Court Stevens makes a powerful transition from young adult fiction to adult literary crime with Tell Me Something Good, a haunting exploration of how violence ripples through generations in the rural American South. This atmospheric thriller weaves together past and present in the fictional towns of Bent Tree, Kentucky, and Luxor, Illinois, where the Ohio River serves as both a geographical divide and a metaphorical boundary between truth and lies.
The story centers on Anna Ryder, a thirty-something woman trapped in poverty who takes a desperate job at the prestigious Lodges hunting resort to pay for her mother Starr’s cancer treatment. What begins as a simple employment arrangement quickly unravels into a decades-old conspiracy involving the unsolved murders of nine women known as the Choir Girls. Stevens crafts a narrative that feels both intimately personal and expansively epic, where individual choices cascade into community-wide consequences.
A Masterful Structure of Interconnected Lives
Stevens demonstrates remarkable skill in managing multiple timelines and perspectives without losing narrative coherence. The story unfolds across three days of mounting tension, punctuated by flashbacks that gradually reveal the connection between past murders and present dangers. The author’s background in young adult fiction serves her well in “Tell Me Something Good”, as she maintains clarity even when dealing with complex family relationships and hidden identities.
The relationship between Anna and her ex-fiancé Jack Higgins forms the emotional core of the novel. Their reunion, sparked by desperation and necessity, crackles with unresolved tension and genuine chemistry. Stevens avoids the trap of easy reconciliation, instead forcing both characters to confront the lies that drove them apart five years earlier. The revelation that Jack’s best friend Murray orchestrated their breakup by hiding Jack’s son from him adds layers of betrayal that feel both shocking and inevitable.
Equally compelling is the relationship between Anna and Foster Portage, two women whose childhood trauma bonded them before memory could preserve their connection. Their adult reunion, built on shared survival and mutual recognition, represents one of the novel’s most emotionally resonant elements. Stevens handles their developing relationship with careful attention to the ways trauma shapes identity and relationships.
The Legacy of Violence and Secrets
The Choir Girls murders serve as more than just a cold case to be solved; they represent the way violence perpetuates itself through silence and complicity. Stevens creates a believable ecosystem of corruption around the Lodges, where weapons trafficking operates under the cover of elite hunting expeditions. The revelation that Anna and Foster survived the massacre as hidden three-year-olds adds personal stakes to what could have been merely procedural elements.
The author’s treatment of family secrets feels particularly nuanced. Starr Ryder’s decision to hide Anna’s parentage and traumatic past stems from love and protection, yet creates the very isolation that makes Anna vulnerable as an adult. Stevens explores how well-intentioned deception can become its own form of violence, trapping people in circumstances they don’t fully understand.
The character of Murray Orlov represents perhaps the novel’s most complex creation. Neither purely evil nor simply misguided, Murray embodies the way damaged people can damage others while still inspiring genuine love. His relationship with Jack demonstrates how manipulation can coexist with authentic affection, making his ultimate betrayal all the more devastating.
Atmospheric Southern Gothic Excellence
Stevens excels at creating a sense of place that feels both beautiful and ominous. The rural Kentucky setting, with its hunting lodges and river bottoms, becomes a character in its own right. The author’s descriptions of the Ohio River country capture both its natural beauty and its capacity for hiding secrets. The contrast between the wealth of the Lodges and the poverty of Luxor creates a believable backdrop for the moral compromises that drive the plot.
The discovery of the blood-soaked boat hidden in Anna’s family barn represents one of the most effective scenes in Tell Me Something Good, combining visceral horror with emotional revelation. Stevens understands that the most effective suspense comes not from external threats but from the recognition that the people we trust most may be the ones keeping the most dangerous secrets.
Areas Where the Narrative Falters
While Stevens demonstrates considerable skill in character development and atmosphere, certain plot elements strain credibility. The revelation that multiple major characters are related through hidden parentage feels somewhat contrived, though the author handles these revelations with enough emotional weight to make them feel earned rather than merely convenient.
The pacing occasionally suffers from the ambitious scope of the story. Some subplot threads, particularly those involving the weapons auction and federal investigation, feel underdeveloped compared to the more personal elements of the narrative. The climactic barn fire sequence, while dramatically effective, relies heavily on coincidence and split-second timing that pushes the boundaries of believability.
The resolution of Jack’s storyline, while emotionally powerful, may frustrate readers seeking a more traditionally satisfying conclusion. Stevens prioritizes thematic coherence over conventional plot satisfaction, which aligns with the novel’s literary aspirations but may disappoint those expecting a more straightforward thriller ending.
Technical Craft and Emotional Resonance
Stevens demonstrates impressive technical skill in managing multiple points of view and maintaining distinct voices for different characters. Her prose style adapts effectively to the adult market while retaining the accessibility that marked her young adult work. The dialogue feels authentic to the regional setting without relying on stereotypical dialect.
The author’s handling of sensitive topics like childhood trauma, domestic violence, and poverty shows considerable maturity and research. The economic desperation that drives Anna’s choices feels authentic rather than manipulative, grounded in the real challenges facing rural America.
The novel’s exploration of how love can both save and destroy resonates throughout multiple character relationships. Jack’s audio recordings for his unknown son provide some of the book’s most emotionally affecting moments, demonstrating how hope persists even in seemingly hopeless circumstances.
Literary Merit and Genre Expectations
Tell Me Something Good succeeds as both a crime thriller and a literary exploration of family, trauma, and redemption. Stevens elevates familiar genre elements through careful attention to character psychology and social context. The novel’s treatment of class differences and economic inequality adds depth without becoming preachy or heavy-handed.
The author’s previous young adult novels, including Faking Normal and The Lies About Truth, demonstrated her skill with complex emotional material, and that experience serves her well in this adult debut. The transition to more mature themes and more sophisticated narrative structure feels natural rather than forced.
Comparable Reads and Recommendations
Readers who appreciate Tell Me Something Good might enjoy:
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – for its atmospheric Southern setting and mystery elements
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley – for its isolated location and ensemble cast
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – for its exploration of family secrets and small-town darkness
- The Silent Companion by Laura Purcell – for its Gothic atmosphere and hidden histories
- In the Woods by Tana French – for its blend of police procedural and literary fiction
Final Verdict
Court Stevens has crafted an impressive adult debut that succeeds on multiple levels. While certain plot elements may strain credibility, the novel’s emotional honesty and atmospheric power overcome most technical shortcomings. The author’s commitment to exploring the long-term consequences of violence and secrecy creates a story that lingers well beyond its final pages.
Tell Me Something Good is a novel that trusts its readers to handle complex moral questions without easy answers. Stevens understands that the most profound mysteries aren’t always about who committed the crime, but about how people learn to live with the consequences of others’ choices. Tell Me Something Good establishes Stevens as a significant new voice in literary crime fiction, capable of combining genre thrills with genuine emotional depth.
