Book Review: Driving Stevie Fracasso by Barry Divola

Driving Stevie Fracasso 

by

Barry Divola

 

He's about to find everything he didn't know he was missing

 

 

 

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia

 

Publication date: 3rd March 2021

 

Genre: General Fiction

 

Pages: 352

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Source: My purchase 

 

 

About the book

 

Jaded music journalist Rick McLennan knows his life is going south when he loses his job, his apartment and his long-term girlfriend all on the same day. But then he is thrown a lifeline - a commission to write the story of his ex-rock-star brother, Stevie, and drive him from Austin, Texas, to New York to play one final gig. One small problem: the brothers haven't spoken in thirty years.

Rick knows it's a bad idea. But he's out of choices. So he gets behind the wheel of a beaten-up 1985 Nissan Stanza and drives towards his destiny. He's about to find everything he didn't know he was missing. It's September 2001.

 

My review

 

I have to say I've never been interested in music or bands. The only records I've brought are a couple of Slade albums in my early teens. What I'm saying here is you don't have to be a music buff to love this novel. Though if you are, you will!

 

Driving Stevie Fracasso is a story about finding yourself, reconciling your past and growing up and learning what's important in life.

Music journalist Rick loses his girlfriend, his accommodation and his job on the same day. However when he is offered the job of writing a book on washed-up musician Stevie Fracasso, on the proviso he picks him up in Austin and drives him back to New York, Rick decides it solves his immediate problems so accepts. The only problem is, Stevie is his brother and he hasn't seen him in 29 years.

After stealing borrowing his ex-girlfriends car, what ensues is a road trip filled with colourful characters, a busted nose, acquisition of a three legged dog and words of wisdom that come from the most unlikeliest people as Rick and Stevie visit Stevie's top attraction list on their trip.

 

I had a blast reading Driving Stevie Fracasso, it was witty and heartfelt. Rick was quite annoying at the start of the book. He was forty years old and still acted like a twenty year old. I felt embarrassed for him. He has a big chip on his shoulder about his life, his parents and his brother. Rick's character was well drawn and I enjoyed following his road to enlightenment. 

 

I love stories about road trips and Barry Divola didn't disappoint. The road trip through New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville was eventful and funny - usually at Rick's expense.

 

"Don't you know anything about road trips? They're not about the destination, they're about the journey."

 

Driving Stevie Fracasso was a roller coaster journey for Rick and he did finally reach his destination, reassessing his hopes and dreams.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Barry Divola is a journalist and author born and bred in Sydney, currently living in Perth. He writes regularly for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and Qantas Magazine. He was a senior writer for Rolling Stone (Australia), the long-time music critic for Who, and his work has appeared internationally in Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, Monocle and other magazines. Driving Stevie Fracasso is his first novel, but he has published eight other books – four non-fiction books, three children's books and a book of short fiction (Nineteen Seventysomething). He has won the Margaret River Short Story Prize, the FAW Jennifer Burbidge Award, the Cowley Literary Award and the Banjo Paterson Award for Short Fiction (three times). Although he plays in three bands in two cities, he has been informed not to give up his day job.  

 

Challenges entered:   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

 

 

Book Review: Love Objects by Emily Maguire

 Love Objects

by

Emily Maguire

 

A stunning, simply told story of great compassion and insight, from the author of the Stella Prize-shortlisted An Isolated Incident.  

 

 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 30th March 2021

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

 

Pages: 400

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Uncorrected paperback proof

 

Source: Won
 

 

About the book

 

 Nic is a forty-five-year-old trivia buff, amateur nail artist and fairy godmother to the neighbourhood's stray cats. She's also the owner of a decade's worth of daily newspapers, enough clothes and shoes to fill Big W three times over and a pen collection which, if laid end-to-end, would probably circle her house twice.

The person she's closest to in the world is her beloved niece Lena, who she meets for lunch every Sunday. One day Nic fails to show up. When Lena travels to her aunt's house to see if Nic's all right, she gets the shock of her life, and sets in train a series of events that will prove cataclysmic for them both. 

 

My review

 

I have to mention the stunning cover of this book which perfectly depicts it's inner story of a woman totally consumed by her surroundings.

