Review: The Glass Coffin

The Glass Coffin Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Gail Bowen
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Woman Main Character Academic
Series: Joanne Kilbourn # 8

I have been reading and enjoying Gail Bowen's books since 'Deadly Appearances'. I was first drawn to them by their strong sense of place, but although the details that clearly situate the book in Saskatchewan are still there, with 'The Glass Coffin', the focus is on character,

Bowen's books follow the life of Joanne Kilbourn, a widowed mother with connections to academic, media and political life. Joanne's life has changed throughout the series, but it is not necessary to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one.

Joanne's friend Jill is bright, competent and hardworking. She is successful in every aspect of her life except one - her choice of lovers. Jill has suddenly announced her marriage, and, given Jill's history, Joanne is deeply concerned. The more she finds out about Evan (the prospective groom) and his family, the more worried she becomes. Nevertheless, the wedding goes ahead, and is followed almost immediately by a murder.

As 'The Glass Coffin' unfolds, it reveals a severely disturbed family, one based on secrets which must be exposed, not only to uncover the murderer, but to rescue the innocent, if any can be considered innocent. It is by no means clear which family members are innocent and which are abusive - or whether some are both at different times.

As much as I enjoyed the gradual unfolding of the story, one part did not ring true for me. Jill is not motivated only by love for Evan; she wants a daughter. The desire for a child, in itself, is quite a common motivation. However, Bryn, Evan's daughter and Jill's stepdaughter, is, at 17, rather old for her role as child needing mothering. A biological parent, or someone who has known Bryn since birth might have difficulty acknowledging she is an adult in all but the narrowest legal sense. But Jill, meeting her for the first time at the age of 17, would not be likely to see Bryn as a needy child.

Aside from this caveat, the story was absorbing and well worth reading. The underlying theme of disturbed and disturbing parental relationships is, for the most part, very well worked out and described, and the book is an excellent addition to Bowen's list of novels.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Book Review: The Glass Coffin