the setup… From the outside, Hannah and Rusty Ferguson seem to have the ideal marriage. But Rusty is an emotional abuser and Hannah’s his constant targthe setup… From the outside, Hannah and Rusty Ferguson seem to have the ideal marriage. But Rusty is an emotional abuser and Hannah’s his constant target. Her only outlet is her backyard shed where she secretly designs and creates jewelry. When Rusty takes steps to destroy this smallest thing, it’s a step too far for Hannah.
the heart of the story… Hannah constantly dreams of ways Rusty could experience lots of bad luck, all of it harmless until he threatens that shed. He’s cruel, selfish and spiteful so you know something’s coming. I could hear the Jaws music in the background.
the narration… I’m a fan of Susannah Jones and she delivers an inspired and wonderful performance. She had me listening intently to every word and inflection.
the bottom line… This story ends the collection with a flourish. There wasn’t a question of if but how and so that little twist was a bit unexpected. Well done as I finished this in one session, surprised that it was over so quickly as I lost track of time. Gotta check out more from this author.
the setup… Kara is new to the neighborhood and has only made friends with her next door neighbor Mindy who shares her fears about her husband’s possiblthe setup… Kara is new to the neighborhood and has only made friends with her next door neighbor Mindy who shares her fears about her husband’s possible philandering. Kara decides she’ll look out for her whenever she’s away from home. When she sees someone there through the window while Mindy is out, Kara decides to do some closer snooping and gets the surprise of her life.
the heart of the story… What is it they say about good fences make good neighbors? Definitely something Kara should have kept in mind as things quickly got dangerous. The cat and mouse game that later ensued was filled with tension and surprises. The alibi? Well, that’s a spoiler.
the narration… Amara Jasper (new to me) was fabulous! She did a great job of storytelling and characterized Kara perfectly. It’s five for five with the narrators in this collection.
the bottom line… This one is a winner! It grabbed me right away and never let go. And, I couldn’t believe how quickly the time went because I was completely immersed in the story. Well done.
the setup… Baylor Greene is stranded at the Dallas airport, trying to reach his final destination of Peachtree Pass. If he drives, he’ll get there in tthe setup… Baylor Greene is stranded at the Dallas airport, trying to reach his final destination of Peachtree Pass. If he drives, he’ll get there in time to keep his promise to his niece and nephew but will arrive in the middle of the night. His sister Christine suggests that he spend the night at her best friend Lauralee’s new rental apartment instead. Baylor arrives and stumbles into the bed only to find it occupied…by Lauralee Knot. Well, that’s just the beginning of something more.
the heart of the story… Baylor has a player reputation and is a successful New York financial manager. He’s not looking for a relationship, let alone his sister’s best friend. Really? Yes really. Lauralee manages Peachtree Sundries, which is owned by her mother, and she has plans to eventually take it over and expand. She’s open to a relationship but not with someone like Baylor. And he’s her best friend’s brother? No way! Yes way. Despite everything looking wrong for them as a couple, these two connected like soulmates.
the narration… Willa Jaymes was wonderful as Lauralee, bringing that character to life. Nelson Hobbs has a nice voice tone that was seductive. I enjoyed their performances.
the bottom line… I liked how easily Baylor and Lauralee connected and the lengths they went through to keep their developing relationship secret from family. But there were lots of communication issues because of Baylor’s bad decisions and the last one (a biggie) almost threw me out of the story because it was nonsensical. However, it made them stronger and I couldn’t help rooting for and liking these two. I enjoyed being back in Peachtree Pass and reconnecting with Tagger and Christine. Still enjoying this series!
the setup… A woman is cycling around the dairy farmland near Burlington, Vermont when she’s distracted by the sight of two skydivers. Recalling her ownthe setup… A woman is cycling around the dairy farmland near Burlington, Vermont when she’s distracted by the sight of two skydivers. Recalling her own great experience, she stops to watch. But then she sees that one of them changes course and starts heading towards an active forage harvester. She watches in horror at the impending disaster. Brothers Pete and Leo Hamilton have returned home following their father’s death to settle his estate but disagree on what to do with the farm. They both agree to his request that they sprinkle his ashes over the fields and are the skydivers seen by the cyclist.
