The Birdwatcher — Jacquelyn Mitchard

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard comes a page-turning drama that explores the beauty of female friendship; the relationship between money, power, and sex; and the very human desire to protect the ones we love most.

Renee has been working as a journalist at a high-end fashion magazine but harbors dreams of telling more meaningful stories at a more serious publication. When her former childhood neighbor and classmate turned professional escort Felicity is charged with murder, Renee jumps at the chance to report the story and cover the trial. As she reconnects with Felicity, she can't help but feel something is amiss: Felicity was a bright, talented student who went off to college with big dreams. Why would she turn to sex work? And why would she murder two of her clients?

Renee continues searching for answers, but Felicity keeps her distance, only sharing as much information as she has to, never letting Renee fully into her confidence. Felicity is ultimately convicted for one of the murders. As she's led away in handcuffs, she whispers to Renee, “I may not be innocent, but I'm innocent of this.” Renee is consumed by thoughts of Felicity in prison and what she could have possibly meant. As she delves into the research for her article, she starts to notice problems with the case, stories that don't add up, until she stumbles upon Felicity's airtight alibi -- which she kept quiet about in court. But why? Why wouldn't she advocate for herself, and why would she almost willingly go to prison? There's something more here, and Renee is determined to uncover the truth -- because the truth is always worth it, right?