Book Review & Giveaway - I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

Synopsis:  Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, thirteen-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie...more Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, thirteen-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquility is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects - or wants - to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere.
In the summer of 1985 when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter Bowman and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she's never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She's always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he'll tell her - and share the truth about his other victims.
Yet as Walter presses her for more and deeper contact, it becomes clear that he is after something greater than forgiveness. He wants Eliza to remember what really happened that long-ago summer. He wants her to save his life. And eliza, who has worked hard for her comfortable, cocooned life, will do anything to protect it - even if it means facing the events of that horrifying summer and the terrible truth she's kept buried inside.

First Line:  "Iso, time for - "
Random Quote:  "He let her use the bathroom, having checked ahead of time that it was a one-seater without a window to the outside, and there was a cigarette machine in the hallway, so he didn't look odd, waiting there, pulling on the various handles, fishing for change.  Once, when he was thirteen, he had found seventy-five cents in the pay phone at his father's gas station, and that had seem miraculous to him."

Review:  I'm a fan of Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series and really liked her last standalone, Life Sentences so I was happy to get a copy of her latest for review, particularly once I read the blurb.  I honestly couldn't wait to read this and I was not at all disappointed.  This was an excellent read, but not in the ways I expected.

Bethesda Ave at night - Bethesda, MD - Image via Wikipedia

I'm sure the overriding temptation in writing this story would be to make it a non-stop thrill ride, but Ms. Lippman doesn't choose this ordinary route.  What makes this book work is its incredibly even pace - the book is permeated with calm and the ordinary - this makes the explosions of violence even more unexpected and powerful.  
The writing here is lovely and the characterizations are well-drawn.  I loved the ambiguity that is a constant throughout - in the plot, in the memories, in the characters of the people in the book - it makes this a powerful and worthwhile read.
FTC Disclosure:  Advance copy for review from the publisher
Rating:  Purple
Book Giveaway:  I am very pleased to be able to give 2 copies of this book away (US only)!  Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment on this blog with your email address to receive one entry.
• Follow me on this blog to receive another entry (if you're already a follower, just tell me in your comment).
• Follow me via Networked blogs on Facebook for yet another entry (if you're already a follower, just tell me in your comment).
• Follow me on Twitter and it's another entry (if you're already a follower, just let me know)
  
• Books will be delivered directly from the publisher so the giveaway is only for residents of the US. No PO boxes, please.

Winners will be announced on 8/22!  Good luck!