When the famous novelist Mira Wallacz goes missing at the festival devoted to celebrating her work, the attendees assume the worst—and some hope for the worst. Ten years after the festival, Geneva Finch, an ideal reader, sets out to discover the truth about what happened to Mira Wallacz. A twisty literary mystery dealing with duplicity, envy, betrayal, and love between an entertainment agent and a self-deprecating former priest, Wrongful explores the many ways we can get everything wrong, time and again, even after we’re certain we discovered the truth.
Notices
“The characters in Wrongful have questions—lots of them—and Upton delivers the answers. In good time. After leading us on a merry chase over the roads of professional jealousy pockmarked with Schadenfreude and a generous dollop of snark. All the reasons you read a novel for, really. The answers Upton finally delivers give rise to more—deeper—questions, which I am hoping will fuel a sequel.”
—Bathsheba Monk, author of the Swanson Herbinko Mystery Series
“Nimble, funny, playful, versatile Lee Upton has long been one of my favorite writers, and what a multilayered treat Wrongful is. Here we have all the usual joys of Upton’s prose—clever dialogue; great tonal range; psychological subtlety; a wit that’s razor-sharp without ever feeling mean-spirited—in service of a well-made and engrossing murder mystery. Is there any genre she can’t master, anything she can’t do?”
—Michael Griffith, author of Trophy and Bibliophilia
“This book is addictive. Lee Upton has created a world of characters you won’t want to say goodbye to. Her writing is sharp, surprising, and entertaining. I love Wrongful for its humor and wisdom, but also for the characters that keep you guessing.”
—Olivia Clare Friedman, author of Here Lies
“This is Upton’s ode to Agatha Christie mysteries. The novel starts with a dead body, and later another one turns up. There are also many characters, and the reader must puzzle together the real relationships between them and Mira and their true intentions because there is a killer in their midst. Wrongful is a fun read—a delightful mix of snark, quirky characters, and murder—where the reader gains insight into how we often fail to perceive others properly, how easy it is to get things wrong particularly when one is so desperate for answers, and when one wants to relieve themselves of guilt.”
—Emily Webber, in MER
“The ending satisfactorily mirrors the beginning’s roving structure … while expounding on the baser emotions of greed, festering guilt, and desire for respect, adoration, and notoriety, that form more complex motivations…. In offering many characters as potential culprits, each of whom harbors possible reasons for acting against Mira, the story unfolds gradually, following Geneva’s dogged pursuit of uncovering the truth no matter the consequences or mishaps that arise. The literary, and generally artistic, lens applied throughout offered an easy entry point for viewing and relating with the various perspectives presented, as attaining recognition, if not praise or adequate remuneration, was an evident incentive driving events.”
—Jen Paul, in Making Good Stories
“Upton’s novel operates quite effectively as an Agatha Christie–like whodunit, complete with a lineup of colorful suspects and a twisty conclusion. The narrative is further enriched by the author’s musings upon the illusory aspects of real life and fiction…. A captivating depiction of an elusive quest.”
“Upton’s gift for smart and funny lines lighten the novel’s darkness…. As mysteries go, Upton has tapped a few cracks and added a few bends in a time-tested mould, which makes for a solid, surprising, and entertaining read. On the surface, this is a playful novel, but its heft comes from questions about art, reading, writing, and the darker side of human nature.”
—John Baum, in Necessary Fiction
Lee Upton’s poetry has appeared in The New Yorker, The New Republic, Poetry, and in many other journals as well as three editions of Best American Poetry. She is the author of books of poetry, fiction, and literary criticism.