В романе Тедди Уэйна «Ау-пэр» писатель-неудачник втягивается в связь с няней, которая затем обвиняется в убийстве его жены

REVIEW “The Au Pair” By: Teddy Wayne Rating: 3.5/5 This is a psychological suspense novel about the floundering marriage of middle age Steven, a writer who years ago had a debut best seller but hasn’t achieved success since. His wife, Lucy, is a high-powered money maker providing the family, which includes two young children, with an affluent lifestyle in New York City. Steven spends his days as a stay-at-home dad, totally dependent on the monthly stipend from his wife which embarrasses him and serves as a reminder that he is a failure. Lucy is so busy, she has very little time to spend with her children. After their nanny unexpectedly passes away, Steven hires Astrid, a 24-year-old beautiful Norwegian au pair to help manage the house and care for the kids. Astrid flatters Steven by paying him attention and showering him with praise over his writing. She loves his books, including the one that failed to sell. She is also wonderful with the children, and he finds himself unable to take his eyes off of her. It doesn’t take long for him to give in to temptation. He becomes obsessed with her, and they spiral into a seductive affair. Is Astrid trying to destroy his marriage? What does she see in him? Since Lucy can’t take a break from working, Astrid accompanies the family on a vacation away from the city. One morning following an argument with his wife, Steven finds Lucy dead in the hot tub. Initially, it looked like an accident, but upon further investigation the police concluded that Lucy was murdered. Astrid is quickly arrested and goes on trial for the crime. Will Steven stand by his kids or his mistress? It is difficult to like any of the characters in this story. I found Steven pathetic. His devotion to his children was his one redeeming quality until he even messes that up. Sadly, these poor kids have two parents who don’t prioritize them. Astrid is difficult to figure out. Readers will have to decide for themselves if she is trustworthy. The ending leaves some unanswered questions. Prioritizing a wealthy lifestyle that interferes with your family life may not lead to happiness ever after. Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more. Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism. Jacquie O’Neil and her daughter, Times Leader Media Group Publisher Kerry Miscavage, contribute to this column.