Little Threats by Emily Schultz
In 1983, twin sisters Kennedy and Carter were testing limits. But Kennedy's limit testing lands her in jail after her best friend Haley was murdered. Kennedy had no memory of the night and has to accept a plea bargain. In 2008, Kennedy is released into a world that has moved on without her. Carter has grown distant and is in an unwise relationship. Their father lurks and a true crime tv host asks questions. Men justify and conclusive truth is finally revealed.
Abusive men get away with it. Fortuitous evidence is found and when the truth comes out, it is obvious. This is a tale of enticement, barbaraity and people purporting to have morals. There is a sinsiter presence, unforgiving types and Kennedy is pesistently ignored and disbelieved.
Someone did a literally damnable thing. There is no moral clarity and some men are genuinely creepy. Kennedy is regarded with intense suspicion and the pitiless truth will emerge. This is goodish and goes to some really dark places. However the ending is a bit of a muddle and wouldn't Kennedy be constantly monitored upon release?
Best Lines:
“One day it was Jem and the Holograms. Next she'd been caught stealing lip balm at the Body Shop.”
“Her mother had been right to warn her about men. She'd just warned her about the young ones.”
“Treat mom as simply the person who handed him his dinner plate.”
“Didn't know or care if he'd survived it.”
“Left everyone feeling continental.”
“The kind of guy people both remembered and resented.”
“Had everything once promised by 1970s subscriptions to Playboy: money and brains, hi-fi equipment and character, a wife and a mistress, and one of the mistresses eventually became his wife.”
“Pleading eye contact.”
“Trash boys.”
“Needed boys and men, their approval and attention.”
“Horrified that she could think it.”
“1983 would come back to screaming life again.”
“She'd been waiting fifteen years for people to listen to her.”
“She was pretty sure a chainsaw wasn't meant to be turned in that direction.”
“Refuse to allow myself nostalgia. Not for him.”
“Something not wrecked by this family.”