The twists, which come late in the book, surprised me, and I’ve been reading murder mysteries for more than half a century. I can usually foretell the inevitable twist, but not this time. Lisa Scottoline is a one-of-a-kind author, and “After Anna” (2018, 369 pages in paperback format) is arguably her best domestic novel.
The story is told from two POVs, Maggie’s and her husband Noah’s. For the most part, they alternate chapters, Maggie from wherever the plot is at the time, and Noah from the witness chair during a trial. He’s being tried for first-degree murder, the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming, and his wife will not testify on his behalf. That’s the first clue that all is not well in Maggie and Noah’s household.
Maggie was married before Noah. She and her first husband Florian Desroches had a baby girl, Anna. Shortly thereafter, Maggie developed postpartum psychosis, and Florian hit the jackpot by selling his start-up for $20 million. When he files for divorce, the court grants dual legal custody of Anna to the parents, but physical custody to Florian because Maggie is an “unfit” mother.
Maggie is now in a successful and happy second marriage, and she longs for a connection to the daughter she hasn’t been able to contact for 17 years. Meanwhile, Florian has remarried, fathered two more children, and plunked Anna down in expensive boarding schools in Europe and America. During that time, Anna hasn’t wanted anything to do with Maggie because of the stories that Florian has told her over the years.
Tragedy strikes. A plane that Florian is piloting in France crashes, killing him and his entire family, except for Anna, who is boarding at Congreve School in Maine. One day, Maggie receives a phone call from Anna, who is pleasant and receptive to meeting for lunch. Maggie is in seventh heaven. At the meeting, Anna reveals that her whole family has died and that she’s been very unhappy at Congreve.
Maggie invites Anna to live with her, Noah, and Noah’s son Caleb, who is struggling with apraxia, a condition that makes it difficult for him to pronounce words. Before the day is over, Anna is packed and transported to Maggie’s home in Pennsylvania. Initially, Anna is delighted with Noah, a pediatric allergist; Caleb, whom she finds to be adorable; and, of course, her birth mother, who is now a well-adjusted wife, mother, and member of the community.
At this point, the reader wonders: Can this storybook situation last? Long-time Scottoline fans, like me, know the answer. With Ms. Scottoline at the keyboard, there’s going to be so much more to the story that it will be nearly impossible to put the book down. She is truly a genius at metamorphosing reality from the perspectives of her characters. As various “truths” are revealed to Maggie, she comes to question everything in her perfect world, including her ability to be a fit mother.
If you’re a fan of domestic mystery, don’t miss this one.
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Jim Glynn may be contacted at j_glynn@att.net.