Come and Get Me

February 25, 2019
When journalist Caitlin Bergman, the heroine of Norman’s chilling first novel and series launch, returns to her hometown of Bloomington, Ind., to receive an honorary degree, she’s approached by a reporter for the student newspaper, who asks her whether she’s going to look into the disappearance of Angela Chapman. Angela vanished after a night of drugs and debauchery two years earlier. Caitlin reluctantly decides that writing about Angela might help her finally face her own 20-year-old trauma over a rape in which her assailant left her for dead. She exposes a series of mistakes, indifference, incompetence, and lies about the night Angela went missing, which doesn’t endear her to the local police or to Angela’s friends. Indeed, Caitlin’s relentless probing and abrasive manner alienates everyone in Bloomington who might help her. Meanwhile, a serial killer lurks in the wings. The skillfully rendered plot is full of page-turning action, but readers should be prepared for graphic depictions of physical and psychological violence. Norman is off to a solid start. Agent: Eric Myers, Myers Literary Management.

March 1, 2019
Returning to Indiana University to receive an honorary version of the degree she abandoned right before graduation years earlier, successful journalist Caitlin Bergman tries banishing some demons by admitting in her acceptance speech that she quit school after a vicious rape. The town has its current demons as well, and Bergman is quickly involved in the hunt for a missing student?the second woman to disappear in recent years?as well as a secondary plot involving the illegal drug trade. Highlights here include a realistic lesbian relationship and a well-fleshed-out British Indian character whose role isn't related to her race. While the book takes too long to get going, the conclusion, in which Bergman is involved in a truly gripping life-or-death situation, is thoroughly memorable. Overall, Norman's debut is a solid purchase for mystery collections, especially in Indiana, as well as a good recommendation for fans of strong female leads.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)