I’d Know You Anywhere
By Laura Lippman
HarperCollins
August 2010
373pp
The Short of It:
I’d Know You Anywhere forces you to constantly reassess the appropriateness of human interaction and to consider the boundaries that exist within all of us.
The Rest of It:
In the summer of ’85, fifteen-year-old Elizabeth is kidnapped by a serial killer and held hostage for several weeks. To Walter, Elizabeth is different from the other girls he’s kidnapped. So different in fact, that Elizabeth is the only one who lives to tell about her ordeal. Years later, Elizabeth (now called Eliza) is married, living in the suburbs with her husband Peter and her two children, Iso and Albie. As she lives her life, Walter sits on Death Row for the murder of another girl.
One day, Walter happens upon a photograph of Eliza(beth) in a magazine he is reading. With the help of a friend, he sends Eliza(beth) a letter saying that he’d know her anywhere. Confused over why he would want to contact her now and terrified of her children finding out about her past, Eliza(beth) sets out to explore a relationship that she’d just as soon leave in the past.
This book is part mystery and part psychological thriller and although mystery is not my thing, the psychological thriller part is. I’m fascinated by the human mind and the complexity of human relationships. The relationship between Eliza(beth) and Walter is disturbing at times. Lippman manages to create sympathy where no sympathy should exist. Walter is a serial killer, but there are times when I understood where he was coming from. As disturbing as this is for me to admit, it helped me understand Eliza(beth) and why she would even consider having a conversation with this man after what he did to her.
The mechanics of control and the lack thereof are big here. Walter can read Eliza(beth) pretty well. He also knows how to push her buttons and as much as Eliza(beth) wants to, she cannot put him completely out of her life. She has her own demons to battle and as the lone survivor, she is often misunderstood by the other victim’s parents. Mainly because she never tried to escape, and she failed to save Walter’s last victim even though she was in a position to do so.
In addition to the main characters, Lippman introduces us to Barbara, the friend on the outside who is determined to save Walter from death row. Let me tell you, Barbara is a piece of work. Well-to-do but rude as hell and full of herself. I did not like her at all and although she too, was a victim of violence, I felt nothing for her but contempt. The inclusion of such a character is interesting because it just goes to show you that there are all kinds of people out there and just knowing this puts you in a vulnerable position.
This was my first experience with Lippman’s writing and although I felt that the characters were emotionally reserved in places, I can see myself picking up another Lippman book in the future. Also, it should be noted that the violence depicted in this novel is not written with great detail. You are given just enough to know what happened, the rest is left up to your imagination.
To visit Laura Lippman’s website, click here.
To view Lippman’s other TLC tour stops, click here.
Source: A big ‘thank you’ to TLC Book Tours for asking me to be a part of this tour and to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of the book.
Book Chatter 
I found this one very gripping, even though the suspense builds subtly. Some very disturbing things all around and it was way too easy for me to put myself in Eliza’s shoes to imagine what she experienced. For me, that meant a well written psychological study.
I had a hard time relating to Eliza. She was a bit reserved for me. However, I had no problem relating to Walter and that troubled me. What does it mean when I am able to identify with a serial killer? I’m not sure I want to know!
It’s been a while since I read a good psychological thriller. This could be next! Thanks for the review.
Walter and Eliza sort of have that “Silence of the Lambs” thing going on but without the blood and gore. They seem to understand each other. I was fascinated by their relationship even though parts of it were a bit unsettling.
This sounds like my kind of suspense novel. Looking forward to this one – great review Ti.
I’ve read nothing but good about this one and Lippman in general. It sounds like she can pull together alot of suspense without going down all those normal paths that mystery/thrillers go down.
It’s good to hear the violence lacks details, because I am interested in reading this but am not too interested in detailed violence!
Sounds like you and I had the same opinion for this book. Barbara drove me crazy but what a character, she brought life to the story to keep the twists happening.
Ti, great review! I will definitely be adding this one to my TBR pile in the future. Sounds fascinatingly disturbing – a bit dark and twisty, which I think will make for a great fall/winter read. Cheers!
Excellent review! I just read my first Lippman book (What the Dead Know) but this sounds even better than that. I’ll definitely check it out.
This sounds totally creepy! I love psychological thrillers and will have to get hold of this one.
I’ve seen this everywhere and each review makes the book seem better and better! Thank you for this post.
I haven’t read anything by Lippman yet, but the part mystery, part psychological thriller aspoect of this book really intrigues me. Like you, Ti, the human mind and the complexity of relationships, why people do what they do and why totally cptivates me. In many mysteries, I don’t expect really great characters but although you found the characters a little reserved emotionally, they sound complex & really interesting.
Your review is great, Ti, thank you & has me convinced this is a book I will really enjoy!
~ Amy
Amy, if you’d like, I would be more than happy to send you my copy. Email me back with your address and I’ll get it out to you.
Ti
I had mixed feelings about the Lippman book I read but I am intrigued by this one.
This is one that I do want to read. I haven’t read Lippman yet so this would be as good as any place to start.
Great review, Ti! I also found myself relating to Walter (at some level) and was disturbed by that. Although I related even more to Eliza. I was also really glad it wasn’t very graphic! I definitely want to read more by Lippman.
I’ve read and enjoyed other Lippman books, and have this one on my list.
Your review just moved it up! Thanks for sharing….
I am almost done with this one and loving it. I can’t wait to finish it but at the same time, I don’t want it to be over!
I’m so glad you liked this one! Lippman is a Maryland author so it makes me happy when local authors get good reviews. 🙂 Thanks for being a part of this tour!