 

Nic is a middle-aged woman who has a whole consuming empathy for inanimate objects. She feels these objects have feelings of loneliness and rejection. Her obsession with collecting, or in her mind saving, these items has filled her home to the level that it is unsafe to live in.

 

Nic's niece Lena, at twenty, is experiencing life away from home, living in a Uni share apartment, when one disastrous relationship, with the Uni's hot jock, has her image plastered all over the internet. 

 

Emily Maguire gives her readers two very different story lines. Nic's hoarding was well written with her emotions and thoughts being openly and sensitively portrayed. Maguire took us right into Nic's head and it was easy to feel empathy for her. Whereas Lena's predicament related more to a young adult audience. Her narrative was crass and sexually explicit. I felt her problem wasn't as overwhelming as she made it. Explicit images put on the internet is not uncommon and I think young women know how to deal with this. Change your phone number for a start!!

 

I could appreciate Maguire's connection between what Lena did to Nic and what happened to Lena as both of them felt violated but I don't think Lena saw that connection which should have been the whole point of the story.

There is also a third narrative of Lena's brother, Will, trying to restart his life after a stint in jail and a relationship breakdown.

 

I enjoyed the themes of class, family, moving on and compromise but I felt Lena's problem was all wrapped up too neatly.

I was after a story on the psychology of hoarding and although I did get this I wasn't particularly interested in Lena's or Will's stories.

 

My rating 2.5-3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Emily Maguire is the author of six novels, including the Stella Prize and Miles Franklin Award shortlisted An Isolated Incident, and three non fiction books. Her articles and essays on sex, feminism, culture and literature have been published widely, including in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Observer and The Age. Emily works as a teacher and as a mentor to young and emerging writers and was the 2018/2019 Writer-in-Residence at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney.

 

 

 
Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

 

 

 

Book Review: The Hope Flower by Joy Dettman

 The Hope Flower

by

Joy Dettman

 

From the bestselling author of Mallawindy and the Woody Creek series comes a story of love and survival.

 

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 30th March 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 432

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 About the book

Lori Smyth-Owen isn't your average teenager - as you'd expect from the only girl in a family of twelve. Or they were a family, until their father took his own life to escape his bed-bound wife, too obese to leave her room.

But for Lori and the remaining brothers, there is no escape from their volatile, mentally unstable mother. They raise themselves away from the gaze of the authorities, realising that though abandoned, they are now in charge. They can control everything, including their mother's food intake.

In time, their mother emerges, after losing two-thirds of her body weight. But does she bring with her the seed of hope for a better future, or will all hell break loose?

 

My review

 

The Hope Flower is a heart-wrenching story with a dysfunctional family at its centre.  Told from the perspective of fifteen year old Lori who is the glue that holds the family together. The only girl in the 12 siblings she is mature beyond her years and organises the family timetable and finances. The older boys protect their sister whilst the younger boys look to her as a mother figure. Their mentally unstable mother is the only thing that keeps them from being taken by the authorities.

 

The story is poignant and unsettling however there are moments of humour, all be it a bit dark they still  gave me a laugh.

Unlike Bridge of Clay, a story of five male siblings left to raise themselves, the Smyth-Owen siblings rarely fought and I think only once did a disagreement turn to fisticuffs. I found this a bit unrealistic.

 

Mavis Smyth-Owen is well portrayed as the slovenly, mentally unstable adult who throws violent temper tantrums if she doesn't get her own way.

The citizens of the small town of Willama band together in an inconspicuous way by doing small acts of kindness; giving the older boys jobs and providing a safe house for the younger boys when needed. They are there but not interfering. 

  

Through a couple of chapters from Mavis' viewpoint the reader learns that the dysfunctionality goes beyond this family to Mavis' own upbringing and brings a new perspective on why she is the way she is. 

 

There is an underlying theme of hope. A wavering hope that their situation will change and their mother will return to the person only the older children can remember.

 

The Hope Flower is a difficult read although the power of courage and the driving force of hope that emanated from the pages had me completely engrossed. 

