Watching Edie

Starred review from June 13, 2016
British author Way (The Dead of Summer) expertly explores the dark side of friendship in her psychological suspense debut. As teenagers in a small West Midlands town, popular Edie McRae—beautiful and stylish—and outcast Heather Wilcox—overweight and socially awkward—are unlikely friends. When Edie’s relationship with a controlling boyfriend leads to a tragic event, she runs away to London. Now 17 years later, 33-year-old Edie is a single mom, depressed, lonely, and living in a sad little flat in a southeast London neighborhood. Then Heather shows up unannounced, inserting herself into Edie’s life, taking charge of baby Maya, and refusing to allow visits from Edie’s uncle, the only relative Edie’s in touch with. At first, Edie is too morose to object, but as she slowly gains her strength, she wonders about Heather’s motives and who is making all those hang-up calls. The shocking revelation about what happened to change these two women’s lives casts a surprising light on each character’s motives. Agent: Emma Parry, Janklow & Nesbit.