Of deceits & secrets

Don’t You Cry
Mary Kubica
Harper Collins
2016, pp 320, Rs 299

With two successful books in her kitty, Mary Kubica seems to be improving with every new venture. Her third novel, again a fast-paced suspense thriller, Don’t You Cry, has established this young American author in the league of writers to watch out for.

Much like the earlier books, this novel also grabs the attention of the readers from the opening lines. Featuring a dual narrative — a characteristic Kubican style — the readers are made familiar with the stories of Quinn Collins and the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of her roommate, and that of Alex Gallo, living in a small Michigan harbour town. The stories of Quinn and Alex, told in first person, seem to be completely disjointed narratives till the climax, but the devoted reader who has been following Kubica knows better.

Quinn Collins and Esther Vaughan are roommates and, by Quinn’s estimate, best friends, until one Sunday morning when Quinn wakes up to the sound of Esther’s alarm clock ringing and finding her ‘roomie’ missing. Dumbfounded at this disappearance, Quinn is alarmed when she discovers that Esther has left her phone behind as it starts ringing that night.

Keeping her fingers crossed and waiting for Esther to return on her own, Quinn is scared when more and more mysteries are piled on top of the other, leaving no clues to the whereabouts of her friend. Going against the norms of privacy, Quinn starts investigating the personal belongings of Esther, only to be baffled all the more. Why did Esther get her name changed? Why did she advertise for a new roommate? Why did she ask the caretaker to change the apartment’s lock? For the first time, Quinn realises that she has hardly known her roommate, whom she fondly called ‘Saint Esther’.

Quinn receives further shock when she discovers an ominous letter addressed to ‘My Dearest’ and signed by ‘EV’, which reveals that the writer has been disappointed in love and has been stalking the beloved. Unable to quietly wait for the recommended 72 hours before filing a missing person’s report, Quinn starts her own investigations with the help of a colleague, getting to know Esther and her past better with each step that she undertakes.

Running parallel to Quinn’s narrative is the other plot line of 18-year-old Alex, who works as a dishwasher in a quiet coffee shop. His uneventful life turns exciting with the appearance of a mysterious young woman in the shop every day. Obsessed by the beautiful and strange girl, Alex, for the first time, sees meaning to his otherwise-dull life. Alex’s life has been a roller-coaster ride, all thanks to his alcoholic father and his mother (who leaves them behind). He lets go of a bright career as he doesn’t join his friends  who leave the small town in Lake Michigan to join college, and settles for a poor job in the coffee shop,   meanwhile struggling to manage his drunk father and household work.

The mysterious girl’s visits to the coffee joint become the only bright spot in his life. However, he’s unable to understand her and is baffled to see her sitting at a particular table, opposite to the local psychiatrist’s clinic, and watching the handsome man across the street. He realises that she is not really ‘normal’ as he watches her taking off most of her clothes and walking into the frigid lake one late evening. Later, he discovers ‘Pearl’, as he nicknames her, taking shelter in the supposed-to-be haunted house opposite to where he lives.

Even though finding her behaviour unfathomable, Alex senses her vulnerability and offers her all possible help, wondering every moment about her true identity and the reason of her mysterious appearance in the town. As Alex struggles with the mystery, the two narratives of the book seem to come together, with Esther Vaughan as the missing link. But, is Esther the mysterious girl, and if so, why did she disappear from her apartment and come to this small town?

Kubica’s mastery in creating thrillers is proved again with her third book. Her understanding of psychology, family and personal dynamics makes her novels multilayered. Her ability to hold the attention of her readers throughout the book owes a lot to her control over the plot, leading the readers one step at a time. Her choice of dual narratives keeps the readers on their toes, making them wonder when the two stories will finally merge.