“Indie Darling” By Lauren Nossett (Flatiron Books, 304 pages, $28.99)
“Indie Darling,” the new thriller by Nashville author Lauren Nossett, plumbs a dark side of Music City through a tale about the mysterious disappearance of popular singer-songwriter Sarah Faith-Owens. Protagonist Kelly Winter, the private detective investigating the case, is a keen observer with a commitment to helping women in danger. She also has colorful tastes, including a penchant for Dolly Parton. As Kelly searches for the truth about the night Sarah vanished, she uncovers more questions, sinister leads, and a parallel mystery about her own past.
A former professor with a Ph.D. in German literature, Nossett is the author of two previous thrillers, “The Professor” (2023) and “The Resemblance” (2022). She answered questions from Chapter 16 via email.
Q: Dolly Parton appears throughout “Indie Darling,” almost like a patron saint hovering over the novel. What drew you to her as a touchstone for Kelly Williams?
A: I love the idea of Dolly as a patron saint for this novel! She certainly became a guiding light for crafting Kelly’s worldview, her Southern charm and wit, and her determination to help women.