Game of Secrets

In 1950s New England, in the midst of a steamy affair with married Ada, Luce Weld is murdered. Tripp's third novel (after The Season of Open Water) explores, sometimes tediously, these events and their long-term consequences on Weld's daughter, Jane (12 when he was killed); her daughter, Marne; and Ada's sons, Ray and Huck. After moving home to escape an aimless California existence, Marne begins to date Ray and the relationship encourages her to think more deeply about her mother, who she sees as hopelessly rigid. Jane meets Ada for a weekly Scrabble match; they almost never discuss the affair or murder, instead they talk about their children and, unfortunately, the progress of the game, wherein each new tile signifies a shift in power and bogs down an otherwise affecting tale about the need to, and danger of, confronting the past. Tripp shifts between many points of view and darts from 2004 to key moments of the '50s and '60s, heading chapters with titles, names, and dates to keep the many players straight. The result is a familiar literary soap opera that offers some surprising delights. (July)