The Last September

A “brilliant rendering of love story, murder mystery . . . and that rare coming of age novel that deals with adults” by the author of Gossip of the Starlings (Brad Watson, author of Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives).
The daughter of English professors, Brett Mercier approaches all things—life, love, death—with a certain poetic bent. She’s been in love with Charlie ever since he took her skiing on a lovely Colorado night fourteen years ago. And now, living in a seaside cottage on Cape Cod with their young daughter, it looks as if they have settled into the life they desired. However, Brett and Charlie’s marriage has been tenuous for quite some time. And when Charlie’s unstable younger brother plans to move in with them, the tension simmering under the surface of their marriage boils over.
But what happens to Charlie next is unfathomable. Charlie was the golden boy, so charismatic that he charmed everyone who crossed his path; who saw life as one big adventure; who could always rescue his troubled brother, no matter how unpredictable the situation. So who is to blame for the tragic turn of events? And why does Brett feel responsible?
Set against the desolate autumn beauty of Cape Cod, The Last September is “a fine literary whodunit from an accomplished storyteller” (Kirkus Reviews).
“If you liked The Girl on the Train, read The Last September.” —Newsday