TIME Books

The Rich People Have Gone Away

It’s the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when Theo Harper vacates his posh Brooklyn apartment with his pregnant wife Darla to seek refuge in their upstate summer home. Sound familiar? Regina Porter’s slick novel follows those who fled New York City in search of safety during the early months of 2020, as well as the people who had to stay put, with no fancy second home to shelter in. But in The Rich People Have Gone Away, trouble looms over Theo, who decides to tell Darla a long-harbored secret while out on a hike. They have a fight—and she disappears, landing Theo at the center of the police investigation that follows. Flipping through perspectives of the many people who have touched Theo and Darla’s lives, Porter unravels a twisty and unpredictable story about community, resilience, and love.

Buy Now: The Rich People Have Gone Away on Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Tap to read full story

Your browser is out of date. Please update your browser at http://update.microsoft.com


YOU BROKE TIME.COM!

Dear TIME Reader,

As a regular visitor to TIME.com, we are sure you enjoy all the great journalism created by our editors and reporters. Great journalism has great value, and it costs money to make it. One of the main ways we cover our costs is through advertising.

The use of software that blocks ads limits our ability to provide you with the journalism you enjoy. Consider turning your Ad Blocker off so that we can continue to provide the world class journalism you have become accustomed to.

The TIME Team