MRS.

Narrator Vanessa Johansson highlights the dark terrain beneath the everyday lives of three couples who seemingly have nothing more in common than sending their children to one of the most prestigious preschools on New York's Upper East Side. Told from multiple viewpoints, this is a cautionary tale about getting what you wish for, especially entrée into the world of Old Money. Johansson's expressive delivery captures the snobbery that hides deep secrets as well as the boredom of women who gave up careers and the calculated ambitions of their husbands. Listeners may not like the characters but will be carried along by Johansson's rich, tension-building performance as the separate spheres of mothers, fathers, and children come crashing together with life-altering impact. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2018]