Book description
Eliza Benedict's past returns to haunt her when the serial killer she
escaped from as a young girl walks back into her life. The
nail-shredding novel from New York Times bestseller, Laura Lippman.
25 years ago, he stole her innocence. Now he wants to get in touch.
Eliza Benedict cherishes her quiet existence with her successful husband
and children in the leafy suburbs of suburban Washington. But her
tranquillity is shattered when she receives a letter from the last
person she ever expects - or wants - to hear from: Walter Bowman.
In the summer of 1985 when she was fifteen-years-old, Eliza was
kidnapped by serial killer Walter Bowman, who targeted young girls like
Eliza in a sexually motivated killing spree. Now facing lethal injection
on death row, Walter is keen to make contact with Eliza, seemingly
motivated by a desire to atone for his sins before he finally meets his maker.
Carefully, with some reluctance, she lets Walter enter her life, first
by letter, then in person. Walter is keen to convince Eliza that he has
changed but it becomes clear that Walter has more of an agenda than he
first revealed. Cunning and manipulative, Walter is never more dangerous
than when he can't get what he wants, and he wants something very badly.
Disturbingly, he seems to have an ally working in the outside, one who
seems to know everything about Eliza's life - including where she lives.
As Walter once again manages to exert his malign influence, Eliza must
draw on all of her reserves of wisdom and strength as the battle of
predator and prey once more plays out and she must face the past head on
if she is to survive.
A taut and mesmerizing novel by the highly-acclaimed author of Life
Sentences and Every Secret Thing. 'Lippman is at the height of her
powers here, smoothly alternating between the horrors of Eliza's 15th
summer and her present, excruciating, dilemma-does she respond, hoping
to quiet Walter and preserve her hard-won privacy, or ignore him and
risk his wrath? Sensitively examining capital punishment from every
side, Lippman delivers an emotionally complex drama that cements her
reputation as one of the smartest crime writers around.' People Magazine
“a marvellously crafted novel full of excellent human insights,
perfectly explained in a delicious prose. The characters of both young
Elizabeth and her older self Eliza had such realism and believability I
wanted to reach into the pages and give them a hug to reassure them that
everything was going to be alright.” Crimesquad. com
“Lippman has long excelled at believable psychological suspense, and
her latest novel is no exception.” The Guardian
'A writer at the peak of her powers.' Washington Post
'Lippman's [demonstartes that the] best action is inside her
characters' minds … Lippman fans won't be disappointed .'
Kirkus Reviews
'One of the most distinctive voices in contemporary fiction…Lippman has
once more challenged, realigned and ultimately transcended the
boundaries of genre.'New York Observer
'Succeeds brilliantly…Lippman is in total command of her material…a
mystery so taut the reader is nearly afraid to keep going-and
simultaneously powerless to stop.' People Magazine
'A terrific crime writer.' Daily Mail
'Intricate and witty.' Publisher's Weekly
'A gripping novel.'Closer
'Exquisite as fine jewellery.' Lee Child
'A corker… engrossing.' The Observer
'A really superb multifaceted storyteller whose Baltimore-based crime
and suspense novels are so much more than mere whodunits.' The Daily Mail
'What a knock-out she is.' The Daily Mail Laura was a reporter for
twenty years, including twelve years at The Baltimore Sun. Her novels
have won almost every prize given for crime fiction in the United
States, including the Edgar, Anthony, Nero Wolfe and Agatha awards. To
find out more about Laura Lippman visit www. lauralippman. com.