 

5 / 5   🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

About the author

 

Joy Dettman was born in Echuca, Victoria. She spent her early years in small towns on either side of the Murray River. In the late sixties, she and her husband moved to the outer suburbs of Melbourne, where they have chosen to remain. Joy is an award-winning writer of short stories set in country Australia, which were published in Australia and New Zealand between 1993 and 1997. The complete collection Diamond in the Mud, was published in 2007. Joy went on to write the highly acclaimed novels Mallawindy, Jacarranda Blue, Goose Girl, Yesterday's Dust, The Seventh Day, Henry's Daughter, One Sunday, The Silent Inheritance and the Woody Creek novels. 

 

Challenges entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge

                                 Aussie Author Challenge 

 

 

Book Review: Darkness & Grace by Kathryn Schleich

Darkness & Grace

by

Kathryn Schleich 

 

A domestic thriller inspired by real events

 

Publisher: Chris Olsen Communications

Publication date: 12th March 2021

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 231

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of Book Publicity Services 

 

About the book

 

Even the strongest of families aren’t immune to malice, betrayal, and deceit. Supportive, loving, and affluent, the Pierson family is delighted to celebrate the marriage of sensitive middle son Paul Pierson and his wife, Pamela. Everyone rejoices that Paul has finally recovered from the tragic loss of his beloved first wife and looks forward to Paul and Pamela’s new life together. But just as family members are celebrating his happiness, they start noticing that his beautiful bride may not be what she seems.

As the strain between siblings and spouses worsens, the Piersons discover that neither their money nor their considerable influence can keep the family safe from one woman’s malicious intent. When the true nature of this family member is revealed, each of the Piersons is confronted with the quandary of human conduct and moral responsibility.

 

My review

 

Darkness & Grace is a domestic thriller inspired by real events.

 

Paul has been suffering immensely since his wife's death and when he starts dating Pamela his family were overjoyed to accept her into their fold. However once they were married things started going down hill.

 

The story follows Pamela's malicious actions and Paul's family's attempts to shelter Paul and the couple's baby daughter.

 

Paul's sister Kate narrates this tale of deception and as much as I think family should stick together and help each other out I found Paul's whole family were so annoying and way too involved. That aside, I found Kathryn Schleich's writing engaging and the story held my attention and the ending was totally unexpected.

A good story recommended for readers who like a bit of family drama. 

3.5 / 5     ⭐⭐⭐½

About the author

Kathryn Schleich has been a writer for thirty years. Her crime novel, Salvation Station, was published through She Write Press in 2020. Schleich has also published the short story “Reckless Acts,” featured in After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology, and “Grand Slam,” published in The Acentos Review in May 2017. She is also the author of the academic book Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images, which evolved from her master’s thesis. Her guest posts have been featured on the Women On Writing blog, The Muffin, and she writes for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. When she’s not writing, Schleich is likely volunteering in the education and arts communities in the Twin Cities, where she lives. Friends, family, good food, wine, and traveling are important aspects of her life. 

 

Challenges entered: Cloak and Dagger Challenge  

 

 

Book Review: Good Indian Daughter by Ruhi Lee

Good Indian Daughter

by

Ruhi Lee 

 

How I found freedom in being a disappointment

 

Publisher: Affirm Press

Publication date: 25th May 2021

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 336

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Better Reading Preview

 

About the book

 

Long before Ruhi fell pregnant, she knew she was never going to be the ‘good Indian daughter’ her parents demanded. But when the discovery that she is having a girl sends her into a slump of disappointment, it becomes clear she’s getting weighed down by emotional baggage that needs to be unpacked, quickly.

So Ruhi sets herself a mission to deal with the potholes in her past before her baby is born. Delving into her youth in suburban Melbourne, she draws a heartrending yet often hilarious picture of a family in crisis, struggling to connect across generational, cultural and personal divides.

Sifting through her own shattered self-esteem, Ruhi confronts the abuse threaded through her childhood. How can she hold on to the family and culture she has known and loved her whole life, when they are the reason for her scars?

 

My review

 

Ruhi Lee writes with candour and humour. Her memoir, written as she awaits the birth of her first child, is a journey into a life lived with an underlying guilt for not being the daughter her parents had envisaged.

Good Indian Daughter is an engaging read. with Ruhi Lee’s relaxed style of writing I found myself fully immersed in her story. Many areas of Ruhi’s story will resonate with readers, even those not of Indian descent.

