This is the latest novel from Ray, a Canadian/UK author who writes twisty novels about dark and messy secrets. Her books include the Romantic Mysteries, DIVORCE IS MURDER, KILLER COIN, and HANOI JANE. She lives with her family, dogs, cats, and tortoise between the beaches of Central Vietnam and Canada’s scenic Vancouver Island.
When single mom Jo Dykstra lost her teaching job in Chicago after blackmailing students, her friend of 30 years, Dana McFarlane, helped her out big-time by securing her a teaching job and a fresh start in the affluent Pacific Northwest town of Glebes Bay. So, when Jo gets a frantic late-night call from Dana, sobbing and desperate for help, it feels like a chance to help her friend in return. When Jo arrives at Dana’s oceanfront mansion, Dana looks beaten, and she sees Dana’s husband, Stan, dead, sprawled face down on the floor. Dana admits to killing her husband following years of secret abuse and begs Jo not to call the police. For nearly two decades, Dana’s marriage and family had looked picture-perfect. Determined to cover up her husband’s killing and shield her kids from scandal, Dana convinces Jo to help her dispose of the body. Dana and Jo hoist the body out of the jetty and onto the family boat, disposing of it in the water, a good distance away from that house. The two women carefully plan their next moves, but the cover-up starts to crumble when a blackmailer threatens to expose their crime. When the two women dig deeper, they come up with a list of potential suspects that could have been near the house at the time of Stan’s death. As a police investigation ensues, Dana is hounded by zealous cops, gossipy neighbours, and her shady ex-lover, who lives next door. When shocking new truths and lies are laid bare between Jo and Dana, suddenly their families are in danger and their thirty-year friendship is threatened.
This is an entertaining dual-point-of-view, fast-paced thriller. The story is thoroughly addictive and has the perfect inner workings of a TV movie plot. The short chapters alternate between the perspectives of Jo and Dana, giving listeners a chance to understand each character’s motivations and feelings very well. The plot jumps right into the central theme of how far you would go for your best friend. After 30 years of friendship, Ruby and Dana have many differences and even hold some inner grudges against each other, but they have still remained immensely loyal to each other. As entertaining as the story begins, you may be wondering why, on earth, Ruby would agree to such an extreme request from her friend. As the story progresses, more is revealed about their past friendship, and it’s clear how much Dana supported Ruby during her difficult youth. The story is full of red herrings and potential suspects, from the housekeeper Gloria to the inconspicuous neighbour Ralph. Even Jo and Dana are shown as conniving, and listeners will likely wonder when one is ready to jump ship and betray the other. Both Jo and Dana are very well developed, with characters constantly having paranoid inner monologues, making for a wildly entertaining listen. The story culminates in a twisty, perfectly crafted conclusion that will delight listeners.
Powerhouse Narrators Andi Arndt and Hillary Huber are a perfect duo to bring the study and these characters to life. Arndt’s portrayal of Dana is filled with emotion, drama, and suspense. As the drama escalates, Arndt’s performance gets more animated and hysterical, and listeners get a glimpse of a more vulnerable Dana – one who’s fighting to keep her secrets from being exposed and her children safe. Huber’s portrayal of Jo is a stark contrast, filled with sarcasm, humour, and well-placed emotional outbursts. Huber’s performance clearly depicts a woman who is always one step ahead, and she utilizes just the perfect amount of tension and assertiveness to make Jo a fierce survivor. Overall, this is an addictive story of psychological suspense that tests the limits of friendship. If you haven’t read or listened to anything by this author, or are looking for a book that you can devour in one sitting, then don’t hesitate on this one!
