As a reader who loves character-driven suspense, what is particularly fascinating is the unique lens through which each woman central to the story experiences this city.

TANGERINE is alive with the energy and complexity of this locale and this time period. Mangan’s respect for all that makes Morocco Morocco seeps from every page of her stunning debut. Mangan’s portrayal of Morocco leaps off the page: readers walk through the medina, taste the mint tea, and experience the rich culture - and sweltering heat - of Tangier alongside Alice and Lucy. So imagine my surprise when I found myself utterly transported in TANGERINE. I’ll be the first to admit: I’m probably not a likely candidate to love a book set in 1950’s Morocco-my taste simply skews Nordic and modern. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind.

Lucy-always fearless and independent-helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.īut soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice-she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. But there Lucy was, trying to make things right and return to their old rhythms. After the accident at Bennington, the two friends-once inseparable roommates-haven’t spoken in over a year. The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. Frankly, if Christine Mangan isn’t a rising literary star, I just don’t know who is. In a story humming with interpersonal tension and simmering with the heat and haze of Morocco, Mangan weaves an outstanding and transportive thriller that will delight fans of Patricia Highsmith, Gillian Flynn, and Alfred Hitchcock yes, really, this book is that good. It’s no surprise that film rights for this novel have already been picked up by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures-TANGERINE is built for the big screen, from its grand locale to its hypnotic suspense. Come for TANGERINE’s stunning package and superb early praise stay for its razor-sharp portrayal of obsession and manipulation, set against cinematic scenery.

Maddening, gripping, enchanting-I’m at risk of running out of adjectives to describe just how wholly impressive this debut is. This impeccably delivered suspense novel sets a plot worthy of Patricia Highsmith against the backdrop of dazzling, almost larger-than-life 1950’s Morocco. TANGERINE by Christine Mangan (on sale March 27th, 2018) is one such read. The Verdict: an outstanding debut in the vein of Patricia HighsmithĮvery so often, a debut crime novel comes along that is so technically sound and vividly imagined, you can hardly believe the author really has never published a book before.

Tangerine christine mangan