Library Limelights 315

 

Alex Finlay. What Have We Done. Ebook download from TPL. USA: Minotaur Books, 2023.

Five orphans were complicit in a crime as young teenagers; they were residents of Savior House, a shabby excuse for a group home, operated by an indifferent Mr. Brood. Most had lost touch with each other by the time they entered their forties, except for has-been rocker Donnie Danger and his childhood hero Benny, now Judge Benjamin Wood. Jenna was the one girl in their circle, later recruited into "wet work" for a mysterious Corporation; it's behind her now, happily settled with husband Simon and his two young daughters.

But slowly it becomes clear to them that someone powerful knows what they did so long ago. A few of them admit they've been blackmailed. That doesn't seem satisfactory enough because both Donnie and Nico, a television series producer (and inveterate gambler), are set up to die in spectacular "accidents." Each barely escapes. Jenna recognizes a certain Corporation pattern when she's suckered into her old life, aiming her rifle secretly at fellow orphan Artemus (Arty); he's their nerd who became a multi-millionaire thanks to his technology expertise. Then Donnie, especially, is stunned to hear of Ben's death in the area near Savior House—nowhere near where he lived and worked. So the erstwhile little group is four now, with Jenna hoping her experienced skills can protect them. She determines it's not the Corporation that's after them for unknown reasons; it's someone even more dangerous. All of them have fleetingly glimpsed the same scary woman.

No surprise, the four gravitate individually to the now-abandoned group house, to find answers. Assassins are not far behind. The complex web of trust they shared is apparently breaking down at the hands of a conspiracy. Finlay has mastered the art of the thriller with well-delivered intrigue and suspense. Although I'm still not sure how Boo Radley's message relates!

Bits

▪ Inside room 1018, she finds a rifle with a high-end scope on a tripod positioned at the window. (14)

▪ On this side of the ship, there are no decks below. A straight drop into the ocean. (21)

▪ It's pitch black. He listens, fear and blood loss making him tremble. (25)

▪ Nico isn't a visionary like Arty. Isn't strong and smart like Ben. Isn't good at guitar like Donnie. (68)

▪ "He told me what you did. This is your fault." (131)

▪ "Ni-i-ic-c-co," he says with terrifying enthusiasm. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" (150)

▪ "That was Benny. To meet him was to love him." (158)

▪ "I told you, I'm out and I don't keep up with the competition." (171)

▪ "So your plan seems to be the best one. Let her find you." (199)

▪ "Your father was a buffoon, which is the only reason he got stuck babysitting a bunch of kids." (322)

▪ The woman whispers in Jenna's ear, "I'm going to enjoy burying you alive." (331)

Flora Collins. A Small Affair. USA: Mira Books, 2022.

In the beginning, sympathy is not easy to summon for protagonist Vera MacDonald who has been publicly reviled in headlines and widely trolled in social media as a target of hate; her enviable fashion job in Manhattan evaporated and she crawled home to mother for months. Not easy, because she keeps telling us that she's been a mean girl in her ambitious career, and that living with her know-it-all vegan mom is hell. She feels humiliated, avoiding all her friends. After yet another lecture from mom, who excells in narcissistic sniping, Vera moves back to the city to her sole loyal buddy, Quinn. The story diverges into then and now.

What dastardly thing did Vera do to earn so much vitriol? Well, she met this wealthy man called Tom Newburn ... a year ago. Vera was quite taken with him, surprised that anyone could occupy her thoughts almost as much her workaholic habits. Tom was smitten; they had about three "dates" before things went sideways. Vera overheard how nastily he treated his ex-wife Odilie on the phone, saw the intense body language, and instinct told her to flee; she never saw him again despite his pleas. Not much later Odilie is dead. I'm working around some spoilers. Let's say Vera did not deserve any of that notorious publicity. In her current state of unemployment, she satisfies some curiosity about this woman Odilie. And becomes good friends with Odilie's sister Page.

Quinn and his boyfriend Sam hatch a plot in agreement with Vera and Page, supposedly to benefit all of them, such as opening up job opportunities for Vera—who is grooming Page, much as a woman called Peri, not so long ago, groomed Odilie to fit into high society (and a rich marriage). Manipulation, an ugly side of human nature, is rampant, although concealed well. Is that how our childhoods mold us? True colours emerge as the recent past collides with the present. Switching almost rapidly between the two main women, A Small Affair is no small feat by Collins, a very deft and absorbing thriller.

Bits

▪ "But you let your personal life spill out for the whole world to see." (36)

▪ I routinely took advantage of coworkers' weaknesses. All to stay ahead, ensure my path. (52)

▪ "She's wanted to tell you for so long that she doesn't blame you for anything. None of us do." (106)

▪ It was my unwholesome oxygen, no choice but to breathe it in, this malice from phalanxes of people who wanted me dead for a murder I didn't commit. (123)

▪ "How amazing would that story be? The mistress and the mourning sister brought together by their need for connection." (163)

▪ "But she did not give two shits that Tom was having an affair." (185)

▪ "She has her own game plan, Vera. She's smarter than she looks." (196)

▪ "She was so crazy. But gorgeous. Had Tom wrapped around her little finger." (247)

▪ Her eyes harden and I have the strangest urge to arm myself, that I've brought a knife to a gun fight. (287)

▪ I want to make myself into a martyr, so I can convert that martyrdom into money, into power. (299)

▪ I was instilled with a need to be special, to have all eyes on me. Because my mother showed me that was the only way to live. Just look where that got me, Mom. (299)