After Annie

 

After Annie: A Novel  by Anna Quindlen. New York:Random House, 2024. 304 pages. Publication Date March 12, 2024. *****

Annie Brown dies suddenly from a brain aneurysm, leaving her husband, her four young children and her closest friend left to struggle without her. Bill Brown finds himself overwhelmed with advice from his mother, support from an old girlfriend and the needs of the children. Bill didn't realize how much Annie did in their lives and how much her planning made each day run smoothly. Annie’s best friend Annemarie is lost without Annie’s support to keep her from her addiction. It falls to Annie's daughter, Ali, to take on her mother's duties and to seek help for her and her brothers while struggling to understand what is happening to her best friend. 

I received a copy from Netgalley to review. 

Anna Quindlen has written a poignant story about love, grief, acceptance, and family. Annie as a person is developed through the eyes of those who loved and knew her. Far from perfect, her message and beliefs are strong and filled with love. At times I wanted to know Annie and at others to be Annie. There are so many discussion points that I highly recommend this book for a Book Club book. Quindlen reminds us of the unpredictability of our lives and the importance of female friendships. 

From Amazon:

Anna Quindlen is the author of the bestselling novels Blessings and Rise and Shine, amongst others, and of the non-fiction titles Living Out Loud, Thinking Out Loud and A Short Guide to a Happy Life. Her New York Times column 'Public and Private' won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. She is currently a columnist for Newsweek and lives with her husband and children in New York.

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Exiles

Exiles by Jane Harper.(book 3 of 3: Aaron Falk)  New York: Flatiron Books, 2022. 354 pages. ****

Federal Investigator Aaron Falk is honored to be asked to be the Godfather for the Baptism of his old friend's baby.  Staying with friends in a Southern Australian vineyard proves not to be the relaxing vacation that he expects it to be. This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of Kim Gillespie's disappearance. At a busy town festival, Kim safely tucks her sleeping baby into her stroller, then vanishes into the crowd. Kim's teenage daughter, Zara, hands out flyers with the hope that someone will remember her mother and recall when they last saw her. Aaron gets drawn into the mystery and decides to investigate Kim and her friend's actions on that fateful night. Who abandons her baby instead of asking a friend to watch her? Did they even know Kim, was she suffering from postpartum depression?

The third book in the series, can be read as a stand-alone. I found the beginning of the book confusing, however, once I settled in, I couldn't wait to find Kim. Several scenarios presented themselves and Harper creates an evil web meant to deceive. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, add Exiles to your TBR list. 

From Amazon,

Jane Harper is the New York Times bestselling author of The Dry, Force of Nature, and The Lost Man. Jane previously worked as a print journalist in Australia and the UK and lives in Melbourne with her husband, daughter, and son. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

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The Guest

 

The Guest by B.A. Paris. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2024. 305 pages. ****

Iris and Gabriel are shocked to discover their friend Laure has left her husband Pierre and is in their house. They were on vacation and Laure walked out on Pierre and walked into their lives. With no departure date in sight Laure inveigles herself into their lives by rearranging the kitchen, wearing Iris' clothes, and critiquing Iris design decisions. Her reasons for leaving sound outlandish and Pierre won't answer the phone to defend or explain himself. Gabriel is going through his own crisis of conscience when he lies about a dying man's last words. Taking a leave of absence as a GP only gives him more time to brood about his situation and Pierre. 

I won a paperback copy from Goodreads to review.

Paris never disappoints. She is a master at building a story and developing her characters and wham! when you least expect it - there it is! You get hints along the way that not everything is at it seems and all the characters are likable until they're not. No one can be trusted, and they are all lying, which one is the murderer? Is there more than one? 

From Amazon:

B.A. PARIS is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, Bring Me Back, The Dilemma, and The Therapist. Having lived in France for many years, she and her husband now live in the UK. She has worked both in finance and as a teacher, and she has five daughters.

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