Sorry to Disrupt the Peace by Patty Yumi Cottrell
What a strange little book. Helen Moran returns home to investigate the suicide of her “adoptive” brother, and stays with her strange parents, whom she is careful always also to refer to as “adoptive.” She seems completely devoid of emotion00motivated only by curiosity–but it doesn’t really work as a mystery. There’s no real directed investigation or satisfying resolution. There’s obviously something intentionally off about Helen as a character–the dead brother might have the best read on her when he hypothesizes that she’s manic depressive or schizophrenic–but there’s never really an emotional depth. It’s just plain strange. Funny, but strange.
Amy P. Knight 