the heart of the story… Even though the cyclist is the alibi, she comes from a background that makes her an exceptional witness and knows something was off. One of those brothers died and given their disagreement about the farm, suspicion is cast on the survivor. We get a tiny glimpse about the two when it transitions back to before it happened and pick up a few clues. Nothing was as it seemed.
the narration… Eric Altheide, Soneela Nankani and Pete Simonelli give voice to the brothers and the cyclist. All were great at their storytelling, especially the cyclist who sets up the skydiving scene perfectly.
the bottom line… I wish this was just a smidgen longer because I just couldn’t get a good sense of the brothers before the skydiving disaster. However, the epilogue wrapped things up nicely with a sweet little twist. I liked it but had to rewind to make sure I heard things right. 3.5 stars
the setup… The town of Denton is pummeled by torrential rains, causing the riverbanks to overflow, flooding a lot of the town. Detectives Josie Quinn athe setup… The town of Denton is pummeled by torrential rains, causing the riverbanks to overflow, flooding a lot of the town. Detectives Josie Quinn and Gretchen Miller are assisting with water rescues when they see what looks like a body wrapped in a tarp float to the surface after a house is swept away from its foundation. Back at the morgue, Josie is stunned when she sees the perfectly preserved dead girl wearing a familiar jacket…one formerly owned by her deceased ex-husband Ray. She’s identified as Beverly Urban who supposedly left town sixteen years ago and was rumored to be secretly dating Ray.
the heart of the story… Josie is once again thrown back into her past as she knew Beverly, a troublemaker who had quite a few run ins with her over Ray. The investigation leads them to the salon where Beverly’s mother Vera used to work and to a group of affluent women, including the mayor, who were more than just her clients. All this in the midst of the town being overrun by the river’s waters, a contentious mayoral campaign and a missing Vera who hasn’t been seen since her daughter disappeared.
the narration… Kate Handford is now firmly affixed in my mind as the voice of the series and I’m loving everything about her performances.
the bottom line… Finding Ray’s beloved baseball jacket on Beverly’s body raised old insecurities for Josie. It was a tough case that forced her to revisit old relationships and butt heads with the mayor again. She also experienced a stunning discovery that leaves her (and me!) reeling. The hits just keep on coming and I wonder how much more Josie can bear. The investigation was fascinating and I did guess the twist prior to the reveal. No matter as I highly enjoyed the resolution and the story.
the setup… William Homberg is the son of Stockholm’s beloved baritone opera singer, Knut. He was raised solely by him following his mother’s death. Knuthe setup… William Homberg is the son of Stockholm’s beloved baritone opera singer, Knut. He was raised solely by him following his mother’s death. Knut lived in excess…alcohol, women and lavish spending on himself and sadistically cruel to the women who adored him. William has lived his life dedicated to not be like this man and rarely sees him. However, when his beloved girlfriend Ebba encourages him to reach out to Knut with her at his side, he agrees and it’s life changing.
the heart of the story… This was on the bleak side but compelling in a foreboding way. When Knut turns up murdered, all the evidence points to William, who has an alibi but is reluctant to reveal it. I had a feeling where this was going and my heart began to ache for William who was losing the struggle to not be the man his father was.
the narration… Graham Halstead made all the difference in my enjoyment of this story. I would encourage everyone to listen to this one versus reading. He completely captures William and his storytelling is superb.
the bottom line… This one will haunt me because William is such a tragic character, trying to not be his father and sort of failing in the attempt. I saw betrayal coming and just wanted to save him.
