★★ ½
Did you ever wish something terrible would happen to you so the world could see how strong you are?
Alison was always the star of the family – beautiful, brilliant and absolutely perfect – and Claire idolized her.
But one Caribbean vacation on the island of Saint X later, their family of four became a family of three.
Even though Claire was only seven, that memory was burned into her mind.
Their voices, though still friendly on the surface, have a coldness to them. No, she tells herself. She is just imagining it.
Her sister’s body was found washed up on the beach and Claire’s life was forever changed.
And now that Claire is older – and has moved out, gotten the job and has checked off the hundred other adult things she should be doing – she just can’t let Alison go.
“You can’t bring the stars.”
“Why not?”
“You can’t carry them.”
“I’ll bring whatever I want.”
And then one day, Claire runs into Clive – one of the men who was accused of killing her sister.
And right then and there, Claire decides to NOT let this opportunity pass her by any longer.
The winter, these nights, this man – it stretched on and on. I could see no end in sight.
So. I loved the premise of this one – I think that was really, really well done.
I thought Claire and the elusive Alison made an interesting set of characters. You learn about Alison through interviews, tapes and Claire’s memories, which then gives you an idea of who Claire truly is.
I was intrigued by Claire’s mission to solve her sister’s murder and when Clive came onto the page – my pulse quickened.
And then, just as quickly, it went back to normal.
This is one of those books where early on you realize that you meander…a lot.
And sometimes, I absolutely LOVE that and makes the book one of my favorites…and sometimes it just doesn’t work.
With thanks to the author and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
All quotes come from an uncorrected proof and are subject to change upon publication.
Interested in this one from Alexis Schaitkin? Buy it here: Amazon
Miranda Reads 