The Beloveds

Elizabeth “Betty” Stash, the narrator of this disturbing, darkly funny portrait of barely contained madness from British author Lindley (A Girl Like You), plots revenge when her late mother leaves Pipits, her childhood home in the quaint village of Cold-Upton, outside of London, to her beautiful, kind younger sister, Gloria, whom she deeply loathes. Gloria was always their mother’s favorite, a fact keenly felt by Betty, leading her to label Gloria a Beloved: “loved and admired, lucky in love, lucky in everything.” In addition, Gloria married Betty’s boyfriend Henry Bygone, and now they’re living in her house, tearing down walls, and destroying her memories. Betty will do anything to get Pipits back, neglecting her charming, much older husband, Bert, and their London art gallery in the process, and she’ll employ murderous tactics to do it. Lindley keeps the tension humming all the way to a deliciously satisfying finale. The droll voice of the outrageous, tenacious Betty will entrance readers who may find themselves rooting for her as she feverishly schemes to take down anyone in her way. Agent: Jill Marr, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (Apr.)