Trust Me

Lizzie Mitcham, the 27-year-old heroine of British author Wand’s riveting first novel, is living the perfect life in Cumbria’s Lake District with her partner, 53-year-old Jonty, and Jonty’s 17-year-old son from his first marriage, Sam. Lizzie prides herself on the close relationship she has built with Sam, who entered her home two years before as a sullen, remote boy who couldn’t understand why his mother was leaving him to care for his sick grandfather. Now Sam starts drinking, isolating himself from others, directing lewd remarks toward Lizzie, and playing hooky from school. After befriending writer Rebecca Watts, whom she meets at a pub, Lizzie confides in Rebecca the difficulties she’s having with Sam. Soon Rebecca is insinuating herself into Lizzie’s family and winning over Jonty with her vibrant personality. When Jonty starts intimating that Lizzie has done something inappropriate toward Sam and may be the cause of Sam’s problem behavior, the family situation greatly deteriorates. Fans of domestic psychological thrillers will be well satisfied. Agent: Diana Beaumont, Rupert Heath Literary (U.K.). (May)