Lauren Myracle, celebrated author of beloved young adult novels like ttyl and The Infinite Moment of Us, ventures into uncharted territory with Plays Well with Others, her literary fiction debut that plunges readers into the murky depths of domestic suspense. What emerges is a psychologically complex thriller that examines how grief, betrayal, and social media collide in devastating ways.
The story centers on Jacquelyn “Jake” Nolan, a woman whose life has been systematically dismantled piece by piece. Her stillborn son Liam, her marriage to Adam, her reputation, and her sense of self have all crumbled, leaving her grasping for stability in a charming Fort Collins neighborhood that masks its own sinister undercurrents.
The Anatomy of Betrayal
Character Development and Psychological Depth
Myracle demonstrates remarkable skill in crafting Jake as an unreliable narrator whose pain radiates from every page. Jake’s journey from naive do-gooder to a woman consumed by revenge is both heartbreaking and terrifying. Her relationship with her stillborn son Liam becomes the emotional anchor that gives weight to every subsequent betrayal. When Adam, her husband, reveals his affair with her best friend Shelby on the anniversary of Liam’s death, the timing feels both calculated and devastating.
The author’s handling of Jake’s mental state is particularly nuanced. Rather than presenting her as simply unstable, Myracle shows how grief and betrayal can warp perspective. Jake’s late-night break-ins to her former home aren’t portrayed as purely malicious acts but as desperate attempts to reclaim pieces of her lost life. These scenes crackle with tension while maintaining sympathy for a woman clearly drowning.
The Shelby Predicament
Shelby Bryant emerges as more than a typical “other woman” antagonist. Born with a cleft palate, she’s channeled her personal experience into charitable work helping children with similar conditions. Yet Myracle skillfully peels back layers to reveal someone whose victimhood becomes a weapon. Shelby’s decision to publicize Jake’s private, pain-fueled email – particularly the inflammatory comments about people with clefts – transforms personal betrayal into public crucifixion.
The #lipservice scandal that destroys Jake’s reputation feels authentically contemporary, capturing how social media can amplify private moments of weakness into career-ending public shaming. Myracle’s exploration of cancel culture is neither preachy nor one-sided; instead, she presents the complex reality of how truth can be weaponized.
Suburban Gothic Elements
The Neighborhood as Character
The Sweetwater Bungalows development serves as more than mere setting – it becomes a character unto itself. Myracle contrasts the picture-perfect craftsman homes with the dysfunction brewing within them. Jake’s house, purchased with Adam’s money but now hers alone, represents both sanctuary and prison.
Across the street, the elementary school creates an additional layer of unease. The proximity of children to the adult chaos unfolding serves as a constant reminder of innocence at risk. This tension becomes literal when troubled teenager Billy emerges as a genuinely dangerous figure, his psychological damage manifesting in increasingly violent acts.
The Billy Arc – Darkness Incarnate
Perhaps the novel’s most disturbing element is Billy, a character whose troubled psychology Myracle handles with both sensitivity and unflinching honesty. His relationship with younger student Wendell begins as tutoring but evolves into something far more sinister. The author doesn’t shy away from depicting Billy’s capacity for cruelty, yet she also reveals the abuse and neglect that shaped him.
The climactic scene in the shed, where Billy sets fire to both Wendell and himself, represents the book’s darkest moment. Myracle’s decision to have Billy ultimately save Wendell – at potentially fatal cost to himself – adds moral complexity that elevates the thriller beyond simple good-versus-evil dynamics.
Structural Brilliance and Narrative Technique
Multiple Perspectives
Myracle employs multiple viewpoints to create a kaleidoscopic view of her fictional neighborhood. Jake’s sections burn with barely contained rage, while Mabel’s chapters reveal the complicated dynamics of modern relationships. Billy’s perspective is perhaps most chilling, offering glimpses into a mind gradually unraveling.
The author’s decision to begin with Jake’s public downfall, then backtrack to show how events unfolded, creates natural tension. Readers know the destination but remain gripped by the journey.
The Social Media Angle
The novel’s exploration of online shaming feels particularly relevant. Jake’s descent from respected charity director to internet pariah happens with breathtaking speed, demonstrating how digital platforms can amplify personal vendettas into public spectacle. Myracle captures the performative nature of online outrage while also acknowledging the genuine harm caused by Jake’s words.
