Hello, everyone. Today I am reviewing After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in return for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): When Felix Brewer vanishes on July 4, 1976, to avoid serving a fifteen-year prison sentence for mail fraud, he leaves behind five devastated women: his sophisticated wife, Bambi, their three lovely daughters, and his devoted young mistress, Julie. Though Bambi has no idea where her husband or his money might be, she suspects his mistress does. When Julie disappears ten years to the day after Felix went on the lam, everyone assumes she’s left to join her old lover – until her remains are discovered in a secluded park.
Now, twenty-six years later, Roberto “Sandy” Sanchez, a retired Baltimore detective working cold cases for some extra cash, is investigating her murder. What he discovers is a tangled web of bitterness, jealousy, resentment, greed, and longing, stretching over five decades. And at its center is the enigmatic man who, though long gone, has never been forgotten by the women who loved him.
Felix Brewer left five women behind. Now there are four. Does one of them know the truth?
My review: Laura Lippman is an author who has been on my radar for a long time. Her Tess Monaghan mysteries receive rave reviews. So, I jumped at the chance to read and review her newest book. This one, as does the Tess Monaghan series, takes place in and around Baltimore. The premise is a fascinating one and Lippman does a bang-up job of moving between the present and the past. While Sanchez investigates the murder in the present, we are taken back to the day Felix vanishes. From there, we move in and out of the subsequent years after his disappearance, each time from a different character’s point of view. This is a powerful way to tell the story. We get to know the five women in the story as little peeks into their lives at a given point in time are revealed to us – very much like a jigsaw puzzle where each piece reveals a bit more of the big picture.
Lippman is an incredibly skilled writer, the plot is complex and detailed. She dangles a hint here, a hint there, as the story moves forward, all of it making sense, but not making quite enough sense to figure out who the murderer is. I was kept guessing right up until the end. Oh boy, do I love that!
Baltimore is clearly a city Lippman knows and loves. It figures prominently in her books and she paints a vivid picture of that city and its environs. It’s a character in and of itself. As for the rest of the characters in the novel, they are fully realized and fascinating, to boot. How are those women impacted by Felix’s disappearance? What are the ramifications for them as they move forward in their lives? How does it mark them?
You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I have become a fan. (I look forward to starting the Tess Monaghan series!) Laura Lippman has written a fascinating and un-put-downable mystery.
About the author: Since her debut in 1997, Laura Lippman has been heralded for her thoughtful, timely crime novels set in her beloved hometown of Baltimore. She is the author of twenty works of fiction, including eleven Tess Monaghan mysteries. She lives in Baltimore, New Orleans, and New York City with her family.
Good news! One of you will win a copy of After I’m Gone. Just leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on Sunday evening.
Happy Thursday.
Sounds like a great book Claudia! Thanks for the chance to win it. I’ve never read anything by this author, though I’ve heard that her book “What the Dead Know” is fabulous. I’ll need to hunt her down in my library (when I finish the books waiting for me in my bookcases at home…).
I am forever in your debt for introducing me to Gamache so hoping this one becomes my next good read. Thanks.
I love mysteries and this one sounds like a good one! I like the fact you couldn’t figure out the end~good sign.
Have a sunny day!
I have enjoyed reading Laura Lippman in the past. This one sounds great!
Sounds like this story is right up my (Baltimore) alley! Pick me! Pick me!
Enjoy your day!
P.
I love a good mystery. Please pick me.
Deanna M.
Great review, you really are a talented writer,reviewer,and story teller! -Judy A-
I always love discovering a new mystery writer. I’ll give her a try.
Your review caught my interest. I have read other novels by this talented author. Thanks for this giveaway.
Thank you for the review of this book. Now I want to read it.
I can’t wait to read this. Thank you for such a good review.
Sounds like a great story…and well told. I’ll put it on my list! I really enjoyed Inspector Gamache, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one too! ;)
This is my kind of book. I like to keep guessing until the end. Louise Penny and Lee Child leave me guessing every time. I would love to have this book. Thank you for your good reviews.
Love all her other books, would love to win this, thanks
If you were kept guessing..I know I will enjoy it!!
I so enjoy a good mystery and your review leaves me craving more!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
From your recommendation I began reading the Robert Galbraith novels. I’m now half way through the second one and wish there were more to follow. So Laura Lippman’s sounds as though it would be a good one to follow.
Wow – sounds like an interesting and exciting read! Love mysteries.
Thanks for the review – Lee Anna
Sounds very good. Put me in the draw for a copy.
I have read all of her books, and I really love them. Little side note – I live in Baltimore and when we moved into the house we are still in 21 years ago, the phone number we were given had apparently been hers. We would get all kinds of calls for Laura Lippman, but at the time I didn’t know who she was!
I would love to win this book. I have read quite a few of her books but my library does not yet have this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
You never fail in making me want to read whatever book you review. This one is no exception.
wishing me luck……
jane-in-tx
I would love a chance to see if I can figure out “who done it” before the end. Thanks for suggesting an author that I’m not familiar with, Claudia.
It sounds like a good mystery! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I love books that keep you guessing to the very end. I trust your judgement too. Blessings
Thanks for the review, Claudia. This sounds like fun read. I think I’ve read her before and enjoyed it.
Claudia, sounds like a well written book. I have this author on my list to read for sure! Thanks for the chance at a book.
hugs,
Linda
I live near Baltimore and I’m embarrassed to say that I still haven’t made time to read Lippman’s books … I must remedy that!
Thanks for being a part of the tour. I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
Love her- love her books! i’d be very excited to win a copy of this new one!
Claudia, Your reviews always make me want to read the book you are commenting on. This one is no exception. Would love to win the giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity!
Very nice review.
I enjoyed this book and all of her books.
Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth