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The plot concerns two women who are on vacation in Mexico City. One woman, Wilma, is a domineering, two-time divorcee who hates the world. The other woman, Amy, is her mousy friend. An eavesdropping housekeeper at the hotel describes Wilma and Amy's relationship. Wilma dies by falling out of a hotel window, and Amy then disappears. The setting then shifts to San Francisco, and the novel is told from the perspective of Amy's brother Gill and her husband Rupert. Gill hires a private investigator to try to find out what really happened to Amy. "THE LISTENING WALLS" is the story of two female friends, one loud and obnoxious, the other mousy and insecure, who go to Mexico for a vacation. The loud obnoxious woman commits suicide, and the other woman mysteriously disappears. The missing woman's brother suspects that his sister's husband has done away with her and hires a P.I. to investigate.
The book is short but what a wild ride! At times, it is hilarious. It unrolls so that the reader gets sufficient information to understand by the ending but is confused along the way. The dynamic between the two women is spot on, as is the creepy relationship between the missing woman and her brother. The men in the club enjoyed the book as much as the women did, which is rare. Millar is very cagey about the details she reveals, which may not seem quite fair if you like a lot of fair play in the mystery. But we thought that this trait was exactly what made the book so suspenseful and made it as much a novel of suspense as a murder mystery.
If you liked The Listening Walls, here are the top 3 books to read next:
- #1
Save:A STRANGER IN MY GRAVE by Margaret Millar is a mystery novel set in San Felice, California, exploring themes of emotional toll, inner conflict, and despair. The story follows Daisy, a woman who believes there is somebody in her grave and hires a bail bondsman private detective to help her solve the mystery. The book features a diverse cast of characters spanning different backgrounds and economic classes, with strong and interesting women in central roles. Margaret Millar's writing style is praised for its engrossing narrative, originality, and excellent characterization.
- #2
Save:A bleak, brilliantly crafted psychological suspense classic - still packs a punch decades later, but it's not for the faint of heart or those seeking cheerful mysteries.
In the mirror above the telephone stand she saw her mouth repeating the lie, enjoying it, and she saw her head nod in quick affirmation—this lie is true, yes, this is a very true lie. Only her eyes re... - #3
Save:A fast, addictive psychological thriller with an audacious twist - devour it for the jaw-dropping finale, but don't expect deep literary nuance. Great for suspense junkies seeking their next bingeable read!
They had been married for seven years. They were both artists—Alicia was a painter, and Gabriel was a well-known fashion photographer. He had a distinctive style, shooting semi-starved, semi-naked wom...
