Frenemies at heart of thriller

Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” was far from being the first psychological thriller, but it was one of the most successful in recent years, widening the door for outstanding writers. Lindsay Hunter should be considered in those ranks.

Hunter’s new book, “Hot Springs Drive,” tells the story of two women – Jackie Stinson and Theresa Linden – and the events that lead to Theresa’s being killed in the garage of her suburban home. Their story is uniquely told through a combination of lovely prose, relentless character study, and a twisting combination of lust and tension.

Hunter uses a variety of viewpoints to give readers an encompassing look at the circumstances surrounding Theresa’s death. Some readers may find the shifts in viewpoint off-putting at first, but once the tale begins to unfold, the structure feels more natural, even helpful to escalating the mystery at its core.

Jackie and Theresa first bond in the maternity ward, as new mothers, but the connection is fraught from the start. “She had a window, and I didn’t,” Jackie observes of Theresa’s hospital room. The two become fast friends, especially when Jackie buys the house next door to Theresa’s. They raise their children together – Jackie’s four and Theresa’s one – growing closer over the years, although an undercurrent of envy remains.

Tensions escalate when the pair decide to join a diet group together. Theresa’s “ideal body was within reach,” Jackie admits. “Mine was a dozen flights up and hiding in the shadows.” Theresa loses a few pounds and quits the program; Jackie loses more and can’t stop, revealing more of her obsessive nature.

A darker side of her emerges, as she flirts with strange men – and does more.

With Jackie Stinson, Hunter has created that rare character, one who is both unforgivable and understandable. She is selfish yet deserving of more, determined but cruel in her determination, exhausted but continually finding hidden power. She is driven by relentless appetites – hunger, starvation, sex, relationships. And no relationship is more important to Jackie than the one with Theresa, or more complicated.

Hunter writes beautifully and masterfully ratchets up the tension.

Still, there are instances where the novel’s psychological insight is lacking, particularly with the men.

To an extent, this isn’t a novel about men, but the thinness of the male characters makes it hard to understand their motivation.

Nonetheless, “Hot Springs Drive” is filled with memorable prose and fascinating characters penned by a fearless writer with an enviable eye for detail.