Little Secrets

Celebrity hairstylist Marin Machado, the heroine of this diabolically plotted psychological thriller of lust, obsession, greed, and betrayal from Thriller Award–winner Hillier (Jar of Hearts), believes she’s hit bottom during the 16 months since her four-year-old son was snatched while they were Christmas shopping at a Seattle farmers’ market—something for which she can’t stop blaming herself, nor can her entrepreneur husband of almost 20 years, Derek. But that’s before the PI Marin hired after the case went cold shares her chance but devastating discovery that Derek’s having an affair with a much younger woman, catapulting Marin into an even darker circle of hell. Following the initial shock of the revelation, the furious Marin feels empowered, almost exhilarated. But her rage also threatens to propel this sympathetic protagonist into a rash, potentially catastrophic decision, encouraged by her best friend and onetime boyfriend, an ex-con, who has his own devious agenda. Though a few of the twists down the frenetic home stretch seem forced, until then Hillier sustains a captivating double helix of duplicity. Hillier remains an author to watch. 75,000-copy announced first printing. Agent: Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg. (Apr.)