What the Dead Know

What the Dead Know is a crime thriller by Laura Lippman published in 2007. [Laura Lippman, "What the Dead Know", William Morrow, 2007. ISBN-10 0061128856, ISBN-13 978-0061128851.] The story, set in Baltimore in 2005, is about an investigation into a woman who claims to be Heather Bethany, a girl who had gone missing thirty years before. The book was critically acclaimed and won the 2007 Quill Award in the mystery/suspense/thriller category.

Critical reception

Reviewers saw "What the Dead Know" as a success both as a well-crafted mystery and as an emotionally powerful novel. [Patrick Anderson, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/18/AR2007031801292.html "A Virtuoso Reappearing Act"] (review of "What the Dead Know"), "Washington Post", March 19, 2007; Page C03.] [Janet Maslin, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/05/books/05masl.html?_r=1&oref=slogin "Maybe She’s Reappeared; Definitely She’s a Mystery"] (review of "What the Dead Know"), "New York Times", April 5, 2007.] "The Guardian" called it a "realistic and poignant detailing of emotional hide-and-seek, ... an excellent mystery and a thoughtful exploration of the nature and effects of grief and loss." [" [http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2125631,00.html What the Dead Know] " (book review), "The Guardian", July 14, 2007.] The reader is kept guessing to the end as to the identity of the mystery woman.

Main characters, as first introduced

* The Bethany family: Dave and Miriam (née Toles); daughters Heather and Sunny
* Penelope Jackson – registered owner of a car in a highway accident
* Detective Kevin Infante – lead investigator
* Harold Lenhardt – Infante's sargeant
* Gloria Bustamante – lawyer
* Nancy Porter – police researcher and Infante's former police partner
* Kay Sullivan – social worker at St. Agnes Hospital; children Seth and Grace
* Dr. Schumeier – psychiatrist at St. Agnes Hospital
* Chester "Chet" V. Willoughby IV – retired detective
* Stan Dunham – former Pennsylvania property owner
* Irene – a foster mother
* Tony Dunham – man killed in a Florida house fire
* Roy Pincharelli – music teacher
* Joe – art gallery owner
* Javier – art gallery employee
* Jeff and Thelma Baumgarten – couple in fidelity crisis
* Ruth Leibig – Ohio school girl
* Estelle and Herb Turner – practitioners of Fivefold Path spirituality
* Priscilla "Syl" Browne – employee at "Swiss Colony" restaurant

References