April 25, 2022
June Masterson, a student at New York Film School and the narrator of Carlson’s enticing debut, decides for her new thesis topic to focus on the disappearance of mystery writer Greer Larkin, “winner of five Edgar Awards... before she was twenty-four,” who vanished 20 years earlier. Reading Greer’s books provided mental escape for June from the dreary commune in the Adirondacks where she lived with her hippie parents before entering film school. June begins her project by interviewing Greer’s best friend, her controlling elitist mother, and her former literary agent. Though the most likely suspect appears to be Greer’s onetime fiancé, Jonathan Vanderpoole, June isn’t convinced that Jonathan’s responsible for Greer’s disappearance. June soon discovers that someone doesn’t want her to find out the truth after she receives a threatening note attached to her door by a knife and a person breaks into her apartment. The charming June is supported by a cast of quirky, yet realistic, secondary characters, including her thesis adviser and lover, and the twisty plot delivers more than one surprise. Readers will be curious to see what Carlson comes up with next. Agent: Abby Saul, Lark Group.
September 1, 2022
Film student June Masterson is struggling: struggling to make ends meet, struggling for independence from her controlling family, struggling to find inspiration for her final project. She's also struggling to hide her relationship with her married adviser, so he cuts her some slack when she changes her documentary topic for a third time, to an investigation into the disappearance of her favorite author, Greer Larkin. June's situation may be far from ideal, but it's nothing compared with the betrayal and bitterness she uncovers when she interviews Greer's family and friends. The closer June gets to solving the cold case, the closer she comes to disappearing herself, as it becomes evident that someone is willing to do anything to stop her. In her debut novel, Carlson crafts an intricately plotted and suspenseful storyline. Excerpts from Greer's fictitious novels give readers insight into her twisted and tumultuous life. Narrator Hillary Huber brings this first-person narrative to life and expertly embodies the dysfunctional but delightful main character. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a missing-person mystery brimming with suspicion and secrets. Recommended for fans of Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena.--Lauren Hackert
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