Rainbow Black

A Novel

By: Maggie Thrash

Narrated by: Hope Newhouse

“I've loved Maggie Thrash's work for years, and Rainbow Black is going to set so many new hearts aflame—murder, intrigue, queer love, dark humor AND satanic panic? Welcome to the Maggie Thrash Fan Club, world!”—Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow

For readers of Donna Tartt and Ottessa Moshfegh comes a brilliant, deliriously entertaining novel from the acclaimed author of Honor Girl. Rainbow Black is part murder mystery, part gay international fugitive love story—set against the ’90s Satanic Panic and spanning 20 years in the life of a young woman pulled into its undertow.

Lacey Bond is a 13-year-old girl in New Hampshire growing up in the tranquility of her hippie parents’ rural daycare center.

Then the Satanic Panic hits. It’s the summer of 1990 when Lacey ’s parents are handcuffed, flung into the county jail, and faced with a torrent of jaw-dropping accusations as part of a mass hysteria sweeping the nation. When a horrific murder brings Lacey to the breaking point, she makes a ruthless choice that will haunt her for decades.

As an adult, Lacey mimes a normal life as the law clerk of an illustrious judge. She has a beautiful girlfriend, a measure of security, and the world has mostly forgotten about her. But after a tiny misstep spirals into an uncontrolled legal disaster, the hysteria threatens to begin all over again.

Rainbow Black is an addictive, searing, high-octane triumph, an imaginative tour de force about one woman’s tireless desire to be free.

Hooked from the beginning

Unlike any book I’ve ever read. You’ll get so close to the characters and spend time you’re not reading it thinking about it. Beautiful and thought-provoking.

Wow.

This is not an easy read or listen (like even a little) but it sure is compelling and darn good. Excellent queer representation. Made me feel a lot better about my family drama comparatively. Listened to the whole book all the way through in one go and stayed completely entertained. Fever dream.

fast paced look at the Satan nurseries- hysteria

Lacey/Jo was a very raw narrator: Sometimes unreliable, sometimes very truthful. Viewing the world through her eyes, causes a dizzying array of paranoia and obsession. It was well executed. The black outs she had made me wonder if her parents had actually done what they were being accused of by the world, but I was glad they had not. The point of the book was how judgemental people can create something to fear that doesn't even exist.

Great Book

This book was so Suspenseful. I loved the surprises in this book. I really enjoyed the main character.

Dragged on and on

The book could have been ⅓ shorter and we still would have gotten the idea
Not impressed