Rx: “Did I Say You Could Go”
Prescribed by: Melanie Gideon
Prescribed for: Fans of Patricia Highsmith’s novels featuring Tom Ripley and anyone who has the movie “Single White Female” on their list of favorite guilty pleasures.
Side Effects: Eye strain and hand cramps from binge reading this novel in one sitting.
Directions: Gideon, already a best-selling author, is fast becoming a master of the psychological suspense genre. Her new novel looks at an obsessive friendship between two moms and their daughters; relationships that felt comforting in kindergarten can be suffocating in high school, and not just for the kids.
Gemma, a recent widow, moves to an exclusive San Francisco Bay Area community where all of the moms seem to know one another already and they all have perfect husbands, perfect kids, and plenty of free time to gossip in their online mom groups. She sees wealthy, confident Ruth Thorne, a divorced mom with a daughter the same age, as her lifeline. The two women become fast friends, their daughters inseparable, doing everything together. Ruth lavishes Gemma and her daughter, Bee, with surprise vacations, gifts, and her undivided attention, making Gemma ultimately feel that she is suffocating under the burden of all she owes Ruth and her daughter, Marley. Gemma begins to distance herself from Ruth to stand on her own, only to be embroiled in a scandal that sends her right back to the safety of Ruth’s unwavering friendship and support. This time around, Ruth has no intention of letting Gemma and Bee out of her sight. The stakes are high and the consequences might be deadly.
This novel has it all: richly developed characters with very real flaws and insecurities, plus a compelling back story, giving readers new insight into the motivations of the main characters, and a plethora of twists and turns that will leave you guessing the final outcome right up until the end.
Special Instructions:
Ruth and Gemma meet for the first time when Ruth hosts the kindergarten get-to-know-you event for her daughter Marley’s entire class, including Gemma’s daughter, Bee. No hot dogs and potato chips at this party, Ruth is intent on making a lasting impression, and her party is over-the-top, including these delicious offerings:
Lobster Salad on Endive from Cabot Cheese
From the website: “This lobster salad on endive hors d’oeuvre has such a lovely presentation that you’ll want to serve it every time you have company over. And once your friends and family taste the simply delicious flavors of this special dish, they’ll request it again and again.”
Virgin Mojito with Ginger from My Diverse Kitchen
From the website: “Many people don’t consider a Mojito authentic without the white rum, but this is as close as it gets for those of us who don’t do alcohol. A Mojito is a cocktail of Cuban origin and traditionally consists of white rum, sugar (originally sugar cane juice which was available in plenty on the sugarcane plantations), lime juice, sparkling water, and mint.”
Refill: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781982142124
Julie Bond is a voracious reader with eclectic tastes running the gamut from YA lit, to psychological suspense, and anything dog-related, of course. You can find her haunting her favorite San Francisco Bay Area indie bookstores. Email her at ObsessiveBookFanatic@gmail.com
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