I Have Some Questions For You

Adult mystery

     "He told me that 'these kids get up to trouble you wouldn't believe' and asked if I'd read the article 'a few years back' in Rolling Stone.  That article ('Live Free or Die: Drink, Drugs, and Drowning at an Elite New Hampshire Boarding School') came out in 1996, and yes, we'd all read it.  We emailed each other about it from our college dorms, livid over its errors and assumptions--much as we would all text each other nine years later when Dateline dragged everything up again."

     The he alluded to is a garrulous taxi driver.  Bodie, protagonist of Rebecca Makkai's I Have Some Questions For You, is returning to the boarding school from which she'd graduated 23 years, one husband, and two children ago.  It's not a place where she was ever really happy.  It's also the site of a tragedy that happened to a former roommate toward the end of her senior year.  Thalia was found dead in the school's swimming pool.  Her death was definitely not accidental.  The school's athletic trainer, Omar,  was indicted and convicted.

     Bodie has returned to teach a two week winter class in creating podcasts.  She's listed Thalia's murder as a possible topic.  She isn't sure that the school (or the police) did due diligence after Thalia's body was discovered.  Fast closure could prevent loss of students and prospective students, and prestige.  Only one possible perp was ever investigated even though other people had motive and opportunity.  She doesn't feel comfortable personally bringing her suspicions up, but is fine with encouraging someone else to.

     Two students who chose that topic actually discover something that sets the wheels of the judicial process in motion.  Two years later there's a motion for retrial.  Bodie and a number of her classmates are sequestered in a motel near the school.  One may have an awful lot to lose if the truth comes to light.

     Makkai's novel is a masterpiece in the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock.  

On a purrrsonal note, we had a very over the top thunderstorm roll through Veazie last night.  Something must have been hit because the power went out.  Luckily I hoard flashlights.  (Candles are not a great option with a cat in the house).  It was much too noisy to sleep so I kept on reading.  (Jules)

It was a scary storm. (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to the workers who restored power before this morning.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway