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.

Speak Softly, She Can Hear by Pam Lewis

Just finished the above. A good book. A little disturbing but good.

This novel starts in 1965, New York City. It's about 2 high school girls - completely different with the exception of one thing: They both want to lose their virginity before they graduate high school. With that goal in mind, they steer themselves into tragedy, lies and for one of them, a life running from the truth that is forever trying to catch up to her. The novel follows the main character - Carole - through 10 years of running from New York to San Francisco and finally to Vermont. Its a novel about lies and secrets and how the two, when weaved together can leave a life in tatters.

I liked this book...I did but I had a hard time with the main character. She was so weak at times and it made me so angry. I kept waiting for her to become the woman she would have been without the lies and secrets but, alas, I guess that would have been too unrealistic in the shaping of the novel. Regardless, it's a solid recommendation and a good first novel for the author.