It is a difficult feat to write both a mind-blowing psychological thriller and a brain-twisting mystery. With the release of THE ACCOMPLICE, not only has Lisa Lutz done just that, she has hit it right out of the park.

Like most mystery/thrillers released in recent years, this one is a time-jumper. In this case, we are regaled with the story of how Owen Mann and Luna Grey met in college back in September 2002. We then jump ahead to October 2019. The two are still best buds, married to different people but living just blocks from each other. They have no idea that their friendship is about to be placed under the microscope as they will be forced to endure the biggest threat they have ever faced together or separately. Or so we think.

"With THE ACCOMPLICE, Lisa Lutz may have written a near-perfect novel. You may think you know where the story is going, but she has placed so many literary landmines within these pages to trip you up that your head will be spinning."

Owen and Luna attended Markham University and were instantly drawn to each other. Those who met them could never understand why they were just friends as their relationship seemed so unique. Their bond developed when Owen tried to help Luna during an epileptic fit while in the university’s library; he stuck his finger in her mouth to save her tongue. Although initially offended by this, Luna was touched by the gesture, and they were marked as best friends forever.

In 2019, Luna is visited early in the morning by Owen’s wife, Irene, who has been out running. Irene believes that Owen is having an affair, though Luna is confident that is not the case. Later, when Luna meets up with Owen for drinks, he admits that he has seen someone a few times but it’s not serious. He also indicates that he has been texting Irene all day and has not heard back from her. Irene doesn’t show up for their planned run the next morning, so Luna heads out to their usual meeting place in the local cemetery. Shockingly she finds Irene’s body curled up under a tree, the victim of a gunshot wound.

While at a party during their college days, Luna is cornered outside by a classmate, Mason, who asks her a pointed question: “Was Luna Grey always your name?” At that same party, Owen hooks up with an attractive girl, Scarlet, but is concerned about Luna. The next day, he asks her if there’s something she’s not telling him. She quickly responds, “There’s always something I’m not telling you.”

In one of my favorite scenes, a number of characters are spending the weekend at Owen’s parents’ house --- Owen, Luna, Griff (Owen’s older brother, a law student) and Scarlet. The group begins a game of Truth or Dare, and Scarlet pulls out of nowhere a “dare” to Luna to talk about the hate mail she receives at school concerning her deep dark secret. This causes both Scarlet and Luna to bolt from the room. Griff follows after Luna and lays on her matter-of-factly that he didn’t need any explanation because he already knew who she was. It turns out he was taught her case in one of his law classes. And I’ll just leave it at that.

With THE ACCOMPLICE, Lisa Lutz may have written a near-perfect novel. You may think you know where the story is going, but she has placed so many literary landmines within these pages to trip you up that your head will be spinning. I do not want to spoil any of the fun here. All I will say is that at the heart of this tale is the idea of personal debt between close friends and to what lengths you would go to pay off your end. Your idea of personal debt might not be quite the same as your friend’s.