This book by Marcia Preston is a tale of three women who are all having to live with the aftermath of a terrible secret. Brought together by the most innocuous of reasons, and torn apart by a terrible tragedy their lives have never been the same since one fateful night. When they are forced to face up to the secret they are all bound by. Will this bring a change to their lives once more?
The story focuses around Roberta. She is living her life the best she can after incidents that happened when she was younger caused her to be admitted to a mental health facility for a long period of time. She has learnt how to control her destructive thoughts and has been reasonably happily married for a few years now. When a stranger turns up her doorstep, her life is turned upside down. He is the father of her childhood best friend, Cynthia. He was reported dead after the Vietnam War and no one has heard from him since. He wants Roberta to go with him and testify at the parole hearing of Lorena, Cynthia's mother and his wife. She's been serving time for a crime that Roberta knows she did not commit, but can she bear to relieve the tragedy that changed all three women's lives.
Through a series of flashbacks we learn how Roberta and Cynthia became friends, and how Lorena became such an important figure in Roberta's life. We find out what tragedy tore them apart, and the secret that they each have been keeping for so long.
This is a carefully thought out and written story. The characters are well thought out and convincing. I felt whilst I was reading it as though it were a jigsaw puzzle, and the sense of satisfaction when another piece of the puzzle slotted in was huge. The plot was captivating and I struggled to put it down.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a read with a slightly more serious angle to it.
Rating : 4 out of 5
Like this? Try 'Notes on a Scandal' by Zoe Heller
