The Preservationist: A Novel
Kramon follows his debut, the coming-of-age novel Finny, with a light thriller centered on a love triangle. Julia Stilwell, a freshman at Pennsylvania&'s Stradler College who&'s grappling with the aftermath of a recent family tragedy, is flattered by the attentions of 39-year-old Sam Blount, an employee at the college snack bar. Meanwhile, she has an uneasy relationship with a fellow student, shy Marcus Broley, who becomes jealous when she tells him about Sam. After a serial killer strikes on campus, Julia has to wonder if either Sam or Marcus could be responsible—and soon both give her reason for concern. Marcus starts to stalk Sam, some of whose reactions to Julia&'s innocent actions suggest repressed rage. The close reader will early on guess the more probable suspect, and since the three primary characters too often behave in accordance with the needs of the plot, the capable narrative unfolds with altogether too few surprises. Agent: Ayesha Pande, Ayesha Pande Literary. (Oct.)