Set in the 1950s and 1960s in the coastal marshes of North Carolina, Where the Crawdads Sing follows the life of Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family and forced to survive on her own in the wild. At a young age, Kya’s mother leaves, unable to endure the abuse of Kya’s alcoholic father. One by one, her older siblings also depart, leaving Kya alone with a man who is often absent and volatile. When her father eventually disappears altogether, Kya is left completely on her own. She learns to fend for herself, finding solace in the marsh and its creatures, which become her family. She survives by fishing, trading mussels, and evading social workers who seek to place her in school. The local townspeople regard her with suspicion and cruelty, dubbing her the "Marsh Girl."

As Kya grows older, she finds companionship in two boys from town. Tate Walker, a kind and intelligent boy, teaches her how to read and write, opening her world to books and the sciences. Through Tate, Kya discovers her passion for studying the natural world, particularly the flora and fauna of the marsh. She begins documenting her observations in journals, which later evolve into published works. Kya and Tate develop a deep bond, but when he leaves for college, he fails to return as promised, leaving her heartbroken.

In the wake of Tate’s absence, Kya becomes involved with Chase Andrews, the local town’s golden boy. Unlike Tate, Chase is charismatic but deceitful, and their relationship is fraught with manipulation. Kya, longing for love and acceptance, falls for him, believing that he will offer her a sense of belonging. However, she soon discovers that he is engaged to another woman, and their relationship ends in betrayal. When Chase is later found dead in the marsh, Kya becomes the prime suspect in his murder. The townspeople, long suspicious of the mysterious Marsh Girl, are quick to accuse her despite a lack of concrete evidence.

The second half of the novel shifts between the past and present, following Kya’s arrest and trial. The courtroom drama unfolds as the prosecution presents circumstantial evidence, suggesting that Kya had both motive and opportunity to kill Chase. The defense, led by a compassionate lawyer, argues that there is no physical proof tying Kya to the crime. The trial serves as a reflection of the town’s prejudice, as Kya is judged not only for the crime but for her unconventional life and independence.

After a tense trial, Kya is found not guilty, and she returns to her beloved marsh, where she continues her work as a naturalist. She and Tate rekindle their relationship, growing old together in the place she has always called home. In a quiet yet shocking twist, after Kya’s death, Tate discovers hidden evidence in her home—a poem and a necklace—that imply she was, in fact, responsible for Chase’s murder. The revelation recontextualizes Kya’s story, portraying her as both a victim and a survivor who took control of her fate in a world that sought to reject her.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a poignant exploration of human resilience, the beauty of nature, and the complexities of love and justice. Delia Owens masterfully blends poetic prose with a gripping mystery, creating a novel that lingers in the minds of readers long after the final page.