In 'The Sun Collective,' Charles Baxter weaves a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of Minneapolis. The city, pulsating with life and complexity, becomes a character in its own right as we follow the story of Tim Brettigan, a once-promising actor whose disappearance pulls his parents into a frantic search. Their quest leads to encounters with a local activist group, the Sun Collective, whose alluring ideals and mysterious leader raise both hope and suspicions. In parallel, Christina, a young woman, becomes ensnared by a new drug and the group's revolutionary talk. As these characters' lives intersect, the novel paints a portrait of society's consumerism, extremism, and the pervasive fear that secrets are just around the corner. 'The Sun Collective' is a story of search and discovery, challenging readers to question the true cost of belief and the ties that bind us in our shared humanity.