Novel: Woman No. 17

"California," a captivating novel of art, motherhood, and the intensity of female friendships, is laced with Alfred Hitchcock-like suburban satire and set in the posh hills above Los Angeles. Written by the renowned New York Times bestselling author, this book has been named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Observer, Huffington Post, The Millions, Nylon, Vulture, and Bustle.

High in the Hollywood Hills, Lady Daniels has separated from her husband and is struggling to finish a memoir she doesn't enjoy writing, while also taking care of her toddler son. To lighten her load, she hires S, a magnetic young artist, from a Craigslist ad. S is tasked with living in the guesthouse behind the pool, looking after Lady's young son, and keeping an eye on her older, teenage one. S excels at her job, drawing the entire family into her orbit. However, her true identity is not what it seems, and as Lady and S become closer, old secrets and new betrayals come to light, jeopardizing everything they hold dear.

Critics have praised "Woman No. 17" for its propulsive and moving narrative, as well as its exploration of vital questions with empathy and sly intelligence. The New York Times Book Review describes it as a winning novel, and Elle notes that Edan Lepucki's exploration of personal relationships takes on a noirish tone. GQ finds the book to be part family melodrama, part twisty self-reflection, and very funny, while the San Francisco Chronicle highlights its scintillating and thought-provoking intersection between frothy page-turner elements and quiet, serious moments.

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