LOCUST LANE

Cassandra Campbell narrates this compelling story about murder in an affluent town in Massachusetts. When a teenage girl is found dead in a million-dollar house, it's obvious from her tattoos that she's an outsider. It doesn't take long for the police to focus on three of her friends, and soon they close in on one of them, the shy son of an immigrant. Campbell handles the multiple points of view flawlessly. She is adept at reflecting the dynamics among various characters, expertly portraying men and women, as well as people of different ages and social standing. This is a plot that uncovers many secrets, and Campbell treats them all evenhandedly with no hints that give away the identity of the murderer before the mystery's reveal. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2023]