Flat Water Tuesday

Irwin's debut novel alternates between Rob Carrey's present, which chronicles the events leading up to the demise of his relationship with his longtime girlfriend Carolyn, and 15 years into his past as a scholarship student at the prestigious Fenton School. Coming from the fictional working-class town of Niccalsetti, NY, Rob is recruited to row with the God Four, Fenton's varsity rowing team, in his final year of high school%E2%80%94with the main purpose of beating the Warwick School in their annual competition. To do so means guaranteed admission to Harvard, something Rob would never accomplish otherwise. Irwin does a terrific job creating tension as Rob, used to being a single sculler, is pushed to work as part of a team and Rob's need to compete against Connor Payne, the team captain whose family's legacy is well known at Fenton. The strain between Rob and Carolyn is clearly palpable in the events that lead to their breakup, as Irwin accurately captures the somberness when one knows a relationship is about to end. Irwin's story on love, loss, and tragedy marks his as a distinguished new voice. (June)