Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Capsule Review



What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman (2007).

A woman emerges from a highway traffic accident on the edge of Baltimore claiming to be one of two sisters who had disappeared as adolescents from a local shopping mall three decades before. Is she or isn’t she? If so, what happened back then and where has she been since? If not, who is she, and how does she know what she knows?

I’m often impatient when the author of a favourite series takes a break to write a standalone. Not this time. This is Laura Lippman’s best book yet. It is at once a riveting mystery and a powerful meditation on identity, deception, memory, and loss. I recommend it highly.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been debating whether or not to add this book to my TBR list. It was on then off then on then off. I think it will be going back on after your review. Thanks!

Francesca Thomas said...

So I guess you partied hard at the Expo huh?

Welcome back - I was getting a wee bit worried.

Historia

Melwyk said...

I've been looking at this book every time it comes back across the counter at work. Now I think I'll have to snag it next time it appears. I had the same thought about chancing a standalone; but now that you've approved it I'll take the chance!

Kelly said...

I saw this the other day. I am still debating whether or not to read the book.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to diddo what everyone has said and say that I've been thinking about purchasing this book for a very long time now. It kind of surprises me that I've only recently heard of Lippman since I live in D.C., practically next door to Baltimore! I think I'll be moving this title further up on my TBR list.

Anonymous said...

I loved this book. Started out a bit slow, but when it picked up, I couldn't put it down.

Also, love your book blog. I am adding your link to mine.

J. Kaye

http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/