The Winter Girl

Scott is spending his winter in the Hamptons with his wife, Elise, who is taking care of her terminally ill father. With Elise in the hospital every day and their marriage growing increasingly strained, Scott spends a lot of time alone. He finds himself fascinated with the seemingly empty house next door, where every night the lights go out at exactly 11:00 p.m. Convinced no one is home, he decides to break in the next day.

Although he doesn't discover much of interest, trespassing gives him a thrill he hasn't felt in a long time. He soon convinces his wife to come with him on his next visit, and their simple transgression leads to an escalating series of bad decisions, infidelities, violence, and shocking revelations.

Key selling points:

A poisonous bon bon: sex, secrets, violence, and marriage wrapped tightly in a deceptively short novel. You'll enjoy every deliciously naughty moment through to the chilling end.

Blistering prose: Matt Marinovich has the voice, razor sharp throughout, and then he just hits you with a line or paragraph or scene about love and loss and loneliness that makes you realize you've been holding your breath for minutes.

Rear Window unhinged: Scott likes to watch. He's not the only one.

A scathing take on the Hamptons: What is more tasty than the worst-case scenario playing out in those big Hamptons mansions? Whatever happens, it still won't affect property values....