Book Review — LOCUST LANE by Stephen Amidon
For fans of Mystic River by Dennis Lehane and Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Stephen Amidon’s Locust Lane is a taut and utterly propulsive story about the search for justice and the fault lines of power and influence in a seemingly idyllic town. Can anyone be trusted?
On the surface, Emerson, Massachusetts, is just like any other affluent New England suburb. But when a young woman is found dead in the nicest part of town, the powerful neighbors close ranks to keep their families safe. In this searing novel, Eden Perry’s death kicks off an investigation into the three teenagers who were partying with her that night, each a suspect. Hannah, a sweet girl with an unstable history. Jack, the popular kid with a mean streak. Christopher, an outsider desperate to fit in. Their parents, each with motivations of their own, only complicate the picture: they will do anything to protect their children, even at the others’ expense.
With a brilliantly woven, intricately crafted plot that gathers momentum on every page, this is superb storytelling told in terse prose—a dynamic read that is both intensely gripping and deeply affecting.
Release Date: January 17, 2022
My ThoughtsI had high hopes for a dark, intense read, but it turns out that Locust Lane wasn’t a book for me.
My running thought throughout the story: “So much drama!”
None of the relationships are in the least bit healthy. Lots of wealthy people doing stupid stuff, like a bad reality TV program.
We have a ton of POV characters flitting in and out, and none of them are at all likable. Honestly, I didn’t care if they all died.
Pacing is slow.
The big reveal of who did it and why wasn’t surprising, given the personalities and relationship dynamics.
The ending is left ambiguous, open to interpretation, which is a tactic I’m never fond of.
But the writing itself is engaging, and sometimes I’m overly cranky, so give the book a try if the premise appeals to you.
*I received an ARC from Celadon Books.*
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