Suburban Wildlife by Daniel Bacon is a well-written novel that follows Tom, a real estate agent in Marin County, California, where million-dollar homes are commonplace. On the eve of the 2008 real estate crash, he becomes entangled in a transaction that threatens his home. As Tom and his
family confront this crisis, they befriend an immigrant family also at risk of
losing their home, and the two families draw on one another’s warmth and values
to navigate their shared hardship. The story also unfolds as a mystery as Tom seeks
to uncover those behind fraudulent real estate deals in the local market.
Blending a compelling plot with a moving portrayal of financial struggles that
echo those facing Americans in 2026, Suburban Wildlife is a novel well worth reading and discussing.
--Gini Grossenbacher
