Ray's Reviews: Until She Comes Home by Lori Roy and Evil Eye by Joyce Carol Oates

Two recent releases focus on well-defined characters

involved in exceptionally stressful relationships. Each book

is by a remarkably talented author; the characters are bound

to linger long after the last page is turned.

     “Until She Comes Home” by Lori Roy (Dutton, $26.95) is a

mesmerizing mystery novel set in a small Detroit neighborhood in

1958.

The author, who won an Edgar Award for best first

mystery novel last year for “Bent Road”, proves that her

recognition is well-deserved.

This emotional, subtly powerful tale deals with a variety

of neighborhood tensions, particularly when one woman is

murdered and another disappears.

     Other aspects covered include prostitution, rape and

spousal abuse; life-altering situations abound.

     There is a wide range of intriguing characters, including

Grace, who’s pregnant and her best friend Julia, who’s trying

to take care of twin nieces. There’s also Malina, one of the

neighborhood’s busybody leaders, who has suspicions about her

husband.

     Roy adroitly captures the atmosphere of the time, when

racial tensions were bubbling over and fear of integration was

prevalent.   

The author slowly draws the reader in, as violence flares

and dark secrets emerge; this is a superb, tense suspense tale

that’s one of the year’s best crime novels.

     “Evil Eye” by Joyce Carol Oates (Mysterious Press, $23) is

a powerful and dark collection of four short novellas. Each

deals with emotional relationships of “love gone wrong”, with

unexpected and often shocking results.

     The title story explores the attitude of Mariana, the young

fourth wife of a prominent intellectual. She’s trying to cope

with a visit from her husband’s first wife, who has unnerving

secrets.

     “So Near… Any Time… Always” showcases Lisbeth, a young

teenager, and her first romance with Desmond, a handsome older

boy. After a great start, the relationship falters, soon turning

her life into a nightmare.

     “The Execution” is a chilling tale of a college student who

carefully plans the vengeful murder of his parents. It’s a

surprising, ironic tale of death and continuing love.

     “The Flatbed” reveals a pretty woman’s dark secrets,

leading to a quite surprising conclusion.

     Oates, who has taught at the University of Detroit, is a

multiple award-winning author of many gripping novels and short-

story anthologies. This is a disturbing yet captivating

collection that showcases her exceptional writing talent.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has

reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987. 

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, September 22, 2013.