Book Review: Ladykiller by Katherine Wood

My favorite part of Ladykiller by Katherine Wood is the opening. I love the omniscient, slightly wry writing of the first chapter. I mean how can you go wrong beginning a novel of friendship and secrets and betrayal with a cheetah devouring a warthog? Plus, the opening of Ladykiller really reminded me of the opening of The Group by Mary McCarthy that I loved in my youth–both novels presenting gatherings (a funeral and a wedding, respectively) to launch the dramatic events that follow.

Following the funeral in Ladykiller, the novel shifts to back-to-back chapters from Gia, an impetuous heiress, and Abby, her childhood friend. (Abby is supposed to meet Gia in Greece to celebrate Gia’s birthday, but Gia mysteriously disappears.) Gia’s chapters are in the form of a salacious manuscript that offers clues to her whereabouts. Abby’s chapters focus on Abby’s search for her missing friend. The author does a good job of juxtaposing the viewpoints, ratcheting up the tension in both Gia’s manuscript and Abby’s attempts to find and rescue her friend, accompanied by Gia’s brother-cum-Abby’s secret crush.

Another strength of this book is the depiction of setting. Ladykiller is filled with lush descriptions of the sand, sky, and water of Greece as well as the interior of the opulent family home. It’s not too big a leap to insert yourself into this idyllic locale: hors d’oeuvres and afternoon cocktails on the veranda overlooking the ocean outfitted in your favorite stylin’  sundress. Where do I sign up?

However, I eventually grew weary of Gia’s decadent lifestyle. She does little besides sunbathing nude; swilling alcohol; and engaging in provocative, sexualized behavior. She is, in essence, a caricature of pampered, self-absorbed rich girl. I found Abby a much more sympathetic character, as I’m sure I was meant to–classic poor but worthy housekeeper’s child (okay, another stereotype) given a leg up by wealthy tycoon.

But to counteract predictability, Abby has her dark side, Gia has her enigmatic persona, and Ladykiller ultimately ends on an ambiguous note.

I received a copy of Ladykiller from NetGalley.