Kala by Colin Walsh is an engrossing, if overstuffed, mystery novel set in the small Irish town of Kinlough. The story centers on the disappearance of a young girl named Kala, promising suspense and intrigue. Walsh weaves multiple perspectives into the narrative, but this can sometimes feel overwhelming.

I found the a few of the characters too self involved to want to keep reading about them, which made the pace of this novel feel like your grandfather that repeatedly pushes on the gas petal, lurching you back and forth through traffic, possibly triggering motion sickness. Some may say that there are to many red herrings, but I appreciated the chance to be thrown off the scent.

Despite these wobbles, the emotional pull of Walsh’s core trio of characters steadies the ship, keeping readers invested in their journey. The descriptive writing style aims to immerse readers in the eerie atmosphere of Kinlough, though the pacing might feel uneven at times. While the book may not deliver all the answers you're hoping for, it's still hard to put down.