The Body of a Girl - Hardcover

Stewart, Leah

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670891649 ISBN 13: 9780670891641

Publisher: Viking Adult, 2000

Synopsis

As she investigates the kidnapping and brutal murder of Allison Avery, novice Memphis crime reporter Olivia Dale is forced to reassess her own life as she probes deep into the dark secrets of a young woman so much like herself and is drawn into a seductive and dangerous world that could threaten her own life.

About this title

About the Author

Leah Stewart's short stories have appeared in various publications that include The Kenyon Review. She is a former associate editor of Doubletake magazine, she lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This is her first novel.

Reviews

The summer Southern thriller has become an industry clich?, and this novel outwardly cleaves to the formAa plucky Memphis crime reporter investigates a grisly murder, rubs shoulders with local lowlifes and even participates in a drunken showdown on Beale Street. But debut author Stewart crafts a novel more serious and sensitive than the average whodunit. Olivia Dale, a young, dedicated reporter who works the police beat despite the protests of her protective boyfriend, tackles the story of recently raped and murdered Allison Avery, who worked as a nursing tech in a medical clinic and dreamed of becoming a rock singer. As Olivia interviews Allison's family and friends, she begins to identify with her subject, who emerges as a bright, funny woman with a physical resemblance to Olivia. Captivated by the case, Olivia starts to imagine herself the murder victim. She carries on a dangerous flirtation with Allison's young brother, dances with Allison's obsessive ex-boyfriend and is tempted to experiment with the drugs that may have played a role in Allison's death. Olivia's fixation gives Stewart the opportunity to comment on the blurry line between reality and reporting, and on the frightening realization that crime can strike at random. Yet in defusing the mystery of Allison's death, and focusing instead on Olivia's inner life, Stewart neglects to provide a satisfying conclusion to the unsolved murder. As a result, even the evocation of Memphis's sweltering summer heat can't bring Stewart's tale to a rolling boil. Agent, Gordon Kato. Author tour. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Although she is only 25, Memphis crime reporter Olivia Dale thinks she has developed the toughness necessary to interview victims and view crime scenesDuntil she sees the body of a raped and murdered girl named Allison who shares her age, facial features, and lifestyle. Olivia tries to get inside Allison's mind and life and ends up crossing all the boundaries reporters need to keep between themselves and their stories. Olivia's search takes her from the tony world of Allison's parents to the steamy dregs of Memphis bars and drug dens. She endangers her relationships with her lover, her roommate, and her colleagues and risks her own life as she delves deeper into Allison's wild life and sordid death. This well-written first novel from Stewart, associate editor at Double Take magazine, makes the reader feel the stickiness of a Memphis summer. Olivia is a brash, funny, irreverent, and likable character. Recommended for public libraries.DKaren Anderson, Superior Court Law Lib., Phoenix
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Adult
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670891649
• ISBN 13: 9780670891641
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 311