A Student of History

The uneven latest from Revoyr (Southland) is the story of Mrs. Marion W––, a wealthy heiress whose family played a central role in the development of Los Angeles. The main character, Richard Nagano, is a PhD student at the University of Southern California who has run out of steam on his dissertation. A chance job offer will maintain his funding: Mrs. W–– hires Richard to transcribe her private journals so that the family history can be passed down through generations. Richard soon realizes he can use his serendipitous position for his own gain––especially when he meets the beautiful Fiona, the descendent of a family that made its money in steel, who has a deep interest in the real story behind the W–– family. As Richard gets involved with Fiona, betrayal ensues and he learns that Mrs. W–– values her privacy a great deal and that Fiona has ulterior motives. Though the story never fully comes together and the reader may wish for more character development, Revoyr’s quick plot keeps the pages turning, making for a solid, if forgettable, novel. (Mar.)