The Favorite Daughter/Patti Callahan Henry/368pgs

Lena Donohue is returning to Watersend, South Carolina, after leaving her husband at

alter ten years earlier. On the day of her wedding she found out that her sister and her husband were romantically involved and left home to pursue a career in New York City.  When her brother calls her home due to the fact that her father is suffering from Alzheimer’s she knows she has no other choice but to help with the family crisis. It’s sad to read about how this disease robs people of their memories, especially since my mother is having the same issues at this time. However, I believe this is a wonderful story of forgiveness and how strong family bonds can be in difficult times. I wanted to read this book because I loved , The Bookshop at Water's End, written by this author. I would live give this a 3 out 5 star rating.

The Lost Man/ Jane Harper/ 352 pgs

I really liked Harper's first book, The Dry. Her second book, Force of Nature, not as much. But The Lost Man. Wow. This is her best book yet. I was stunned by the end and, to be honest, almost afraid to give the revelation too much thought. This is a mystery and a family drama, set in the beautiful, brutal outback of Eastern Australia. Cameron Bright, a husband, a father, the most charming of three brothers, is found dead in the desert. His death from dehydration was horrible and yet he was found alone, miles away from his fully stocked car. Did he commit suicide or did something more nefarious happen? Left to pick up the pieces and figure out the mystery is Cam's older brother Nathan. He's been divorced for over a decade and has also been the town pariah for just as long. Nathan was a heartbreaking figure to me, someone done in by circumstances, a small town, and some disastrous decisions of his own making. All members of the Bright family are well drawn and they are nothing if not shaped by the land they live on. This is an absolutely fabulous read with an ending I won't soon forget.

They Won’t Be Hurt/Kevin O’Brien/440 pgs

A horrendous crime involving the brutal killing of the entire Singleton family has a community on edge.  Two hours away, Laura Gretchell is home alone in their new house for the first time while her husband is out of the country on business.

In true murder mystery style, the Gretchell’s home is targeted by the murder suspects.  Laura soon learns that the prime suspect is Joe Spiers, one of her 3rd grade students when she was a teacher.  Laura was very important in Joe’s young life.  She realized that his home life was bad and reported the abuse.  He was removed from his home and went to live with his grandmother.

Knowing that she has been there him before, Joe seeks out his former teacher to help him prove that he was innocent of committing the murders.  Laura is forced to go to great lengths to get to the truth while her children are being held hostage at home.  A good murder/suspense read.