the setup… Ian Curley is a renowned chef and restaurateur with a thriving restaurant in Melbourne. His three ex-wives, Anita, Mary-Jane (MJ) and Rosie,the setup… Ian Curley is a renowned chef and restaurateur with a thriving restaurant in Melbourne. His three ex-wives, Anita, Mary-Jane (MJ) and Rosie, meet there every Friday in the same corner booth to share their past marital woes (he foots the bill). His two children, Max and Daisy, work for him. When Ian is discovered dead in his commercial freezer, there’s no shortage of suspects, including his new child girlfriend Emma. But, they all seem to have rock solid alibis.
the heart of the story… Detective Charlene Li and her hapless partner Adrian Collins are tasked with figuring out who murdered Ian and untangling the suspects’ whereabouts. I loved getting everyone’s point of view and Detective Li’s follow up interrogations. It was intriguing from the onset, especially after each gave color to who Ian was, really.
the narration… I loved Anthea Greco’s voice tone, accent and storytelling! She was part of the “thing” that hooked me so quickly.
the bottom line… Despite its brevity, there’s a lot of meat here. I got a strong sense of every character, tough to accomplish in a short story with this many characters. Thought I had it solved but that twisty little ending caught me off guard. This so perfectly fits in with the collection and Hepworth does it again.
the setup… Penny Rose is a chef working for the Hungry Bee caterers and recently returned home to Star Falls, California from Seattle. She left a bad bthe setup… Penny Rose is a chef working for the Hungry Bee caterers and recently returned home to Star Falls, California from Seattle. She left a bad breakup behind to come help her grandmother raise her twelve-year old brother Wyatt. She’s caught the eye of Ryder Colburn, head of Colburn Restorations who’s also one of her clients (and the brother of her cranky boss). He’s the eldest of the three brothers and a serious sort with no time for romance. Though she’s sworn off men, Ryder can’t get Penny out of his head and he not only falls first but kinda hard.
the heart of the story… Truth be told both Penny and Ryder had a strong attraction for each other but she was the harder sell. She’s smart, quick witted and talented but her confidence in her instincts are shaken because she never saw the last monster coming. I loved how Ryder took his time, letting her set the pace…or not. Like I said, he fell hard.
the narration… Lila Winters & Sebastian York were ideal as Penny and Ryder. The banter came across so naturally…light and airy, but serious when the story demanded. I was in audio heaven.
the bottom line… My excited anticipation about this story was well rewarded! It has Shalvis’ signature style with witty banter and well rounded characters, main and secondary. The romance was mature and smart. The easy relationship between the Colburn brothers was another high note as their repartee was a riot. This is a wonderful start to the series. And, with not one but two satisfying epilogues? Perfection. 4.5 stars
the setup… Veterinarian Evie Williams gets the surprise of her life when she returns home early and finds her fiancé in her bed…with another woman. Shethe setup… Veterinarian Evie Williams gets the surprise of her life when she returns home early and finds her fiancé in her bed…with another woman. She kicks him out and also quits working at his practice, now jobless and broken hearted. Evie turns to the Sanctuary for solace, a nonprofit animal rescue center operated by her college mentor. While she gets the puppy love she needed, she also got a snootful of an old love that got away. Bryson Mitchell, a nationally renowned veterinarian surgeon, has returned to town, standing right in front of her and she’s not ready for that. She exits rather quickly with new pug-beagle mix Waffles in tow but only later must work with Bryson to save their beloved Sanctuary.
the heart of the story… I rarely choose a book because of its cover but must admit that this one did it, along with the title and description. Happily the story lived up to their promises and I had a really good time. Evie comes from a prominent and affluent family who had different plans for her. Bryson comes from very different circumstances that he lets come between them. Meanwhile, he and his papillon Bella bond with Evie and Waffles as they work to save the Sanctuary.
the narration… Marissa Hampton delivered a fun and lively performance that met the spirit of this story. She managed a host of distinctive voices, including secondary friends and family along with Evie and Bryson.
