Little Deadly Secrets

June 22, 2020
Two decades after becoming BFFs at college, Mackenzie Fischer, Robin Thompson, and Lily Santoro, the three suburban Pittsburghers at the center of this serviceably plotted but otherwise subpar domestic thriller from Crane (Pretty Ugly Lies), face an interlacing series of crises that threaten to destroy their bond—if not their lives. Homemakers Mackenzie and Robin are approaching breaking points in their marriages; Mackenzie has had it with explosive, abusive Owen, while Robin suspects Grant, whom she still loves, of fooling around at the same time she’s swamped taking care of their four kids. Meanwhile, personal trainer Lily, who’s separated from her husband, is tempted to sleep with Grant, who’s come on to her out of sexual frustration in his marriage. A disturbing incident involving Robin’s 18-year-old son and Mackenzie’s 15-year-old daughter could jeopardize Mackenzie’s relationship with Robin—and could anger Owen if he finds out about it. Though Crane does a good job keeping all these plates spinning and delivers a couple of 11th hour surprises, readers should be prepared for clichéd characters and credulity stretching coincidences. Other authors have done better with similar material.

August 1, 2020
Flashbacks to college days show girlfriends Mackenzie, Robin, and Lily vowing to make their union last. Last it does; decades later, they still know each other, but nothing is as they had hoped. Mackenzie is married to an abusive, controlling man; Robin struggles with four children and a past rape; and Lily is a lonely prescription-pill addict who's on the brink of an affair with Robin's husband. Then the friendship is dealt a possibly lethal blow: two of their children have drunken sex, and it's statutory rape. Crane (Pretty Ugly Lies, 2018) succeeds at painting families and friendships in vivid detail; women will see their tussles and triumphs in these pages, and will relish the twists and moments of brave camaraderie and bold revenge. The tale is a little overstuffed with plot elements, and the abuse and rape scenes are hard to take. But those who can overlook these issues are in for a satisfying read that has echoes of Liane Moriarty and of Emily Giffin's All We Ever Wanted (2018).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)