cover image I Love You More

I Love You More

Jennifer Murphy. Doubleday, $24.95 (304p) ISBN 978-0-385-53855-8

Murphy’s debut, an absorbing coming-of-age story, revolves around the murder of Oliver Lane, shot dead at his beach house on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The victim had three wives, starting with his first and legal wife, Diana, a true Southern lady and the mother of his word-obsessed 12-year-old daughter, Picasso. Next, there’s Jewels, with twin boys and a suspicious attitude. Last, there’s Roberta “Bert” Miles, a homely, budget-conscious woman with a brand-new baby daughter. Det. Kyle Kennedy, recently transferred from the Detroit PD, investigates, viewing all the wives as suspects. Picasso, the principal narrator, knows the truth about the relationships among the wives, knows there are lies running rampant, and yet becomes one of the liars. While Kyle battles his inappropriate attraction to Diana, readers slowly piece together the truth through the eyes of Picasso, the detective, and the wives. Solid, well-defined characters make up for a standard plot that builds to a denouement most mystery fans will anticipate. [em]Agent: Mitchell Waters, Curtis Brown. (June) [/em]