(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Andrew and Maureen Hayes have already been through the worst tragedy parents can face. The loss of their baby daughter traumatized them so thoroughly that nothing has ever been quite the same. They raised two more girls—with extreme fear and caution—then divorced, and now live separate lives. Even now that their daughters are grown, the pall of Janie's death remains, coloring the family's every interaction.

Like the strange story of Amanda Knox—the American student arrested in Italy in 2009 for the fatal stabbing of her roommate—Cartwheel by Jennifer DuBois tells a tale that's both lurid and mesmerizing. It's less a murder mystery, though, than an examination of an already fractured family facing yet another insurmountable trial. Watching the Hayes' stumble their way through the situation begs the question: How would I react in a similar situation? A disquieting thought, to be sure. With this rumination lingering in the background, Cartwheel is a gripping, character-driven novel that's as intriguing as it is frightening. It's also pretty dang depressing. Overall, I found it compelling, but not all that satisfying.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Defending Jacob by William Landay)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, sexual content and depictions of illegal drug use/underage drinking
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Cartwheel from the generous folks at Random House via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
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