The Old You

Lynn Naismith, the narrator of this creepy domestic thriller from British author Voss (The Venus Trap), isn’t too surprised to learn that her husband of 10 years, Ed, has early onset dementia. The diagnosis explains some of Ed’s odd and sometimes threatening behavior, and Lynn reluctantly takes steps to protect him—and herself. But why is someone lurking outside their remote house in rural England at night? She remembers that she met Ed when she was an undercover policewoman, investigating him in connection with the disappearance of his first wife. Now their best friend has been murdered, and his wife is missing. And she remembers how Ed swept her off her feet, because he was such a great natural actor with a gift for slipping into different roles. Throughout much of the story, readers will feel like Lynn, off balance as certainties evaporate, but they’ll be relieved when she finally stops being a victim and goes on the attack. The conclusion is somewhat contrived, but then the whole novel is an expert piece of contrivance. [em]Agent: Veronique Baxter, David Higham (U.K.). (Jan.) [/em]