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Confusing,
Interesting,
Unconvincing

7 reviews

What the Dead Know: A Novel

by Laura Lippman

Published: 2009-02-10
Paperback : 400 pages

3 members reading this now
17 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 5 of 7 members

One of the most acclaimed and honored writers in the field of crime fiction, Laura Lippman offers readers a gripping tale of deception and delusion, of family wounds and betrayals.

Thirty years ago, the Bethany girls, ages eleven and fifteen, disappeared from a Baltimore shopping mall. ...

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Introduction

One of the most acclaimed and honored writers in the field of crime fiction, Laura Lippman offers readers a gripping tale of deception and delusion, of family wounds and betrayals.

Thirty years ago, the Bethany girls, ages eleven and fifteen, disappeared from a Baltimore shopping mall. They never returned, their bodies were never recovered, and only painful questions remain. Now, in the aftermath of a rush-hour hit-and-run accident, a clearly disoriented woman is claiming to be Heather, the younger Bethany sister. Not a shred of evidence supports her story, and every lead she reluctantly offers takes the police to another dead end—a dying, incoherent man; a razed house; a missing grave. But she definitely knows something about that terrible day—and about the shocking fissures that the tragedy exposed in the foundation of a seemingly solid family.

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Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 5 of 7 members.

Member Reviews

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"what the dead know"by Carolyn R. (see profile) 07/14/16

thirty years ago, the Bethany girls, ages eleven and fifteen, disappeared from a Baltimore shopping mall. They never returned, their bodies were never recovered, and only painful questions r... (read more)

by Chelsea P. (see profile) 07/28/15

"A Solid Crime-Mystery Novel"by Kathy F. (see profile) 03/13/14

The story of the Bethany girls and the mystery surrounding their disappearance captures your interest and holds your attention right from the start. The character claiming to be Heather Beth... (read more)

"what the dead know"by Lynda F. (see profile) 11/17/12

"Not Great Literature But Enjoyable"by ELIZABETH V. (see profile) 09/01/11

I recommend only books that I found not-put-downable, and I recommend What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman. This book came with me to the dinner table, and I didn't put it down to go to sleep... (read more)

"What the Dead Know: A Novel"by Christine H. (see profile) 06/28/11

"What the Dead Know"by Barbara H. (see profile) 06/28/11

Good summer read with an interesting twist

"Nothing Special"by Kelly K. (see profile) 03/02/10

Our group, for the most part, found this book to be somewhat predictable and not very believable. Some good discussion came from it, but nothing very memorable. We would definitely recommend other books... (read more)

"Interesting read for discussion"by Maryelizabeth H. (see profile) 07/18/08

Our book club had a very good discussion with this book. We used discussion questions from the HarperCollins website which helped to keep the discussion flowing. There was definitely ample material for... (read more)

"Two of our members figured out part of the ending!"by Laura N. (see profile) 03/16/08

It took me awhile to really want to keep reading this book, however, once I got into it I really wanted to know the rest of the story. It provided enough discussion for our club to make it a good meeting.... (read more)

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