the bottom line… I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and thankfully it didn’t matter much, though I can tell when secondary characters have a backstory I’m missing. No matter because I had a lot of fun with the canine aspects and a very substantive romance. Bryson had to dig out of a hole to win Evie’s trust and he made that journey interesting. I’ll be reading the first book and highly anticipating the third.
the setup… Sims has only recently acquired beach hut 512 on the seafront of Brighton. It is an intended respite after her recovery from being assaultedthe setup… Sims has only recently acquired beach hut 512 on the seafront of Brighton. It is an intended respite after her recovery from being assaulted and nearly dying at the hands of a serial killer three years ago. But when she finally visits after having been away for months, Sims finds that her hut was vandalized and a dead body discovered inside. And, apparently he’s been there for two months.
the heart of the story… It’s quite a feat to pull off past and present transitions in a short story and this one works. We get the points of view from Sims and the serial killer. Who’s been vandalizing the beach huts? Who was the man inside? Who was his killer? I wasn’t sure where this was going but then it took a turn and its cleverness was revealed.
the narration… Debbie Korley and Simon Mattacks delivered strong performances and I enjoyed their storytelling. They made me believe in their characters and the story.
the bottom line… This story crept up on me and I didn’t realize what was really going on until near the end. This is my first by Koomson in this genre and I’ve now another reason to be a fan. Nicely done.
the setup… TV news reporter Trinity Payne is sidelined by her network because of an awkward on air comment she made and she’s hiding out at her sister the setup… TV news reporter Trinity Payne is sidelined by her network because of an awkward on air comment she made and she’s hiding out at her sister Detective Josie Quinn’s home. Determined to win her job back, Trinity is working on what she calls her next big story and is secretive and tight lipped about it. After Josie expresses concern, Trinity packs up and escapes to a remote hunting cabin. When three weeks go by without a word, Josie seeks her out only to find she’s vanished without a trace, leaving behind all of her belongings, including her car, phone and clothes. However, Trinity did leave behind a series of cryptic clues as breadcrumbs for Josie and her team to follow.
the heart of the story… This was one chilling story as the team soon discovers they’re chasing a serial killer and aren’t even certain if Trinity is still alive. Up to this point, we’ve only learned about Josie’s tragic childhood but this was all about Trinity. Her childhood wasn't all sweetness and light and that was enlightening, especially how Josie’s abduction shaped her. The connections and parallels were fascinating.
the narration… Kate Handford is now the voice in my head for the series and it’s a good thing. I’m committed to listening to every book through the end as her storytelling elevates the story.
the bottom line… Yet another gnarly mystery that kept me off balance and in the dark most of the time. I enjoyed following the clues and developing theories, some right on the mark and others off the deep end. As compelling as the mystery element turned out, I was more invested in learning about the real Trinity, the young girl before the glamour of her career. I can’t wait to see how her relationship with Josie is redefined now that they’ve delved far below the surface.
the setup… Alice Storm left her family to go her own way five years ago and never thought she’d ever be back at the family’s private island off the coathe setup… Alice Storm left her family to go her own way five years ago and never thought she’d ever be back at the family’s private island off the coast of Rhode Island…until now. Her father Franklin has suddenly died and she dreads the return. Her intention is to attend the memorial and retreat back to New York as soon as possible. But her father has one last meddling play. In order for everyone to receive their inheritance, they have to complete the individual tasks he devised and remain on the island for a week. Believe me, not as easy as it sounds, even with Jack Dean, his second in command as referee.
the heart of the story… Talk about family drama. Franklin used his children as pawns and weapons, dangling his money as the carrot and pitting them against each other for favor. Of the four siblings, Alice is the only one that bailed. Mother Elisabeth leaves much to be desired, older sister Greta has carried on a “secret” affair with Franklin’s driver for years, brother Sam is an entitled mess with a coarse and greedy wife and baby sister Emily lives in her own Zen world. They all in some way envy and resent Alice for breaking through but she gets more vinegar than sugar from all of them.
