First published 1971
Richard Neely crafts a psychological thriller that examines the dark corners of human nature. Published in 1971, this work demonstrates Neely's skill at building tension through ordinary situations that turn menacing. The author, known for his ability to transform suburban settings into landscapes of fear, creates characters whose lives unravel in unexpected ways. Neely's prose strips away pretense to reveal the raw emotions beneath civilized facades. The story operates on multiple levels, combining elements of domestic drama with psychological suspense. Characters face choices that force them to confront their deepest fears and hidden desires. The narrative builds toward revelations that reshape everything readers thought they understood about the central figures and their motivations.
Genres: domestic-fiction, 20th-century, crime, psychological-thriller
Vibes: dark, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: unreliable-narrator
Period: 1971
256 pages · Mass Market Paperback · GALLIMARD
Content warnings: mental-illness