Critical Examination
Where the Novel Succeeds
- Psychological Authenticity: Myracle excels at portraying how trauma affects decision-making. Jake’s choices often seem irrational, but they feel psychologically authentic for someone drowning in grief and betrayal.
- Contemporary Relevance: The social media elements don’t feel forced or dated. The #lipservice campaign emerges organically from character actions rather than seeming like a contrived commentary on cancel culture.
- Moral Complexity: No character is entirely sympathetic or completely villainous. Even Shelby, who betrays her friend, has understandable motivations rooted in her own experiences with prejudice and medical challenges.
Areas for Improvement
- Pacing Inconsistencies: While the multiple perspectives create rich texture, some sections feel rushed while others linger too long on internal monologue. The middle portion occasionally loses momentum as characters circle around each other without significant plot advancement.
- Secondary Character Development: Mabel, despite being a viewpoint character, sometimes feels more like a plot device than a fully realized person. Her relationship with David and stepdaughter Bethany could have been developed more thoroughly to match the depth given to Jake’s storyline.
- Resolution Questions: The novel’s conclusion, while emotionally satisfying, leaves some plot threads dangling. The full consequences of Billy’s actions and the long-term impact on the neighborhood community remain unclear.
Literary Context and Comparisons
Myracle’s domestic thriller shares DNA with works like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Tana French’s psychological mysteries, but maintains its own distinct voice. Like Flynn, Myracle isn’t afraid to make her protagonist genuinely unlikeable at times. Like French, she uses setting as an active element in building tension.
“Plays Well with Others” also bears comparison to Liane Moriarty’s suburban thrillers, particularly in its exploration of how secrets fester within seemingly perfect communities. However, Myracle’s work is notably darker and more psychologically disturbing than Moriarty’s typically lighter touch.
The Author’s Evolution
For readers familiar with Myracle’s young adult works, “Plays Well with Others” represents a significant evolution. The emotional intelligence that made her YA novels resonate with teenage readers translates effectively to adult themes of marriage, loss, and redemption. Her ability to capture authentic voice and dialogue remains a strength, even when dealing with much darker subject matter.
Thematic Depth
Grief and Its Aftermath
The novel’s most powerful theme is how grief can poison every aspect of life. Jake’s inability to process Liam’s death creates a fault line that eventually destroys her marriage and her sense of self. Myracle shows how unprocessed trauma doesn’t simply fade but instead metastasizes, affecting judgment and relationships in increasingly destructive ways.
The Performance of Goodness
Many characters in “Plays Well with Others” perform virtue while harboring darker impulses. Jake’s charity work masks her need for control and validation. Shelby’s advocacy for children with clefts coexists with her willingness to destroy a former friend. The novel suggests that public goodness can become a costume worn to hide private failings.
Community and Isolation
Despite living in close proximity, the neighborhood residents remain fundamentally isolated from each other. This physical closeness combined with emotional distance creates perfect conditions for secrets and resentments to flourish.
Final Verdict
Plays Well with Others marks an impressive literary debut that successfully navigates the transition from young adult to adult fiction. Myracle has crafted a psychologically complex thriller that examines contemporary issues through the lens of timeless human emotions: grief, betrayal, and the desperate need for connection.
While “Plays Well with Others” occasionally stumbles in pacing and secondary character development, its core strengths – authentic character psychology, contemporary relevance, and moral complexity – create a compelling reading experience. The book works both as a page-turning thriller and as a thoughtful exploration of how trauma shapes behavior.
Readers seeking a domestic thriller that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths will find much to appreciate. Myracle has proven she can handle adult themes with the same emotional intelligence that made her young adult work so successful, suggesting a promising future in literary fiction.
Recommended Reading
For those who enjoyed this exploration of suburban darkness and complex female psychology, consider these similar works:
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – For its unreliable narrator and examination of marriage’s dark side
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty – For its suburban setting and exploration of hidden truths
- The Hunter by Tana French – For its psychological depth and atmospheric tension
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – For its multi-perspective narrative and community secrets
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – For its damaged protagonist and family dysfunction
Plays Well with Others stands as a confident debut that establishes Lauren Myracle as a voice worth watching in the domestic thriller space, proving that sometimes the most dangerous games are played by ordinary people in ordinary places.