Perennial New York Times and nationally bestselling author and acclaimed multiple–prize winner Laura Lippman delivers a brilliant novel about a woman with a secret life who is forced to make desperate choices to save her son and herself.When Hector Lewis told his daughter that she had a nothing face, it was just another bit of tossed-off cruelty from a man who specialized in harsh words and … specialized in harsh words and harsher deeds. But twenty years later, Heloise considers it a blessing to be a person who knows how to avoid attention. In the comfortable suburb where she lives, she’s just a mom, the youngish widow with a forgettable job who somehow never misses a soccer game or a school play. In the state capitol, she’s the redheaded lobbyist with a good cause and a mediocre track record.
But in discreet hotel rooms throughout the area, she’s the woman of your dreams—if you can afford her hourly fee.
For more than a decade, Heloise has believed she is safe. She has created a rigidly compartmentalized life, maintaining no real friendships, trusting few confidantes. Only now her secret life, a life she was forced to build after the legitimate world turned its back on her, is under siege. Her once oblivious accountant is asking loaded questions. Her longtime protector is hinting at new, mysterious dangers. Her employees can’t be trusted. One county over, another so-called suburban madam has been found dead in her car, a suicide. Or is it?
Nothing is as it seems as Heloise faces a midlife crisis with much higher stakes than most will ever know.
And then she learns that her son’s father might be released from prison, which is problematic because he doesn’t know he has a son. The killer and former pimp also doesn’t realize that he’s serving a life sentence because Heloise betrayed him. But he’s clearly beginning to suspect that Heloise has been holding something back all these years.
With no formal education, no real family, and no friends, Heloise has to remake her life—again. Disappearing will be the easy part. She’s done it before and she can do it again. A new name and a new place aren’t hard to come by if you know the right people. The trick will be living long enough to start a new life.
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Smart, twisty thriller from the always-enjoyable Lippman, this one a standalone. Suburban madams, killer secrets, shady pasts and presents. Enjoy.
insight to dealings with a rare, but oldest profession. Helen/Heloise is a likable character, I found myself rooting for her. Easy read.
This writer can do no wrong.
One of Lippmann’s best. The ending was a surprise. I really liked the protagonist because she was believable and sympathetic.
Laura Lippman makes her characters true human beings who you’d want to help, if only you could.
An interesting look at how choices lead you down a certain path.
This is the only book of hers that I did not like.
Lippman always delivers a good read. Gave this one 4 stars because the ending was a little too happy.
Probably one of the worse books I have read. Too many characters, each have too much detail that was not germane to the core of the storyline. The author jumped from the past to the present in every chapter making the timeline difficult to follow. Some authors do this with ease & make it a pleasure to follow unlike this author. Would not be likely …
I thought it was great. It had a bit of mystery to it so it kept me turning pages (kindle) and
Reading way past my bedtime, the ending was great and I enjoyed the development by the author
Of the characters backgrounds. Good read
Great intellectual discussion that the protagonist develops with herself from her observations of the people in her world. Always interesting.
Like some of the other reviewers, I found the business aspect details about running this type of business interesting. Few lurid details. Overall good plot although the main twist was easy to spot early on. Main and other characters could have been developed more.
Characters were generally not likable. Could not get into the overall plot of the story.
Negative story line and feel throughout. I prefer books that are more uplifting.
I know this author is beloved by many but I quit reading after 50-some pages because it didn’t flow and I never could get into it.
This is the first Laura Lippmann book I have read. I thought it was good, I like the strong female character and the story line. Ending was a bit abrupt but interesting twist. I definitely would try another of her books.
Not great. She has written better books.
Not the same old story, Keeps you guessing,, interesting characters.
Kind of a tragic but fun read.
Intriguing but predictable.
A great read very entertaining. Unpredictable ending.