While We Were Burning

Koffi’s lukewarm debut shortchanges its worthy themes. Elizabeth Smith and her husband, David, have recently moved to the posh Memphis, Tenn., neighborhood of Harbor Town. Shy, self-loathing Elizabeth resents David’s easy social skills; the only person she could possibly consider a friend is her neighbor, Patricia. After running out of excuses, Elizabeth finally accepts one of Patricia’s regular invitations to go for an early morning jog, only to discover the woman’s lifeless body dangling from a nearby lamppost on the appointed morning. Though police and neighbors believe the death was a suicide, Elizabeth, who saw no signs of depression in Patricia, is convinced it was murder. The situation causes her already-dicey mental state to deteriorate, and David suggests she hire a personal assistant. Into the couple’s life strides beautiful, intelligent Brianna Thompson, who initially seems like a dream employee. Her sunny disposition belies her ulterior motives, however, and her Blackness chafes against the pearly-white privilege of Elizabeth and David’s milieu. Koffi toggles between Elizabeth and Brianna’s perspectives, gradually doling out information about the checkered pasts that have delivered them into each other’s lives. Themes of suburban ennui, casual racism, and mental health struggles are well explored, but Koffi’s character development is anemic, and the central investigation feels rote. This disappoints. (Apr.)