Such a Quiet Place

Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda
7/13/21; 352 pages
Simon & Schuster

Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda is a very highly recommended mystery set in one quiet neighborhood.

Hollow’s Edge was a quiet neighborhood until the murder of Brandon and Fiona Truett. Now a year and a half later the neighbors are trapped on the street, unable to sell their homes while seeing the empty Truett house daily. Ruby Fletcher was convicted of the double murder, largely based on the testimony of all the neighbors, but now her conviction has been overturned. Ruby, 25, was the roommate of Harper Nash, 30, and when released she returns to Harper's home and the neighborhood knowing full well the effect her return will have on the neighbors. Harper doesn't tell her to leave, knowing Ruby has no place to go, but she doesn't know exactly what Ruby is planning, especially after Ruby says that someone will pay for her incarceration. Ruby clearly is taking advantage of Harper, and the tension and suspicions in the neighborhood rise.

This is a wonderfully written mystery with enough twists to keep you guessing about who did what. I love the description that it is an updated village murder mystery, because that is exactly what it feels like, only with house cameras, cell phones, and a community website. All the same people are still living on the street when Ruby returns, so all the players are in place to figure out what really happened. All the neighbors seem to be normal middle class people, only Ruby stands out as not one of them. But, how much do you share with your neighbors? Can you really trust all of them? What secrets are left unspoken? What misunderstandings are perpetuated?

Miranda's writing is outstanding. She sets up the information you need to know at the beginning of the plot, telling you about the neighbors, who they are and where they live (map included). This does make for a slower start, but since Ruby shows up unannounced at Harper's at the start, it also serves to increase the ominous overall feeling that something is going to happen. Harper is a great character and narrator. You quickly learn her background and what she is thinking. It becomes clear that Ruby has plans and, with the annual 4th of July party approaching, it appears that something will be happening. The final denouement was perfect. I didn't have a clue how this novel was going to turn out until the end.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.