Back of the book blurb: After tossing and turning all night, thirty-nine-year-old Lisa Barkley wakes up well before her alarm sounds. With two daughters about to start another year at their elite Upper East Side private school and her own career hitting a wall, the effort of trying to stay afloat in that privileged world of six-story town houses and European jaunts has become increasingly difficult, especially as Manhattan descends into an economic free-fall.
As Lisa looks over at her sleeping husband, Sam, she can’t help but feel that their fifteen-year marriage is in a funk that she isn’t able to place. She tries to shake it off and tells herself that the strain must be due to their mounting financial pressures. But later that morning, as her family eats breakfast in the next room, Lisa finds herself checking Sam’s voicemail and hears a whispered phone call from a woman he is to meet that night. Is he having an affair?
When Lisa shares her suspicions with her best friend, Deirdre, at their weekly breakfast, Deirdre claims it can’t be true. But how can Lisa fully trust her opinion when Deirdre is still single and mired in an obsessive affair with a glamorous photographer even as it hovers on the edge of danger?
When Deirdre’s former college flame, Jack, comes to town and the two couples meet to celebrate his fortieth birthday, the stage is set for an explosive series of discoveries with devastating consequences.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: I’ve never lived in Manhattan, but I loved being a “fly on the wall” when reading Emily Listfield’s Best Intentions. From what I hear from friends who have lived in the city, her descriptions are spot on.
Lisa and Sam are the couple who may be living beyond their means by staying in the city – it was great while they were younger, but now that they’ve added their daughters’ private school tuition to the budget, they feel the financial strain. Lisa also suffers from “keeping up with the Joneses” syndrome, and is envious of the nannies that line the school pick-up queue and the exotic vacations other women flaunt.
Deirdre is perpetually single, but would like to settle down. If only her long-term boyfriend would say the word, she’d trade her city life for a white picket fence in the suburbs. But, Ben, a sought-after photographer, isn’t interested. This and a little rough sex aren’t the only things Deirdre and Ben don’t see eye to eye about.
Jack comes back into their lives when he returns to New York to celebrate his fortieth birthday. He brings not only a celebration, but also secrets and a hidden agenda.
Listfield builds the scene, step by step, as we learn more about each of the main characters. The writing was so powerful that I had strong negative feelings about each of them. Listfield cleverly set me up to believe that any of the main characters could have been guilty of the crime; I didn’t like any of the men, and Lisa herself made some foolish choices. Or it could be a total stranger, someone the reader hadn’t yet met –Deirdre also carried secrets.
As the story unfolds, Listfield offers this picture of suspicion and lies:
Suspicion crackles and pulls, nags and infiltrates, it coils around your brain, distorting your perceptions, it is the smoke you see everything through that refuses to lift. But a lie, hard and indisputable, freezes in your lungs, its ice spreading through your pores, chilling every synapse; a lie once discovered paralyzes you.
Another blurb from the back of the book asks, “How well can you ever really know another person?” That question is at the heart of Best Intentions, which is designed to make you think about it long after the covers have been closed.
Emily Listfield is the author of six novels, including Waiting to Surface and the New York Times Notable Book It was Gonna Be Like Paris. You can read more about Emily Listfield and her work at her author website, or visit the Who Killed Deirdre? web pages.
The review has you saying, what happened! Tell me! I guess I’ll have to read it! (Good review!)
I love character rich novels where you have more than one feeling about the character. This sounds so good and you really set up the mystery for us. I have to know more! Very good review, Dawn.
I have SO been looking forward to this one…glad to hear it delivers! Great review…
I loved this book too. So glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Sort of like a mid-life crisis run amock? Sometimes I feel like half the people I know are going through that! I think I could like this book. I’d like to say that I’ll read it, but I’m not sure. My lists and challenges are going to swallow me whole soon! My goal is to make huge dents over the summer!
Great review. This book does force the reader to ask themselves questions. I think it would make a fabulous discussion book.
This one really looks great. I’m trying to read the reviews too carefully, because it just arrived in my house a few days ago!
rhapsody – I can’t tell you more about the plot, only what the author shares on the back of the book!
Margot – I think it’s a gifted writer who can create character I don’t like. I really appreciate how good my husband is!
Jill – I haven’t read anything else by Emily Listfield … yet! I have a few now to add to my wish list.
Sandy – It’s such a busy time of year with the kids and all their spring activities, isn’t it?!
Julie – BEST INTENTIONS is a great discussion book. I’d meet “Lisa” for a cup of coffee and give her unsolicited advice
Beth – have you read any of the author’s other books?
Sounds like a wonderful book! I love books that made me think.
I’ve been hearing good things about this book! Glad you agree.
This is the best review I’ve read of this book so far. It’s going on my list. Thanks
This is a great review! I really liked this book as well.
Great review. This definitely sounds like an interesting read.
your review makes me want to pick it up. I am reading another book right now that takes place in NY; it’s a lively place to be, even if it’s vicariously through the characters in a book.
Kathy – although I thought Lisa made some poor choices at times, I was in the dark as to all the secrets the characters held, too!
Swapna – and you’ve read other books by Emily Listfield, right?
Belle – deeper than chick lit
Nicole – that’s it. I’m a daytripper or weekender into NY; I know life would be different living there full-time.
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Wow this sounds like a great read. thanks for the review!
Psst…have you checked out the new look to my blog?
This isn’t the type of book I normally read, but your review makes it sound intriguing. I will have to check it out.
Your review really makes me want to find out what happens. I’ve heard good things about this one.
Serena – I love the changes to your blog! Subtle but very helpful with navigation, etc.
zibilee – yes, less literary than you usually read; but more involved than a typical chick lit.
Anna – I loved the peek into Manhattan (well, the good parts of Manhattan, not the murderous parts!)
Oooooh! I read this two weeks ago and am going to work on my review so I shouldn’t have really read yours but I agreed with so much of what you said — I was pleasantly surprised to find out how much time she spend developing the various characters — I mean the murder doesn’t happen until 2/3 of the way through the book! And I enjoyed the NYC setting too! Good job!
I loved the way the author set it up so anyone could have been the murder. I really thought it reinforced the crumbling trust evident through the book.
I really enjoyed your review – great choice of quote! I’ve linked to you here.