My Ex-Best Friend: A Novel of Suburbia

by Beth Brophy

Just your average multitasking mom... In suburban Washington, D.C., Claire Newman juggles a journalism career, marriage, and when she's not writing a story for Nationweek magazine, she's managing car pools, soccer games, and birthday parties. But one phone call is about to send Claire in pursuit of answers to a mystery that's haunted her for years.... Lydia Finelli was Claire's best friend since childhood. They were like sisters -- until five years ago, when Lydia suddenly, icily, withdrew. Then out of the blue, Lydia calls Claire, pleading for her help. But when Claire arrives at Lydia's home, she finds her dead. The case is quickly ruled a suicide, but Claire, sensing more to the story, digs deeper, unraveling the mystery of their shared past. As the murderous truth emerges, Claire is challenged by the ultimate test of friendship and loyalty, forcing her to risk all for her ex-best friend. Just your average multitasking mom... In suburban Washington, D.C., Claire Newman juggles a journalism career, marriage, and when she's not writing a story for Nationweek magazine, she's managing car pools, soccer games, and birthday parties. But one phone call is about to send Claire in pursuit of answers to a mystery that's haunted her for years.... Lydia Finelli was Claire's best friend since childhood. They were like sisters -- until five years ago, when Lydia suddenly, icily, withdrew. Then out of the blue, Lydia calls Claire, pleading for her help. But when Claire arrives at Lydia's home, she finds her dead. The case is quickly ruled a suicide, but Claire, sensing more to the story, digs deeper, unraveling the mystery of their shared past. As the murderous truth emerges, Claire is challenged by the ultimate test of friendship and loyalty, forcing her to risk all for her ex-best friend.

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 10, 2003

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire is a busy mom and wife who juggles this with her journalism career. She is hoping to rekindle a friendship with long time friend Lydia, but when she goes to Lydia’s house, she finds her dead in her bedroom! Lydia’s death is ruled a suicide, but Claire doesn’t believe it and decides to do some investigating for herself......
Did somebody kill Lydia or was she so depressed that she did in fact commit suicide? You will have to read the book to find out! Several unexpected twists kept me interested throughout the story, and I like that the ending isn’t all neatly wrapped up in a fairytale type ending......
Solid three stars, and a fairly easy read!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging thriller.

[Calen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it definitely wasn't my favorite read, but I did rather enjoy it. I predicted the ending, but that's only because I'm really good with plot twists. It was a good conclusion in all honesty - definitely how I wanted it to end. The process by which the main character arrived there, however, was a bit annoying. I'm not going to say much because I don't want to spoil the book, but there were places through the story where I seriously caught myself shaking my head at her because she was acting so ridiculous. But when it comes down to it, I think we all probably know people who overdo it sometimes especially when they're stressed.

It isn't a novel that I would read again, but it was definitely worth a once-through.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kind of turned off from the beginning of this one because it starts out almost EXACTLY like a Jennifer Weiner book I read a few months back. Sad thing is, if anyone stole the plotline it was Weiner because this book has been out since like 2003. No original ideas left out there I guess...

This actually ended better than I thought it would. It was a fun read. Nothing earth shattering, but good :)

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could, I'd give this 3.5 stars. There were parts that were rather mediocre and where the protagonist was completely unbelievable. But I got sucked in to the ending and was rapidly reading to see how it all played out.

[Lana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, we're talking BAD here people. It cost $.01 on Amazon...that should have clued me in.

[Peg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Available through Oyster. Filled a very hot, humid day in the South.