrets and female relationships
- “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens – For atmospheric Southern setting and mystery elements
- “The Midnight Girls” by Alicia Jasinska – For supernatural elements woven into family drama
- “Where The Rivers Merge” by Mary Alice Monroe – For South Carolina Lowcountry setting and sisterhood themes
- “The Book of Lost Friends” by Lisa Wingate – For multigenerational Southern family secrets
- Any novels from White’s Tradd Street series – For readers wanting more of her signature style with historical elements
That Last Carolina Summer reminds us that sometimes the longest journey isn’t the one that takes us away from home, but the one that brings us back to face what we left behind. In Karen White’s capable hands, that journey becomes one worth taking.