Author: Morgan Richter
Publisher: Knopf
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
Rating: 4 out of 5 star
"The Understudy" had all the elements that draw me to psychological suspense: a seemingly perfect facade masking dark secrets, a ruthless antagonist willing to do anything to get what she wants, and murder in an unexpectedly sinister setting. Morgan Richter weaves these elements into the high-stakes world of New York City opera, where an experienced singer faces off against her dangerously ambitious understudy in a modern adaptation of "Barbarella."
The story starts slowly, taking time to establish the competitive world of New York City opera and the complex dynamic between Kit, the protagnist, and her understudy, Yolanda. The story kicks into a higher gear when a shocking murder at the midpoint transforms the narrativef rom a story of professional rivalry into a compelling psychological thriller.
The novel's strength lies in its complex characterization. Richter presents us with deeply flawed individuals who occupy the morally ambiguous territory between hero and villain. The exception is Yolanda, who emerges as an unabashedly malevolent force. The author effectively portrays her as a dark mirror reflecting the cutthroat nature of the performing arts world.
Richter succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere where ambition, jealousy, and murder intertwine in the high-stakes world of opera. With this sophomore novel, she shows she is indeed a great new artistic talent to watch in the world of murder and suspense,
A big thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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