Dismantled: A Novel

by: Jennifer McMahon

Published by: Harper of Harper & Row

Reviewed by C. L. Rossman

Ten years ago, a group of college art students calling themselves the Compassionate Dismantlers went around destroying artworks, and eventually public works, under the fanatic direction of their leader, Suz. Her methods became more and more extreme until compassion ceased and she wanted to dismantle human beings, which finally brought the group to their senses. In the struggle to save their would-be victim’s life, they killed Suz instead. They weighted her body down with rocks and dumped her in the lake. Then they made up a cover story and slink off to try to lead quiet and orderly lives.

Now the past seems about to disgorge its dead, thanks to Emma, the precocious and obsessive child of two of the former dismantlers. She finds her father’s old journal about the group, and sends out postcards to the former members, hoping for a reunion which will reconcile her estranged mother and father. The postcards cause one former member to kill himself and his family sets a private detective on the trail.

The group has never shaken off Suz’s influence. Henry was in love with her; so was Winnie–and Tess, Henry’s present estranged wife, despaired of ever weaning him from Suz. Their guilt has saturated their lives and their art. The little girl Emma mailed the postcards because her “invisible” friend Danner told her to…and suddenly the adults start seeing Suz everywhere. Can she still be alive?

While this is a plot which sounds familiar—see M .R. James’ “The Turn of the Screw” and Peter Straub’s “Ghost Story”—the author has a fresh, sure touch with drama and has created vivid and memorable characters. She puts a neat little twist at the end to enliven it. So even if you’re familiar with the other stories, you will find something to attract you in this one.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a well-written thriller—a story of guilt and haunting memories of the past.

Author’s Web site: http://www.Jennifer-McMahon.com