Veal

Four queer women hunt a monster that might not even exist in Nolan’s clever but sometimes perplexing debut. After burning out in the corporate world, Delores “Lawrence” Franklin moves with her best friend, Stasia Lanes, to small-town Mistaken Point, which has recently become infamous for the gruesome murders of several young women. Lawrence lands a job at the local arcade, run by the brusque and mysterious Franklin “Franky” Delores, upon whom Lawrence develops an intense crush. Franky doesn’t think the man in police custody actually committed the murders; she believes a literal monster is responsible. After experiencing terrors they can’t explain, Lawrence and Stasia—along with Franky’s dubious friend Pippa—join Franky in her quest to stop the monster. The moody story wends its desultory way through the summer before kicking into a surprisingly high gear in the final act. Weighty issues like systemic misogyny and domestic abuse are raised but mostly relegated to the background, and an ambiguous ending will leave some readers frustrated, but the atmosphere is undeniably well crafted. Those who don’t mind novels that are more vibes based than plot driven will find Nolan an exciting new voice. (Oct.)