Author: Danielle McLaughlin
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: January 5, 2020
Book Description: In this “delicate slow burn of a novel” (Jan Carson), a woman’s marriage and career are threatened by an old indiscretion just as she receives the opportunity of a lifetime—from the award–winning author of the “extraordinary” (Colum McCann) Dinosaurs on Other Planets.
Nessa McCormack’s marriage is coming back together again after her husband’s affair. She is excited to be in charge of a retrospective art exhibition for a beloved artist, the renowned late sculptor Robert Locke. But the arrival of two enigmatic outsiders imperils both her personal and professional worlds: A chance encounter with an old friend threatens to expose a betrayal Nessa thought she had long put behind her; and at work, an odd woman comes forward with a mysterious connection to Robert Locke’s life and his most famous work, the Chalk Sculpture.
As Nessa finds the past intruding on the present, she realizes she must decide what is the truth, whether she can continue to live with a lie, and what the consequences might be were she to fully unravel the mysteries in both the life of Robert Locke and her own. In this gripping and wonderfully written debut, Danielle McLaughlin reveals profound truths about love, power, and the secrets that define us.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Review: This book is definitely has a lot to unpack and I pretty sure I will be thinking of this one for quite a bit. Nessa works in an Art Gallery where she is charge of a new exhibit for the late Robert Locke, when a mysterious woman shows up and says she was involved in the creation of one his masterpieces. At home, she is still coming to terms that her husband who had an affair with one of her closest friends and they are trying to save their marriage. Lastly, the son of her best friend who committed suicide years ago shows up in their lives. Like I said a lot to unpack here.
This was an engaging story from start to finish. The author provides multiple themes throughout, but somehow made this work. The writing is terrific for the entire length of the book. In my opinion this would make a great a book if you are in a book club. Again, with all the different themes this will make for a great discussion.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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