“Locust Lane” by Stephen Amidon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Crime Thriller Location: Emerson, Massachusetts, USA. Time: present.
“Your child is less than my child. She’s bad. Keep her away from him.”
Emerson was the perfect place to raise a family. But then 20 year old Eden Perry is murdered in an elite mansion, where she was partying with 3 teens: Hannah Holt (sweet, troubled girl), Jack Parrish (cruel, violent history), and Christopher Mahoun (new to town; desperate to fit in). Her death starts an investigation into the partiers, but their parents will do anything to protect their children.
Author Amidon first focuses on the teens’ parents- each with a deep-seated issue or secret. The police quickly focus on Christopher as the main suspect. He’s the only one who doesn’t live in a mansion, and the only person of color. Eden’s mother Danielle distrusts the police investigation. She’s joined by Patrick, with his own reason for distrusting local police. Hannah’s stepmother Alice is sure the police are wrong. Christopher’s father Michel is devastated. Jack’s parents go into elitist threatening mode. Amidst the murder drama is a heartbreaking subplot about a alcoholic’s life reaching rock bottom.
Amidon’s prose is tersely descriptive, and full of perfect metaphors and similes. It hits the mark on social values and elitism. He reminds us of the power-based cracks and fault lines under the surface in “ideal” towns. Is this a search for justice, or is it about power and influence? Can anyone be trusted?
The book is full of twists and turns, abuses of power, and damaged lives that will grind at you long after you finish. Then BOOM - the end hits you. It’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️.
“Your child is less than my child. She’s bad. Keep her away from him.”
Emerson was the perfect place to raise a family. But then 20 year old Eden Perry is murdered in an elite mansion, where she was partying with 3 teens: Hannah Holt (sweet, troubled girl), Jack Parrish (cruel, violent history), and Christopher Mahoun (new to town; desperate to fit in). Her death starts an investigation into the partiers, but their parents will do anything to protect their children.
Author Amidon first focuses on the teens’ parents- each with a deep-seated issue or secret. The police quickly focus on Christopher as the main suspect. He’s the only one who doesn’t live in a mansion, and the only person of color. Eden’s mother Danielle distrusts the police investigation. She’s joined by Patrick, with his own reason for distrusting local police. Hannah’s stepmother Alice is sure the police are wrong. Christopher’s father Michel is devastated. Jack’s parents go into elitist threatening mode. Amidst the murder drama is a heartbreaking subplot about a alcoholic’s life reaching rock bottom.
Amidon’s prose is tersely descriptive, and full of perfect metaphors and similes. It hits the mark on social values and elitism. He reminds us of the power-based cracks and fault lines under the surface in “ideal” towns. Is this a search for justice, or is it about power and influence? Can anyone be trusted?
The book is full of twists and turns, abuses of power, and damaged lives that will grind at you long after you finish. Then BOOM - the end hits you. It’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️.