Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Liz Nugent - I was a huge fan of both Unraveling Oliver and Lying in Wait. This was another 5 star read for me - less of a mystery and more of a character study into a very dysfunctional family.
The story opens up at a funeral. We learn that all three Drumm brothers are there but one is in the casket. But which one? That mystery will remain until the end of the book. Meanwhile, we learn about the brothers, each from their point of view, but also through the points of view of the other brothers when it's their turn. Each brother's part of the story is told in different timeframes - it was like the author wrote the narrative with a chapter for each defining moment in time, and then threw the pages up in the air and that's that way they landed in the book for you to read. But it worked! In this way, we gain little bits and pieces of each of their stories, their interactions with each other, and the intertwining characters that have a role in each brother's story.
William, Brian and Luke all commit little cruelties to each other. Their mom, in particular, was a case study in her treatment of each of her sons as well as their significant others. There is lots at play here - mental illness, rape, infidelity, fame, money, addiction, social media - the list goes on. This isn't a fast-paced mystery; more an introspection on family and personalities. I loved it even though I didn't really like any of the characters!
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