In Violet’s Wake

In Devereaux-Nelson’s debut novel, five hapless men in contemporary Michigan struggle to overcome the whirlwind of devastation left in manipulative femme fatale Violet Benjamin’s wake. When Violet suddenly abandons husband #5, Marshall, his jealous suspicions lead him to another of Violet’s exes, Costa. Bonding over their shared marital battle scars, they go on to befriend Violet’s other ex-husbands, including unstable Brian, dutiful Tim, and lovesick Owen. The men, united by their common fixation, together begin to find a way of coping with life after Violet. Meanwhile, their beautiful, narcissistic, therapy-loving ex-wife has set her sights on a new target: Jake, the one man who never fell for her wiles. Learning this, the men decide to find Jake and warn him of Violet’s sinister power before it’s too late. A diffuse structure and stereotypical characters prevents the novel from building up much suspense before reaching its forgettable climax. Violet herself remains a frustrating cipher, leaving the reader wondering why her ex-husbands are still obsessed with her. As a tale of romantic loss, though, the novel is more successful, offering a moving portrait of the neurotic fixations of unhappy lovers and the bonds they forge to overcome grief. (Dec.)