REVIEW of Laura Lippman's Novel WILDE LAKE

Wilde Lake

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (February 14, 2017)

An African-American man accused of rape by a humiliated girl.  A vengeful father.  A courageous attorney.  A worshipful daughter.  Think you know this story?  Think again.

Laura Lippman, the “extravagantly gifted” (Chicago Tribune) New York Times bestselling author, delivers “one of her best novels ” (Washington Post)—a modern twist on To Kill a Mockingbird. Scott Turow writes in the New York Times, “Wilde Lake is a real success.”

Luisa “Lu” Brant is the newly elected state’s attorney representing suburban Maryland—including the famous planned community of Columbia, created to be a utopia of racial and economic equality. Prosecuting a controversial case involving a disturbed drifter accused of beating a woman to death, the fiercely ambitious Lu is determined to avoid the traps that have destroyed other competitive, successful women. She’s going to play it smart to win this case—and win big—cementing her political future.

As she plunges deeper into the past, Lu is forced to face a troubling reality. The legal system, the bedrock of her entire life, does not have all the answers. But what happens when she realizes that, for the first time, she doesn’t want to know the whole truth?

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This being the first Laura Lippman novel that I read, it impressed me how she is able to interweave multiple complex plot lines with it all cohering at the book's conclusion. Along with the book's mysterious nature, the story focuses upon the Brant family's secrets, including Columbia community members playing crucial roles within. Therefore, this tale is not only told from the viewpoint of Lu Brant yet also weaves between Lu’s childhood to today as she follows in her father's footsteps as state’s attorney of Howard County, Maryland. Unlike any other book I have read before two different fonts are used, one for the present and a different one used for the past. I do not know the names of the fonts, but it definitely catches the eye.

As the song reached it’s climax, a scrim depicting the Tree of Life fell...My father, in his seat next to me, allowed himself a quiet snort, which he masked with his handkerchief as if it were a sneeze.
“Wasn’t that great? Didn’t you love it?” I asked my father.
“I can’t help thinking of another tree of people, another song,” he said
“A much darker song, but a truer one, called ‘Strange Fruit*.’ I guess I’m just an old grouch.” My father squeezed my shoulder.

Masterfully written beyond a doubt in my eyes nevertheless at times it could be slightly complex. Occasionally, due to the plot containing a slew of characters and numerous twist and turns, confusion is a meager obstacle. Whereas, various in-depth subjects that are pertinent in our society take front and center, for example, rape, bigotry, psychiatric illness, including much more. As a reviewer, I try my hardest not to give away much of the story. One last thing, this is a mystery NOT a thriller. Therefore, that's all folks!

★★★★☆

Since Laura Lippman’s debut, she has won multiple awards and critical acclaim for provocative, timely crime novels set in her beloved hometown of Baltimore. Laura has been nominated for more than 50 awards for crime fiction and won almost 20, including the Edgar. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages. Now a perennial New York Times bestselling author, she lives in Baltimore and New Orleans with her family.

Connect with Laura on her website, Facebook,  or Twitter

*Song mentioned above

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