Ruhi Lee is a strong voice for girls and women everywhere who are being subjugated and unheard. She speaks openly on bullying, body image problems, religion, misguided advice, depression, anxiety, racism and abuse.

Reading Ruhi’s story made me sad, angry and overwhelmed but Ruhi’s humour throughout also gave me a few laughs which lightened, although didn’t lessen, the overall feel of the book.

Good Indian Daughter is a brave and open story of shedding the guilt and living your own life. 

 4 / 5 stars    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author 

 

Ruhi Lee's articles, poetry and book reviews have been featured in The Guardian, ABC Life, SBS Voices, South Asian Today and The Big Issue among other publications. In 2019, she was a recipient of the Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund and her manuscript was shortlisted for the Penguin Random House Write It Fellowship. In 2020, she was one of the commissioned writers for the Multicultural Arts Victoria's Shelter program. Good Indian Daughter is her first memoir. She lives in Victoria. 

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

                                 Non Fiction Challenge #2021ReadNonFic 

 

 

 

Book Review: Those Hamilton Sisters by Averil Kenny

 Those Hamilton Sisters

by

Averil Kenny

Will their mother's scandalous past decide their futures?

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th March 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Pages: 464

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

 
Beautiful Esther Hamilton had a reputation in the town of Noah Vale. That was, until she ran away, twenty years ago, under a cloud of shame. 

 

It's now 1955 and following their mother's death, the Hamilton sisters have returned to Noah Vale to live near their aunt and uncle.

The eldest, Sonnet, has inherited both her mother's fiery hair and her independent streak. The middle child, Fable, at twelve-years-old, is a gifted artist and a dreamer. And three year old Plum, is anxious to please and notices everything.

As the years pass, the three sisters settle into small-town life, but suspicion and judgment seem to follow them wherever they go. And when Fable falls in love with Noah Vale's golden boy, is history destined to repeat itself.

My review

I think 2021 will go down as the year of the debut. The ones I have read lately have all been amazing and diverse in content and writing style. I love that there is so much talent yet to be discovered! Those Hamilton Sisters is no exception.

Averil Kenny's writing is lyrical and poetic. The setting of Far Northern Queensland is ethereal and haunting. Kenny has captured the wonder and seclusion of the area with perfection. She also highlights the danger of the wild storms, cyclones and floods and the relentless heat and humidity of a northern summer. I loved how the characters welcomed these dramatic changes in weather. It was a part of their life to celebrated not endured.

It's 1955, a time of conservative social values. Sonnet, Fable and Novella-Plum arrive in Noah Vale, recently orphaned, they will be living in a small cottage previously owned by their mother. Their Aunt Olive had inherited the family home after their mother was disowned and cast out of the town.

Sonnet, fiercely independent, capable and outspoken is the surrogate mother to Fable and Plum. Fable is wistful and dreamy, a budding artist, she is rejected by the other girls her age and spends her time in the rainforest sketching  and running wild with the boys. Aunt Olive wants nothing more than to smother the girls with love but first she must break through Sonnet's defenses. 

The story has its villains and heroes with each character richly drawn and integral to the overall story.

Averil Kenny has given her readers a coming of age story that incorporates small-town minds, a mother's legacy, misogyny, first love and above all, family.

The novel, spanning ten years, is written in three parts each headed by a quote from Jane Austen's Persuasion. It is then broken down into short chapters that reflect on important events in the girls' lives.

Those Hamilton Sisters is a sobering story of love, legacies and the strive for acceptance. This is one debut novel not to be missed!

 

5 / 5      ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit Goodreads

Averil Kenny grew up on a dairy farm and began work in the tourism industry at a young age. She studied Education at James Cook University, before completing a bachelor of Journalism at the University of Queensland. She currently lives in Far North Queensland with her husband and four children. When not dreaming up stories, she can be found nestled in her favourite yellow wingback chair reading and sipping tea, in her library overlooking the rainforest. Those Hamilton Sisters is her first novel.

 

 

 

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 

 

Book Review: The Mistake by Katie McMahon

 The Mistake

by

Katie McMahon

 

Can one decision change everything?

