Avery Greer could not imagine that her best friend Sadie, so full of life, would have killed herself. That very morning of the end-of-season party, after which nothing was the same, she’d come to Avery for help with deciding what to wear. Sadie clearly intended to join in the festivities. Then why had she not come? Why had she never answered Avery’s text when Avery asked where she was that night? As Avery struggles to piece together the answers, she feels the shadows of someone trying to thwart her efforts. Is she just too close and too enmeshed in Sadie’s life to get a clear view? Or is she too close to not look guilty?
I have to say that especially at this time, I was looking for something distracting – and this fit the bill This mystery was dark but engaging, with an ominous cloud hovering above as we meet each character, suspecting all and trusting none. Avery is such a lonely character that we feel compelled to blanket her with compassion, and that is what keeps us tied to her throughout the story. And her story grows deeper and sadder as it goes on. And as it twists and turns, and as we feel the eyes of the small town peering at her accusingly, we feel the injustice of her possibly being a suspect, just because of the position she’s been put in by life circumstance.
Every once in awhile, I love a good murder mystery. It is not my usual genre, but it is always fun to get back to. It is challenging, keeps me guessing, and I am always trying to figure it out – and usually fail miserably. But I love the surprise of it.
The Last House Guest was on Reese Witherspoon’s reading list. Now it’s on mine too!
kindread spirits 