Real Easy: A Novel

Marie Rutkoski

Jan 2022 · Sold by Henry Holt and Company

About this ebook

Bringing to mind Gillian Flynn and Tana French but completely unique, Marie Rutkoski's Real Easy is a compulsive, tenacious, and unexpectedly hopeful thriller.

"[R]iveting...An adrenaline ride filled with grit and compassion."
—People, Book of the Week

It’s 1999 and Samantha has danced for years at the Lovely Lady strip club. She’s not used to mixing work and friendship—after all, between her jealous boyfriend and his young daughter, she has enough on her plate. But the newest dancer is so clueless that Samantha feels compelled to help her learn the hustle and drama of the club: how to sweet-talk the boss, fit in with the other women, and make good money. One night, when the new girl needs a ride home, Samantha agrees to drive: a simple decision that turns deadly.

Georgia, another dancer drawn into the ensuing murder and missing person investigation, gathers information for Holly, a grieving detective determined to solve the case. Georgia just wants to help, but her involvement makes her a target. As Holly and Georgia round up their suspects, the story’s point of view shifts between dancers, detectives, children, club patrons—and the killer.

Drawing on her experience as a former dancer, Marie Rutkoski immerses us in the captivating world of the club, which comes alive with complicated people trying their best to protect themselves and those they love. Character-driven and masterfully plotted, Real Easy gets to the heart of the timeless question: How do women live their lives knowing that men can hurt them?

Ratings and reviews

I really wanted to like this book. Learning that the author had experience as an adult dancer and some of her experiences based some of the plotlines really intrigued me. I found myself uninterested at times and the multitude of characters contributed to this. There were some elements of horror here but was mainly a mystery thriller novel. We have some graphic moments that some may skim over. The author does a good job with character development. I just struggled to stay interested and would have liked more details in the end. The title is introduced in the story when it is mentioned a stripper could be identified Real Easy by the serial number of the breast implants. Then you dwell more and find a few more relevant meanings within the story.

About the author

Born in Illinois, Marie Rutkoski is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Harvard University. She is a professor of English literature at Brooklyn College and a New York Times bestselling author of books for children and young adults. She lives in Brooklyn with her family.