Changing our perspective over time can reshape our attitudes toward the authors we've previously dismissed. It’s an intriguing phenomenon, reminiscent of the adage that a person evolves every seven years. Perhaps this evolving mindset explains my renewed appreciation for the works of Joyce Carol Oates, an author I had once cast aside. My initial dismissal stemmed from a rather unfortunate experience: I had read her 1995 horror novella Zombie, inspired by the notorious Jeffrey Dahmer, for an eighth-grade book report. Despite my passion for horror movies, the novella sickened me profoundly, causing me to overlook Oates's works for nearly two decades. However, with the passage of time and a broader literary palate, I've revisited her writing and found value in much of it, even though I don't always connect with her narratives on a personal level.
Oates is a prolific author known for her explorative and often dark storytelling, and like many writers, she has adopted various pen names throughout her career, notably Rosamond Smith. Her latest work, Double Trouble, published by Hard Case Crime, is set to be released tomorrow in hardcover [*], paperback [*], Kindle [*], and other eBook formats. This collection features two previously released complete novels, Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon and Soul/Mate, alongside two rare short stories, The Murderess and An Unsolved Crime.
Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon, the seventh novel under the Rosamond Smith pseudonym, is a noir-infused crime thriller first published in 1999. It delves into the life of Lily Merrick, a seemingly devoted housewife and mother in upstate New York, who teaches pottery classes. When her estranged twin sister Sharon reappears after fifteen years, seeking refuge from her life as a Las Vegas stripper, the family initially welcomes her with open arms. However, Sharon, under the alias of Starr Bright, harbors a sinister secret—she’s the most wanted female serial killer in the country.
On the other hand, Soul/Mate, originally published in 1989, presents a darker twist on romantic entanglement. The story revolves around Dorothea Deverell, a middle-aged art historian at a Boston museum, who finds herself captivated by the attention of a charming younger man, Colin Asch. However, Colin is no ordinary suitor; he’s a self-proclaimed “Angel of Death,” whose affection for Dorothea masks a horrific agenda—eliminating anyone who stands in the way of his twisted love.
The collection also includes two rarely seen short stories. An Unsolved Crime first graced the pages of the Colorado Quarterly in the summer of 1978, depicting two abused siblings plotting the murder of their stepfather. Meanwhile, The Murderess, which appeared in the Western Humanities Review in 1979, features Anne-Marie, who must navigate the complications of having a murderess relative move into her home. This is their first appearance in a collection, making them a true rarity.
Overall, I found Double Trouble to be a compelling exploration of the dark corners of the human psyche. The short stories are taut and immersive, while the novels pack a powerful punch. Among them, I found Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon slightly more engaging than Soul/Mate, perhaps due to its position at the forefront of the collection. Both novels are unapologetically dark and richly character-driven, demonstrating Oates's mastery of descriptive prose that balances dramatic flair with a noir sensibility. While they may not be perfect, there’s an undeniable allure in how they lead the reader into chilling worlds of psychological complexity.
In a way, I revel in my "weirdness" as a reader—after all, isn't the love for literature intertwined with the acceptance of our quirks? I wholeheartedly recommend Double Trouble for reader who appreciates intricate storytelling laced with darkness and psychological depth. ╌★★★★★
⁓B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess