Our Take

Following her acclaimed debut "We Are the Brennans," Tracey Lange returns with another richly textured exploration of family and community in "What Happened to the McCrays?" Lange excels at creating a vivid sense of place—the small-town setting of Potsdam, New York comes alive with authentic detail, from the local diner to the beloved ice rink that serves as the town's heart. The novel's greatest strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Kyle's journey back to self-acceptance and belonging. Rather than offering easy redemption, Lange carefully navigates the genuine hurt his departure caused and the realistic challenges of rebuilding trust. The hockey coaching subplot provides more than just a conventional sports narrative—it becomes a powerful metaphor for Kyle's own need to reconnect with values like teamwork, perseverance, and integrity. Particularly compelling is the complex relationship between Kyle and Casey, which avoids both oversimplified reconciliation and melodramatic conflict in favor of the messy, complicated reality of two people with shared history and lingering feelings. Throughout the novel, Lange demonstrates her gift for writing dialogue that reveals character and moves the story forward while feeling entirely natural. "What Happened to the McCrays?" delivers a warm-hearted but clear-eyed look at how we face our failures and find our way home—both literally and figuratively.