I've read and listened to all 3 of Ms. Jackson's book. Reading wise, this one came in third. But comes in second on audio for me. I really wish they would get the person that read the first one to read her books. I realize she probably likes doing it herself, the author, but the first one was the perfect for her style of writing. Having said that, you can tell she has practiced a bit more, a little more relaxed. It kept my attention and I did catch a few things that I didn't while reading it, which is unusual. Definitely worth a listen. Great author that has come into her own.

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This book, in addition to being somewhat formulaic (sort of one of the Lifetime Channel formulae), there are a few places in the story where the ethics exhibited by major characters are disturbing because they are let lie as if they are OK. For instance, when the main characters do a home invasion in the home of someone they suspect is a pedophile when the daughter goes missing, they proceed to threaten blackmail (he is found in bed with one of their married neighbors--he isn't a pedophile) if he reports them for what is, in fact, breaking and entering. The implication is that adultery is the worse crime. If that is a spoiler paragraph, so be it--readers are entitled to know when this level of dreck is reached.

In addition to that, there is a "ghost" and "supernatural" thing going on that is very immature and kind of stupid, IMO. and adds nothing to the plot except to make one wonder what the author was thinking to feel that was a good way to go.

The writer has several themes going on--adult survivors of possible sexual abuse, murder of the abuser relative when the main characters (sisters) were youngsters, a mother who is limited because she survived a childhood in a squalid, violent slummy Southern town. The people speak like ignorant cretins from deep in the backwoods, and there aren't any who rise above scum of the Earth--except, of course, the protagonists.

All in all it was a distasteful effort. I haven't read anything else by this author, and now probably won't.

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I really liked this audio. I have never read, nor listened to this author before, but I have to say that she did a wonderful job narrating her own book. Her depiction and focus on detail with each character was wonderful. I always get "iffy" about an audio during the very beginning of the first cd, however, I am glad I continued to listen because I could not stop before too long!

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This book was such a beautiful example of the "McMansion" communities that we see or live in every day and the not-so-perfect group of people that live there. It's a potent reminder that if a person escapes from a difficult background, they have an obligation to give hope and an opportunity to others. It deals with family relationships and the consequences of judging others. Overall a terrific and insightful book!

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