She preferred to be called Anastasia, but her real name had been Anna Cayne. She felt Anastasia was a name that suited her lifestyle, for it was a name that was filled with purpose and meaning. She was a picturesque example of a Goth Princess; her mannerisms were pure poetry. Her clothes spoke of the freedom and rebellion her soul craved. The illuminated black color shrouded her in a cloak of darkness and mystery. She was a woman of depth and substance, for she could spin the perfect tale, filled with unknown clues and secrets that left everyone guessing their true meaning. Then, as quickly as she arrived, she was gone... just five months from the day of her arrival she was missing, and despite available clues, the mysteries that surrounded her disappearance still went unanswered.

The narrator of the story is committed to rebuilding and constructing each day that led up to the day of her disappearance. His name was not important; what is to be remembered is that he knew her and appreciated her for the special person she was and the fact that she came into his world and changed him forever. So many questions revolve around a dress, placed neatly near a hole in the frozen river. The complexity of the situation heightens the seriousness of what had occurred. The mysterious events cry out for an answer to what has occurred as this mystery demands to be solved.

By far, this is the most emotionally draining book I have yet to experience. Those who are true blue mystery fans, this book will satisfy your innermost cravings. Each passage seems to literally get under your skin and pulls you in many directions. There are so many hidden meanings in each passage that you begin to analyze each one to dissect it for the clues each one offers. Although this book is targeted at Teen Fiction, I feel it is best viewed by a mature audience. The issues that are presented in very in-depth detail were enough to disturb this reviewer. It was days before I was able to get this book out of my mind.