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 2nd March 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $29.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Kate and Bec are sisters, but they could not be less alike.

Bec lives the perfect life: perfect house, perfect husband, perfect children. That is, until she meets Ryan - ten years her junior, wild and exciting, his arrival makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

Her sister Kate's life is anything but perfect. Her career as a model ended dramatically over a decade ago; now she lives alone miles from her family, and has been lonely for a long time. That is, until she meets kind, funny Adam. But something doesn't quite add up, and as he avoids Kate's questions, she begins to wonder if he is too good to be true.

Bec thinks Adam is only after her sister's money, and Kate can't see why Bec would throw her life away for Ryan.

But as tensions mount and secrets are revealed, which sister is about to make a mistake?

 

My review

 

The Mistake is an outstanding and impressive debut by Australian author Katie McMahon.

 

Kate was a successful model working around the world when her career ended suddenly. She now pursues an academic career. Her younger sister Bec, a doctor's wife, lives the perfect life; a handsome husband, a beautiful house and three gorgeous children. Everything Kate aspires to.

 

There is something between the sisters, simmering menacingly, something that's never been discussed but changed the course of both their lives irrevocably.

The dual narrative gives the reader a greater sense of the sisters' relationship and how each of them feels. With Kate's in first person I found her character more open and vulnerable, than the third person narrative of Bec. 

 

As Katie's life finally starts to be looking up in the romance department Bec's life and marriage are falling apart. When Bec starts to get attention from the much younger Ryan she can't resist the urge to break free. Kate and Bec will always be there for each other and tell each other everything. Or do they? Katie McMahon explores the bond between sisters, beauty, sexuality and fidelity.

 

I had a small idea of what was going on but I had no idea where McMahon was taking this and found this shrewdly plotted novel both believable and well executed. 

McMahon gives the reader a deep insight into the sisters innermost thoughts, fears and the events that bind them together and tear them apart. Delivered in two intertwining plot lines The Mistake held my interest from start to finish.

 

In this genre defying novel McMahon mixes family drama with romance, suspense, humour and satire. Her writing is sharp, succinct and delivered with a wry wit.

 

The Mistake is honest, heartfelt and engaging. I'm looking forward to more from Katie McMahon. 

 

4.5 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

 

About the author

 

Katie McMahon wrote The Mistake while attending a masterclass run by the internationally bestselling author Fiona McIntosh. Previous writers discovered at the masterclasses include Tania Blanchard, author of the runaway bestseller The Girl from Munich (50k+ copies sold in ANZ). Katie has lived in London and Melbourne and is now based with her family in Hobart, Tasmania. She is a trained doctor, works as a GP and teaches communication skills to medical students. The Mistake is her first novel.

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 

 

 

Book Review: The Jam Queens by Josephine Moon

 The Jam Queens

by

Josephine Moon

 

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Imprint: Michael Joseph

Publication date: 13th April 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: Uncorrected proof copy

Source: courtesy of the publisher 

 

About the book

 

Award-winning jam maker Aggie is determined to take her Barossa Valley cafe to new heights. She has put the pain of unsuccessful IVF treatments and a broken relationship behind her, and is focused on the many wonderful possibilities life still holds in store.

When an invitation to travel across Australia on the Ghan for her mother’s seventieth birthday comes her way, she is at first apprehensive. But the trip offers a precious opportunity to spend some quality time with both her disgruntled mother, Valeria, and her distant daughter, Holly, as well as her meddling great-aunt, Myrtle. The four generations of the family, all single women, will be reunited at last.

As the iconic train chugs its way beneath majestic desert skies, Aggie’s difficult past resurfaces, her business comes under threat, and long-held family rifts reignite. To complicate things further, she’s distracted by the attentions of a handsome younger man on his own search for meaning in some of the country’s most remote and magical places.

 

My review

 

Five women spanning four generations take a trip together on the Ghan hoping to smooth over old hurts and reconnect.

I really enjoyed the armchair travel on the Ghan and all the touristy day outings the characters embarked on.

Josephine Moon has included many topical issues spread between the women and many of these start out as little mysteries. I won't go into the themes as it will spoil the suspense for readers.

