Synopses & Reviews
Winner of the Anthony Award for Best First Novel
Lily Moore, a successful travel writer, fled to Spain to get away from her troubled, drug-addicted younger sister, Claudia. But when Claudia is found dead in a bathtub on the anniversary of their mothers suicide, Lily must return to New York to deal with the aftermath.
The situation shifts from tragic to baffling when the body at the morgue turns out to be a strangers. The dead woman had been using Claudias identity for months. The real Claudia had vanished, reappearing briefly on the day her impostor died. As Claudia transforms from victim to suspect in the eyes of the police, Lily becomes determined to find her before they do.
Is Claudia actually missing, or is she playing an elaborate con game? And whos responsible for the body that was found in the bathtub? An obsessive ex-lover? An emotionally disturbed young man with a rich and powerful father? Or Lilys own former fiancé, who turns out to be more deeply involved with Claudia than he admits?
As Lily searches for answers, a shadowy figure stalks her and the danger to her grows. Determined to learn the truth at any cost, she is unprepared for the terrible toll it will take on her and those she loves.
Review
"[A] razor sharp mystery debut. . . . Davidson offers a great portrait of sisterly love, despite a dysfunctional past, as well as a highly satisfying mystery."--Publishers Weekly on The Damage Done
"Hilary Davidson makes a stunning debut with The Damage Done. It's a smart crime novel, peopled with sinister characters and clever twists you won't see coming. Davidson grabs you by the throat with her opening, and doesn't let go till the end."--Linda Fairstein, New York Times bestselling author of Hell Gate and Lethal Legacy
"Sinking us into the noir New York of Sara Gran and Charlie Huston, Hilary Davidson's lush novel The Damage Done delivers on all counts, offering both slow-burn suspense and creeping pathos. Taking the classic story of hero's quest to solve the riddle of a wayward sister, it's ultimately a tale of lost women, victims and victimizers, damaging and perilously damaged. A rich, haunting debut."--Megan Abbott, Edgar-winning author of Die a Little, Queenpin, and Bury Me Deep
“The Damage Done is truly an astonishing read. Think Hitchcock writing for the hip Manhattan set and still, with a wondrous compassion that moves on nigh on every page. If Tess Gerritsen and Laura Lippman collaborated, youd get a novel as fine as this. Terrific insights into the damaged sisters psyche and all the emotions therein, rendered in a prose that is a joy to read. Neil Young might have to rewrite the song. The novel is that startling and original.”--Ken Bruen, bestselling author of London Boulevard and the Jack Taylor mysteries
"A twisty, unsettling mystery which explores the nature of identity theft and identity itself. A provocative debut."--Jane Stanton Hitchcock, New York Times bestselling author of Mortal Friends, Social Crimes, and One Dangerous Lady
"The Damage Done is a sleek, savvy mystery that kept me turning pages and trying to figure out the beautifully constructed plot. Hilary Davidson's debut is a memorable one."--Ed Gorman, award-winning author of The Poker Club and the Sam McMain series
“A sharp debut. Smart, dark, and complex, this mystery will keep you turning pages deep into the night. Ms. Davidsons talent is toe-to-toe with the great Laura Lippman. My favorite new voice in crime fiction.”--Allison Glasgow Robinson, Thuglit editor
Review
“Grabs you by the throat and doesnt let go till the end.”
—Linda Fairstein, New York Times bestselling author
“[A] razor sharp mystery debut… Davidson offers a great portrait of sisterly love, despite a dysfunctional past, as well as a highly satisfying mystery.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A tale of nonstop action with a nice final twist.”
—Booklist
“An intriguing psychological mystery with a fully drawn protagonist who is surrounded by real characters who either care for her or who want her to fit their idea of who she should be. Readers will eagerly await Davidsons next book.”
—Library Journal
“A sharp debut. Smart, dark, and complex, this mystery will keep you turning pages deep into the night. Ms. Davidsons talent is toe-to-toe with the great Laura Lippman. My favorite new voice in crime fiction.”
—Allison Glasgow Robinson, Thuglit
“Sinking us into the noir New York of Sara Gran and Charlie Huston, The Damage Done delivers on all counts, offering both slow-burn suspense and creeping pathos. A rich, haunting debut.”
—Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Bury Me Deep
"Likeable characters, a good puzzle and an excellent sense of place. Hilary Davidson is one to watch.”
—Margaret Cannon, The Globe & Mail
“Think Hitchcock writing for the hip Manhattan set. If Tess Gerritsen and Laura Lippman collaborated, youd get a novel as fine as this. Startling and original.”
—Ken Bruen, award-winning author of London Boulevard
"One of the best debuts Ive read in years"
—Jon Jordan, Crimespree Magazine
“A polished, nuanced thriller driven by sharply drawn characters and haunted by betrayal and loss. Hilary Davidsons smart, worldly heroine confronts her own past as well as smooth villains and untrustworthy friends in an accomplished work that brilliantly balances the demands of tightly plotted noir with a compassionate exploration of family secrets and survivors guilt. A superb debut.”
