This was a work book club pick, and I was actually looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I’m adding it to my list of disappointing thrillers. Rachel Krall has a true crime podcast – I’m thinking something along the lines of Serial. For her third season, she wants to cover a case going to trial while it’s in progress, and picks an alleged rape in a small North Carolina town (which seems to be inspired by the Brock Turner case). Rachel travels to Neapolis (yes. This is really what she names the town.) to watch the trial in person.
Rachel is also being stalked by a listener who grew up in Neapolis, whose life was upended by the death of her older sister twenty five years ago. At the time, Jenny Stills’ death was ruled an accident, but Hannah, our intrepid stalker, is not so sure and wants Rachel to investigate. From here, Rachel starts to look into both cases, and starts to find what may be connections between them.
There were absolutely no surprises in this book. It was interesting to follow how a rape/assault trial actually works, and how the trial ends up being an additional violation for the victim. I thought that part of the book was actually handled in a pretty nuanced way. But the mystery is not very mysterious, and the resolution is not super satisfying.
My biggest peeve with this book, though, is why it’s set in the United States?? The author is Australian, and clearly has not spent much time in the US. From coin-operated barbecues on public beaches to electric kettles instead of coffee makers in hotel rooms, the sense of place was incredibly blurry the whole way through.
If you like the podcast part of the plot and format, I would recommend Sadie, by Courtney Summers. Similar format, darker but much more well-written plot. And if you’re interested in the assault to trial to healing journey, I would recommend Know My Name, by Chanel Miller, who was assaulted by Brock Turner.
