Christmas presents A novella

Madeline Martin, owner of an independent bookstore and daughter of Sheriff James Martin, suffers survivor's guilt and PTSD from events in 2014. She's reluctant to cooperate when Harley Granger, a successful true-crime author and podcaster, shows up around Christmastime, wanting to talk about Evan Handy. At 17, Madeline was part of a group that had known each other forever--Stephanie Cramer, sisters Ainsley and Samantha Wallace, and Madeline's best friend Badger. When Evan moved to town, he came with a reputation, but Madeline broke every rule to be with him. It all came crashing down when Stephanie was murdered at a party at Evan's house; Ainsley and Sam disappeared, and Madeline was left for dead. Sheriff Martin arrested Evan but, convinced there was a second person involved, hunted for that person until suffering a stroke. Now Granger wants to stir everything up. With another girl's disappearance, Granger points out that five girls have disappeared in the last 10 years. Was Evan innocent? VERDICT The latest psychological suspense by the author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six emphasizes survivor's guilt and the inability to move on in this compelling story.--Lesa Holstine

The old Wallace place is a wreck and, if he's honest, that's what Harley Granger likes about it the best. He's always loved a broken thing, not seeing its ruin but its potential for rebirth. Broken things get discarded, left as trash. Most people don't have the time or the energy or the vision to see what a thing might become if you just give it a little time, a little attention. That's why Harley finds things that other people can't. Not because he has any special gift for investigation. But because he simply takes the time to look and look again. He tosses the wrapped hardcover book on the rickety wood table in what was--and will be again with any luck--the dining room. In neon green paint on the far wall someone has sprayed, WE ARE ALL IN HELL HERE. Harley, of course, has taken copious pictures of the brutalized structure, it's peeling paint and graffiti scrawl, the gaping holes in the roof, the shredded wallpaper and buckled wood floors, posted them all over his social media. He doesn't do anything in a vacuum. Not anymore. Sometimes he thinks every thought in his head needs an audience. Tomorrow the roofers come. That's always first because without a good roof, any weather will damage whatever work is accomplished inside. Even he knows that, his slim knowledge of renovation and home repair gleaned from hours of watching HGTV while sitting in the hospital with his dad. He may have, sort of, implied in his various posts that he'd be doing the work himself. But no. He doesn't have time for that. He'll make sure to help with the demo, get some good footage of his taking a sledgehammer to the walls. Then the hired crew will take the place down to the studs and under flooring. When that's done, when the place is stripped to its bones, that's when rebirth can begin. He draws a finger along the wrapped Christmas gift. It's artfully done, every edge precise, bow festive. It's true that it's what his father would have liked. But the old man doesn't read anymore. He can't even feed himself. Still, when Harley goes to see him on Friday, he'll bring the gift, open it for him, and read aloud while Dad sits glassy eyed, propped up in his chair. Harley knows he's alive in there. Sometimes, he can see that gleam of mischief in the old guy's rheumy eyes. The nurses at Shady Grove are unusually hot, especially Charlene the night nurse. Alzheimer's is a cruel thief of life and memory, light, and hope for all involved. But the old guy can still pop a boner and does. "He's an old devil," Charlene says with an uneasy laugh. She doesn't know the half of it. It was Dad's sudden decline that brought Harley back to this area, that got him interested in Evan Handy. Funny how things work, the twisting path that life takes. How one thing leads to the next. How you make all kinds of vows to yourself about what you'll do and won't do. And then break them. He sits at the table now and opens his new laptop. That's another thing Harley likes, dichotomy. The sight of the brand-new iMac, sitting on the splintery old table--this gleaming epitome of design and engineering supported by a piece of furniture that will likely be chopped for kindling before the week is out. And someday, this piece of equipment so new and on the bleeding edge of technology will be a piece of junk too. Entropy. Everything on its way to falling apart. Nothing permanent. Nothing solid. Why this idea gives Harley comfort, he can't say. It's not exactly a cheery thought. He opens his email and there's the predictable slew from his publicist-slash-assistant Mirabelle--well, she's becoming more than that, isn't she? The memory of their last night together still lingers, the arch of her back, the echo of her moans. Those eyes. The sound of his name on her lips. Truth is, he thinks about her all the time. There are several more emails from the producer of his podcast, one from the studio he found in the adjacent town quoting rates. More. He scrolls and scrolls. And then he finally sees it, the one he's been waiting for. He knew it would come, but it took longer than he expected. Evan Handy, agreeing to a visit and an interview. Dear Mr. Granger, I was wondering if you'd ever take interest in my case. I am available to talk. In fact, I have nothing but time. And I have lots of information for you. There it is. That little thrill Harley takes at looking inside a story, one that everyone thought had been told, to find something new, alive, squirming inside the shell of what others believed was the truth. Excerpted from Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.