WHISPERS AND LIES by Joy Fielding
Joy Fielding's latest novel WHISPERS AND LIES is a shocker. Unlike other books by her which were enjoyable but fairly predictable, this new one is full of surprises from beginning to end. At first it seems to be a routinely plotted story about stalkers, users, and eventually killers. Then it goes into overdrive and becomes one of obsession and insanity.
The focus of the book is Terry Painter, a forty-year-old nurse. She lives in Delray, Florida and seems to have an uneventful life. She occupies the house where her mother lived until her death and rents out the cottage in the back where she once lived. She has never been married but hasn't given up hope on that score, especially since she met Josh, the son of one of her elderly patients.
Terry has had one bad boarder in her cottage so she is a little skittish when Alison Simms shows up on her doorstep wanting to rent it. She doesn't quite believe the story of how she learned of the vacancy. Still Alison is such a breezy and bright young woman that she finally agrees to let her move in.
Once Alison is in the cottage, she begins to take over Terry's life. She insists that they go out to eat together, explore Delray together, and generally become "best friends." Terry is swept along in all of this but she still harbors some doubts as to what Alison's true intentions are. Does she plan to rob her? Blackmail her? Or worst of all, murder her?
As the story progresses, the suspense builds and builds and builds. You won't be able to switch off the light and put this book aside until you get to the final revelations. Then they will intrigue you enough that you will go back and read earlier passages and wonder why you didn't see the ending coming.
Terry Painter is a flawed heroine, but don't give up on her. She has a lot of aspects to her character that don't come out until late in the book. Some of her annoying traits will make you want to give up on the story before you are truly into it. She comes across as a whiner and a doormat. But hang in there, Terry will come through for you.
This is the most carefully constructed story Fielding has ever written. Her true talent shines through here and establishes her as a writer of range and huge promise.
Believe the praise I am handing out here. I am "shouting and telling the truth" about WHISPERS AND LIES. It is a book you will enjoy, puzzle over, and remember.
WHISPERS AND LIES is published by Atria Books. It contains 307 pages and sells for $25.00.