The Wives of Hawthorne Lane

Murder stuns the suburbs in the sudsy latest from DeCarolis (The Perfect Sister). Upon leaving New York City for the quiet Upstate comforts of Hawthorne Lane, newlywed Hannah Wilson is immediately welcomed by her chipper neighbors—especially Georgina Pembrook, organizer of the neighborhood’s popular fall festival. Secretly, though, Hannah fears that her husband, Mark, will discover unsavory details from her past. Behind the scenes, several of the other households on Hawthorne Lane are plagued by relationship troubles: Georgina’s suave attorney husband, Colin, has a formidable temper; her friend, Libby Corbin, is trying to hide the fact that her marriage has ended; and beautiful magazine editor Audrey Warrington is carrying on an affair. When the fall festival finally rolls around, someone dies, leading police to question Hannah, Georgina, Libby, and Audrey, who forge new bonds in the process. DeCarolis maintains tension by teasing the murder early, then waiting to reveal who died, and she sketches the dreams and disappointments of her protagonists with aplomb. The plot, however, rarely rises above standard-issue domestic suspense, despite a few effective twists. It’s a solid diversion, but not much more. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong. (Sept.)