Little’s characterization shines exceptionally bright with Marilyn, a master manipulator who retains the sweet, loving embrace of a mother trying to give her son a good life, even as she takes advantage of everyone else to get what she wants. And what Marilyn wants most is for O.C. to leave her alone: he’s hot on her trail, without permission from the force, and desperate to prove to himself—and the world—that his firing was unjust. Little carefully builds the two distinct sides of Marilyn, a loving mother and scheming monster, in unnerving scenes that find her cuddling her son while considering how to force Timmy, a 27-year-old hacker, to do her evil bidding.

Highlighting the ultimate outcome for hardened criminals, Little uses Timmy’s fate as a presage for Marilyn, who becomes increasingly desperate as O.C. makes headway in discovering her new identity. Outside of his determination to bring Marilyn to justice, Little keeps O.C. fairly contained, never delving too deeply into other aspects of his life (though readers will sense his simmering rage and overwhelming desire to clear his name). The action climaxes when a gunman enters O.C.’s home and threatens his girlfriend and her family, driving O.C.’s final steps toward Marilyn. Though some grammar errors distract, Little expertly balances character development with pulse-pounding action sequences in this stormy offering.

Takeaway: Chilling character study of a master manipulator pursued by a determined ex-cop.

Comparable Titles: Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, B.A. Paris’s Behind Closed Doors.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: C+
Marketing copy: A