When a university student named Lucia goes missing, Neil’s life is turned upside-down forever. So opens Jacqueline Faber’s debut novel, The Department. But where is Lucia, and did she end up there willingly?
As Neil, a professor of ethics, delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Lucia’s disappearance, he uncovers a dark underbelly in the quiet, southern, university town where he lives.
A special thank you to Oceanview Publishing for the copy of The Department. This review is intended for those who haven’t read the book yet, so consider it spoiler-free. Now let’s get lost in this suspenseful and tangled mystery.
The Department Summary
ISBN: 9781608096350
Neil is a college professor whose life is, quite frankly, in the dumps. He’s still hung up on his brilliant and enigmatic ex-wife, Phaedra, who happens to have remarried with one of the most respected and prestigious professors on campus. He’s drinking more than ever, his looks have faded, and to top it all off? His teaching position is seriously precarious, and he’s on the verge of losing his job.
One day, he sees a missing poster on campus. A young student named Lucia Vanotti has gone missing, and the rumors are swirling about what could have happened to her. Listless, disheartened by work, and insatiably curious, Neil begins an independent investigation into Lucia’s disappearance.
As Neil slowly unravels the thread of Lucia’s life and secrets on campus, he discovers an abundance of surprises about their sleepy college town. From underground sex clubs to a hardcore party scene to nefarious businessmen, Neil has a series of realizations that threaten to shake the foundations of his own existence, and that of those around him.
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A Dark and Twisted College Town Mystery
The Department is, on its surface, a straightforward mystery with excellent pacing. But, at its core, it’s a novel that delivers something much more profound: an examination of trauma, powerful female narratives, and an exploration of why we make the choices we do.
Characters and Relationships
This book has many strengths, but among its most impressive is its characterization. The story is told through alternating chapters narrated by Neil and Lucia. Neil is an endearing mess, and his imperfections are conveyed in a relatable, ever-so-slightly bristly way. He’s full of good intentions and respect, but he doesn’t always manage to get his point across, and his obsessive tendency makes him a thrilling narrator.
His behavior isn’t always predictable or reliable as a narrator, which makes for a page-turning novel.
Lucia, on the other hand, is a complex and fully-formed character. Her chapters are among the strongest in the book, as they subvert completely the “dead girl” trope and illuminate a powerful reckoning with past trauma, guilt, and shame. Her development is fascinating and heartbreaking as she struggles with both betrayal and being betrayed.
There are other wonderful characters in this book, including Phaedra, Neil’s ex-wife. A stubborn, spitfire academic, Phaedra is a mystery to both Neil and the readers. Her image is vivid and lovable: an energetic thinker who loves riot grrrl music and doesn’t suffer fools lightly. Her development is another element that makes The Department a refreshing and female-led addition to the mystery genre.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletterPlot Development and Devices
This book is most explicitly a whodunit where Neil is trying to discover what happened to Lucia, whose narration occurs in the past. Her chapters tell the story of her life up to her disappearance, while Neil’s are focused mostly on his present investigation of her case.
The use of alternating chapters in this novel makes for a fast-paced, addictive page-turner. The Department is difficult to put down, and the pacing is excellent.
The structure of the novel also means that the narrative arcs are conveyed simultaneously, which allows the reader to get to know Lucia’s character while also understanding Neil and uncovering the truth about what happened to her. This makes for a satisfying experience, one where the victim in the case is a complex, three-dimensional human being instead of just a pretty face.
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While the action of the novel takes place almost entirely in an unidentified southern U.S. college town, the story travels across multiple worlds and social scenes. Some of the most unsettling action in the novel is set in a Kubrick-esque sex club where patrons pay to have their wildest fantasies acted out. Some of the most heartbreaking moments occur in Lucia’s family home and Italian restaurant.
It must be noted that this book is much more than an empty mystery. Elements of trauma and abuse are present, but treated with the utmost respect and sympathy, and never sensationalized or dwelled upon, making for a thought-provoking and satisfying reading experience.
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Final thoughts
The Department is a stunning debut, one which hopefully precedes many more books by Faber. It was a surprising and rewarding mystery, and I loved the plot twists. My favorite element of the novel was far and away the fully-imagined female characters, who were strong and vulnerable, brilliant and imperfect. The pacing of this novel is absolutely relentless, and it’s clear Faber has a knack for keeping the reader hooked throughout.
In short: The Department is a must-read for anyone who loves mysteries, atmospheric novels, or is looking for a thriller that goes beyond tired tropes.
The Review
The Department
The Department is a must-read for anyone who loves mysteries, atmospheric novels, or is looking for a thriller that goes beyond tired tropes.
PROS
- Complex characterization
- Addictive pacing
- Twisty, unpredictable plot
CONS
- Ending felt a bit abrupt
