Sharp Objects

Gillian Flynn's first novel, Sharp Objects, is cliched in every way – from its characters (a grizzled and cranky newspaper editor, a bright but psychologically troubled young girl, etc.) to its plot (a murder investigation led by a lone protagonist, with a sexual detour along the way). But Flynn is a surprisingly strong writer, with sharp observations:

I walked in and shut the door to his office, which isn't how I'd ever imagined my editor's office would look. I craved big oak panels, a window pane in the door – marked Chief – so the cub reporters could watch us rage over First Amendment rights. Curry's office is bland and institutional, like the rest of the building. You could debate journalism or get a Pap smear. No one cared.

Recommended.