Joyce Maynard has been writing top-notch fiction, primarily thrillers, for decades. Her latest release, IN WONDERLAND, shows off her plotting and style, specifically her ability to get into the head of an intriguing female character who does not always make the best moral choices. 

The writing here is almost dreamlike as Maynard captures the surreal summer that 14-year-old Frances spends in Maine at the lakefront summer home of her father’s best friend, Forrest Emerson, which is aptly named Wonderland. Frances will experience seriously conflicted feelings that range from an unhealthy crush on Forrest to getting caught up in the potentially paranoid confusion of his drug-addled wife, Regina.

"[Maynard] takes what could have been a run-of-the-mill YA novel and infuses it with a deadly dose of psychological thrills, elevating it to a deeply complex character study that leads to very real murderous delight."

Sent away from her parents’ own crumbling marriage, Frances is essentially supposed to act as a “mother’s helper” to the struggling Regina, who needs assistance with the household and family. Before the summer is over, Frances will allow her easily led pubescent mind to draw her into complicated situations and potentially illicit relationships, which will end catastrophically come Labor Day.

While she is firmly within the fantasy realm of being in love with Forrest, Frances is given a tour of Wonderland by their 12-year-old son, Hayward, that includes a warning never to go near the mysteriously locked door on an upstairs floor near her room. We are privy to Frances’ diary entries, allowing us to learn about her feelings and current mental state, which identifies her as a highly unreliable narrator.

Regina is the most interesting character in the novel as her very evident drug addiction, perhaps fueled by the years of infidelity she has suffered at the hands of her husband, has reached a new height with his annual dalliance now extending to a woman she thought was a friend. As Regina’s paranoia intensifies, she is able to convince Frances to play detective, following Forrest around and seeking proof of his latest affair. Frances also takes this assignment personally as her own hormone-addled mind believes that he has feelings for her.

This is all a recipe for disaster. Regina will make a vow to destroy Forrest, and with Frances easily led by these dangerous feelings, it will come as no surprise that something bad is going to happen. Furthermore, things really get interesting when Frances finds out that Regina also may be a threat to her household.

IN WONDERLAND is set in 1986, which comes not only with the feelings of innocence and imperviousness of the time but also allows Maynard to insert chapter titles that frequently utilize popular songs from that era. She takes what could have been a run-of-the-mill YA novel and infuses it with a deadly dose of psychological thrills, elevating it to a deeply complex character study that leads to very real murderous delight.