Sweet lamb of Heaven

Anna takes her daughter, Lena, to an unknown motel in Maine in hopes of escaping her disloyal and cold husband, Ned. Ned never wanted Lena, and his interest in Anna had waned a long time ago. But when Ned begins a political campaign, his need to appear with a united family trumps all rationality. Ned will stop at nothing to force Anna's cooperation in supporting his campaign, including endangering her and Lena's lives. Author Millet reads this first-person account in a dry tone that at first does nothing to draw listeners in. Eventually, Anna's plight becomes clear, and this narration perfectly complements the story. Millet sets a steady pace, reflecting strong emotions when necessary but mostly establishing a calm pace that contrasts with the unsettling events that continue to happen. The suspense builds as Anna learns exactly what Ned is capable of and finds that his agenda threatens more than just her own safety. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

From the Lydia Millet's chilling new novel is the first-person account of a young mother, Anna, escaping her cold and unfaithful husband; a businessman who's just launched his first campaign for political office. When Ned chases Anna and their six-year-old daughter from Alaska to Maine, the two go into hiding in a run-down motel on the coast. As his pursuit of Anna and their child moves from threatening to criminal, Ned begins to alter his wife's world in ways she never could have imagined. This double-edged and satisfying story features a strong female protagonist, a thrilling plot, and a creeping sense of the apocalyptic, Sweet Lamb of Heaven builds to a shattering ending with profound implications for its characters.