The Comfort of Monsters: NYT Best Crime Novel of the Year

In Willa C. Richards' debut novel, "The Deadliest Summer," a psychic is hired by the sister of a girl who disappeared in 1991 to investigate her memories, raising questions about trust, memory, and witness in a world where even our own stories are suspect. The novel is a heartbreaking page-turner about a broken family looking for answers in the face of the unknown.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2022
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

In the captivating debut novel by Willa Richards, every sentence is a delightful treat. Elizabeth Wetmore, the author of Valentine, praises Richards for flipping the typical narrative, focusing not on the crime itself but on the profound loss that reverberates through its aftermath. The New York Times Book Review heralds it as a remarkable achievement, particularly for fans of Mary Gaitskill and Gillian Flynn.

The story revolves around two sisters, Dee and Peg, whose lives are irrevocably intertwined. In the summer of 1991, Dee, a teenage girl, vanishes in the bustling city of Milwaukee. This summer, marked by the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's heinous crimes, becomes known as the deadliest in Milwaukee's history. However, the disappearance of one girl is easily overshadowed by the overwhelming headlines surrounding Dahmer's atrocities.

Fast forward to 2019, nearly thirty years later, and Dee's sister, Peg, remains haunted by her sister's disappearance. Driven by an insatiable desire to uncover the truth, the family embarks on a quest to hire a psychic, hoping to unravel the mysteries that have plagued them for decades. Peg is plunged into a tumultuous journey through her past, where her hazy recollections are fraught with uncertainty. As she delves deeper into her memory, terrifying questions emerge. How much can we trust our own recollections? How often are our memories altered by the very act of speaking them aloud? And what does it mean to bear witness in a world where even our own stories about what happened are inherently suspect?

Willa C. Richards' debut novel is a heartbreaking page-turner that explores the depths of familial bonds and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a story of a broken family searching for answers in the face of the unknown, navigating the treacherous waters of memory and truth. Richards' writing is masterful, with vivid descriptions and intricate characterizations that bring the story to life. This is a novel that will leave readers pondering the complexities of memory, the power of storytelling, and the enduring impact of loss.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780861543540