Book Review: The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!
   
  I have recently discovered author Lisa Jewell, and I have to admit I am enjoying to her writing. It began with Then She Was Gone and then I went onto read I Found You. Both novels were favorite reads of mine this year. Naturally I went back to the book shop and purchased another Lisa Jewell novel.  

 The Girls in the Garden is published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. In this slick mystery we are introduced to the communities of Virginia Crescent and Virginia Terrace, two blocks of housing, shops, and centers encircling a massive park. In Virginia Park is a playground, gardens, walking trails, and fields. It is a community that is closely knit, with many of the neighborhood kids playing together. It seems to be an ideal place to raise families, and many of the residents have been there since childhood. 

  One night, many months ago, Clare Wild's husband had a psychotic break and burned her family's house down. After his admittance into a psychiatric hospital, she took her girls, Pip and Grace, and moved to Virginia Terrace. With her husband's release date approaching, she feels fear for her children, but also a shadow of the love she once felt for him. Pip is dedicated, writing letters to her father. Grace is terrified of her father and wishes for him never to return. In time the girls become acclimated with sprawling community and its local kids. 

  Across the park at Virginia Crescent lives Adele and Leo Howe and their three daughters, Catkin, Fern, and Willow. Adele has taken to home schooling their children, which leaves her time to help edit a friend's manuscript. Then Leo's elderly father shows up unannounced to stay with them while he is about to have surgery. This puts Adele at a disadvantage, since she fears she will have to cater to him post-surgery. Gordon Howe is an uncomfortable old man whose lurid flirting with women of all ages leads to Adele hearing stories of her father-in-law that set her on edge.

  As Clare and the girls become part of the community, Pip and Grace meet the other children, including moody girl Tyler; handsome and outgoing Dylan; Dylan's big brother, Robbie, who is mentally disabled; and Little Max, who loves his prized football. Tyler seems to be more than friends with Dylan and the two are inseparable. But when Grace arrives on the scene, Dylan grows close to her. The group of friends hang out all over the park and it appears that they all get along famously. But when Grace Wild is found badly beaten and apparently sexually assaulted on the evening of a large community party, Pip must work to find her sister's assailant. This attack is eerily reminiscent of another incident from twenty years ago that ended in young Phoebe Rednough's death.

  Is it just coincidence that Grace was found in the same location as the Rednough girl? What secret is Adele's husband hiding about Phoebe Rednough?  And in a community that is tight-lipped and loyal, will Pip ever find the truth? Only time will tell the tale of the girls in the garden.

   The Girls in the Garden is a wonderful Summer Read. It takes place amidst barbecues, hazy days, and delivers gossip and danger so hot, you will need a cold lemonade. The unique setting of this novel offers up many suspects in this story that had me guessing almost to the end of the book. Lisa Jewell's writing took me away and transported me into Virginia Park, where I encountered many three-dimensional characters that could have been my own neighbors. Each plot thread was carefully laid out producing an intricately woven tapestry of suspense, deception, and hidden secrets. I was drawn to young Pip Wild and her narrative, where seemed to be the only level-headed person in her life. Adele Howe was also a favorite of mine, with her family situation, and the way she aided in trying to solve the mystery of who attacked Grace. And Gordon Howe, regardless of his lecherous personality, he provided some laugh-out-loud moments with orneriness ways.

  I read the Girls in the Garden with the audio narration of actress, Colleen Prendergast. She had a very soothing and often melodious voice that carried the story forward in an effortless wave. I loved her accents, her transitioning voices, and she was very effective as Pip Wild. I often saw chores and errands melt away as I listened to her read. I was impressed with her work on this novel. 

  After finishing this novel I gave it four out of five stars. I enjoyed the twisty plot, believable characters, and I fell in love with Virginia Park. After leaving the pages, I wanted more. The Girls in the Garden is a fun Summer Read with enough suspense to make anyone want to sit under a tree or hit the beach with this novel. Have fun trying to solve this mystery.     

  Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading.

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  Because there is always time to read,
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