FICTION

The 100 Year Miracle

Flatiron: Macmillan. May 2016. 320p. ISBN 9781250082220. $26.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250088024. F
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For six days, once every century, the water around a small island off the coast of Washington State glows as small, bioluminescent sea creatures complete their life cycles. Rachel Bell is a scientist who was selected to study the sea creatures, but she has ulterior motives, believing that the insects may be used to fight chronic pain, a condition from which she suffers. While secreting away these animals in her cabin to experiment on, Rachel meets Harry, an islander who suffers from a degenerative and excruciating disease. Harry's ex-wife, Tilda, has moved home to take care of him and is wary of Rachel and Harry's relationship with her. The three characters come together in unexpected ways as the short lives of the glowing creatures quickly pass. Ream (Losing Clementine), has written a suspenseful novel complete with unreliable, maybe even delusional, narrators. The characters are unlikable and a little underdeveloped, but the quick-paced plot, contrasting with the serene island setting, will keep readers turning the pages, wanting more.
VERDICT An intriguing mix of scientific premise and personal relationships, this story reveals to what lengths humans will go to get what they want. For fans of Gillian Flynn.
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