May 6, 2024
The murder of a teenage girl shakes up the sleepy town of Fairhill, Vt., in bestseller Lapena’s captivating latest (after Everyone Here Is Lying). After farmer Roy Ressler notices vultures circling his crops one morning, he discovers the naked corpse of 17-year-old Diana Brewer. Bright, pretty, and popular, Diana had no known enemies, leaving a glaring question at the center of the tragedy: who could possibly want Fairhill’s golden girl dead? Cycling through a laundry list of viewpoints—including multiple suspects, Diana’s family members, and the ghost of Diana herself—Lapena illustrates how the murder causes parents to cast suspicion on their children, teachers to come under fire, and decades-long relationships to fracture. Gym teacher Brad Turner fears Diana’s death will dredge up his own secrets; when construction worker Joe Prior gets called in for questioning, he worries his past might be catching up to him. What begins as a straightforward mystery gradually blooms into a portrait of a community coming apart at the seams. While the secrets-of-a-small-town themes aren’t exactly novel, Lapena’s richly drawn characters and gift for suspense give them new life. It’s gripping stuff. Agent: Helen Heller, Helen Heller Agency.
Starred review from December 6, 2024
When a farmer follows a trail of vultures to find them feasting on the body of Diana Brewer, it rocks the small town of Fairhill, VT. Though the teen appeared to be beloved by all, it seems she was preyed on by more vultures than those in the farmer's field. The possessive boyfriend, the depraved gym teacher, and the voyeuristic customer; as the suspects start piling up, the friends and family Diana left behind are determined to find her killer before they can strike again. Lapena (Everyone Here Is Lying) crafts a compelling psychological thriller full of twists. Narrator January LaVoy reads the third-person limited perspectives of over half a dozen community members connected to Diana in various ways. Barrett Leddy and Jorjeana Marie enhance the atmospheric listen with expressive performances of the first-person perspectives of, respectively, Evan (a friend Diana left behind) and Diana herself, observing the investigation from beyond the grave. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intricate psychological thriller with a fast pace and multiple perspectives. Recommended for fans of Megan Miranda, Amy Tintera, and Paula Hawkins.--Lauren Hackert
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