Jack Of Spades by Joyce Carol Oates

 

Andrew Rush is an author of mysteries.  He has been successful, his books hitting the top of the bestseller lists regularly.  His success has brought wealth and he and his wife have contributed to his community, which also makes him well thought of.

But Andrew has another side.  He writes another series under a pen name, Jack Spade.  Those mysteries are dark and gory and the villain often wins.  No one knows about these novels, not even his wife. 

When Andrew is sued for plagiarism by an elderly woman who lives in his town, his two sides start to merge.  He can't believe someone dares to accuse him and soon he finds himself breaking into her home and stealing her treasures.  Then one night she is there and Andrew becomes one of the villains he writes about.

Joyce Carol Oates has a long history as an author whose work is prolific and on the dark side.  Along with other honors, she is a National Book Award winner.  In this novel, Andrew moves from a respected, staid middle-aged man to someone who finds himself doing things he never thought he would do.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.