The Turnout sounded so good: the story of Dara and Marie Durant, dancers since they were tiny ballerina wannabes. Growing up, they were both homeschooled and trained as dancers by their mother, who founded the Durant School of Dance, along with Dara’s husband Charlie, a former star  ballet student of their mother’s. 

Dara is the demanding teacher of the older students, while Marie, who comes across as more of a warm and soft instructor,  teaches the younger students. Charlie runs the administrative side, and they all work together six days a week. Every year, the annual production of The Nutcracker is their giant event, with lots of competition for roles (especially Clara!), tons of rehearsals, and lots of anxiety for students, parents, and the owners of the School.  

A suspicious accident happens just at the start of “Nutcracker Season” and soon a kind of creepy outsider comes in to help repair the studios and ends up interrupting the delicate balance that has been their life for years,  But when a suspicious accident occurs, just at the onset of the school’s annual performance of The Nutcracker—a season of competition, anxiety, and exhilaration—an interloper arrives and threatens the sisters’ delicate balance.

TBH, the whole story is unnerving, with its exploration of  family ties and sexuality, females’ power over men, and obsessive love and behavior.  Creeped me out, and not just because of the years of dance lessons I had as a child. Best known for her novels You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and Dare Me. I can only give it three stars, because I didn’t like anyone, there was too much that just didn’t ring true, and then there is that creep out factor. Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.