Set in the sweltering summer of 1989 in a seemingly idyllic Baton Rouge neighborhood, 'My Sunshine Away' is a profound exploration of the complexities of adolescence, the fragility of innocence, and the painful journey to forgiveness. The story unfolds through the eyes of a teenage boy who harbors a deep crush on his neighbor, Lindy Simpson, a vibrant fifteen-year-old, and local belle, whose life is shattered by a violent assault near her home. His quiet obsession propels him into an amateur investigation of the crime, as the community's facade of perfection begins to crumble, revealing the dark, hidden truths lurking behind closed doors. M.O. Walsh's debut novel brilliantly interlaces the charm of childhood memories with a harrowing mystery, delivering a narrative that wrestles with the concepts of memory, love, and the indelible impact of one fateful summer.