This is the debut novel from Craig Willse, a teacher and freelance editor living in Los Angeles. A 2021 Lambda Literary Fellow, Craig has recent work in HAD, Joyland, and Fence. He is also the author of The Value of Homelessness (University of Minnesota Press) and has a PhD in Sociology from the CUNY Graduate Center.
Mark Lausson is an introverted English professor who has worked hard to get his coveted teaching job at elite Sawyer College in Ohio. But now, at the start of the second year, he’s beginning to see the reality of his life. He’s stuck in a boring small town, has constant deadlines, and his paycheck is falling short of his expectations. When a mysteriously handsome sophomore student named Tyler shows up in his class and asks for help, Mark is both compelled and unsettled. Despite being in a monogamous relationship, Mark soon finds himself falling for Tyler. After spending more time together, Mark’s and Tyler’s relationship suddenly turns intensely intimate. When they’re not together, Mark can’t stop thinking about Tyler, despite the increasing evidence that Tyler cannot be trusted. With Tyler, Mark glimpses another way of being in the world, and it makes him excited to be alive for the first time in a long while. Unfortunately, by the time Mark comes to his senses, the irreparable damage is done. What follows is a harrowing sequence of secrets and lies that Mark must unravel to save not only his career but also himself from going to prison.
This is a slow-burn suspense novel that heats towards the end of the book. The writing is very clean, and the story is very easy to follow. What also makes this book unique is that it’s a thriller with an LGBT lead. Mark is a very well-developed character, although his constant poor decision-making is quite frustrating to listen to. Despite his obvious flaws, Mark remains mostly likeable, and listeners may be rooting for him towarso the end when he’s suddenly in real trouble.
On the other hand, Tyler, who displays many red flags from the onset and sociopathic qualities, is very unlikeable. The whole premise of an accomplished, responsible man such as Mark putting his whole career in jeopardy to pursue an affair with Tyler is quite unrealistic. At the same time, it’s clear that Willse is demonstrating how strong sexual desire can easily get out of control, superseding the most basic logic and wreaking havoc in a person’s life. The story is mostly character-development-driven and the suspense really only arrives in the second half. The ending of the novel felt a bit rushed, especially compared to the pacing of the rest of the story.
Narrator Marcus Zarco does an admirable job bringing the story to life and portrays Mark with the right amount of apathy and unnerving tension to make the character quite authentic. Zarco also does a good job making the dialogue between Mark and Tyler entertaining, with well-placed dramatic flair during some of the later confrontational scenes. Overall, the book has a unique and interesting storyline, especially with the LGBT leads. If you’re expecting a fast-paced revenge thriller, you’ll be disappointed. But if you enjoy a character-driven, slow-burn suspenseful listen with a twisty conclusion, definitely give this one a consideration!