—Dennis Tafoya, author of Dope Thief
“One doesnt have to be a crime-fiction enthusiast to appreciate the rapidly paced plot or well-developed characters. Davidson weaves together a murder mystery so complex, itll have you asking ‘whodunit? right up until the last page.”
—Suzanna Chang, University of Toronto Magazine
“A twisty, unsettling mystery that explores the nature of identity theft and identity itself. A provocative debut.”
—Jane Stanton Hitchcock, New York Times bestselling author of Social Crimes
“Oh, what a deliciously tangled web of circumstances does author Hilary Davidson weave in her masterful debut, The Damage Done...it almost defies belief that this is Davidsons first novel.”
—Elizabeth A. White, Savannah Morning News
“A sleek, savvy mystery that kept me turning pages and trying to figure out the beautifully constructed plot. Hilary Davidsons debut is a memorable one.”
—Ed Gorman, award-winning author of The Poker Club
Review
Praise for The Damage Done
“Grabs you by the throat and doesnt let go till the end.”—Linda Fairstein, New York Times bestselling author
“[A] razor sharp mystery debut… Davidson offers a great portrait of sisterly love, despite a dysfunctional past, as well as a highly satisfying mystery.”—Publishers Weekly
“A tale of nonstop action with a nice final twist.”—Booklist
“An intriguing psychological mystery with a fully drawn protagonist who is surrounded by real characters who either care for her or who want her to fit their idea of who she should be. Readers will eagerly await Davidsons next book.”—Library Journal
"Likeable characters, a good puzzle and an excellent sense of place. Hilary Davidson is one to watch.”—Margaret Cannon, The Globe & Mail
Synopsis
Winner of the Anthony Award for Best First Novel
Lily Moore, a successful travel writer, fled to Spain to get away from her troubled, drug-addicted younger sister, Claudia. But when Claudia is found dead in a bathtub on the anniversary of their mothers suicide, Lily must return to New York to deal with the aftermath.
The situation shifts from tragic to baffling when the body at the morgue turns out to be a strangers. The dead woman had been using Claudias identity for months. The real Claudia had vanished, reappearing briefly on the day her impostor died. As Claudia transforms from victim to suspect in the eyes of the police, Lily becomes determined to find her before they do.
Is Claudia actually missing, or is she playing an elaborate con game? And whos responsible for the body that was found in the bathtub? An obsessive ex-lover? An emotionally disturbed young man with a rich and powerful father? Or Lilys own former fiancé, who turns out to be more deeply involved with Claudia than he admits?
As Lily searches for answers, a shadowy figure stalks her and the danger to her grows. Determined to learn the truth at any cost, she is unprepared for the terrible toll it will take on her and those she loves.
Synopsis
Winner of the Anthony Award for Best First Novel
Lily Moore fled to Spain to get away from her troubled, drug-addicted younger sister, Claudia. When Claudia is found dead in a bathtub on the anniversary of their mothers suicide, Lily must return to New York to deal with the aftermath.
The situation shifts from tragic to baffling when the body at the morgue turns out to be that of a stranger who had been using Claudias identity. The real Claudia had vanished months earlier, reappearing briefly on the day the impostor died. As Claudia transforms from victim to suspect in the eyes of the police, Lily becomes determined to find her before they do.
Is Claudia actually missing or is she playing an elaborate con game? And whos responsible for the body in the tub? Determined to learn the truth at any cost, Lily is unprepared for the terrible toll it will take on her and those she loves.
Synopsis
The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson is the winner of the Anthony Award for Best First Novel
Lily Moore fled to Spain to get away from her troubled, drug-addicted younger sister, Claudia. When Claudia is found dead in a bathtub on the anniversary of their mothers suicide, Lily must return to New York to deal with the aftermath.
The situation shifts from tragic to baffling when the body at the morgue turns out to be that of a stranger who had been using Claudias identity. The real Claudia had vanished months earlier, reappearing briefly on the day the impostor died. As Claudia transforms from victim to suspect in the eyes of the police, Lily becomes determined to find her before they do.
Is Claudia actually missing or is she playing an elaborate con game? And whos responsible for the body in the tub? Determined to learn the truth at any cost, Lily is unprepared for the terrible toll it will take on her and those she loves
“Grabs you by the throat and doesnt let go till the end.”—Linda Fairstein, New York Times bestselling author, on The Damage Done
About the Author
Hilary Davidson is a travel journalist and the author of eighteen nonfiction books. Her articles have appeared in more than 40 magazines, including Discover, Readers Digest, and Martha Stewart Weddings. Her short fiction has been widely praised and included in anthologies such as A Prisoner of Memory & 24 of the Years Finest Crime & Mystery Stories and Thuglit Presents: Blood, Guts, & Whiskey. Originally from Toronto, she now lives in New York City. The Damage Done is her first crime novel.