What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman

Description

“What the Dead Know” is a mystery novel written by Laura Lippman, an American author known for her crime and suspense fiction. The book was published in 2007 and is one of Lippman’s most well-received works.

The novel is a complex and gripping mystery that revolves around the disappearance of two young sisters, Heather and Sunny Bethany, who vanish without a trace from a shopping mall in Baltimore in 1975. The case becomes a high-profile and disturbing mystery, as the girls’ whereabouts remain unknown.

Decades later, in the present day, a woman claiming to be one of the missing Bethany sisters reappears and is taken into custody by the police. She is unable or unwilling to provide clear details about what happened to the girls over the years, which adds to the intrigue of the story. The narrative alternates between the past and the present, as the mystery is unraveled through the perspectives of various characters.

The novel explores themes of memory, identity, trauma, and the ripple effects of a long-unsolved crime. Laura Lippman’s writing is known for its intricate plotting, well-developed characters, and the suspenseful atmosphere she creates. “What the Dead Know” is a thought-provoking and suspenseful tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end, as it reveals the truth behind the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of the Bethany sisters. It has received critical acclaim and is considered one of Lippman’s best works.