After waiting with great anticipating for the release of Dorthea Benton Frank's newest novel... I regret to say this book was a true disappointment! I'm in my fifties and hardly found anything to relate to while reading this book. This book starts out dark with a death almost from the very beginning of the book and then transitions to a desperate woman on the prowl in search of a meal ticket! Unfortunately, I could relate to children being unappreciative, but the pot smoking plot and men barging in demanding material objects at a total strangers house was also a stretch for me. At various times, I found myself thinking... I ordered the book first and then realized I would be at the beach where she was scheduled to do a book signing. I've always wanted to attend and get an autographed copy. However, that would have been another 50 dollars on top of the original book purchased. Basically, after finishing the novel, I'm glad I didn't waste additional money. My aunt has met Frank and talked with her at a restaurant on Sullivan's Island, so naturally I felt compelled to attend a book signing or luncheon after listening to her rave and rant about the opportunity to meet and talk with her personally. Overall, I can't help but wonder if one of my favorite author's hasn't ran out of material to write about concerning South Carolina. Has she lost touch with reality and women? Essentially, I find it hard to believe that I'm so off base concerning this novel compared to other readers that gave outstanding reviews of the book! Are these readers just continuing to blow hot air or did they really enjoy a bad attempt of a mystery? In the future, her books won't be considered an automatic purchase! The bland, formulaic, uninspired, and amateur-level prose from an author who is NOT a novice , just renders it all the more disappointing. The 'plot' although I use that term loosely here! And then, in the meantime, we are subjected to enduring pointless descriptions of food and its preparation; shopping lists and shopping trips; and women in their fifties speaking and acting in age-inappropriate ways in regard to 'middle age dating', as if they are adolescents experiencing 'boys', dating, sex, and love for the first time. Perhaps the author needs to take a break from writing for a while? Two additional points to ponder: Was the editor in a hurry? The editing in this book leaves much to be desired. Most people would have immediately been on the phone with a good lawyer! I've read all of DBF's books and, in my opinion, this is one of the best. The story line held my interest throughout and the characters this time out were wonderfully developed. As is her habit, Ms. Frank includes the mention of a large number of commercial enterprises, ranging from Costco to Krispy Kreme. I'm not sure if she does this to make her characters more easily relatable to her readers, because of genuine loyalty to the companies' products, or if she actually receives compensation for what amounts to free advertising, but her practice of doing it is once again front and center from cover to cover. It doesn't bother me - in fact as a frequent visitor to the Charleston area, I appreciate the mentions of the local restaurants. After reading this book I'll be sure to visit places like the Obstinate Daughter and Tavern and Table on my next trip to the glorious Holy City. As is also her habit, she includes another ex-husband in the story. This time, though, he's not a complete jerk who gets bashed throughout the book, and actually becomes a semi-sympathetic character in the end. One of the most interesting characters in the book is the 99 year old Miss Trudie. DBF does such a fine job of developing this character that I think most readers will be very moved by Miss Trudie's fate in the book. I rank this one right alongside Dorothea Benton Frank's finest novels. I too, am an avid fan of Dorothea Benton Frank - and too, anxiously await each new novel. I have savored most and re-read many. I'm uncertain as to why - with all of her talent, she missed the mark with this one. So much so, that with each turn of the page, I'm tempted to put it down. I'm into chapter 6 and still waiting. I'm waiting for the amazing description of the low country, the sights and smell and sounds - Ms. Frank is so good at conveying. The conversations between the characters are long, drawn out, choppy and uninteresting. The writing over-all is in the very least amateur. I will finish the book simply out of the high esteem I have for Ms. Frank but sorry to say I don't recommend it. I've read every one of Ms. Frank's books, and always enjoyed them. She usually grabs my attention from the very first page. This book did not move me. I wasn't anxious to pick it where I left off to find out what happens next. I don't know if I'm just out of synch, or what, but I did not find this book all that interesting. I'm always read to praise her books, and have referred several women I know to read them. What happened this time is beyond me. I'm curious how much it costs to get talked about in one of Frank's books? I've loved Frank prior books, and the maturity and angst exhibited by her characters. This one was written in such juvenile fashion it's hard to believe it was written by the same author. And so holier than thou! Presented in such a way to assume we all think the same as she. Now we know why Lisa's daughter moved far away, Mom's rigid thinking and sermonizing mothering would have driven any of us away. I was deeply disappointed.
