24 Apr / Mrs. by Caitlin Macy [in Library Journal]
Never mind the children who play in the Upper East Side schoolyard of St. Timothy’s just off Park Avenue – it’s the parents who display the serious behavioral issues. On everyone’s radar is Philippa Lye, whose elegant aloofness makes her the most coveted friend.
Into this established, hierarchical clutch of preening hens arrives Gwen Hogan, who, despite her Yale credentials, lacks wealth and status but happens to share a distant childhood with Philippa. She’s shocked to realize that the other newbie, Minnie Curtis, is married to a fellow Yalie who, unlike Gwen, is exceptionally rich and powerful – albeit through ill-gotten gains.
In the cutthroat microcosm that is St. Tim’s, secrets won’t stay hidden for long and devastating confrontations prove inevitable. Filled with black humor, Caitlin Macy’s (Fundamentals of Play) third title again probes and punctures the lives of the overprivileged. Perhaps underscoring an interchangeable similarity among the many Mrs.’s here, Vanessa Johansson’s narration doesn’t particularly establish distinct personalities for the characters. Her performance suffices but doesn’t particularly shine.
Verdict: For fans who want more than just an acceptable listen, turning to the page is always an available option.
Review: “Audio,” Library Journal, April 15, 2018
Readers: Adult
Published: 2018