Rice, Luanne

Readers of Rice’s previous novels involving art, family, and Conor (Last Day; The Shadow Box) will be most interested in this story, with its complicated conclusion.

Strong love overcomes pain in this latest from Rice (Pretend She’s Here), which combines suspense with stories of surviovors, sisterhood, best friends, and small communities shaken by violence or death.

Best-selling author Rice's 30th book is an outstanding read that both chills and warms the soul. Her descriptions of abuse are startling and unnerving, while her vibrant verbal paintings of birds and nature are calming and uplifting. This hard-to-put-down story about how family ties can be undone and sometimes retied is compelling and will undoubtedly resonate with fans of contemporary women's fiction. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 12/5/11.]

This novel is a satisfying and worthwhile ride if you don't mind taking the scenic route. [Ten-city author tour.]