Aggie has the most on her plate; A rift to try and repair with her mother, a business that has an untimely problem, a daughter that has become closed off and a moral dilemma that can’t be put off any longer. However all Aggie’s good intentions are waylaid when she meets the handsome, and much younger, Harry, and spends the trip sightseeing with him.The story is told through three narratives giving the reader a good insight into these characters’ inner thoughts and feelings about themselves and each other. Through backstory we get to know more about the formation of the characters’ current relationships.

The train journey ends up being more of a soul searching trip than a bonding session.

I personally felt there were too many topical themes introduced and most of them weren’t fully explored which made their inclusion come across as somewhat contrived. For me, the exploration of the family’s disconnect and the IVF theme would have been enough to hold my interest.

The Jam Queens is sure to be popular amongst contemporary fiction readers with messages of resilience, family and love, plus an assured happy ending.

 3.5 /5    ⭐⭐⭐½

About the author

Photo credit Goodreads

Josephine Moon was born and raised in Brisbane, had a false start in environmental science before completing a Bachelor of Arts in communication and then a postgraduate degree in education. Twelve years and ten manuscripts later, her first novel, The Tea Chest, was picked up for publication and then shortlisted for an ABIA award. Her bestselling contemporary fiction is published internationally.

In 2018, Josephine organised the 'Authors for Farmers' appeal, raising money to assist drought-affected farming communities. She is passionate about literacy, and is a proud sponsor of Story Dogs and The Smith Family. She now lives in the beautiful Noosa hinterland.

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 
 

Book Review: Bring Him Home by Nicole Trope

 Bring Him Home

by

Nicole Trope

 

 A totally gripping and emotional page turner

 

 

Publisher: Bookouture 

Publication date: 30th March 2021

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 250

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

About the book

 

‘Your son is missing,’ they say, and life as I know it is over. ‘Where would he go?’ the police ask. ‘Where would he be?’ my daughter begs.

My heart races as images flash in my mind. The cabin we rent every autumn, surrounded by fiery red maple trees. Voices raised. Tears falling. A marriage falling apart. And worst of all my husband telling our child, Theo, to run.

The rest is a blank in my memory. If I close my eyes I can almost see it. A betrayal that has left me alone, in tatters, grieving for what we had.

It wasn’t meant to be like that. It should have been precious time as a family, with boardgames, walks in the mountain and pancakes for breakfast.

Instead my little one has vanished. ‘They are looking for him,’ the nurse told me, ‘but the storm is slowing down the search.’

The police think Theo has the answers, that he knows what tore our family apart. But I have no idea where he is. No clue if he is safe. And that’s the most terrifying thing of all…

My review

 

Nicole Trope has depicted, with stark reality, a family on the edge of collapse in this intriguing and moving story.

 

Told through the eyes of multiple characters with a compelling mystery running through the heart of the story Trope explores the complexity of PTSD when Cecilia is found leaning over her injured husband with a knife in her hand. She is unable to speak and can't remember what happened.

 

Set in the holiday cabins in the heart of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. The area is deluged by rain and communications have been cut which adds to the tense atmosphere.

The couples autistic son, Theo, is missing. Through Theo Trope explores the mind of an autistic child. Although I know nothing about autism it came across as believable. 

Eighty-four year old Rose who has lived in one of the cabins all her life gives us a view of autism in the 50's & 60's as she looks back at the prejudices and problems she faced with her autistic brother and the lack of support and understanding then.

I have to admit Theo and Rose really stole the show in this story. Rose's story is heartbreaking. She is a strong determined woman and she had wonderful support from her nephew.

Teenaged Kaycee highlights the affect having a sibling with a disability has on siblings.

The story is filled with villains and heroes and a few twists and turns that will have you reeling. However ultimately it is a story of family, of supporting each other in times of crisis and an undying connection that goes beyond the grave.

This is an easy read I was totally immersed and stayed up late to finish the story.

 

4.5 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

About the author

Photo credit: Goodreads 

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’ She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters’ degree in Children’s Literature. After the birth of her first child she stayed home full time to write and raise children, renovate houses and build a business with her husband.
The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story.
She is now published by Bookouture and is an Amazon top 100 bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS and CAN.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21