Prom Mom: A Thriller

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Two decades ago, Amber Glass’s life changed forever. No-one had even known she was pregnant – including Joe, her date. The timeline alternates between 1997 and 201/2020, through the beginnings of COVID. The setting also alternates between Baltimore and New Orleans. Both cities come alive, and each plays a central role in the plot. A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of King and Crichton alike will enjoy. Baltimore actually has two authors that spend a lot of time here and who place their characters and plot in very specific and real places. One of Anne Tyler’s most recent books takes place right up the street from Prom Mom which takes place largely in a community just outside the city in the surrounding Baltimore County. What makes this slow burn story different than other mystery/thrillers is the author’s razor-sharp writing, characterizations, and plotting. The tension is palpable and I could not stop listening, finishing it in one day.

Prom Mom is a slow burning story that had me intrigued. After an eventful opening where our main character, Amber, gives birth in a hotel room bathroom at the age of 17, we then jump forward 20 years. There is a small cast of characters and multiple timelines that give us the story of Amber and Joe. This last element — Joe’s struggle to hold on to his privilege and his willingness to manipulate anyone who gets in his way — is the most timeless, the most Cain-like, moment in the book. Here is a dreamer and schemer for the 21st century, ready to make hell break loose. We discover more about Amber and the people surrounding her as the outline fills. Several voices are depicted with one person especially nuanced as casual entitlement gives way to a deeper understanding. A fascinating journey. We don’t know much about Amber Glass and the infamy causing her to escape her hometown the second she turned eighteen.

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From Part I BEFORE: 1997-2020, to Part II AFTER 2020-2021 with a final 1997. Told from Joe, Meredith, and Amber's POV, the three will collide for an explosive ending where nothing is as it appears, and everyone has their respective agenda. Mix in Jordan, a dangerous scheme, a murder, and secrets from the past are unraveled —EXPLOSIVE. The book switches between the POVs of Amber, Joe and his wife Meredith. It was hard for me to like any of the main characters. There’s a point made about being ethical while cheating. Sorry, that doesn’t fly in my book. . This story, revolving around just a small group of characters, failed to enthral me as other books by Laura Lippman did. I like the way the author presents us with a story that eventually seems to have layer upon layer and it’s always interesting to see the layers exposed slowly. This is what I can share about the plot without getting into spoiler territory: On prom night in 1997, 16-year-old Amber gives birth in her date, Joe's hotel room, and kills the baby. Amber and Joe become media sensations known as Prom Mom and Cad Dad.

As Amber was getting her art gallery ready for its opening, Joe came into the shop, and it all started over again for her. What about for Joe? In addition, the author sprinkles in the COVID-19 pandemic, masks, vaccines, politics, literary references, class, privilege, and social commentary, among other topics from these periods. I liked Meredith and really couldn't understand what she saw in Joe. But then Jordan also loves/wants him. And Amber, despite their history. Everyone loves Joe.

You can't choose sides in this book. Meredith may seem innocent and naive, but her polished, perfect, and generous demeanor leaves her living in oblivion. Amber is odd, cold, calculating, and unique, and I found myself liking her the most, despite knowing from the start that she would ruin lives. Joe, on the other hand, is trying too hard to be someone he's not, and seems spineless, lost, and a little pathetic. I’m totally into my Hestia vibes. She had to tend to the fire of Mount Olympus pretty much 24/7. I’m like: Zeus, I can’t get married. I’m taking care of the hearth. I’m doing a lot of stuff here. Leave me alone. Buzz starts early for any new Lippman book, and this one already has the cicadas in high gear." -- Booklist (starred review)

Prom Mom subverts the tabloid headline of its title into something more surprising, transgressive, and sexy. Laura Lippman is an absolute master of plot and timing, and I would follow her anywhere--even to the prom." -- Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow I’m fascinated by people who, in the middle of a pandemic, would be like, ‘Yeah, I can have an affair,’” Lippman continues, adding how the human condition will rationalize just about anything when it comes to obtaining what we think we deserve, which is what we come to find out about Nice Guy™ Joe, one of three protagonists in Prom Mom, who “can justify pretty much anything he does.”Similar to Lippman’s last book, I think readers will either love or hate Prom Mom. It worked for me in the best ways, and I found it oddly addicting. I had no idea where the plot was headed--and I enjoyed where it landed. Join Book Club: Delivered to your inbox every Friday, a selection of publishing news, literary observations, poetry recommendations and more from Book World writer Ron Charles. Sign up for the newsletter.