Wilde Lake : a novel

Overview: The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed standalones After I’m Gone, I’d Know You Anywhere, and What the Dead Know, challenges our notions of memory, loyalty, responsibility, and justice in this evocative and psychologically complex story about a long-ago death that still haunts a family. The bestselling author of the acclaimed standalones After Im Gone, Id Know You Anywhere , and What the Dead Know , challenges our notions of memory, loyalty, responsibility, and justice in this evocative and psychologically complex story about a long-ago death that still haunts a family. Luisa Lu Brant is the newly electedand first femalestates attorney of Howard County, Maryland, a job in which her widower father famously served. Fiercely intelligent and ambitious, she sees an opportunity to make her name by trying a mentally disturbed drifter accused of beating a woman to death in her home. Its not the kind of case that makes headlines, but peaceful Howard county doesnt see many homicides. As Lu prepares for the trial, the case dredges up painful memories, reminding her small but tight-knit family of the night when her brother, AJ, saved his best friend at the cost of another mans life. Only eighteen, AJ was cleared by a grand jury. Now, Lu wonders if the events of 1980 happened as she remembers them. What details might have been withheld from her when she was a child? The more she learns about the case, the more questions arise. What does it mean to be a man or woman of ones times? Why do we ask our heroes of the past to conform to the presents standards? Is that fair? Is it right? Propelled into the past, she discovers that the legal system, the bedrock of her entire life, does not have all the answers. Lu realizes that even if she could learn the whole truth, she probably wouldnt want to. "Luisa “Lu” Brant is the newly elected?and first female?state?s attorney of Howard County, Maryland, a job in which her widower father famously served. Fiercely intelligent and ambitious, she sees an opportunity to make her name by trying a mentally disturbed drifter accused of beating a woman to death in her home. It?s not the kind of case that makes headlines, but peaceful Howard county doesn?t see many homicides. As Lu prepares for the trial, the case dredges up painful memories, reminding her small but tight-knit family of the night when her brother, AJ, saved his best friend at the cost of another man?s life. Only eighteen, AJ was cleared by a grand jury. Now, Lu wonders if the events of 1980 happened as she remembers them. What details might have been withheld from her when she was a child? The more she learns about the case, the more questions arise. What does it mean to be a man or woman of one?s times? Why do we ask our heroes of the past to conform to the present?s standards? Is that fair? Is it right? Propelled into the past, she discovers that the legal system, the bedrock of her entire life, does not have all the answers. Lu realizes that even if she could learn the whole truth, she probably wouldn?t want to." -- Publsiher's website "Luisa 'Lu' Brant is the newly elected state's attorney representing suburban Maryland - including the famous planned community of Columbia, created to be a utopia of racial and economic equality. Prosecuting a controversial case involving a disturbed drifter accused of beating a woman to death, the fiercely ambitious Lu is determined to avoid the traps that have destroyed other competitive, successful women. She's going to play it smart to win this case - and win big - cementing her political future. But her intensive preparation for trial unexpectedly dredges up painful recollections of another crime - the night when her brother, AJ, saved his best friend at the cost of another man's life. Only eighteen, AJ was cleared by a grand jury. Justice was done. Or was it? Did the events of 1980 happen as she remembers them? She was only a child then. What details didn't she know?"--Amazon.com Luisa Lu Brant Is The Newly Elected-- And First Female-- State's Attorney Of Howard County, Maryland, A Job In Which Her Widower Father Famously Served. Fiercely Intelligent And Ambitious, She Sees An Opportunity To Make Her Name By Trying A Mentally Disturbed Drifter Accused Of Beating A Woman To Death In Her Home. It's Not The Kind Of Case That Makes Headlines, But Peaceful Howard County Doesn't See Many Homicides. As Lu Prepares For The Trial, The Case Dredges Up Painful Memories, Reminding Her Small, But Tight-knit, Family Of The Night When Her Brother, Aj, Saved His Best Friend At The Cost Of Another Man's Life. Only Eighteen, Aj Was Cleared By A Grand Jury. Now, Lu Wonders If The Events Of 1980 Happened As She Remembers Them. What Details Might Have Been Withheld From Her When She Was A Child? Laura Lippman.