The Teller

Elaine Kelly struggles to take care of her dying mother while working as a bank teller, when, one day, she makes an impulsive decision that propels her into a living nightmare. She's handled deposits for a particular little old man for some time, but one day, as he leaves the bank, he's struck by a truck, which kills him instantly, and Elaine transfers over a million dollars into her own bank account. Soon, she discovers that the money she stole was dirty money, and the people whom it actually belongs to want it back. If she doesn't return the cash, they'll make her pay another way. At first blush, this seems to be a straightforward thriller, but it quickly becomes a study of a young woman who must find herself and her strength, amid horrifying circumstances, and how power and privilege can corrupt. Elaine is very relatable, and readers will root for her as she navigates the grimy underbelly of New York City.