the narration… Julia Whelan excels here in the tricky storytelling and carries the weight of all these characters magnificently (but of course!).
the bottom line… The family dynamics may have been entertaining but underneath it all is a family struggling to find balance, themselves and an identity beyond the ones their father carved out for them. It’s not gratuitous drama and it’s clear it comes from pain and insecurity. I had no idea how or if things could be worked out or if new pathways could be created. This is an extraordinary story about a family of privilege who had anything but when it came to emotional wealth.
the setup… College student Casey Caldwell is one of the bridesmaids in her friend’s upcoming wedding. She’s suddenly paired with the groom’s rock star the setup… College student Casey Caldwell is one of the bridesmaids in her friend’s upcoming wedding. She’s suddenly paired with the groom’s rock star brother, Jake McKallister and is a little thrown by it. While she’s well known for being direct and outspoken, the extremely famous and talented Jake has a reputation of being quite the opposite, shaped by a traumatic event that happened to him when he was thirteen years old. Their meeting at the rehearsal dinner was unremarkable until she does something that not only gets his attention, but has him connect with her in a way he’s never experienced and she never saw coming.
the heart of the story… Jake keeps most people other than his big, loving family on the perimeter after surviving that horrific experience. He’s never had a meaningful relationship with any woman, unable to open his heart that way…until Casey. I really liked her spirit and outlook and while she was initially awestruck by Jake, that lasted about a minute following their introduction. Their attraction developed fast and furious over that weekend but didn’t have that typical instalove feeling. She introduced him to a whole new spectrum of emotions and he let her into his crazy world to her. While tragedy stunted his growth emotionally, it also was the foundation for his artistry.
the narration… Andi Arndt has long been a favorite and she nailed all that was special about Casey. Joe Arden gave Jake a voice that captured his reticence and personality. I enjoyed both of their performances.
the bottom line… It’s been a long time since I’ve read a rock star romance but this was on a different level. Jake’s world was insane and I have a new appreciation for the demands put upon famous people. Casey was his refuge and I loved how their differences made the relationship work. Jake’s demons were real, even after ten years, and adds weight. His family plays an integral role here, too, including four brothers and two sisters. I not only loved this story but am now hooked enough to continue the series. You’ll have to read it to understand the title.
the setup… Twenty years ago when Nola Strate was eight years old, she experienced the trauma of a lifetime when she came face to face with the serial kthe setup… Twenty years ago when Nola Strate was eight years old, she experienced the trauma of a lifetime when she came face to face with the serial killer known as The Hiding Man in her home in Portland, Oregon. She’s the only one to have seen his frightening, eerie mask. Now she’s the late night radio host of Night Watch where callers relate their experiences with paranormal events. Her father Chick previously originated and hosted the show before turning it over to her. While she’s come to terms with her childhood experience, lately Nola’s feeling like someone is watching and stalking her. Then a woman calls in, terrified that someone is in her house, the description so similar to Nola’s it brings all of the memories back to the present. She’s convinced that after all these years, The Hiding Man has resurfaced.
the heart of the story… We get the points of view from Nola, Detective Jack De Lacey who investigated the murder twenty years ago and The Hiding Man. Nola’s instincts are dead on and even though she’s surrounded by well meaning people who tell her she’s imagining things, she never lets her guard down. I was trusting no one and my list of suspects kept shifting as well as my theories.
the narration… Helen Laser and Will Collyer are wonderful storytellers and this one needed all their skills. Laser kept the tension high and Collyer kept me off balance. They delivered a great performance.
