Aspen Marooney

In this quietly seductive novel -- Levi S. Peterson's most recent foray into the ever intriguing topics of memory, regret, and sin -- a suspenseful ambiance emerges from the backdrop of a rural high school reunion. While acquaintances interact tentatively at first, then more freely, the protagonist confronts a particularly dark secret from her past. But there is also hilarity here. Despite everyone's clumsy attempt to impress former classmates, they gradually lapse into old habits and demonstrate how little they have really changed, which makes for a particularly satisfying vicarious reading experience.