Teddy: A Novel

The book starts off with what may be a murder. It isn’t immediately clear, and the truth of what happens is only hinted at. First, the narrative leaps back some years before, introducing us to Teddy’s life growing up in Texas, reaching her thirties before she marries (rather embarrassing to her well-off family in the 1960s), and going with her husband to Rome. Her husband is a minor diplomat, her family is politically active, and Teddy soon finds herself in over her head enough to be questioned by two men the night and early morning after the possibly-murder.

This provides the framing device for the book, but it also lays in a hint of doubt. Teddy’s story as presented to the reader is exactly what she is telling the men questioning her, but every so often the reader is left wondering how much of the truth she tells and how much is left out. Dunlay does a magnificent job spinning out the story. At times the name-dropping of fashion draws from the suspense, but even that has its place in enhancing the feeling of late 1960s Rome. I highly recommend this book.