Publishers Weekly
04/10/2023
In this enthralling psychological thriller from Clarke (Girl, 11), 26-year-old Del Walker, who has been “bouncing around minimum wage jobs” since she graduated college, opens a days-old voicemail from former flame Lars Obam, whom she hasn’t seen in years. His message is cryptic: “I need to talk to you. You... you were right.” A quick internet search turns up news that Lars has died in a hunting accident and the funeral will be held in Del’s hometown of Bower, Minn. Though she vowed never to return home, harboring major resentment toward the cultish local pastor, Del suspects foul play after hearing Lars’s voicemail and knows she must go back to uncover the truth about his death. Del is a dynamic narrator, and Clarke augments her musings with excerpts from her teenage diary and blog posts written by Lars’s wife, in which she presents the teachings of Bower’s sinister pastor. All of this intrigues, though the ending might strike readers as a touch too predictable. Still, this salacious mix of small-town cults and amateur sleuthing is mostly satisfying. Agent: Sharon Pelletier; Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (June)
From the Publisher
"Suiter Clarke paints a devastating portrait of a cultlike institution and a town in its thrall. It’s even worse than we imagined." — New York Times Book Review
“There are midnight-snack-style thrillers, and those that stick with you. This one’s the latter.” — People
“[An] enthralling psychological thriller.” — Publishers Weekly
"In Lay Your Body Down, Amy Suiter Clarke perfectly captures the stifling air of small towns and insular churches. More than a murder mystery, this is an excavation of betrayal, revealing the ugly truth that has propped up so many life-destroying lies." — Bryn Greenwood, New York Times bestselling author of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
“Lay Your Body Down is an emotionally charged and unnerving thriller. Dangerous secrets, complex characters, and more than one ‘oh my God’ moment. You won’t see the twists coming.” — Samantha Downing, bestselling author of A Twisted Love Story
“Amy Suiter Clarke’s Lay Your Body Down has everything I love in a good thriller – family drama, a determined main character, and an unflinching look at a timely issue. The story of Del Walker returning home to confront her past– and members of the corrupt mega church that was once the center of her life – will stay with you long after you reach its gripping conclusion.” — Kellye Garrett, award-winning and Edgar-nominated author of Like A Sister
"Powerful and intricately nuanced, Lay Your Body Down is the kind of reading experience that stays with you long after the final page. Amy Suiter Clarke has created a novel as thought-provoking as it is propulsive. With a carefully winding plot and incisive commentary on religion, community, autonomy, and the long reach of the past, this story is perfect for book clubs, because it inspires so many conversations. A truly stunning sophomore novel." — Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here
"Lay Your Body Down is one part #tradwife sendup, one part megachurch murder mystery, and one part cathartic revenge by a woman scorned, peppered as expertly as a hotdish with Minnesotan flavor. Amy Suiter Clarke has written a fresh and irresistible mystery that pits a flawed underdog against the might of ‘respectable’ institutions and religious dogma. A brilliant, twisted, electrifying story about taking back control." — Ashley Winstead, author of The Last Housewife
“Propulsive . . . Not only is the book difficult to put down, it’s also an adroit exploration of the ethical quandaries of true crime storytelling, particularly in podcasts.” — New York Times Book Review on Girl, 11
“In this remarkable debut, Amy Suiter Clarke weaves together narratives from a true crime podcaster’s real life and her broadcasts as she tracks down a serial killer who may have returned after years of lying in wait. This compelling and skillfully crafted story will keep readers glued to the pages. Girl, 11 is current, twisty, and utterly irresistible!” — Wendy Walker, bestselling author of Don’t Look for Me
“Clarke deftly moves the narrative using transcripts of Elle’s podcasts, recordings of her thoughts that never air, and her actions outside the recording studio. This one is not-put-downable.” — St. Paul Pioneer Press on Girl, 11
“A masterful narrative . . . Elle’s remarkable poise throughout is a credit to Clarke’s style and makes her a highly engaging character. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Meg Gardiner.” — Booklist on Girl, 11
“Clarke’s nuanced narrative will keep readers hooked.” — Publishers Weekly on Girl, 11
“A masterful, heart-pounding suspense that ushers in an astonishing new voice in crime fiction.” — Samantha M. Bailey, internationally best-selling author of Woman on the Edge on Girl, 11
