The vacancy in room 10
(Book)

Follow the unraveling lives of two women as they become unexpectedly entangled in a mystery and a murder. Cass has just been thrown out by her cheating boyfriend and is forced to take a handyman job at The Sycamores apartment complex in exchange for free rent. However, the actual pay is so low that she takes the opportunity to blackmail a few unfaithful husbands for some extra cash. Anna has just lost her husband, Henry, who was using one of the apartments as his art studio. Henry's chilling final phone call to Anna leads her to The Sycamores in order to uncover the truth about his death. Cass and Anna's lives are forever connected after Cass lands herself in trouble trying to blackmail the wrong guy, which starts a domino effect of secrets, lies, and betrayal. Although it often feels as if there is too much going on, Glass (Such a Good Wife, 2021) weaves an interesting plot that keeps readers intrigued until the end. Recommended for fans of murder mysteries, the novel alternates points of view while developing themes of chosen family and perseverance. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.

Two women face violent relationship troubles at a seedy apartment complex in this entertaining thriller from Glass (The Vanishing Hour). Struggling New Mexico reporter Anna Hartley receives a frantic call from her husband, Henry, who confesses to "ruin everything" and killing someone. Then she hears a bang at the other end of the line, and Henry drops dead; when authorities recover his body from the Rio Grande, they rule his death a suicide. Anna responds by moving into the Sycamores, the dilapidated apartment complex where Henry rented an art studio, and trying to decode his final moments. She quickly becomes entangled in the Sycamores' many personal dramas, and before long, begins receiving threatening messages urging her to stop her investigation. Might one of the Sycamores' residents be responsible for Henry's death? Meanwhile, Sycamores property manager Cassidy Abbott flounders to get back on her feet after the end of a bad relationship, and begins blackmailing unfaithful or violent men for personal catharsis. Glass paints on a broad canvas, working with perhaps too many characters and subplots, but she still manages to maintain tension and intrigue through to the satisfying end. The author's fans will devour this. Agent: Sharon Bowers, Folio Literary. (Apr.)