This Book Will Bury Me

The real-life 2022 University of Idaho murders form the bedrock of this disquieting thriller from Winstead (Midnight Is the Darkest Hour). Jane Sharp, 24, has just dropped out of college in Florida and sunk into a profound depression after the death of her father. Seeking distraction, she stumbles into the true crime forums of TheRealCrimeNetwork.com, first as an observer and then as a quasi-vigilante who tries to track down suspects. Soon, Jane forms an alliance with four other true crime obsessives, who fuel her fascination and offer her a sense of belonging through wide-ranging, late-night chats. When three young college students are murdered in an Idaho sorority house, the message boards light up, as users dub the killer the Barbie Butcher and frustrate local police with their relentless speculation. After three more young women are slaughtered, Jane and her fellow online gumshoes decided to meet in person for the first time in the small Idaho town where the murders took place. There, they confront the limitations of parasocial sleuthing and dig up even more darkness than they expected. Winstead ably tackles themes of grief, loneliness, and obsession, but the hefty page count drains the mystery plot of some tension. Still, it’s a chilling and thought-provoking effort. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong. (Mar.)