In Kate Moretti’s The Spires (Thomas & Mercer), Penelope (Pip) Cox, a happily married mother of two, is stunned when an old college friend shows up on her doorstep. She hasn’t spoken to Willa in over 20 years — not since the fire that destroyed the renovated church where they were living with three other friends. But, extended silence or not, Willa is running from an abusive husband and needs Pip’s help. How can Penelope possibly say no?
In a matter of days, Willa has insinuated herself into Penelope’s life, picking up the slack and stitching herself seamlessly into the family as “mom’s fun college friend.” It’s a monumental achievement in such a short amount of time, except for the rich, complicated history the two estranged friends share. Penelope finds herself longing for the halcyon days when she and Willa lived in an almost hippie community with their friends Jack, Bree and Flynn. And she can’t help but enjoy the rekindling of a friendship that once meant so much to her.
To complicate matters further, Penelope’s world isn’t as tidy as it seems. Her husband, Brett, recently lost his job and is going through a sort of mid-life crisis, consisting of nonstop exercise and indulgent self-care. And Pip’s career has hit a few unfortunate snags. She’s feeling lonely and untethered, just not quite herself. Enter Willa. Fun-loving, eager-to-help Willa is exactly what Penelope needs. And as Willa makes meals, cleans the house and picks up the kids, she becomes indispensable … until Penelope begins to suspect that Willa’s hiding something.
The truth is they’re all hiding something. “The Spires,” as they used to call themselves, were a family of sorts for an entire year after college graduation, but as their friendships became codependent and their nights filled with debauchery, everything began to unravel. By the time a fire destroyed their home, they were all carefully guarding secrets and rivalries that tore them apart. They left the church and each other with simmering regrets and never looked back. Until now, that is.
Told in alternating timelines (Penelope’s past and present), The Spires is a tightly wound, slow-burn thriller that’s guaranteed to shock readers. As Pip’s story unfurls in the past and Penelope’s life unravels in the present, readers will tear through the pages on their way to the final reveal. Moretti’s prose is crisp and skillful, and her deft plotting masterfully executed. Perfect for cool fall nights, this thriller belongs on every “Best Of Fall” list.
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