Sharp Objects

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, 254 pages

Camille Preaker is a crime reporter in Chicago, but is sent back to her hometown in the Missouri boot heel to cover a possible serial kidnapper and murderer. Staying with her cold mother, nondescript stepfather, and unnerving 13-year-old sister in the sterile home where she grew up makes Camille slip back into the discomfort of her youth as she attempts to separate rumor from fact.

Flynn (Gone Girl, Dark Places) is not known for creating likeable characters, but in this, her debut novel, she succeeds in making Camille sympathetic, while still messed up beyond belief. I'll admit that, pretty early on, I could see where this story might end up; that said, I had no idea exactly how we'd reach that point, and there were enough twists and tension to make the journey fascinating (albeit in a slightly stomach-turning way). IMO, this is Flynn's best book. Well worth a read.