In five words: twisty, Louisiana, thriller, identity, high-stakes
Having had success with my new foray into reading and running with Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter, I needed something else to read as I geared up for my first half marathon (GULP). And this book literally helped me get to the finish line, with a twist in the book that hit me in mile 10 and distracted me from the absolutely nuts activity I was trying to complete, and my aching knees. (Spoiler, I finished the race. Woot!) And truly, I worked hard to get there, but Elston’s book was a real motivation that kept me putting one foot in front of the other. This is Elston’s first adult novel and I hope it won’t be her last!
This book has twists on twists on twists and I don’t want to spoil any so I’ll keep my plot comments brief. Evie Porter has moved to a new town for a job, the details of which are sparse and communicated via voice-altered phone calls and instructions left in a P.O. box. She is on a need-to-know basis from her mysterious boss, who recruited her years back for her ability to disappear into a new location and new identity for “the job,” which changes at every turn. But this job looks to be different, as Evie finds herself imagining a new future, one with stability and less secrets, but can she turn her dreams into reality?
Full disclosure, I am biased as HECK about this book and author because the book is sent in Louisiana and the author is from north Louisiana, where I lived for 10 years and I couldn’t be more thrilled for her success. It’s a great book, and a Reese’s book club pick! And it’s being adapted for Hulu by Octavia Spencer. QUICK. SOMEBODY BRING ME SOME PEARLS TO CLUTCH. Or smelling salts.
That said, as someone from Louisiana I am EXTRAORDINARILY PRICKLY about books/movies/shows set there because oof, so many things get it a little wrong (looking at you, Tru Blood) or a LOT wrong (glaring at you, Adam Sandler’s Waterboy). In fact, the only property that has satisifed me to my core is the play and movie of Steel Magnolias. Since I’m predisposed to heavily judge, it’s a big deal that I give Elston a firm head nod, and if I met her in person, a big ol’ THANK YOU for getting it very right.
This would be an excellent beach read, perfect for summer as you try to anticipate what happens next, but I bet you won’t…
