Perfect Family by Pam Lewis

Finished my most recent read: Perfect Family. This one revolves around a Northeastern family - the Carteret's - who suddenly have to deal with (of course) tragedy. Pony, the family's youngest and quirkiest drowns while skinny-dipping at their Vermont lake house. A police investigation and interviews of neighbors reveal that Pony's drowning may not have been accidental. Footprints, strangers and paranoia cause the oldest child - William - to believe that foul play was involved. To top that off, a family secret is revealed that changes William's life forever. This revelation leads William on a trail to find the facts about himself and in turn, Pony's death.

The family in this book - notice the backwards "f" on the cover - quickly reveals itself to be anything but "perfect". The jealousy, pettiness, paranoia and resentment that each member has for the others is quickly revealed and it's a wonder that they even speak to each other as adults. This book was described as "a page turner" and when I saw that Wally Lamb (I Know This Much Is True and The Hour I First Believed) was "riveted" I knew I had to check it out. I wasn't disappointed. It was a good, solid book with twists and turns that kept me flipping the pages quickly. The "shocker" that was revealed was a bit of a surprise but there was an inkling in the back of my mind of what was coming. I've read Pam Lewis before (Speak Softly, She Can Hear - her first novel) but this one was a much better read for me. Enjoy.