The plot of Where the Crawdads Sing centers on Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family who grows up isolated in the marshlands of North Carolina. After her mother and siblings leave due to their abusive, alcoholic father, Kya is left to survive on her own, learning to live off the land and developing a deep connection with nature. She becomes known as the "Marsh Girl" by the local townspeople of Barkley Cove, who ostracize her due to her isolation and mysterious lifestyle

. The story unfolds across two timelines. The first follows Kya’s childhood and coming-of-age in the 1950s, detailing her struggles with abandonment, her friendship and romance with Tate Walker who teaches her to read and write, and her growing independence in the marsh

. The second timeline, set in 1969, involves the murder investigation of Chase Andrews, a local celebrity and high school quarterback, whose dead body is found in the marsh. Kya becomes the prime suspect in his murder due to their complicated relationship and the town’s suspicion of her

. Throughout the narrative, themes of nature, romance, trauma, and social isolation are interwoven, as Kya’s story reveals both her resilience and the prejudices she faces from the community. The novel and film explore how Kya navigates her identity and relationships while living in the wild marshlands, ultimately culminating in the mystery surrounding Chase’s death