This is an intense book of magical realism and mystery, which emerges as women’s fiction, too, and then, it is especially brilliant because it is also a first novel. I am looking forward to this author’s works that may now be in the process of being created. And no, the author is not a personal friend, and neither have I ever met or conversed with her online or offline.

The story takes place in and around the small town of Pine Lake in Colorado. It begins with Jess, a despondent young woman who has lost a son, her job, and a place to stay. When Jess’s car breaks down and she gets stuck, she is welcomed by Lucy, the eighty-year-old lady whom the people call a witch. Lucy has dementia but also, she is a clairvoyant and can know intrinsically who needs help and in what way. Jess accepts to become the live-in caretaker of Lucy.

Other characters are just as important to the story, and they are Star, Ben, and Jeremy. Throughout the book all characters, the villain included, try to come to terms with their past experiences.

Star is a teenager who has lost her family and after having bad foster home experiences, began living on the streets. Lucy and Jess invite her in and Star rekindles the mothering instinct in Jess even though Jess fails to accept it. Yet, the one character who unites the most important characters in the story is Chance, Jess’s eight-year-old son who died when a car hit him. The mystery that revolves around this accident adds to the internal traumas of the characters, which Lucy calls “loose ends,” and with the help of the supernatural mixed with realism in good balance, the complicated plot entertains and satisfies the reader.

The story is told from the points of view of Jess and Star, showing convincing emotions, thoughts, and actions. I found the writing to be flawless, the pace just right, and the storytelling exquisite. In the novel, women’s fiction, mystery, and drama combine perfectly. The insight into the characters’ psyches by the author is also commendable.

Of all the characters, I could relate to Lucy and Star the best. Jess, although a good character, seemed to resist mothering Star, didn’t perceive Lucy’s gift well enough, and was dense in understanding that the boy-ghost who scattered around heart-shaped stones was none other than her own son.

As to the villain, I couldn’t wrap my head around him, why he did what he did, especially at the end. His change (good, bad, and somewhat good) felt sudden and unexpected to me and a bit unbelievable. Also, Lucy’s sightlessness to the character of the villain is a bit feeble, as she is a good clairvoyant. Still, I don’t think these concerns took much away from the otherwise perceptive and well-developed characterization overall.

I think this is a book to read and its author is someone whose future work may be highly promising.

enjoying good fiction.

Characterization and the astute combining of the supernatural with realism.

is Melissa Payne.

I enjoyed it a lot and loved many aspects of it.

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Created Jul 19, 2020 at 3:33pm • Submit your own review...