the bottom line… The hype was earned here and I was uncomfortable from start to finish. It’s creepy and highly atmospheric. Nola made some risky moves, the kind where you want to scream, “no, don’t go in there!” which I found nerve wracking. While the ending wasn’t as twisty as I would have liked, it still was exciting. I’m now an instant fan. 4.5 stars
the setup… Cora Atkin is on her way to register the name of her newborn son. Her husband Gordon wants him named after him; nine-year old daughter Maia the setup… Cora Atkin is on her way to register the name of her newborn son. Her husband Gordon wants him named after him; nine-year old daughter Maia suggests Bear, and Cora likes Julian. Whichever her choice will have a consequence, both for the child and her family. Over the next 35 years, the story provides alternating experiences of each choice.
the heart of the story… Cora means “core of the story” and she is central to everything and each alternate experience. She’s also the victim of extreme physical and emotional abuse by her sadistic husband. It’s the reason she doesn’t want her child named after him. Each story explores the consequences of the name choices, not only for Cora but but her children and the family dynamics. Gordon is an esteemed physician so outwardly the world sees him as a wonderful doctor, husband and father. The abuse is horrid and hard to take in and may be triggering. It brought equal moments of rage and tears for me.
the narration… Dervla Kirwan delivered an outstanding performance, hands down. Her storytelling was skillful and I hung onto to her every utterance.
the bottom line… This is a stunning debut and was nothing like I’d imagined it to be as it was miles high better. Each experience was poignant and explored how a name can drive the trajectory of a person’s journey in life. I thought I might prefer one story over another but I found elements in each that touched me. It still haunts me and will for weeks to come. 4.5 stars
the setup… Rowan Gallagher is an architect and single mother with a 16-year old daughter, Natalie. She lives in Portland, Maine and is working on a twothe setup… Rowan Gallagher is an architect and single mother with a 16-year old daughter, Natalie. She lives in Portland, Maine and is working on a two-year contract to restore an historic mansion for the influential Wincott family. She loves the project but her personal life just hit the skids. The man she’s been dating suddenly and inexplicably dumped her. But! He’s forgotten to turn off his location tracker and Rowan can’t resist taking a peek every now and then. However…a few nights later, she sees he’s parked in front of the mansion, a spot they used to use. Rowan decides to takes her dog Lickie for a walk and perhaps stroll by that spot. Unfortunately, what she finds isn’t a new girlfriend but a dead ex-boyfriend.
the heart of the story… Even though Rowan was traumatized and called the police, she still manages to stay on their suspect list. Things get even more complicated when her ex and daughter’s father shows back up in town and lands on that list, too. I really liked Rowan and even though she sometimes made some curious choices, she was smart, talented and did better investigating than the detectives. Then there’s a mystery involving the mansion that seemed to be connected.
the narration… I’m a big fan of Kathleen Early and her storytelling skills and she was great here as Rowan. Caitlin Kelly was perfect as the sometime bratty teen Natalie and Sarah-Mollo Christensen was wonderful as the mysterious Wincott secretary. I enjoyed the performances individually and collectively.
the bottom line… This is my first by the author, someone I’ve wanted to read for a while and I chose a good one. The characters were well developed and the mystery nicely designed and connected. And, there’s a romance element I wasn’t expecting. I’ll definitely be checking out Bowen’s backlist.
the setup… Cynthie Taylor’s career is in serious trouble. She’s a well-regarded, famous actress now caught up in a scandal that may just level her carethe setup… Cynthie Taylor’s career is in serious trouble. She’s a well-regarded, famous actress now caught up in a scandal that may just level her career. Her agent and her best friend approach her with a project that just might be the solution…if she can bear having Jack Turner-Jones be the leading man in the sequel to the film that launched their careers. Thirteen years ago, A Lady of Quality was Cynthie’s first role and the one that distinguished Jack from his famous theatrical parents. Problem was they couldn’t stand each other back then and haven’t seen one another since. Can they pull this off?
the heart of the story… The story begins with Cynthie’s current woes and transitions back thirteen years to where it all began. I appreciated the dual timeline because there was so much more texture to the complicated relationship between Cynthie and Jack. There’s truly a thin line between love hate and these two personify that. Part of the PR from the first movie required them to be in a fake relationship and they were going to have to do it again for the new film’s promotion. Jack needs this movie, too, so both want it to work while struggling with those competing emotions.
