Helpful Score: 3
The storyline moved slow with the developing of character background. It kept my interest but some of the background was repeated more than once throughout the book and it wasn't necessary. I enjoyed her previous book "Speak Softly, She Can Hear" much better.
Helpful Score: 2
I liked the premise of the story, it was interesting. I have read two books by this author now and I think I just don't enjoy her writing style. I find it at times repetitive and rambling. There were some twists in the story line, but if you pay the least bit of attention you will see them coming a mile away.
Helpful Score: 1
This story was good...a little slow. I enjoyed her previous novel more.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very interesting and there were twists and turns in the plot that made the book impossible to put down.
Helpful Score: 1
The story's premise was better than its execution. Mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of a young mother, unknown identity of orphaned child's father, family secrets uncovered about another dead family member. I could have done without the incest overtones and brother-sister skinny dipping.
Helpful Score: 1
**spoiler alert**
Upon reading the description of this novel, I expected a surface-thriller with a mystery and action and a characters who served no purpose other than to propel the plot; this was my "fluff" book. It was anything but. Pleasantly surprised by the depth of most of the characters, I mourned the loss of that crazy, younger sister, Pony. I felt like I understood (as much as I was able) what the unexpected loss of an immediate family member felt like. This family, rather than falling apart, grew closer together.
I suspected a mystery surrounding Pony's death. I suspected the family wasn't as perfect as they appeared. Through a tragic loss, the perfect world unraveled and the reader sees the result of years of lying and deception. What was unique about these particular lies and deceptions was that the person who caused them was dead and unable to defend or explain herself. The family was forced to reevaluate their memories of their mother/wife/sister.
One of the final scenes, set in Idaho's Salmon River, made me uneasy and certainly made me request that my husband never kayaks again. Three and a half stars.
Upon reading the description of this novel, I expected a surface-thriller with a mystery and action and a characters who served no purpose other than to propel the plot; this was my "fluff" book. It was anything but. Pleasantly surprised by the depth of most of the characters, I mourned the loss of that crazy, younger sister, Pony. I felt like I understood (as much as I was able) what the unexpected loss of an immediate family member felt like. This family, rather than falling apart, grew closer together.
I suspected a mystery surrounding Pony's death. I suspected the family wasn't as perfect as they appeared. Through a tragic loss, the perfect world unraveled and the reader sees the result of years of lying and deception. What was unique about these particular lies and deceptions was that the person who caused them was dead and unable to defend or explain herself. The family was forced to reevaluate their memories of their mother/wife/sister.
One of the final scenes, set in Idaho's Salmon River, made me uneasy and certainly made me request that my husband never kayaks again. Three and a half stars.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun read, however predictable. As soon as certain person walked into the family's life and said they knew Pony...I already knew the outcome. I was so bummed when it really was how the book ended. I even had the little side stories figured out. It was an exciting book to read all the same, mainly because I held onto a glimmer of hope and enthusiasm for the thought I might be wrong. I did enjoy this book more than I enjoyed "Speak Softly, She Can Hear."
Pony the youngest of the Carteret family is discovered
drowned at the family summer home and her baby in his playpen on shore. Her hair was discovered tangled in an anchor chain belonging to a raft. She was the best swimmer and knew the rules about being near the chain without a swimmer hat so what happened? What thought to be a perfect family turns out that there were many kept secrets.
As the secrets come to light can the family over come them and continue to accept and love one another
drowned at the family summer home and her baby in his playpen on shore. Her hair was discovered tangled in an anchor chain belonging to a raft. She was the best swimmer and knew the rules about being near the chain without a swimmer hat so what happened? What thought to be a perfect family turns out that there were many kept secrets.
As the secrets come to light can the family over come them and continue to accept and love one another
I wasnt sure if I was going to enjoy this book because it started off slowly but once I got into it I was able to enjoy it. As I was reading it I had an idea what was going to happen so I wasn't totally surprised at the turn of events. This authors' other novel, Speak Softly She Can Hear, is much more enjoyable though.
The book kept my attention until the end. Very good read.
This book was a very interesting book. It is a mystery and keeps you on the edge. It keeps twists and turns on every page. I was not disappointed. This is a good book about who is true family....
A thoughtful story about a well-to-do family that is suddenly thrown by the
sudden death of a sister. How the family reacts to this tragedy and the secrets uncovered make for a good read.
sudden death of a sister. How the family reacts to this tragedy and the secrets uncovered make for a good read.
Excellent. excellent story! All Pam Lewis's books are great! I'm addicted!!!
