The Maid's Version
176 pages; Little, Brown and Company

From the author of Winter’s Bone, the “country noir” novel whose film iteration launched the career of Jennifer Lawrence, comes a gorgeously gritty new novel. Alma is the illiterate housekeeper at the heart of The Maid’s Version (Little, Brown). Her grandson narrates her story and that of the Ozark town that is devastated one summer evening when the local dance hall explodes in flames, killing Alma’s sister, Ruby, and 41 others. Who set the fire? Alma knows, but no one will listen to her.

Inspired by true events, Daniel Woodrell’s probing, powerful tenth work of fiction confirms his status as one of our finest little-known writers.

— Leigh Haber