What We Forgot to Bury

In this gripping psychological thriller set in Kansas’s Sedgwick County from Montgomery (The Ruined Wife), 17-year-old Elizabeth Loughlin, whose father has been convicted and sent to prison for a heinous crime, blames 30ish college professor Charlotte Coburn, the major witness at his trial, for what she considers her father’s wrongful incarceration. Elizabeth decides to take revenge, and, one day, while caught in the rain, seizes the opportunity to take refuge in Charlotte’s house, where she introduces herself as Elle. Charlotte offers her cookies, and she ends up spending the night. Elizabeth gains Charlotte’s confidence and is eventually able to prey on her fears, of which she has many. As Elizabeth tries to prove Charlotte has lied about her past and any violence she’s fallen victim to, both characters make dangerous choices and take desperate actions to gain control of the relationship. The explosive finale will leave the reader devastated. Fans of Megan Abbott will want to check out this one. Agent: Jill Marshall, Marshal Lyon Literary. (May)