the narration… Heather Long and Sam Stafford were delightful as Cynthie and Jack, as well as giving great voices to the wonderful secondary characters. I loved their performances.
the bottom line… There’s a lot to love here with two highly engaging characters trying to grapple with their complicated feelings for each other. It’s funny and romantic, poignant at times, and has a wonderful cast of secondary characters. Theo & Clementine make an appearance, too, which brought back some special memories. I certainly hope there’s more to come in this series as I’m enjoying being in this world’s orbit.
the setup… It’s 1996 and Jane Williams is turning seventeen. She and her father Frank live in a remote cabin in Montana, off the grid with just the mosthe setup… It’s 1996 and Jane Williams is turning seventeen. She and her father Frank live in a remote cabin in Montana, off the grid with just the most basic of necessities. It’s the only life she’s known and it’s her normal, homeschooled by him and subjected to his extreme philosophies based on 19th century theorists. The occasional visits to Boseman and the bookstore operated by her one friend’s mother have started to stir a restlessness for something more. One day her father takes her on a different kind of venture, one that forever changes the trajectory of her life.
the heart of the story… This is so much more than a coming of age story. It begins near the end and then rewinds back to Jane’s origins, which provides essential foundations for understanding both her and Frank. He later dupes Jane into helping him commit a serious crime, the catalyst for her finally leaving the mountain permanently. Before she escapes, Jane discovers documents that brings question to her entire identity. Just imagine a seventeen year old girl unleashed into a world she’s never experienced, and on her own, landing in Silicon Valley during its infancy.
the narration… Helen Laser is one of my favorite narrators and she was outstanding in her characterization of Jane and in her storytelling. Peter Ganim sounded exactly as I’d imagined him, bringing him to life.
the bottom line… Jane is exceptionally bright and stumbles into situations that steer her towards answers and relationships that will serve her well, and some not so much. I was riveted throughout her entire journey as she struggles to create her own truths and question everything she’s known. Some of Frank’s fears about technology were prescient and you can’t help seeing some of the destructiveness he predicted. Jane was a marvel and where she landed felt authentic. This is an extraordinary story I still can’t seem to let go.
the setup… It’s 1982 and Dawn, a young woman married to Heron and mother of their toddler daughter Maggie, encounters Hazel, a delightful woman who’s athe setup… It’s 1982 and Dawn, a young woman married to Heron and mother of their toddler daughter Maggie, encounters Hazel, a delightful woman who’s a teacher and has the gift of gab. Something about her lights Dawn from within in a way she’s never experienced. It soon becomes apparent that Dawn needs to make a change. Transition to 2022 and Heron is struggling with bad news from his doctor that he doesn’t know how to share with his daughter Maggie and two grandchildren. It’s what happened in between that truly matters.
the heart of the story… Marriages have crumbled because of affairs for centuries but in 1982, a woman leaving her husband for another woman wasn’t customary. Heron made decisions regarding custody of Maggie that had devastating consequences, making it a commentary on Dawn’s sexual preference rather than what was best for the child, egged on by a rabid judicial system. We see the consequences forty years later and now Heron has to face telling his daughter the truth about what happened and dealing with the fallout. It was heartbreaking on so many levels.
the narration… Miranda Raison was wonderful in letting the beauty of the writing flow without much embellishment. She’s a terrific storyteller.
the bottom line… I was surprised to find so much complexity in a short story. Lynch skillfully presents an uncomplicated and pure romance that was tainted by other’s prejudices, turning it into something ugly and detrimental to parenting. She made Heron a villain and sympathetic at the same time, surprising me in how I experienced him that way. I loved the rawness of it all and there’s an authenticity here that prevented me from taking sides, which that was extraordinary. This is why I almost always add a Read With Jenna selection.