Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Picking Up the Pieces
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Mary Sheepshanks
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth Senior Sleuths
St. Martin's, Jan 1999, $5.99, 292 pp.
When the overpowering and ingenious Oliver Rendlesham dies, he leaves behind Kate, his widow, to contend with difficulties without him. The fifty plus year old Kate decides to relocate to a smaller house over the objection of her daughter Joanna and her granddaughter Harriet.
However, many friends encourage Kate to start life anew by moving to her new home and by starting a needlework line. The owner of her new home turns out be the very rich "Just Jack". Kate falls in love with Jack. However, she has to assist her daughter, whose marriage is falling apart, and her granddaughter, who is on the edge. Added to the pressure on Kate is that she knows an ugly secret about her deceased spouse. However, her new beloved also has a secret that leaves Kate wondering if things have just gotten worse.
PICKING UP THE PIECES is a fabulous relationship drama that makes all the characters seem genuine because the dynamics between them comes acrooss as very realistic. The story line is well written as family interplay is cleverly described. In only her third novel, Mary Sheepshanks has demonstrated that she is clearly one of the best writer's of contemporary women's fiction on the market today.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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