In this twisty novel of domestic dystopia from an award-winning author, if you thought getting into the Teacup was hard, try getting out . . .

A crimeless, carless, climate-controlled oasis nestled in the Florida swamps, the Test City of Progress—commonly called the Teacup—was the dream of animation legend, theme park visionary, and American icon Hal Sidney. And for decades this city of tomorrow has been the most sought-after neighborhood on Earth, with a decades-long waitlist to move in. Under the watchful eye of the Sidney corporation, each resident is provided a home, a job, and a purpose, plus access to the most innovative technology the Teacup's sponsors can provide.

Nora and Jack, a young midwestern couple barely scraping by in the 1980s, didn't even know Jack's grandfather was an applicant until they inherited his spot on the list. Now, they have the opportunity to leave behind their stunted, small-town lives for the new start they've always dreamed of. But as the story of Hal Sidney's rise comes into focus, so too does the true cost of Nora and Jack's perfect new life, along with its AI smart-home system, mandatory community engagement, and neighbors who sometimes disappear . . .

An absorbing sci-fi suspense story, The Teacup portrays the ultimate planned community—where there's no choice but to be happy.