Prom Mom: 'Mesmerising' Irish Times

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She would not try to meet Joe or cross his path. But this was Smalltimore, after all, and it was probably only a matter of time before they encountered each other. She couldn't help being curious about that moment, fantasizing about it, even. She loved that she had no idea how he would respond to her, or how he felt about her. For the first time in a long time, maybe twenty years, her life held the promise of an exciting story. Prom Mom is very much a character-driven novel. The characters all have secrets, tell lies, and are manipulative. Everyone has their own agendas, not all of them apparent.

Amber left town after the incident, while Joe stayed, marrying a beautiful and accomplished plastic surgeon named Meredith. They don't have children as agreed. Similar to Lippman’s last book, I think readers will either love or hate Prom Mom. It worked for me in the best ways, and I found it oddly addicting. I had no idea where the plot was headed--and I enjoyed where it landed. Yeah, my vibe’s gotten really dark. It happens that the book I’m working on right now is about a minor character from the Tess Monaghan series. I took this 68-year-old woman and put her on a cruise. I think of it as a mash-up of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler and Charade. It’s a sweet book, but of course it’s still a crime novel. I liked that the book references the political landscape, it adds context and colour. Joe and Meredith are well-drawn, realistic characters; Amber I found a little more unknowable - there’s a hint that she’s neurodivergent perhaps, though this isn’t explored. Fans of 1940s noir will delight in the story’s slow burn and hairpin twists at the end. Lippman pulled off another extraordinary feat: she managed to write about life in the early pandemic in a way that doesn’t feel drab or impede narrative momentum (the Library Journal review declared Prom Mom “a future Covid classic”).Prom Mom centers on a teen ager with an unwanted pregnancy, which makes it one of your more political novels to date. Amber was tired of doing the smart thing. She had usually done the smart thing, most of her life, and where had that gotten her? THE AUTHOR: Since Laura Lippman’s debut, she has been recognized as a distinctive voice in mystery fiction and named one of the “essential” crime writers of the last 100 years. Stephen King called her “special, even extraordinary,” and Gillian Flynn wrote, “She is simply a brilliant novelist.” Amber and Joe reconnect. She opens Amber Glass Gallery. Amber is more sophisticated than in high school (and more calculating). Joe is on the verge of losing his wife, house, and reputation. What comes next is mind-blowing! It’s always fun for me to read Lippman’s books, representing a return to my hometown. And she always makes a point of really laying out the territory, giving a true feel for the area.

On the other hand, I went in search of an answer to the question why Meredith is having a Mardi Gras shoe on her desk, and I found a lot of interesting answers! Great, I learned a lot. But I don’t want a book where I have to stop every time to go to Wikipedia for answers. And you cannot find an answer to the question why people are ‘different’ when born or raised in different parts of the country. Not even in a tiny country as the Netherlands, let a lone a big one as the US. Two decades ago, Amber Glass’s life changed forever. No-one had even known she was pregnant – including Joe, her date. This is what I can share about the plot without getting into spoiler territory: On prom night in 1997, 16-year-old Amber gives birth in her date, Joe's hotel room, and kills the baby. Amber and Joe become media sensations known as Prom Mom and Cad Dad. The book switches between the POVs of Amber, Joe and his wife Meredith. It was hard for me to like any of the main characters. There’s a point made about being ethical while cheating. Sorry, that doesn’t fly in my book. . You can't choose sides in this book. Meredith may seem innocent and naive, but her polished, perfect, and generous demeanor leaves her living in oblivion. Amber is odd, cold, calculating, and unique, and I found myself liking her the most, despite knowing from the start that she would ruin lives. Joe, on the other hand, is trying too hard to be someone he's not, and seems spineless, lost, and a little pathetic.Don’t expect a fast-paced thriller, but if well-written, slow-burn thrillers are your thing, give this one a go. 3.5-4/5⭐️

Lippmann is fast creating a new genre-busting category full of remarkable writing and dazzling plot lines.’ Daily Mail EXCERPT: Joe Simpson, denuded of words that linked him to Amber Glass, was simply a successful real estate salesman. All Amber wanted for herself was what had been granted to Joe. was that so much to ask? Special thanks to #WilliamMorrow and #NetGalley for a digital advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.The Guardian spoke with Lippman a week before Prom Mom’s publication. The interview has been edited and condensed. As Amber was getting her art gallery ready for its opening, Joe came into the shop, and it all started over again for her. What about for Joe?